Intermediate

Robots to perform 39% of household tasks in ten years, experts say

2023年3月1日

Woman sitting by the sofa using tablet while robot vacuum cleaner cleaning up the room

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. In what ways do you think robots can help us? What do you think would happen if robots became more intelligent? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. predict /pri-DIKT/ [verb] – to say that an event or action will happen in the future, especially as a result of knowledge or experience It’s impossible to predict the weather accurately. decade /DEK-eyd/ [noun] – a period of ten years Demand is anticipated to rise in the following decade. domestic /duh-MES-tik/ [adjective] – belonging or relating to the home, house, or family The cooking…
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Intermediate

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The 61-year quest for artificial hearts

2023年2月28日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Would you like one of your organs to be replaced if it failed? Why or why not? What do you think are the most significant advances in technology in the past decade? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. globally /gloh-buhl-li/ [adverb] – across the whole world Globally, people are working to reduce carbon emissions to help protect the planet from climate change. artificial /ahr-tuh-FISH-uhl/ [adjective] – made by people, often as a copy of something natural The company is developing an artificial intelligence tool to help doctors diagnose diseases more accurately…
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Intermediate

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Is Montessori the most influential school in the world?

2023年2月27日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Was learning fun at school when you were a child? Could you tell me about it? Do you think that your school was effective at fostering creativity? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. strategy /STRAT-i-jee/ [noun] – a detailed plan for achieving success in situations such as war, politics, business, industry, or sports, or the skill of planning for such situations Give me a broad idea of your new strategy. lecturer /LEK-cher-er/ [noun] – someone who teaches at a college or university She’s such a fascinating lecturer – I was hanging…
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Intermediate

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The silver lining of losing a job

2023年2月26日

A young Asian man remote working at the coffee shop, sitting at the outdoor seat, sipping coffee while focusing on his work on laptop computer.

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What did you do to get the profession you have now? What jobs are in demand in your country? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. layoff /LEY-awf/ [noun] – a period when someone is not working because their job ended or they were forced to leave it The cost-cutting has led to massive layoffs at the company. balance /BAL-uhns/ [verb] – to give several things equal amounts of importance, time, or money so that a situation is successful She learned how to balance her work responsibilities and personal commitments to maintain…
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Intermediate

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Why we dream in multiple languages

2023年2月25日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Are you learning a foreign language? If so, have you ever dreamed of that language? Are you learning a foreign language aside from English? If so, could you tell me about it? If not, what language would you like to learn? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. puzzle /PUHZ-uhl/ [verb] – to cause someone to feel confused and slightly worried because they cannot understand something The math problem was so difficult that it puzzled the entire class, and no one could solve it. learner /LUR-ner/ [noun] –…
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Intermediate

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Businesses choose four-day workweek after trial

2023年2月24日

Young latin business woman manager accounting analyst checking bills, analyzing sales statistics management, taxes financial data documents or marketing report papers working in office using laptop.

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you feel after working for five to six days? Do you feel more productive working for five to six days? Please tell me more about it. Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. pros and cons /prohs uhn kons/ [phrase] – advantages and disadvantages of something, which you consider carefully so that you can make a sensible decision We talked about the pros and cons of attending university. extensive /ik-STEN-siv/ [adjective] – covering a large area; having a great range He has extensive musical knowledge. temporarily /tem-puh-RAIR-uh-lee/ [adjective] – in…
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Intermediate

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The Emperor’s Birthday: A Celebration of Tradition and Unity

2023年2月23日

holiday

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever visited Japan during a public holiday? Which holiday was it, and what was your experience like? Which public holiday in Japan do you think is the most important? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. tradition /truh-DISH-uhn/ [noun] – a belief, principle, or way of acting that people in a particular society or group have continued to follow for a long time, or all of these beliefs, etc. in a particular society or group We have a tradition of baking gingerbread cookies together every holiday season. current /KUR-uhnt/…
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Intermediate

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Are Gen Z workers the ones that are the most stressed out at work?

2023年2月22日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Are you a member of Gen Z? If so, how do you identify with your generation? If not, how would you describe your generation? What do you think is the biggest challenge facing Gen Z in the workplace? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. era /EER-uh/ [noun] – a period of time of which particular events or stages of development are typical: The Renaissance era was a time of great change and cultural rebirth in Europe, marked by advances in art, science, and philosophy. diverse /dih-VURS/ [adjective] – including many different…
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Intermediate

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The different views of willpower

2023年2月21日

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Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What things do you have the motivation to do? What motivates you to achieve your goals? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. inflexible /in-FLEK-suh-buhl/ [adjective] – (especially of opinions and rules) fixed and unable or unwilling to change This strategy is too expensive and inflexible. ego /EE-goh/ [noun] – your idea or opinion of yourself, especially your feeling of your own importance and ability Sarah needed a job to boost her ego, so I’m delighted she got the job. theory /THEE-uh-ree/ [noun] – something suggested as a reasonable explanation for facts,…
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Intermediate

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YouTube CEO steps down after nine years

2023年2月20日

Wroclaw, Poland - OCT 23, 2019: Man holding smart phone with YouTube logo on screen. YouTube is most popular video service developed by Google.

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you watch videos on YouTube? What was the last video you watched on YouTube? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. advisory /ad-VAHY-zuh-ree/ [adjective] – relating to giving advice He was chosen last month to serve on the advisory committee. throughout /throo-OUT/ [adverb] – in every part, or during the whole period of time People throughout the world were shocked by the news of the disaster. varied /VAIR-eed/ [adjective] – having or showing many different types, or changing often The school provides a fun and varied schedule of social…
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Intermediate

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