Intermediate

Re-wilding ourselves with nature books

Impressive summer sunrise on Eibsee lake with Zugspitze mountain range. Sunny outdoor scene in German Alps, Bavaria, Germany, Europe. Beauty of nature concept background.

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Which do you prefer, nature or cities? Why? Where in nature (the mountains, oceans, deserts, beaches, space, or forests) is it most beautiful? Why? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. heal /heel/ [verb] – if a bad situation or painful emotion heals, it ends or improves, and if something heals it, it makes it end or improve It’ll take time for her mental wounds to heal. tragedy /TRAJ-i-dee/ [noun] – a very sad event or situation, especially one involving death or suffering The plane crash was indeed a tragedy. emphasize /EM-fuh-sahyz/…
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Baidu introduces its new self-driving car

baidu

©QIAN JIN/BAIDU via BBC News Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are the most popular cars in your country? What do you think cars would be like in the future? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. experience /ik-SPEER-ee-uhns/ [noun] – knowledge or skill that you get from doing, seeing, or feeling things, or the process of getting this We need to employ someone who has at least one year of experience in the marketing field. sensor /SEN-sawr/ [noun] – a device that discovers and reacts to changes in such things as movement, heat, and light Clothes…
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The country that is “seven years behind” the world

Location Ethiopia. Red pin on the map.

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What month do you look forward to the most and why? What is the best month to visit your country? Please share the reasons as well. Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. Ethiopia /ee-thee-OH-pee-uh/ [noun] – a country in East Africa My family and I stayed in Ethiopia for four years. mark /mahrk/ [verb] – to represent something that has happened in the past or is about to happen Today marks the company’s tenth anniversary. unique /yoo-NEEK/ [adjective] – being the only existing one of its type or, more generally, unusual,…
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A quick look inside robotics’ advancements

robot-2301646_1280

©https://pixabay.com/photos/robot-machine-technology-mecha-ai-2301646/ Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you think robots are useful? Why or why not? What are the things that you like in a robot? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. industrial /in-DUHS-tree-uhl/ [adjective] – in or related to industry (a company whose main business is producing goods) He has an industrial background. automatically /aw-tuh-MAT-ik-lee/ [adverb] – if a machine or device does something automatically, it does it independently, without human control The camera adjusts the shutter speed automatically. adjustments /uh-JUHST-muhnt/ [noun] – a small change She made a few minor adjustments to the focus…
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Apple to present a watch called “Extreme Sports”

apple-watch-1694985_1920

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you like new technology? Why or why not? Do you think smartwatches are useful? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. technology /tek-NOL-uh-jee/ [noun] – new machinery and equipment that has been developed using scientific knowledge or processes Electric technology is amazing. fitness /FIT-nis/ [noun] – the condition of being physically strong and healthy I’m trying to improve my fitness by cycling to work. workout /WURK-out/ [noun] – a period of physical exercise Always wear good shoes for your workout. fever /FEE-ver/ [noun] – a medical condition in…
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Mud cities that can last for decades

yemen

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Which do you think is better: a mud house or a concrete one? Please elaborate on your answer. Have you seen a mud structure? What do you think of it? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. environmentally friendly /en-vahy-ruhn-MUHN-tl-lee FREND-lee/ [adjective] – not harmful to the environment, or trying to help the environment The company will use environmentally friendly energy sources. majority /muh-JAWR-i-tee/ [noun] – the larger number or part of something The majority of the employees are here. mud /muhd/ [noun] – earth that has been mixed with water His…
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Offshore wind farms to create 29,000 jobs

windmill-3714863_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you do for a living? Do you think wind farms are an efficient source of energy? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. proposal /pruh-POH-zuhl/ [noun] – a suggestion, sometimes a written one His proposal is not acceptable. generate /JEN-uh-reyt/ [verb] – to cause something to exist Her latest film has generated a lot of support. eager /EE-ger/ [adjective] – having or showing desire or interest The call for volunteers attracted a large number of eager participants. economy /ih-KON-uh-mee/ [noun] – the system of trade and…
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Twitter shares decline after Elon Musk pulls out of the agreement

twitter

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How long do you use social media every day? Do you follow famous people on social media? Why or why not? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. back out /BAK out/ [phrasal verb] – to decide not to do something that you had said you would do Everything is set up. It’s too late to back out now. documentation /dok-yuh-men-TEY-shuhn/ [noun] – pieces of paper containing official information Passengers must have the necessary documentation. decline /dih-KLAHYN/ [noun] – when something becomes less in amount, importance, quality, or strength There has been…
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Don’t hide your stress! Here’s why

Upper view of stressed middle age business woman at the table.

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How could you tell if someone is stressed? What do you usually advise people who are stressed? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. anxiety /ang-ZAHY-i-tee/ [noun] – an uncomfortable feeling of nervousness or worry about something that is happening or might happen in the future Her voice has a hint of anxiety. minor /MAHY-ner/ [adjective] – having little importance, influence, or effect, especially when compared with other things of the same type The program has undergone some minor adjustments. interviewee /IN-ter-vyoo-EE/ [noun] – the person who answers the questions during an…
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New book explores Japan’s abandoned rural areas

Akiya

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What will you do if you go to a place without any people? What do you think is the reason why people leave a place? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. bunch /BUHNCH/ [noun] – a number of things of the same type fastened together or in a close group The reorganization will give us a whole bunch of problems. destroy /dih-STROI/ [verb] – to damage something so badly that it cannot be used We know it is easier to destroy than to create. event /ih-VENT/ [noun] – anything that happens,…
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