Intermediate

Should you stay away from burned food?

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever burned food while cooking? If so, what was it, and how did you handle the situation? Do you think burning food is a common problem? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. shed light on (something) /shed lahyt on/ [idiom] – to help to explain a situation The professor’s presentation helped shed light on the topic and clarified some of the confusing aspects that we didn’t understand before. chemical /KEM-i-kuhl/ [noun] – any basic substance that is used in or produced by a reaction involving…
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Is our ability to smell being damaged by air pollution?

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you noticed any changes in the air quality where you live over the past few years, and if so, how have they affected your community? What are some of the main causes of air pollution in your area, and how do they impact your daily life? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. widely /WAHYD-lee / [adverb] – including a lot of different places, people, subjects, etc. The internet is widely used as a source of information for students. function /FUHNGK-shuhn/ [noun] – the purpose of something or someone One of…
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The traditional drink that powers Indonesia

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What’s your favorite natural drink, and why do you like it? What kind of natural drink would you recommend to someone who’s feeling stressed or tired? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. kingdom /KING-duhm/ [noun] – the territory ruled over by a king or queen In history class, we learned about the medieval kingdom of England and how it was ruled by kings and queens. initially /ih-NISH-uh-lee/ [adverb] – at the start Initially, I thought I had lost my phone, but then I remembered that I had left it in my…
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Robots to perform 39% of household tasks in ten years, experts say

Woman sitting by the sofa using tablet while robot vacuum cleaner cleaning up the room

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. In what ways do you think robots can help us? What do you think would happen if robots became more intelligent? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. predict /pri-DIKT/ [verb] – to say that an event or action will happen in the future, especially as a result of knowledge or experience It’s impossible to predict the weather accurately. decade /DEK-eyd/ [noun] – a period of ten years Demand is anticipated to rise in the following decade. domestic /duh-MES-tik/ [adjective] – belonging or relating to the home, house, or family The cooking…
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The 61-year quest for artificial hearts

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Would you like one of your organs to be replaced if it failed? Why or why not? What do you think are the most significant advances in technology in the past decade? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. globally /gloh-buhl-li/ [adverb] – across the whole world Globally, people are working to reduce carbon emissions to help protect the planet from climate change. artificial /ahr-tuh-FISH-uhl/ [adjective] – made by people, often as a copy of something natural The company is developing an artificial intelligence tool to help doctors diagnose diseases more accurately…
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Is Montessori the most influential school in the world?

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Was learning fun at school when you were a child? Could you tell me about it? Do you think that your school was effective at fostering creativity? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. strategy /STRAT-i-jee/ [noun] – a detailed plan for achieving success in situations such as war, politics, business, industry, or sports, or the skill of planning for such situations Give me a broad idea of your new strategy. lecturer /LEK-cher-er/ [noun] – someone who teaches at a college or university She’s such a fascinating lecturer – I was hanging…
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The silver lining of losing a job

A young Asian man remote working at the coffee shop, sitting at the outdoor seat, sipping coffee while focusing on his work on laptop computer.

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What did you do to get the profession you have now? What jobs are in demand in your country? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. layoff /LEY-awf/ [noun] – a period when someone is not working because their job ended or they were forced to leave it The cost-cutting has led to massive layoffs at the company. balance /BAL-uhns/ [verb] – to give several things equal amounts of importance, time, or money so that a situation is successful She learned how to balance her work responsibilities and personal commitments to maintain…
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Why we dream in multiple languages

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Are you learning a foreign language? If so, have you ever dreamed of that language? Are you learning a foreign language aside from English? If so, could you tell me about it? If not, what language would you like to learn? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. puzzle /PUHZ-uhl/ [verb] – to cause someone to feel confused and slightly worried because they cannot understand something The math problem was so difficult that it puzzled the entire class, and no one could solve it. learner /LUR-ner/ [noun] –…
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Businesses choose four-day workweek after trial

Young latin business woman manager accounting analyst checking bills, analyzing sales statistics management, taxes financial data documents or marketing report papers working in office using laptop.

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you feel after working for five to six days? Do you feel more productive working for five to six days? Please tell me more about it. Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. pros and cons /prohs uhn kons/ [phrase] – advantages and disadvantages of something, which you consider carefully so that you can make a sensible decision We talked about the pros and cons of attending university. extensive /ik-STEN-siv/ [adjective] – covering a large area; having a great range He has extensive musical knowledge. temporarily /tem-puh-RAIR-uh-lee/ [adjective] – in…
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The Emperor’s Birthday: A Celebration of Tradition and Unity

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever visited Japan during a public holiday? Which holiday was it, and what was your experience like? Which public holiday in Japan do you think is the most important? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. tradition /truh-DISH-uhn/ [noun] – a belief, principle, or way of acting that people in a particular society or group have continued to follow for a long time, or all of these beliefs, etc. in a particular society or group We have a tradition of baking gingerbread cookies together every holiday season. current /KUR-uhnt/…
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