Intermediate

Auctioneer Sotheby’s sells a rare black diamond for $4.3m

2022年2月19日

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©REUTERS via BBC Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What have you discovered recently? (music, book, product) Please share something about it. Have you been to a planetarium? If not, would you like to visit one? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. theory /THEE-uh-ree/ [noun] – a formal statement of the rules on which a subject of study is based or of ideas that are suggested to explain a fact or event or, more generally, an opinion or explanation Today, we learned about Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. origin /AWR-i-jin/ [noun] – the beginning or cause of…
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Intermediate

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Kew experts name a new tree after a famous Hollywood actor

2022年2月18日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Who is your favorite Hollywood actor? Could you tell me something about him/her? What do you think about naming a newfound plant after a famous person? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. vast /vast/ [adjective] – extremely big The movie had a vast audience. outline /OUT-lahyn/ [verb] – to give the main facts about something She outlined what I would be doing during the interview. endangered /en-DEYN-jerd/ [adjective] – in danger of being harmed, lost, unsuccessful, etc. The list of endangered species includes nearly 300 fishes social media /SOH-shuhl MEE-dee-uh/ [noun]…
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Intermediate

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UK rental costs rise as employees return to the office

2022年2月17日

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©GETTY IMAGES via BBC Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is it like living in your city? What is the most popular rental website/app in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. gradual /GRAJ-oo-uhl / [adjective] – happening or changing slowly over a long period of time or distance He saw a gradual improvement in his student’s performances last month. boost /boost/ [verb] – to improve or increase something The summer promotions boosted the sales of the store. privacy /PRAHY-vuh-see/ [noun] – someone’s right to keep their personal matters and relationships secret Laura values her…
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Intermediate

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Sea temperatures rise abnormally in Alaska

2022年2月16日

A dead seal found on a beach near Kotzebue, Alaska

©Raime Fronstin/NPS/NOAA Fisheries Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How is the temperature in your country? Is your country rich in bodies of water? Kindly share something about it. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. specialist /SPESH-uh-list/ [noun] – someone who has a lot of experience, knowledge, or skill in a particular subject She’s a specialist in modern French literature. commercial /kuh-MUR-shuhl/ [adjective] – related to buying and selling things He is interested in buying the warehouse for a commercial project. sustained /suh-STEYND/ [adjective] – continuing for a long time We must make a sustained effort to…
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Intermediate

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The New York Times acquires Wordle

2022年2月15日

The New York Times acquires Wordle

©Sarah Tew/CNET Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What word/puzzle games do you play? How would you describe yourself in a five-letter word? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. media /MEE-dee-uh/ [noun] – the internet, newspapers, magazines, television, etc., considered as a group The media has a powerful influence on public opinion. hit /hit/ [noun] – a thing or person that is very popular or successful The show quickly became a hit after its pilot episode. figure out /FIG-yer-out/ [phrasal verb] – to understand or solve something It took me the longest time to figure out how…
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Intermediate

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The history of Valentine’s Day

2022年2月14日

Valentines Day flat lay composition. Valentines gifts and rose buds on beige background. Minimalist style.

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Is Valentine’s Day more popular among teenagers than adults? Please share your thoughts about this. With what color would you associate love and why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. disobey /dis-uh-BEY/ [verb] – to refuse to do something that you are told to do Never disobey traffic regulations. deed /deed/ [noun] – an intentional act, especially a very bad or very good one Miku is known for her good deeds of helping others, especially children. captivity /kap-TIV-i-tee/ [noun] – the situation in which a person or animal is kept somewhere…
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Intermediate

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Apple users can now use Face ID with a mask

2022年2月13日

Apple will let you use Face ID with a mask in the next iOS update

©Chaim Gartenberg/The Verge Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What security features does your phone offer? Do you trust a face recognition feature? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. buff /buhf/ [noun] – a person who knows a lot about and is very interested in a particular subject John is a huge jazz buff. function /FUHNGK-shuhn/ [noun] – a process that a computer or a computer program uses to complete a task Just enable this send-to-all function to deliver several e-mails by batch. vital /VAHYT-l/ [adjective] – absolutely necessary or important; essential Hard…
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Intermediate

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How companies drove employees to resign

2022年2月12日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think are the reasons why employees resign? How would you handle a resignation from one of your best employees? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. break out /BREYK out/ [verb] – if something dangerous or unpleasant breaks out, it suddenly starts Fighting has broken out around the area. suburb /SUHB-urb/ [noun] – an area on the edge of a large town or city where people who work in the town or city often live Is Box Hill a suburb of Melbourne? economist /ih-KON-uh-mist/ [noun] – a person who…
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Intermediate

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Japan celebrates National Foundation Day

2022年2月11日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you celebrate National Foundation Day? Why do people celebrate National Foundation Day? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. struggle /STRUHG-uhl/ [noun] – a very difficult task that you can do only by making a great effort It was a struggle for him to work with his manager. encounter /en-KOUN-ter/ [verb] – to experience something, especially something unpleasant When did you first encounter these? patriotism /PEY-tree-uh-tiz-uhm/ [noun] – the feeling of loving your country more than any others and being proud of it Patriotism is simply the love for your…
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Intermediate

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What breakfast looks like in 5 different countries

2022年2月10日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What time do you usually eat breakfast? What restaurant/cafe in your city offers the best breakfast menu? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. wildly /wahyld-lee/ [adverb] – in an uncontrolled or extreme way Internet companies are growing wildly across the globe. highlight /HAHY-lahyt / [noun] – the best or most exciting, entertaining, or interesting part of something The highlight of our trip was the boat ride. consist of something /kuhn-SIST-of/ [phrasal verb] – to be made of or formed from something The meal consisted of grilled fish and potato stew. upgrade…
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Intermediate

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