Intermediate

Starbucks plans to raise prices due to inflation

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you drink coffee/tea? In your country, how much is a typical cup of coffee from the vending machine? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. inflation /in-FLEY-shuhn/ [noun] – a general, continuous increase in prices The survey showed that 38% of Americans are worried about inflation. labor /LEY-ber/ [noun] – workers The newly elected senator addressed the labor concerns. chain /cheyn/ [noun] – a set of connected or related things Bea’s family owns a chain of computer shops. struggle /STRUHG-uhl/ [verb] – to experience difficulty and make a very…
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Google to invest up to $1 billion in India’s Bharti Airtel

Google to invest up to $1 billion in India's Bharti Airtel

©Getty Images Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What business skills do you have? What mobile network operator is used by the majority in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. invest /in-VEST/ [verb] – to put money, effort, time, etc. into something to make a profit or get an advantage The company will invest $5 million in the project. acquire /uh-KWAHYUHR/ [verb] – to buy or take control of a company or part of a company, often by buying shares in it Jolly Food Corporation had just acquired shares from Mr. Dough’s Bakeshop. agreement /uh-GREE-muhnt/…
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America’s wages are going up—but so is inflation

America's wages are going up, but so is inflation

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What images spring to your mind when you hear the country USA? What prices do you care about most and why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. wage /weyj/ [noun] – a fixed regular payment earned for work or services, typically paid on a daily or weekly basis She works long hours to take home huge wages. industry /IN-duh-stree/ [noun] – the companies and activities involved in the process of producing goods for sale, especially in a factory or special area The electricity industry consumes large amounts of fossil fuels. expense…
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The unproductiveness of time management

Group of business workers working together. Partners stressing one of them at the office

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you make a detailed schedule of your activities every day? Why or why not? Please share something about the most time-consuming activity in your routine. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. timetable /TAHYM-tey-buhl/ [noun] – a detailed plan showing when events or activities will happen I’ve sent the updated timetable to your email. precision /pri-SIZH-uhn/ [noun] – the quality of being exact Mizuki accomplishes his tasks with precision. excessively /ik-SES-iv-lee/ [adverb] – in a way that is too much She excessively spends money on beauty products. concept /KON-sept/ [noun] –…
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5 must-try soups from around the world

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some soup recipes that you know? What are some popular international restaurants in your city? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. ancient /EYN-shuhnt / [adjective] – of or from a long time ago, having lasted for a very long time They found ancient treasures in the abandoned hall. gently /JENT-lee/ [adverb] – in a way that is soft and light, not strong She gently added the flour to the cake mix. traditionally /truh-DISH-uh-nl/ [adverb] – according to tradition; in a traditional way Traditionally, they exchange letters on Valentine’s Day….
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Scientists discover a perfectly preserved dinosaur embryo in China

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©BBC News Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What things do you know about dinosaurs? Please tell me more about it. Could you describe your favorite dinosaur? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. embryo /EM-bree-oh/ [noun] – an animal that is developing either in its mother’s womb or in an egg, or a plant that is developing in a seed Once an egg is fertilized by the sperm, it becomes an embryo. 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…
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What you need to know about the Lunar New Year

What you need to know about the Lunar New Year

©Jeff Mitchell/Getty Images Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What part of your culture are you most proud of? What do you know about China’s history or culture? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. festivity /fe-STIV-i-tee/ [noun] – the parties, meals, and other social activities with which people celebrate a special occasion During the holidays, I usually go to special festivities or on a vacation with my family or friends. like two peas in a pod /lahyk-too-pees-in-uh-pod/ [idiom] – very similar The siblings Mavy and Aira are like two peas in a pod. latter /LAT-er/ [noun] –…
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Tonga reveals damage caused by tsunami

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© Consulate of the Kingdom of Tonga Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do tsunamis hit your country? What do you think causes a tsunami? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. volcanic ash /vol-KAN-ik ash/ [noun] – loose fragmented solid material ejected from a volcano in the form of powder The town is filled with volcanic ash after the eruption. isolate /AHY-suh-leyt/ [verb] – to separate something from other things, or to keep something separate The country is currently isolated due to its high radiation. degree /dih-GREE/ [noun] – (an) amount or level of something…
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Power blackout hits Central Asia

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are the major electric companies in your country? Do you use a heater during the winter season? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. nation /NEY-shuhn / [noun] – a country, especially when thought of as a large group of people living in one area with their own government, language, traditions, etc The entire nation is celebrating the Olympic wins. link /lingk/ [noun] – to connect two objects or places physically Turkey is linked to many Asian continents. enable /en-EY-buhl/ [verb] – to make someone able to do something, or to…
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Netflix raises its monthly rates in US and Canada

Netflix raises its monthly subscription prices in US and Canada

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some of your favorite TV shows? What online video services do you use? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. rate /reyt/ [noun] – an amount or level of payment We sell these high-quality products at reasonable rates. standard /STAN-derd/ [adjective] – usual rather than special, especially when thought of as being correct or acceptable Let’s just avail of the standard room package for our hotel stay to save money. utilize /YOOT-l-ahyz/ [verb] – to use something in an effective way The team utilized an effective marketing strategy to improve…
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