Intermediate

Criticism arises over inaccurate portrayals of climate change in literature and film

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is climate fiction? Do you think climate fiction helps us better understand and respond to the challenges posed by climate change in our own lives and communities? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. tackle /TAK-uhl/ [verb] – to try to deal with something or someone The coach taught the football players how to tackle properly to prevent injuries during games. crisis /KRAHY-sis/ [noun] – a time of great disagreement, confusion, or suffering The company went bankrupt due to the financial crisis that affected the entire country. extreme /ik-STREEM/ [adjective] –…
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US EPA proposes new restrictions on ethylene oxide to reduce cancer risks in communities and workers

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you have a Clean Air Act regulation in your city? Tell me about it. Do you think companies that use toxic gases in their operations affect the communities near them? In what ways? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. chemical /KEM-i-kuhl/ [noun] – any basic substance that is used in or produced by a reaction involving changes to atoms or molecules The chemist carefully measured out the chemicals and added them to the mixture, hoping to achieve a reaction that would produce a new compound. standard /STAN-derd/ [noun] – a…
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Public phone charging kiosks pose ‘juice jacking’ threat

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Which cyberattacks are you familiar with? What do you think cyberattackers do with the information they steal from other people? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. harmful /HAHRM-fuhl/ [adjective] – causing harm The juice drink was banned because it was found to contain harmful chemicals. device /dih-VAHYS/ [noun] – an object or machine that has been invented for a particular purpose The most popular device is probably the mobile phone. compromise /KOM-pruh-mahyz/ [verb] – to lower or weaken standards He didn’t realize that his inattentiveness compromised his chance to close the…
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Electricity production to use less fossil fuel: cleaner energy from renewables on the rise

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are the negative effects of global warming on our planet that you can observe? Do you think you can do something to help the planet cope with climate change? Tell me more about it. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. analyst /AN-l-ist/ [noun] – someone whose job is to study or examine something in detail in order to discover or understand more about it and often to make predictions The university invited a business analyst to speak at their conference. source /sohrs / [noun] – the place something comes from…
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Added sugar: A not-so-sweet treat to your health

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you enjoy eating sweet food? Which one is your favorite? What do you think happens to the body when you eat too much sugar? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. investigation /in-ves-ti-gey-SHUHN/ [noun] – the act or process of examining a crime, problem, statement carefully An investigation took place at the crime scene. risk /risk/ [noun] – the possibility of something bad happening There’s a high risk of accidents happening in this storm. pressure /PRESH-er/ [noun] – the force produced by pressing against something The water hose broke because of…
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New study finds smartphones can detect early signs of heart disease

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is heart disease? What are some ways to keep your heart healthy? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. affect /uh-FEKT/ [verb] – to have an influence on someone or something, or to cause a change in someone or something Too much screen time can affect your sleep, so it’s a good idea to avoid using electronic devices before bedtime. blood pressure /bluhd PRESH-er / [noun] – a measure of the pressure at which the blood flows through the body It’s important to keep track of your blood pressure because it…
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Even though Hachiko was born 100 years ago, he still makes people happy

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What dog breeds do you like? What is his story? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. statue /STACH-oo/ [noun] – a three-dimensional work of art, as a representational or abstract form, carved in stone or wood, molded in a plastic material, cast in bronze, or the like. The king’s statue was again set up in Guildhall, London, and the state arms were taken down. northern /NAWR-thern/ [adjective] – lying toward or situated in the north. Last week, we covered a home being built in northern Italy. interest /IN-ter-ist/ [noun] – the…
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Legendary aviation survival tale

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is an ejection, and why is it necessary in the context of piloting an aircraft? Could you give some potential dangers associated with ejection, particularly in the case of an emergency situation? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. survival /ser-VAHY-vuhl/ [noun] – the fact of a person, organization, etc. continuing to live or exist In the wilderness, survival skills like starting a fire, building a shelter, and finding food and water are essential to staying alive. eardrum /EER-druhm/ [noun] – a thin piece of skin inside the ear that moves…
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Exploring the impact of mobile phones

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Can you imagine living without a mobile phone? Why or why not? In what ways have mobile phones impacted our personal relationships with family and friends? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. barrier /BAR-ee-er/ [noun] – anything used or acting to block someone from going somewhere or from doing something, or to block something from happening Despite facing several language barriers, the international students worked hard to understand their course materials and communicate effectively with their classmates. convenience /kuhn-VEEN-yuhns/ [noun] – the state of being convenient I always choose to book…
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Friendship: More than just a source of joy

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are the benefits of having friends? What qualities do you look for in a close friend, and why are these important to you? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. laughter /LAF-ter/ [noun] – the act or sound of laughing The sound of laughter filled the room as the comedian told his funny jokes, making everyone in the audience smile and forget their worries for a while. appreciate /uh-PREE-shee-eyt / [verb] – to recognize how good someone or something is and to value them or it I really appreciate your help…
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