Intermediate

Children who live in their parents’ shadows

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Could you tell me about your job? Do you want to be famous? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. seek /seek/ [verb] – to try to find or get something, especially something that is not a physical object We seek to improve relations between our two countries. express /ik-SPRES/ [verb] – to show a feeling, opinion, or fact Words can’t express what I felt then. psychologist /sahy-KOL-uh-jist/ [noun] – someone who studies the human mind and human emotions and behavior, and how different situations have an effect…
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How being adaptable may help you advance professionally

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Could you tell me about a time you had to learn a new task at work? How do you stay motivated when taking on a new project or task? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. occur /uh-KUR/ [verb] – (especially of accidents and other unexpected events) to happen When did the accident occur? actively /AK-tiv-lee/ [adverb] – in a way that involves positive action She actively participates in local politics. expand /ik-SPAND/ [verb ] – to increase in size, number, or importance, or to make something increase in this way We…
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Sports Day 2022

Students running in a field. Sports day in Japan.

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What healthy routines do you follow (washing your hands before eating, sleeping early, etc.)? What do you think is the best way to exercise? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. satisfying /SAT-is-fahy/ [adjective] – giving pleasure, esp. by taking care of a need or desire It’s a very satisfying job. declare /dih-KLAIR/ [verb] – to announce something clearly, firmly, publicly, or officially A state of emergency was declared by the mayor. kindergarten /KIN-der-gahr-dn/ [noun] – a class for young children, usually children four and five years old, which is often the first…
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The Door to Hell

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© BBC Travel Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you enjoy viewing mystery films or reading mysteries? What can you say about them? What can you say about your city’s architecture? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. blazing /BLEY-zing/ [adjective] – very bright and hot We quickly became exhausted in the blazing heat. explore /ik-SPLAWR/ [verb] – to search and discover (about something) The best way to explore the countryside is by walking. tremendous /trih-MEN-duhs/ [adjective] – very great in amount or level, or extremely good Tremendous damage has been done by the floodwater. colosseum /kol-uh-SEE-uhm/…
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City that prioritizes healthy living pedestrians

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you do to keep your body healthy? What do you think your city prioritizes? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. majority /muh-JAWR-i-tee/ [noun] – the larger number or part of something The majority of Chinese people have bicycles. lane /leyn/ [noun] – a narrow road in the countryside or in a town Use the outside lane for overtaking only. entirely /en-TAHYUHR-lee/ [adverb] – completely They communicated entirely by gestures. construct /kuhn-STRUHKT/ [verb] – to build something or put together different parts to form something whole The engineers are here…
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China, Europe, Africa, and the US experience worst drought

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Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How does the weather affect your mood? Which do you prefer, hot weather or cold weather? Why? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. go through (something) /goh throo/ [phrasal verb] – to experience a difficult or unpleasant situation The majority of teens go through a rebellious phase. moisture /MOIS-cher/ [noun] – a liquid such as water in the form of very small drops, either in the air, in a substance, or on a surface The roots of plants are used to draw moisture from the soil. shrink /shringk/ [verb] – to…
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Why doing hybrid work drains people emotionally

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How does working from home affect you?  What are the advantages of working from home? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. initially /ih-NISH-uh-lee / [adverb] – at the beginning Initially, most people approved of the new strategy. exhausting /ig-ZAW-sting/ [adjective] – making you feel extremely tired I’ve had an exhausting day. evidence /EV-i-duhns/ [noun] – one or more reasons for believing that something is or is not true Can you show me any evidence for your statement? emotionally /ih-MOH-shuh-nl/ [adverb] – in a way that relates to the emotions Sue felt…
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Study says using renewable energy might result in trillion-dollar savings

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is renewable energy? Could you explain it in your own words? What do you think of solar energy? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. pessimistic /pes-uh-MIS-tik/ [adjective] – thinking that bad things are more likely to happen or emphasizing the bad part of a situation I am deeply pessimistic about the future. concern /kuhn-SURN/ [noun] – a worried or nervous feeling about something, or something that makes you feel worried He felt some concern for her safety. inflation /n-FLEY-shuhn/ [noun] – a general, continuous increase in prices Inflation has caused…
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Tartessos: Was it a city, kingdom, or river?

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© Andrew Lofthouse via BBC News Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your favorite historical book or movie? Why? Which Japanese era is your favorite and why? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. reveal /ri-VEEL/ [verb] – to make known or show something that is surprising or that was previously secret He reveals his deepest secrets in the book. widely /WAHYD-lee/ [adverb] – including a lot of different places, people, subjects, etc. Garlic used to be widely used in traditional medicine. conqueror /KONG-ker-er/ [noun] – someone who has conquered a country or its people The…
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Apple releases new devices

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© APPLE via BBC News Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How long do you spend every day using your smartphone? What do you usually use it for? What is the most interesting smartphone app you have ever used? Please tell me more about it. Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. helpline /HELP-line/ [noun] – a telephone service provided by an organization or company to offer help and advice to people The helpline was established to assist young people who required guidance and support. initial /ih-NISH-uhl/ [adjective] – of or at the beginning Yuki created the initial…
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