Intermediate

New Danish administration reduces public holidays

Woman checking the calendar

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your favorite holiday? Why is it your favorite? What do you do on long holidays? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. intend /in-TEND/ [verb] – to have as a plan or purpose I intend to study abroad after graduating from high school. target /TAHR-git/ [noun] – a level or situation that you intend to achieve Their new target is to increase sales by 10%. expect /ik-SPEKT/ [verb] – to think or believe something will happen, or someone will arrive They arrived at their destination earlier than expected. community /kuh-MYOO-ni-tee/…
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A new attempt to see Titanic

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your lifelong dream? Could you tell me about it? Do you want to explore underwater? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. surface /SUR-fis/ [noun] – the outer or top part or layer of something The moon’s surface is pocked with small craters. occur /uh-KUR/ [verb] – (especially of accidents and other unexpected events) to happen If headaches only occur at night, a lack of fresh air and oxygen is often the cause. observe /uhb-ZURV/ [verb] – to watch carefully the way something happens or the…
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The fizzy and assorted flavors of cola

Colorful soda drinks macro shot

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your favorite drink? Which drink is popular in your country? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. fizzy /FIZ-ee/ [adjective] – having a lot of bubbles Potato chips, fizzy drinks, and chocolate were served at the celebration. decade /DEK-eyd/ [noun] – a period of ten years Prices have continuously increased over the last decade. chemist /KEM-ist/ [noun] – a person who studies chemistry, or a scientist who works with chemicals or studies their reactions The chemist prepared some medication for me. shut down /shuht doun/ [phrasal verb] – if a…
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Bringing together the unconnected

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Can you live without being digitally connected to the world? Why or why not? What does being digitally connected mean to you? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. access /AK-ses/ [noun] – the right or opportunity to use or look at something The software enables you to access the Internet in seconds. service /SUR-vis/ [noun] – a government system or private organization that is responsible for a particular type of activity, or for providing a particular thing that people need The center provides a job placement service. explore /ik-SPLAWR/ [verb] –…
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Funds and workers in demand to create net zero homes

South facing photovoltaic panels capture sunlight.

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How does climate change affect your daily life? What do you do to help lessen climate change’s effects? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. grant /grahnt/ [noun] – an amount of money given especially by the government to a person or organization for a special purpose They gave her a grant to study abroad for a year. shortage /SHAWR-tij/ [noun] – a situation in which there is not enough of something Many companies are suffering from a shortage of skilled workers. revise /ri-VAHYZ/ [verb] – to change or correct something, especially…
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Are students’ diets truly that poor?

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How healthy is your diet? When you were a student, did you always eat healthy food? Could you please tell me about it? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. evident /EV-i-duhnt / [adjective] – easily seen or understood; obvious It was evident that she was unhappy. overall /OH-ver-AWL/ [adverb] – in general rather than in particular, or including all the people or things in a particular group or situation Their overall strategy is quite good, but one or two of the details could be improved. survey /ser-VEY/ [noun] – an examination…
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The rewards of feeling small

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you feel small? Why or why not? When do you feel overwhelmed? Could you tell me about it? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. examine /ig-ZAM-in/ [verb] – to look at or consider a person or thing carefully and in detail in order to discover something about them We can examine the bones of dinosaurs and make deductions about how they lived. emotion /ih-MOH-shuhn / [noun] – (a) strong feeling, such as of love, anger, fear, etc. He showed no visible sign of emotion. satisfying /SAT-is-fahy-ing/ [adjective] – making you…
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The teapot stew tradition of Kabul

chainaki

© Kanika Gupta via BBC Travel Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your favorite traditional food? Why is tradition important? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. bustling /BUHS-ling/ [adjective] – if a place is bustling, it is full of busy activity The hotel is next to the bustling harbor. handmade /HAND-MEYD/ [adjective] – made by a person using just hands or tools, not by a machine All of our products are handmade and use only natural materials. aroma /uh-ROH-muh/ [noun] – a strong, pleasant smell, usually from food or drink The house was filled with…
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Google opens its first facility for assistive technology in the UK

Smiling deaf african american girl with ear implant at doctor's office.

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How has technology changed your life? What future technologies are you looking forward to? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. disability /dis-uh-BIL-i-tee/ [noun] – an illness, injury, or condition that makes it difficult for someone to do some things that other people do, and that is usually permanent or lasts for a long time Yuka is confident despite having a physical disability. medical /MED-i-kuhl/ [adjective] – related to the treatment of illness and injuries Medical tests showed that she was negative for the virus. potential /puh-TEN-shuhl/ [noun] – natural qualities or…
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How to get a good night’s sleep and enjoy being at home

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you get a good night’s sleep? Why? Do you enjoy being at home? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. interior design /in-TEER-ee-er dih-ZAHYN/ [noun] – the art of planning the decoration of the inside of a building such as a house or office She specialized in interior design. look into /look IN-too/ [phrasal verb] – to examine the facts about a problem or situation A working party has been set up to look into the problem. interact /in-ter-AKT/ [verb] – to communicate with or…
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