Intermediate

The superpower of calmness

serenity and yoga practicing at the lake Bohinj. Slovenia

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What activities do you enjoy doing on the weekends? How do you de-stress? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. philosopher /fi-LOS-uh-fer/ [noun] – someone who studies or writes about the meaning of life Voltaire was a French writer and philosopher. meaningful /MEE-ning-fuhl/ [adjective] – important or valuable Make an effort to live a happy and meaningful life. de-stress /di-STRES/ [verb] – to get rid of feelings of stress After a long day of work, consider taking a walk in the early evening to de-stress. fixed /fikst/ [adjective] – arranged or decided…
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Research on diseases using Avatar film’s motion capture technology

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you like watching science fiction films? Why or why not? Can you describe the sensory experience of watching 3D films? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. trace /treys/ [verb] – to find someone or something that was lost They traced where the money came from, and it was stolen from the company. primarily /prahy-MAIR-uh-lee/ [adverb] – mainly The school primarily focuses on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. movement /MOOV-muhnt/ [noun] – a change of position The movements of the dancers were graceful and smooth while the live music played….
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Egypt’s zoo renovation plans prompt concerns over animal care

Young caucasian girls feeding rhino at the zoo

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you visit zoos? Which do you like better, a zoo or an aquarium? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. upgrade /UHP-greyd/ [noun] – an improvement in something Our office furniture is in desperate need of an upgrade. unfavorable /uhn-FEY-ver-uh-buhl/ [adjective] – having or showing a negative opinion Our plans will not work because of the unfavorable weather. criticize /KRIT-uh-sahyz/ [verb] – to express disapproval of someone or something We were tasked with criticizing poems. priceless /PRAHYS-lis/ [adjective] – used to describe something with such a high value that…
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How your brain is controlled by gut microbes

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some common treatment options for depression? Do you think physical health affects depression? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. cell /sel/ [noun] – the smallest basic unit of a human,plant, or animal The nucleus of a cell stores DNA. 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 the new planet was a major breakthrough in the field of astronomy. sophisticated /suh-FIS-ti-key-tid/ [adjective] – intelligent or made in a complicated…
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Town in Spain that is powered by the sea

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some sustainable energy options for powering a home or small business? Why do you think it is important to have clean energy? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. deeply /DEEP-lee / [adverb] – extremely or strongly I was deeply moved by the speech he gave at the graduation ceremony. resident /REZ-i-duhnt/ [noun] – living or staying in a place The resident of the house was not home at the time of the break-in. community /kuh-MYOO-ni-tee/ [noun] – the people living in one particular area or people who are considered…
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Wine King of California

Vineyards with grapevine and winery along wine road in the eveni

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is the legal drinking age in your country? Is wine a popular alcoholic beverage in your country? Please tell me more about it. Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. county /KOUN-tee/ [noun] – a political division of the UK or Ireland, forming the largest unit of local government, or the largest political division of a state in the US The county receives up to five million visitors each year. in charge /in chahrj/ [phrase] – being the person who has control of or is responsible for someone or something Ms….
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Energy executive fears that rising bills will continue

Monthly utility bills. Cost of Utilities. Planning for utility costs in the monthly budget. Electricity bills by state monthly report. Budget for highly-variable utility bills

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How much energy do you use every day? What is the most common form of energy in your country? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. profit /PROF-it/ [noun] – money that is earned in trade or business after paying the costs of producing and selling goods and services Our daily profit typically hovers around $500. data /DEY-tuh/ [noun] – information, especially facts or numbers, collected to be examined and considered and used to help decision-making Further data analysis is needed. doubtful /DOUT-fuhl/ [adjective] – if a situation is doubtful, it is…
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The approach to reigniting fading passion

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your definition of passion? How important is passion for achieving success? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. passion /PASH-uhn/ [noun] – an extreme interest in or wish for doing something, such as a hobby, activity, etc. She followed her passion for cooking and opened her own restaurant. enthusiasm /en-THOO-zee-az-uhm/ [noun] – a feeling of energetic interest in a particular subject or activity and an eagerness to be involved in it His enthusiasm for the project motivated the entire team to work harder. motivation /moh-tuh-VEY-shuhn/ [noun] – enthusiasm for doing…
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New flashy job titles are on the rise: What’s the risk?

Successful middle aged businessman with laptop in hands standing in modern office interior near window, copy space. Serious male entrepreneur in formal suit working on computer

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What job did you want to have when you were young? What is one job you would not like to do? Why? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. creativity /kree-ey-TIV-i-tee/ [noun] – the ability to produce original and unusual ideas, or to make something new or imaginative The talent and creativity of our workers must be improved. strategy /STRAT-i-jee/ [noun] – a long-range plan for achieving something or reaching a goal, or the skill of making such plans The business’s financial strategy is ineffective. hire /hahyuhr/ [verb] – to employ someone…
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How to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some ways that you personally preserve food at home? Are you interested in learning more about new and emerging food preservation technologies? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. prevention /pri-VEN-shuhn/ [noun] – the act of stopping something from happening or of stopping someone from doing something Prevention is better than cure, so it’s important to take steps to avoid getting sick. mankind /MAN-kahynd/ [noun] – the whole of the human race, including both men and women Mankind has been exploring outer space for decades, but…
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