Intermediate

Fossil footprints in Australia reveal earliest evidence of land-dwelling reptile-like animal

Brix-News (7)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever visited a museum with fossils? If so, what did you see there? If not, would you like to go? Why or why not? Do you know what a footprint can tell us about an animal? If so, what do you think it shows? If not, what do you want to learn? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. estimate /ES-tuh-meyt/ [verb] – to guess or calculate the cost, size, value, etc. of something The teacher estimated the time needed to finish the test. adapt /uh-DAPT/ [verb] – to change,…
Read more

Experts highlight key steps to protect jewelry investments

jewelry

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think makes jewelry valuable or meaningful to someone? Why do you think some people collect jewelry? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. decoration /dek-uh-REY-shuhn/ [noun] – something used to make something look more attractive She added flowers as a decoration to the dinner table. investment /in-VEST-muhnt/ [noun] – something you buy or do now that will bring a benefit or profit in the future Buying a good computer can be a smart investment for students. separately /SEP-er-it-lee/ [adverb] – in a way that is not together or not…
Read more

Abundant feijoa season sparks nostalgia and debate nationwide

Feijoa (2)

©(AP Photo/Charlotte Graham-McLay) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Can you think of a fruit that reminds you of a special season or time of year? What would you do if you had a lot of fruit growing in your yard and couldn’t eat it all? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. gather /GATH-er/ [verb] – to collect things, usually from different places Every weekend, families gather mushrooms in the nearby forest. commercial /kuh-MUR-shuhl/ [adjective] – related to buying, selling, or business activities The commercial area near the train station is always busy with shoppers. strongly /STRAWNG-lee/…
Read more

Scientists discover safer way to drop eggs without cracking

Brix-News (6)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever dropped an egg before? If so, what happened? If not, what do you think might happen? Do you think the shape of an object can affect how it breaks? If yes, what shape is strong? If not, why do you think shape is not important? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. crack /krak/ [verb] – to break something so that it does not separate, but very thin lines appear on its surface The glass will crack if dropped on the floor. researcher /REE-sr-chr/ [noun] – someone who studies…
Read more

Sea lion demonstrates exceptional musical rhythm skills

Brix-News (5)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever seen an animal react to music? If so, what did the animal do? If not, what do you think it might do? Do animals feel or enjoy rhythm like people do? If so, why do you think they can? If not, why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. amaze /uh-MEYZ/ [verb] – to cause someone to be extremely surprised The magician amazed the children with his tricks. scientific /sahy-uhn-TIF-ik/ [adjective] – relating to science or using the methods of science The team made a scientific study of…
Read more

Study links thousands of wildfire smoke deaths to climate change

wildfire

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you do when the weather is very hot and dry? Can you imagine what it’s like to live near a wildfire? What would you do first? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. pattern /PAT-ern/ [noun] – a particular way in which something is done, is organized, or happens Scientists studied rainfall patterns to understand how the weather affects farming. estimate /ES-tuh-meyt/ [verb] – to make a guess or judgment about the size, amount, or value of something Engineers had to estimate the cost of building the new bridge. impact…
Read more

New seal rescue center in Netherlands opens near Wadden Sea

Brix-News (4)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do rescue centers usually do for animals? Why might some sea animals get hurt in the ocean? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. swollen /SWOH-luhn/ [adjective] – larger or rounder than normal, usually because of injury or illness His knee was swollen after the fall. injure /IN-jer/ [verb] – to hurt a person or animal She injured her leg while running. separate /SEP-uh-reyt/ [verb] – to make people or things not be together The teacher separated the noisy group of students. awareness /uh-WAIR-nis/ [noun] – knowing that something exists or…
Read more

Self-experiment leads to breakthrough in snakebite treatment research

snake

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What would you do if you found a snake in your backyard or neighborhood? If you could help scientists solve a big problem, what kind of problem would you want to work on? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. deliberately /dih-LIB-er-it-lee/ [adverb] – in a way that is planned or intended He deliberately chose a remote village for his vacation to avoid crowds. curiosity /kyoor-ee-OS-i-tee/ [noun] – a strong desire to learn or know something His curiosity about outer space led him to study astronomy. reaction /ree-AK-shuhn/ [noun] – a response…
Read more

Asparagus becomes a long-term choice for home gardeners

asparagus

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you think gardening is easy or hard? Why? What kind of plants or vegetables would you like to grow at home? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. harvest /HAHR-vist/ [noun] – the process of gathering crops The rice harvest in the village takes place every October. shoot /shoot/ [noun] – new growth from a plant, usually a stem or sprout Bamboo shoots grow very quickly during the rainy season. speed up /SPEED-uhp/ [phrasal verb] – to make something happen faster Drinking warm tea sometimes speeds up recovery from a…
Read more

Young colossal squid seen alive for the first time in deep ocean near South Sandwich Islands

Brix-News

©ROV SuBastian/Schmidt Ocean Institute via AP Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever seen a sea creature in real life? If so, where did you see it? If not, where would you like to see one? Do you know any animals that live deep in the ocean? If yes, which ones? If not, would you like to learn about them? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. expedition /ek-spi-DISH-uhn/ [noun] – a journey made for a particular purpose, especially for exploration The team went on an expedition to study sea animals. according to /uh-KOR-duhng/ [preposition] –…
Read more