Intermediate

Understanding the four-day workweek’s realities

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. In your view, what are the benefits of a four-day work week? Can a four-day work week help you save money? How? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. work-life balance /WURK-LAHYF-bal-uhns / [noun] – the amount of time you spend doing your job compared with the amount of time you spend with your family and doing things you enjoy When you own your own business, it can be challenging to achieve a healthy work-life balance. deadline /DED-lahyn/ [noun] – a time or day by which something must be done The deadline…
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Australia’s casino commission imposes largest fine on gambling giant

Rows of Casino Slot Machines with Shallow Depth of Field. Las Vegas Gambling Theme.

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you feel after making a large purchase? Is there something you regret buying? Why? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. fail /feyl/ [verb] – to not do something that you should do Kei failed to find a permanent job in London. careless /KAIR-lis/ [adjective] – not taking or showing enough care and attention She made sure not to make the same careless mistake again. attempt /uh-TEMPT/ [noun] – the act of trying to do something, especially something difficult Allen is making a diligent attempt to learn Japanese. Commission /kuh-MISH-uhn/…
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The mysterious glowing orb of Route 66

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© Ed Craig Collection at Dobson Museum and Home Archive via BBC News Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you experienced or seen something you could not explain? Please tell me more about it. What is the scariest place for you and why? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. supernatural /soo-per-NACH-er-uhl/ [noun] – caused by forces that cannot be explained by science She was thought to have supernatural abilities by the villagers. bizarre /bih-ZAHR/ [adjective] – very strange and unusual The children saw a bizarre animal in the lake. origin /AWR-i-jin/ [noun] – the thing from…
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Japan to lift its limits on foreign visitors

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How effective are travel restrictions? Which country would you like to visit? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. domestic /duh-MES-tik/ [adjective] – relating to a person’s own country Domestic fuel bills are set to rise again in the autumn. scheme /skeem/ [noun] – an organized plan for doing something, especially something dishonest or illegal that will bring a good result for you They hope to get government funding for the scheme. amusement park /uh-MYOOZ-muhnt pahrk/ [noun] – a theme park The amusement park is open from May through October. strengthen…
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New York City declares state of emergency due to migrant crisis

Young female volunteer passing smartphone to one of refugees sitting on mattress on the floor of spacious room serving as camp

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Who are the majority of migrants in your country? What do you think are the benefits of migration? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. crisis /KRAHY-sis/ [noun] – an extremely dangerous or difficult situation The economic crisis had a negative effect on trade. migrant /MAHY-gruhnt/ [noun] – a person that travels to a different country or place, often in order to find work Many migrants are in search of employment in the cities. urgently /UR-juhnt-lee/ [adverb] – in a way that needs attention very soon, especially before anything else, because of…
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Children who live in their parents’ shadows

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Could you tell me about your job? Do you want to be famous? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. seek /seek/ [verb] – to try to find or get something, especially something that is not a physical object We seek to improve relations between our two countries. express /ik-SPRES/ [verb] – to show a feeling, opinion, or fact Words can’t express what I felt then. psychologist /sahy-KOL-uh-jist/ [noun] – someone who studies the human mind and human emotions and behavior, and how different situations have an effect…
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How being adaptable may help you advance professionally

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Could you tell me about a time you had to learn a new task at work? How do you stay motivated when taking on a new project or task? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. occur /uh-KUR/ [verb] – (especially of accidents and other unexpected events) to happen When did the accident occur? actively /AK-tiv-lee/ [adverb] – in a way that involves positive action She actively participates in local politics. expand /ik-SPAND/ [verb ] – to increase in size, number, or importance, or to make something increase in this way We…
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Sports Day 2022

Students running in a field. Sports day in Japan.

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What healthy routines do you follow (washing your hands before eating, sleeping early, etc.)? What do you think is the best way to exercise? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. satisfying /SAT-is-fahy/ [adjective] – giving pleasure, esp. by taking care of a need or desire It’s a very satisfying job. declare /dih-KLAIR/ [verb] – to announce something clearly, firmly, publicly, or officially A state of emergency was declared by the mayor. kindergarten /KIN-der-gahr-dn/ [noun] – a class for young children, usually children four and five years old, which is often the first…
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The Door to Hell

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© BBC Travel Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you enjoy viewing mystery films or reading mysteries? What can you say about them? What can you say about your city’s architecture? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. blazing /BLEY-zing/ [adjective] – very bright and hot We quickly became exhausted in the blazing heat. explore /ik-SPLAWR/ [verb] – to search and discover (about something) The best way to explore the countryside is by walking. tremendous /trih-MEN-duhs/ [adjective] – very great in amount or level, or extremely good Tremendous damage has been done by the floodwater. colosseum /kol-uh-SEE-uhm/…
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City that prioritizes healthy living pedestrians

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you do to keep your body healthy? What do you think your city prioritizes? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. majority /muh-JAWR-i-tee/ [noun] – the larger number or part of something The majority of Chinese people have bicycles. lane /leyn/ [noun] – a narrow road in the countryside or in a town Use the outside lane for overtaking only. entirely /en-TAHYUHR-lee/ [adverb] – completely They communicated entirely by gestures. construct /kuhn-STRUHKT/ [verb] – to build something or put together different parts to form something whole The engineers are here…
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