Intermediate

Tartessos: Was it a city, kingdom, or river?

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© Andrew Lofthouse via BBC News Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your favorite historical book or movie? Why? Which Japanese era is your favorite and why? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. reveal /ri-VEEL/ [verb] – to make known or show something that is surprising or that was previously secret He reveals his deepest secrets in the book. widely /WAHYD-lee/ [adverb] – including a lot of different places, people, subjects, etc. Garlic used to be widely used in traditional medicine. conqueror /KONG-ker-er/ [noun] – someone who has conquered a country or its people The…
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Apple releases new devices

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© APPLE via BBC News Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How long do you spend every day using your smartphone? What do you usually use it for? What is the most interesting smartphone app you have ever used? Please tell me more about it. Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. helpline /HELP-line/ [noun] – a telephone service provided by an organization or company to offer help and advice to people The helpline was established to assist young people who required guidance and support. initial /ih-NISH-uhl/ [adjective] – of or at the beginning Yuki created the initial…
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Why people switch industries

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your dream job? Could you tell me about it? What kinds of industries are famous nowadays? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. individual /in-duh-VIJ-oo-uhl/ [noun] – a single person or thing, especially when compared to the group or set to which they belong Each individual has their own personality. aware /uh-WAIR/ [adjective] – knowing that something exists, or having knowledge or experience of a particular thing She is aware of the difficulties. client /KLAYH-uhnt/ [noun] – a customer or someone who receives services The lawyer explained the legal technicalities…
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Respect for the Elderly Day

Portrait of old grandma and adult granddaughter hugging with love on sofa while looking at camera. Happy young woman with eyeglasses hugging from behind older grandma with spectacles. Senior woman spending time with her beautiful daughter, generation family concept.

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think is the best age? Why? In your opinion, what is the ideal retirement age? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. wisdom /WIZ-duhm/ [noun] – the ability to use your knowledge and experience to make good decisions and judgments Hoshi will almost always offer pearls of wisdom. define /dih-FAHYN/ [verb] – to explain and describe the meaning and exact limits of something Your contract defines your duties and responsibilities. permanently /PUR-muh-nuhnt-lee/ [adverb] – always and forever She had decided to live in Australia permanently….
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Is there still stigma in the workplace around mental health issues?

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you think mental health is important? Why or why not? Do you think employers should be understanding? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. eager /EE-ger / [adjective] – wanting very much to do or have something, especially something interesting or enjoyable He was eager to get into politics. speak up /speek uhp/ [idiom] – to express your opinion He is willing to speak up for the rights of women. relief /ri-LEEF/ [noun] – a feeling of happiness that something unpleasant has not happened or has ended…
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The town in Germany that is stuck in the past

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©BBC, David Perry Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you like visiting old villages? Why or why not?  Could you tell me about your favorite vacation spot? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. picturesque /pik-chuh-RESK/ [adjective] – (especially of a place) attractive in appearance, especially in an old-fashioned way We visited the picturesque fishing village of Lochinver. progressive /pruh-GRES-iv/ [adjective] – developing or happening gradually This is a very progressive firm that uses the most modern systems. signal /SIG-nl/ [noun] – a series of electrical or radio waves that are sent to a radio or television…
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The quest for autumn leaves

Autumn trees lining driveway

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is the best season to go sightseeing in Japan? What is your favorite thing to do in autumn? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. vibrant /VAHY-bruhnt/ [adjective] – energetic, bright, and full of life or excitement Kaito consistently uses vibrant colors in his paintings. chop /chop/ [verb] – to cut something into pieces with an axe, knife, or other sharp instrument Could you chop some wood for the fire? climate /KLAHY-mit/ [noun] – the general weather conditions usually found in a particular place It’s preferable for strawberries to grow in…
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Switzerland’s melting glaciers affect Europe’s water supply

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© BBC News Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you believe that water is precious? Please explain why. What would it be like to not have access to fresh drinking water? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. glacier /GLEY-sher/ [noun] – a large mass of ice that moves slowly The sink sank when it struck the cold glacier. melt /melt/ [verb] – to turn from something solid into something soft or liquid Iron melts when made hot enough. mass /mas/ [noun] – a large amount of something that has no particular shape or arrangement The village…
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Royal Caribbean to tie up with SpaceX for faster internet

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you think having fast internet adds up to good service? Why do you think so? How is tourism in your country now? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. establish /ih-STAB-lish/ [verb] – to start a company or organization that will continue for a long time The company was established in 1822. vast /vast/ [adjective] – extremely big This treatment is not available in the vast majority of hospitals. satellite /satellite/ [SAT-l-ahyt] – a device sent up into space to travel around the earth, used for collecting information or communicating by…
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Thousands of fish found dead on the River Oder

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© BBC News Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are the litter laws in your city? What simple things do you do to help reduce pollution? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. chemical /KEM-i-kuhl/ [adjective] – relating to chemicals (any basic substance that is used in or produced by a reaction involving changes to atoms or molecules) The chemical industry is a big suspect in terms of pollution. toxin /TOK-sin/ [noun] – a poisonous substance, especially one produced by bacteria, that causes disease Test results revealed high toxin levels in shellfish. unclear /uhn-KLEER/ [adjective] – not…
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