Intermediate

California to prohibit the sale of all-petrol automobiles in 2035

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think of electric vehicles? What is the largest city in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. contribution /kon-truh-BYOO-shuhn/ [noun] – something that you contribute or do to help produce or achieve something together with other people, or to help make something successful I can make a great contribution to society. pressure /PRESH-er/ [verb] – to strongly persuade someone to do something they do not want to do She was pressured to enter the contest. objective /uhb-JEK-tiv/ [noun] – something that you plan to do or achieve…
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Ancient earthquake-resilient design of the Himalayas

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©BBC News, Tarang Mohnot Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Could you tell me about your community? Do you think we can prevent earthquakes? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. community /kuh-MYOO-ni-tee / [noun] – the people living in one particular area or people who are considered as a unit because of their common interests, social group, or nationality He did it for the interests of the community. earthquake /URTH-kweyk / [noun] – a sudden violent movement of the earth’s surface, sometimes causing great damage Many buildings fell down during the earthquake. maintain /meyn-TEYN/ [verb] – to…
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Northern Ireland with the lowest employment rate for disabled people

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© GETTY IMAGES via BBC News Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What laws for disabled people does your country have? Are the same laws applied in your school/workplace? Please tell me more about it. 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 Samantha is incredibly self-assured despite her disability. seek /seek/ [verb] – to try to find or get something, especially something that is…
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Where is Santa Claus?

Santa Claus brought gifts for Christmas and having a rest by the fireplace. Christmas and New Year concept. Home decoration.

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do people in your country typically do on Christmas Day? What are the differences between Christmas in Japan and other countries? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. theory /THREE-uh-ree/ [noun] – something suggested as a reasonable explanation for facts, a condition, or an event, especially a systematic or scientific explanation No historians have confirmed the theory about Alexander the Great. supposed /suh-POH-zid/ [adjective] – believed by many people to be true, but not proven and often doubted by the person who is speaking or writing The plan’s expenses greatly surpass…
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How inflation affects people’s diets around the world

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Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you do to make sure you avoid eating unhealthy foods? Do you change the food you eat based on the season? Please tell me more about it. Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. adapt /uh-DAPT/ [verb] – to change, or to change something, to suit different conditions or uses Kei finds it extremely challenging to adapt to his new surroundings. inflation /in-FLEY-shuhn/ [noun] – a general, continuous increase in prices The government has made great progress in managing inflation. significantly /sig-NIF-i-kuhnt-lee/ [adverb] – by a large amount A healthy…
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Philippine schools reopen

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have schools resumed in your country? Could you tell me about it? What are your concerns regarding the reopening of classes during the COVID-19 pandemic? Could you tell me about it? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. spread /spred/ [noun] – the development or growth of something so that it covers a larger area or affects a larger number of people It is concerning how quickly the spread of the disease has been in recent years. enact /en-AKT/ [verb] – to put something into action, especially to make something law Under…
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Serena Williams to step away from tennis

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How popular is tennis in your country? Why do you think that is? What sports are you into? How often do you play sports? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. career /kuh-REER/ [noun] – An occupation undertaken for a significant period of a person’s life and with opportunities for progress. He seemed destined for a career as an engineer like his father. retire /ri-TAHYUHR/ [verb] – To withdraw from one’s career, occupation, or office, usually because of age He is going to retire next winter. focus /FOH-kuhs/ [verb] – to give…
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The best and worst party in history

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© Wikimedia Commons via historyofyesterday.com Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. When was the last time you have been to a party? Whose party was it? What do you enjoy doing the most when you attend parties? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. wealth /welth/ [noun] – a large amount of money or valuable possessions that someone has Nina’s career helped her save a great amount of wealth. grand /grand/ [adjective] – important and large in degree Several well-known celebrities attended the grand event. narrate /na-REYT/ [verb] – to tell a story, often by reading aloud from…
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What happens in the brain when you watch a TV show in a single sitting

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you sometimes stay up late? Why or why not? Who is your favorite movie character? Could you tell me about him/her? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. stay up /stey uhp/ [phrasal verb] – to go to bed later than usual Did you stay up late last night? episode /EP-uh-sohd/ [noun] – one of the single parts into which a story is divided, especially when it is broadcast on the television or radio The final episode will be shown tonight. suffer /SUHF-er / [verb] – to experience physical or mental…
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Is dopamine fasting method based on science?

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever gone on a diet? Could you tell me about it? What activities make you happy? Please elaborate on your answer. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. evidence /EV-i-duhns/ [noun] – one or more reasons for believing that something is or is not true Several experts have presented evidence on the subject. mental /MEN-tl / [adjective] – relating to the mind, or involving the process of thinking His physical and mental health had gotten worse. addiction /uh-DIK-shuhn / [noun] – the need or strong desire to do or to…
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