Intermediate

Experts: US must rely on Japan’s, South Korea’s naval power to keep up with China’s fleet

2023年8月1日

destroyer-g1b97ada36_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is a warship? Why is it important for a country to have powerful warships? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. fleet /fleet/ [noun] – a group of ships, or all of the ships in a country’s navy The navy’s fleet of warships sailed out to conduct military exercises in the open sea. aggression /uh-GRESH-uhn/ [noun] – the action of a state in violating by force the rights of another state, particularly its territorial rights The escalating aggression between the two countries led to a declaration of war. superior /suh-PEER-ee-er/ [adjective]…
Read more

Intermediate

,

American Museum of Natural History’s $465M Science Center Takes Flight

2023年7月31日

Museum

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Are there any specific museums on your bucket list that you hope to visit in the future? If so, what attracts you to those particular museums? Do you have a preferred time of day or season for visiting museums? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. fascinating /FAS-uh-ney-ting/ [adjective] – extremely interesting The story had a fascinating plot twist that kept me engaged until the very end. interactive /in-ter-AK-tiv / [adjective] – An interactive system or computer program is designed to involve the user in the exchange of information The museum’s…
Read more

Intermediate

,

From photobomb to forever

2023年7月30日

Photobomber

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What was your memorable experience abroad? Do you find it easy to get along with someone you just met? Why or why not? 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 team achieved a remarkable victory, surpassing all expectations and proving their exceptional skills. instant /IN-stuhnt / [adjective] – happening immediately, without any delay He experienced an instant sense of relief when he found his lost keys. bond /bond/ [noun] – a close connection joining two or more people…
Read more

Intermediate

,

Europe cuts down on short-haul flights, revives rail travel

2023年7月29日

train-3384786_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Which would you choose for short-distance travel: a plane or a train? Why? What are the advantages of traveling by plane? How about its disadvantages? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. emission /ih-MISH-uhn/ [noun] – an amount of gas, heat, light, etc. that is sent out The new regulations aim to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and combat climate change. effectiveness /ih-FEK-tiv-nis/ [noun] – the degree to which something is effective The effectiveness of the sunscreen was evident as it protected the skin from harmful UV rays. usage /YOO-sij/ [noun]…
Read more

Intermediate

,

Australia takes bold steps to ban e-cigarettes

2023年7月28日

vape-5027098_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you or someone you know used vapes or e-cigarettes? Tell me about it. Do you think vaping is better than smoking cigarettes? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. ban /ban/ [verb] – to forbid or to refuse to allow something, especially officially Many companies ban smoking on their premises to promote a healthier work environment. therapeutic /ther-uh-PYOO-tik / [adjective] – relating to the curing of a disease or medical condition The spa offered a variety of therapeutic massages to promote relaxation and enhance overall well-being. addiction…
Read more

Intermediate

,

Sick restaurant workers linked to foodborne illness outbreaks, CDC study reveals

2023年7月27日

waiter-gbfbcc7ee7_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are foodborne illnesses? What measures do you take to ensure food safety? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. contribute /kuhn-TRIB-yoot/ [verb] – to be part of the reason why something happened The driver’s negligence and overspeeding contributed to the car accident. policy /POL-uh-see/ [noun] – a set of ideas or a plan of what to do in particular situations that has been agreed to officially by a group of people, a business organization, a government, or a political party Our refund policy allows customers to return or exchange items within…
Read more

Intermediate

,

Activists push to free bears from bile farms

2023年7月26日

bear-g5d485db82_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is traditional Chinese medicine? Which animals do you know of that are used in this practice? Did you know that bile is collected from bears to be used as medicine? Would you be open to trying it? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. surgery /SUR-juh-ree/ [noun] – an occasion when a medical operation involving cutting open the body is performed on someone The surgeon performed a delicate surgery to repair a torn ligament in the athlete’s knee. profitable /PROF-i-tuh-buhl/ [adjective] – making or likely to make…
Read more

Intermediate

,

Early morning wake-up tips to beat your alarm clock

2023年7月25日

alarm-clock-4568283_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you rely on an alarm clock to wake up in the morning, or do you typically wake up naturally? How do you establish your wake-up routine? Do you consistently wake up later or earlier than your alarm? If so, why do you think that is? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. disrupted /duh-SRUHP-tuhd/ [adjective] – something that is interrupted, disturbed, or thrown into disorder The disrupted schedule caused a lot of confusion among the students. significant /sig-NIF-i-kuhnt / [adjective] – important or noticeable Winning the championship was a significant achievement…
Read more

Intermediate

,

Professional Tennis Athlete Disqualified from Match due to Unsportsmanlike Conduct

2023年7月24日

tennis-3437567_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever watched a live tennis game? If so, how was your experience? If not, would you like to? Do you know any specific individuals who have been disqualified from a sport or competition? If so, please share the details of what happened. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. decline /dih-KLAHYN/ [verb] – to refuse She politely declined the invitation to the party. frustration /fruh-STREY-shuhn/ [noun] – the feeling of being annoyed or less confident because you cannot achieve what you want, or something that makes you feel like this…
Read more

Intermediate

,

Titanic wreck replicated in groundbreaking underwater scanning project

2023年7月23日

titanic-6972725_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you know about the Titanic? Would you want to visit its remains? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. comprehensive /kom-pri-HEN-siv/ [adjective] – complete and including everything that is necessary The book offers a comprehensive guide to cooking techniques for beginners. uncover /uhn-KUHV-er / [verb] – to discover something secret or hidden The archaeologists carefully excavated the site to uncover ancient artifacts. utmost /UHT-mohst/ [adjective] – used to emphasize how important or serious something is The firefighters acted quickly and with the utmost bravery to save…
Read more

Intermediate

,