Intermediate

NASA delays next Artemis moon mission to 2026

moon-4404540_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Why is the moon important for life on Earth? What are some interesting myths or stories you know about the Moon? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. capsule /KAP-suhl/ [noun] – a small, sealed container used to hold or transport something, especially in space travel. The astronaut placed the research samples in a secure capsule before returning to Earth. detailed /dih-TEYLD/ [adjective] – involving many careful details The detailed report included all the necessary data for the investigation. upgrade /UHP-greyd/ [noun] – an improvement in something The hotel is undergoing upgrades…
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South Korea sees decline in drinking culture

Pub

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What could happen if drinking became less popular in society? How do young people drink differently from older generations in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. slowdown /SLOH-doun/ [noun] – a reduction in speed, activity, or the rate that things are produced Economists are worried about the recent slowdown in global trade. pandemic /pan-DEM-ik/ [noun] – a widespread outbreak of a disease that affects people across a large region or globally The pandemic caused significant changes to how people work and study. eatery /EE-tuh-ree/ [noun] – a small restaurant…
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Carlos Acosta brings a Cuban twist to “The Nutcracker”

Ballet

©REUTERS Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What comes to mind when you think of Cuba? Can dancing tell a story? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. version /VUR-zhuhn/ [noun] – a particular form or variant of something She wrote a version of the story with a happy ending. contemporary /kuhn-TEM-puh-rer-ee/ [adjective] – belonging to the same time period; modern His work is considered contemporary art. currently /KUR-uhnt-lee/ [adverb] – at the present time I am currently working on a new project. root /root/ [noun] – a person’s origins, background, or cultural heritage, often related to their…
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Google’s 2024 “Year in Search” shows global trends and insights

Google

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you use Google? How is Google different from other search engines? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. trending /TREN-ding/ [adjective] – referring to a topic or event that is becoming popular or gaining attention, especially on social media or in searches The song is trending on social media right now. extreme /ik-STREEM/ [adjective] – very intense, severe, or far beyond the normal or expected The extreme cold made it difficult to stay outside for long. individual /in-duh-VIJ-oo-uhl/ [noun] – a single person or thing, especially when compared to…
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First humans across North America reveal mammoths dominate their Ice Age diet

mammoth

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Can you name some examples of large animals? Which aspects of early human life are you most interested in? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. spread /spred/ [verb] – to move or extend over an area or range The wildfire quickly spread across the forest, threatening nearby homes. chemical /KEM-i-kuhl/ [noun] – any basic substance that is used in or produced by a reaction involving changes to atoms or molecules The chemicals used in the laboratory must be handled with care. strategy /STRAT-i-jee/ [noun] – a plan of action designed to…
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Experts share tips on eating nutritiously during winter

stew

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you like about the winter season? What food do you usually eat in the winter? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. dietician /dai-uh-TI-shn/ [noun] – a person who gives expert advice about food and nutrition The dietician recommended a balanced meal plan to improve my health. canned /kand/ [adjective] – preserved and sold in a metal container We bought canned beans for dinner because they are quick and easy to prepare. stew /stoo/ [noun] – a type of food consisting usually of meat or fish and vegetables cooked slowly…
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Mount Kanlaon eruption triggers evacuations, disrupts air travel, and raises alert level in the Philippines

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©AP Photo/Chona Aplaon Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What safety measures should people take if a volcano erupts? Why are these measures important? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. disrupt /dis-RUHPT/ [verb] – to cause something to be unable to continue in the normal way The heavy rain disrupted the outdoor event. precautionary /pri-KAW-shuh-ner-ee/ [adjective] – done to prevent problems or danger The school closed as a precautionary step before the typhoon. theorize /THEE-uh-rahyz/ [verb] – to develop ideas to explain something Scientists theorized that the unusual weather was caused by climate change. destructive /dih-STRUHK-tiv/ [adjective]…
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Brazilian states push to ease rainforest protections, sparking environmental concerns

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is privatization? Why do some people believe that protected forest areas should be privatized? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. agricultural /a-gruh-KUHL-chr-uhl/ [adjective] – related to farming or the production of food He works in an agricultural business that grows crops. contribute /kuhn-TRIB-yoot/ [verb] – to give or add to something The students will contribute their ideas to the project. target /TAHR-git/ [verb] – a goal or an aim that is set The company has set a target to reduce pollution. legalize /LEE-guh-lahyz/ [verb] – to make something legal They…
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European satellites launched from India to create artificial solar eclipses for groundbreaking solar research

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is a natural solar eclipse, and why does it occur? Why do scientists want to create an eclipse that lasts longer? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. phenomena /fi-NOM-uh-nuh/ [noun] – facts or events that can be observed and studied, often unusual or interesting Strange phenomena like glowing lights were seen in the night sky. extraordinary /ik-STRAWR-dn-er-ee/ [adjective] – very unusual, special, or remarkable She showed extraordinary talent in playing the piano at a young age. alignment /uh-LAHYN-muhnt/ [noun] – the correct positioning or arrangement of things in a straight…
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Scientific findings highlight Venus’s dry origins

Venus

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think it would be like to live on another planet? If you could name a new planet, what would you call it and why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. interior /in-TEER-ee-er/ [noun] – the inside part of something She entered the interior of the cave to explore its wonders. surface /SUR-fis/ [noun] – the outer or top part or layer of something They walked on the surface of the moon during the mission. molten /MOHL-tn/ [adjective] – melted by heat The molten metal was poured into molds…
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