Intermediate

Antioxidants from cocoa show potential for improving memory function

2023年8月3日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Are you familiar with dementia? What do you know about it? Do you eat a balanced diet? Which food group do you think you need to eat more of? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. potentially /puh-TEN-shuh-lee / [adverb] – possibly The medicine has potentially harmful side effects, so it should be used with caution. modest /MOD-ist / [adjective] – not large in size or amount The restaurant served a modest portion of food, but it was delicious and satisfying. significant /sig-NIF-i-kuhnt / [adjective] – important or noticeable The heavy…
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Intermediate

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Italy recovers 750 stolen artifacts

2023年8月2日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you know of any historical artifacts treasured by your country? Tell me about it. Do you think it is important for a country to protect historical artifacts? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. heritage /HER-i-tij/ [noun] – features belonging to the culture of a particular society, such as traditions, languages, or buildings, that were created in the past and still have historical importance The museum displays artifacts that showcase the heritage and history of the indigenous peoples of the region. lengthy /LENGK-thee/ [adjective] – continuing for…
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Intermediate

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Experts: US must rely on Japan’s, South Korea’s naval power to keep up with China’s fleet

2023年8月1日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is a warship? Why is it important for a country to have powerful warships? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. fleet /fleet/ [noun] – a group of ships, or all of the ships in a country’s navy The navy’s fleet of warships sailed out to conduct military exercises in the open sea. aggression /uh-GRESH-uhn/ [noun] – the action of a state in violating by force the rights of another state, particularly its territorial rights The escalating aggression between the two countries led to a declaration of war. superior /suh-PEER-ee-er/ [adjective]…
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Intermediate

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American Museum of Natural History’s $465M Science Center Takes Flight

2023年7月31日

Museum

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Are there any specific museums on your bucket list that you hope to visit in the future? If so, what attracts you to those particular museums? Do you have a preferred time of day or season for visiting museums? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. fascinating /FAS-uh-ney-ting/ [adjective] – extremely interesting The story had a fascinating plot twist that kept me engaged until the very end. interactive /in-ter-AK-tiv / [adjective] – An interactive system or computer program is designed to involve the user in the exchange of information The museum’s…
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Intermediate

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From photobomb to forever

2023年7月30日

Photobomber

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What was your memorable experience abroad? Do you find it easy to get along with someone you just met? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. remarkable /ri-MAHR-kuh-buhl/ [adjective] – unusual or special and therefore surprising and worth mentioning The team achieved a remarkable victory, surpassing all expectations and proving their exceptional skills. instant /IN-stuhnt / [adjective] – happening immediately, without any delay He experienced an instant sense of relief when he found his lost keys. bond /bond/ [noun] – a close connection joining two or more people…
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Intermediate

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Europe cuts down on short-haul flights, revives rail travel

2023年7月29日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Which would you choose for short-distance travel: a plane or a train? Why? What are the advantages of traveling by plane? How about its disadvantages? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. emission /ih-MISH-uhn/ [noun] – an amount of gas, heat, light, etc. that is sent out The new regulations aim to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and combat climate change. effectiveness /ih-FEK-tiv-nis/ [noun] – the degree to which something is effective The effectiveness of the sunscreen was evident as it protected the skin from harmful UV rays. usage /YOO-sij/ [noun]…
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Intermediate

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Australia takes bold steps to ban e-cigarettes

2023年7月28日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you or someone you know used vapes or e-cigarettes? Tell me about it. Do you think vaping is better than smoking cigarettes? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. ban /ban/ [verb] – to forbid or to refuse to allow something, especially officially Many companies ban smoking on their premises to promote a healthier work environment. therapeutic /ther-uh-PYOO-tik / [adjective] – relating to the curing of a disease or medical condition The spa offered a variety of therapeutic massages to promote relaxation and enhance overall well-being. addiction…
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Intermediate

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Sick restaurant workers linked to foodborne illness outbreaks, CDC study reveals

2023年7月27日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are foodborne illnesses? What measures do you take to ensure food safety? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. contribute /kuhn-TRIB-yoot/ [verb] – to be part of the reason why something happened The driver’s negligence and overspeeding contributed to the car accident. policy /POL-uh-see/ [noun] – a set of ideas or a plan of what to do in particular situations that has been agreed to officially by a group of people, a business organization, a government, or a political party Our refund policy allows customers to return or exchange items within…
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Intermediate

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Activists push to free bears from bile farms

2023年7月26日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is traditional Chinese medicine? Which animals do you know of that are used in this practice? Did you know that bile is collected from bears to be used as medicine? Would you be open to trying it? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. surgery /SUR-juh-ree/ [noun] – an occasion when a medical operation involving cutting open the body is performed on someone The surgeon performed a delicate surgery to repair a torn ligament in the athlete’s knee. profitable /PROF-i-tuh-buhl/ [adjective] – making or likely to make…
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Intermediate

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Early morning wake-up tips to beat your alarm clock

2023年7月25日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you rely on an alarm clock to wake up in the morning, or do you typically wake up naturally? How do you establish your wake-up routine? Do you consistently wake up later or earlier than your alarm? If so, why do you think that is? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. disrupted /duh-SRUHP-tuhd/ [adjective] – something that is interrupted, disturbed, or thrown into disorder The disrupted schedule caused a lot of confusion among the students. significant /sig-NIF-i-kuhnt / [adjective] – important or noticeable Winning the championship was a significant achievement…
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Intermediate

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