Intermediate

Black birdwatcher to host his own National Geographic show

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What hobbies do you find meaningful? Do you want to be a public figure? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. extraordinary /ik-STRAWR-dn-er-ee/ [adjective] – beyond what is usual, ordinary, regular, or established The stunt he did was extraordinary.  network /NET-wurk/ [noun] – a company that provides programs to a group of television or radio stations, or this company and the group considered together The Discovery Channel is a TV network that is all about science and technology. viewer /VYOO-er/ [a person who watches something, especially television] –…
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UN to act in response to possible famine in Somalia

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What food is included in your daily diet and why? What is your go-to snack and why did you choose it? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. decade /DEK-eyd/ [noun] – a period of ten years The city has shown signs of improvement during the past decade. livestock /LAHYV-stok/ [noun] – animals kept on a farm, such as cows, sheep, chickens, and pigs Raising livestock is the primary source of income in this community. income /IN-kuhm/ [noun] – money that is earned from doing work or received from investments He makes…
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The end of “mandatory fun” at the workplace

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you work from home at the moment? Could you tell me about your office setup? How do you have fun at work? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. extracurricular /ek-struh-kuh-RIK-yuh-ler/ [adjective] – extracurricular activity or subject is not part of the usual school or college course Each child had participated in extracurricular activities at school. era /EER-uh/ [noun] – a period of time in which particular events or stages of development are typical We live in an era of instant communication. effectively /ih-FEK-tiv-lee/ [adjective] – in a way that is…
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Architect says that Sheffield’s Ball Street Bridge might become a lovely park

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©BBC News Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Could you tell me about a beautiful park you have been to? What famous bridge would you like to see someday? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. appreciate /uh-PREE-shee-eyt/ [verb] – to recognize how good someone or something is and to value him, her, or it It’s useless to buy him expensive wines because he doesn’t appreciate them. concept /KON-sept/ [noun] – a principle or idea This is a very difficult concept to understand. investment /in-VEST-muhnt / [noun] – the act of putting money, effort, time, etc. into…
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Stereotypical bore: Why do we judge people as “boring”?

Girl sitting in front of young guy and talking to him. He looks bored. Man is not interested in conversation at all

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What activities or things bore you? What catches your attention the most in conversations? Please tell me more about it. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. bore /bawr/ [noun] – someone or something that is not interesting This book is such a bore. It teaches me nothing. jigsaw /JIG-saw/ [noun] – a picture stuck onto wood or cardboard and cut into pieces of different shapes that must be joined together correctly to form the picture again It took us all night to finish a 1,000-piece jigsaw. vibrant /VAHY-bruhnt/ [adjective] – energetic,…
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Office spaces are being converted into luxurious apartments

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you like working from home? Why? Would you like to live in a luxurious apartment? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. terrace /TER-uhs / [noun] – a flat raised area Lunch is served on the terrace facing the sea. structure /STRUHK-cher/ [noun] – something that has been made or built from parts, especially a large building The proposed new office tower is a 43-story steel and glass structure. headquarters /HED-kwawr-terz/ [noun] – the main offices of an organization such as the army, the police, or a business company The…
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Oil and gas giant BP to collaborate on Aberdeen’s hydrogen ambitions

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you already collaborated with someone for a particular purpose? Why? What are the benefits of collaboration? Please elaborate on your answer. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. committee /kuh-MIT-ee/ [noun] – a small group of people chosen to represent a larger organization and either make decisions or collect information for it A committee to explore recycling has just been formed by the local council. involvement /in-VOLV-muhnt/ [noun] – the act or process of taking part in something One involvement I could do without is serving on the committee. approval /uh-PROO-vuhl/…
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UK stores recall chicken products over salmonella fears

People working at a Chicken fillet production line.Group of workers working chicken factory,food processing plant concepts.Meat processing,food industry.Packing of meat slices in boxes ,conveyor belt.

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you visit supermarkets? Do you order food products online? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. recall /ri-KAWL/ [verb] – to order the return of a product made by a company because of a fault in the product The store had to recall numerous gummy candies. risk /risk/ [noun] – the possibility of something bad happening This area is facing a high risk of flooding. consume /kuhn-SOOM/ [verb] – to eat or drink, especially a lot of something Kevin consumed large amounts of macaroni and…
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Wales maintains its recycling rate in the UK for over a decade

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Does your town do enough recycling? Please elaborate on your answer. Do you think recycling is here to stay? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. household /HOUS-hohld/ [noun] – a group of people, often a family, who live together By the 1960s, almost every household had a television. collector /kuh-LEK-ter/ [noun] – someone who collects certain things as a job or as a hobby The debt collector continued to message her about the rent. convert /kuhn-VURT/ [verb] – to (cause something or someone to) change in form or character I…
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Scientists advise mining e-waste rather than the Earth

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What gadgets do you use? Could you tell me about them? Do you have gadgets that cannot be used anymore? Could you tell me about them? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. precious /PRESH-uhs/ [adjective] – of great value because of being rare, expensive, or important In many places of the world, clean water is a precious find. result in /ri-ZUHLT in/ [phrasal verb] – to cause a particular situation to happen The fire resulted in injuries to her arm. chaos /KEY-os/ [noun] – a state of disorder and confusion Snow…
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