Intermediate

Waters may flow on exoplanet K2-18b, suggesting habitability, Webb data reveals

2024年2月9日

planet

©NASA/ESA/CSA/Joseph Olmsted (STScI) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think ‘exoplanet’ means? If you were an astronaut exploring space, what would you find exciting or challenging about studying planets beyond our solar system? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. evidence /EV-i-duhns/ [noun] – one or more reasons for believing that something is or is not true There is no evidence to support the claim that aliens have visited Earth. distant /DIS-tuhnt / [adjective] – far away The mountain range seemed distant, but we decided to embark on the journey. absence /AB-suhns/ [noun] – state…
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Intermediate

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Global Smart Indoor Garden Market flourishes

2024年2月8日

gardening-2518377_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some benefits of indoor gardening? How might it differ from traditional outdoor gardening? Have you ever heard of smart indoor gardening systems? What features do you think they might have? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. annually /AN-yoo-uh-lee / [adverb] – once a year; yearly We celebrate our anniversary annually with a special dinner. sophisticated /suh-FIS-ti-key-tid/ [adjective] – complex, advanced, and intricate The smart indoor gardening system comes with a sophisticated sensor for monitoring plant health. expansion /ik-SPAN-shuhn/ [noun] – the act of increasing in size or volume; growth…
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Intermediate

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Red fire ant, one of the world’s most invasive species, makes its debut in Europe

2024年2月7日

red fire ants

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever heard of red fire ants before? If yes, what do you know about them? If not, what do you think they might be like based on their name? Why do you think scientists might find the presence of red fire ants in a new location significant or important? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. discovery /dih-SKUHV-uh-ree/ [noun] – the process of finding information, a place, or an object, especially for the first time, or the thing that is found The discovery of a new species of orchid in…
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Intermediate

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Economists question Kishida’s minimum wage target

2024年2月6日

economists

©KYODO Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What comes to mind when you think about the concept of wages? How do wages contribute to an individual’s economic well-being? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. objective /uhb-JEK-tiv/ [noun] – something that you plan to do or achieve His primary objective was to complete the project ahead of schedule and within budget. economist /ih-KON-uh-mist/ [noun] – a person who studies or has a special knowledge of economics The renowned economist was invited to give a lecture on the global economic outlook at the prestigious university. tackle /TAK-uhl/ [verb] –…
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Intermediate

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Report reveals major brands fueling Cambodia brick kilns with waste

2024年2月5日

Cambodia

©Thomas Cristofoletti / Ruom for Unearthed Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some international brands that you know or are familiar with? When you think about purchasing products from international brands, what factors or qualities are important to you before deciding to buy from them? 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 The investigation’s findings reveal significant discrepancies in the company’s financial records. highlight /HAHY-lahyt/ [verb] – to attract attention to or emphasize something important The speaker aimed…
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Intermediate

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New York chef transforms diets with edible insects

2024年2月4日

cricket-1845761_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your initial reaction or perception when you hear about consuming insects as food? In which part of your country do you think edible insects are traditionally part of the diet? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. alternative /awl-TUR-nuh-tiv/ [noun] – something that is different from something else, especially from what is usual, and offering the possibility of choice The chef offered a vegetarian alternative for those who preferred not to have meat in their meal. species /SPEE-sheez/ [noun] – a set of animals or plants in which the members…
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Intermediate

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Record rainfall paralyzes Hong Kong, prompting emergency measures

2024年2月3日

transport-3916275_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think ‘record rainfall’ means? Why might the record rainfall be significant for a region or community? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. remarkable /ri-MAHR-kuh-buhl/ [adjective] – unusual or special and therefore surprising and worth mentioning The discovery of a previously unknown species of deep-sea creature was a remarkable achievement for the team of marine biologists. injury /IN-juh-ree/ [noun] – physical harm or damage to someone’s body caused by an accident or an attack The car accident caused a minor injury to her arm. affect /uh-FEKT/ [verb] – to…
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Intermediate

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Ohtani secures second consecutive American League MVP award unanimously

2024年2月2日

Ohtani Shohei

©Nikkei Asia Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Is baseball the most popular sport in your country? Why or why not? Who are your favorite athletes, and what makes them your favorites? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. aspect /AS-pekt/ [noun] – one part of a situation, problem, subject, etc. The cultural aspect of the city’s diversity is evident in its various festivals and celebrations throughout the year. compare /kuhm-PAIR/ [verb] – to examine the similarities and differences between two or more things The teacher asked the students to compare and contrast the themes of two classic…
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Intermediate

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Mount Fuji struggles with overtourism

2024年2月1日

mt-4019280_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you already know or associate with Mount Fuji, both in terms of its physical characteristics and its cultural significance? What role does Mount Fuji play in Japanese culture or history? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. strain /streyn/ [noun] – a force or influence that stretches, pulls, or puts pressure on something, sometimes causing damage The bridge showed signs of strain after the heavy storm, prompting engineers to assess its structural integrity. descend /dih-SEND/ [verb] – to go or come down The hikers carefully descended the steep mountain trail,…
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Intermediate

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Japan’s teamLab is set to launch an updated digital museum in Tokyo’s mega complex

2024年1月31日

Japan's teamLab

©Reuters/KIM KYUNG-HOON Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What comes to mind when you hear the term “digital museum”? How do you imagine it might be different from a traditional museum? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. beneath /bih-NEETH/ [preposition] – in or to a lower position than someone or something, under someone or something The treasure was hidden beneath the old oak tree. construction /kuhn-STRUHK-shuhn/ [noun] – the work of building or making something, especially buildings, bridges, etc. The construction of the new bridge is progressing ahead of schedule. medical /MED-i-kuhl / [adjective] – related to…
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Intermediate

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