Intermediate

What to expect from a pizza vending machine in Rome

©Andrew Medichini / AP via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. When do you usually eat pizza? What is your least favorite pizza topping? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. residential /rez-i-DEN-shuh/ [adjective] – A residential road, area, etc. has only private houses, not offices and factories You can find my store in the residential neighborhood of Jiyugaoka. inventor /in-VEN-ter/ [noun] – someone who has invented something or whose job is to invent things Ken Kutaragi is the inventor of PlayStation. compete /kuhm-PEET/ [verb] – to try to be more successful than someone or something else…
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How airlines will prevent you from losing your bags in the future

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you traveled abroad? Please tell me about it. What problems have you encountered while traveling? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. delayed /dih-LEYD/ [adjective] – happening at a later time than expected or intended My plane was delayed by an hour. primary /PRAHY-mer-ee/ [adjective] – more important than anything else; main Our primary concern is to provide the refugees with food and healthcare. management /MAN-ij-muhnt/ [noun] – the control and organization of something Management is looking at ways of cutting costs. aspect /AS-pekt/ [noun] – one part of a situation,…
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Why people feel anxious when giving compliments

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you react when receiving praises? What do you usually compliment others for? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. exist /ig-ZIST/ [verb] – to be, or to be real Some people believe that aliens exist. deed /deed/ [noun] – an intentional act, especially a very bad or very good one Let us do at least one good deed a day. potential /puh-TEN-shuhl/ [noun] – the possibility of something developing or happening in a particular way Thomas has the potential to be a wonderful leader in the future. impact /IM-pakt/ [noun]…
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Taiwan approves use of domestically-developed COVID-19 vaccine despite criticisms

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©BBC News Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What COVID-19 vaccine brands are being used in your country? How many percent do you think are already fully vaccinated in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. criticism /KRIT-uh-siz-uhm/ [noun] – an opinion given about something or someone, esp. a negative opinion, or the activity of making such judgments The new novel he published received a lot of criticisms from parents. safety /SEYF-tee/ [noun] – a state in which or a place where you are safe and not in danger or at risk Our top priority is…
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Toyota to cut global production by 40% due to chip shortage

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©Getty Images via BBC Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you drive? What is the most popular car brand in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. essential /uh-SEN-shuhl/ [adjective] – necessary or needed Nowadays, laptops are an essential tool in companies. crisis /KRAHY-sis/ [noun] – a time of great disagreement, confusion, or suffering We should practice smart spending habits in this economic crisis. production /pruh-DUHK-shuhn/ [noun] – the process of making or growing goods to be sold The toys went out of production in 2010. demand /dih-MAHND/ [noun] – a need for something to…
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Members of Parliament say that charging fees for electric vehicles must be reasonable

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you support the use of electric cars in the future? Why or why not? What do you think of using electric cars? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. accessible /ak-SES-uh-buhl / [adjective] – possible to approach, enter, or use The information is readily accessible on the Internet. remote /ri-MOHT/ [adjective] – far away in distance They live in a remote mountain village. ban /ban/ [verb] – to forbid (= refuse to allow) something, especially officially The company bans smoking on the premises. consumer /kuhn-SOO-mer / [noun] – a person who…
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The Mennonites, a community frozen in time

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©Jake Michaels, courtesy of Setanta Books Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Are you dependent on technology? Please tell me more about it. How important is modern technology for you? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. society /suh-SAHY-i-tee/ [noun] – all the people in a country, or several similar countries, can be referred to as a society Natural disasters are a common hazard to society. disregard /dis-ri-GAHRD/ [verb] – to not allow something to influence you; ignore Liam seems to always disregard his safety. domestic /duh-MES-tik/ [adjective] – relating to a person’s own country Domestic oil prices…
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What causes flash floods in extreme weather?

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What kinds of disasters have you already experienced in your area? What causes flooding? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. climate change /KLAHY-mit cheynj/ [noun] – changes in the world’s weather, in particular the fact that it is believed to be getting warmer as a result of human activity increasing the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere There is growing concern about climate change. soak /sohk/ [verb] – to make something very wet, or of a liquid to be absorbed The clothes should soak for a quarter before washing. severe…
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Former hospital staff in Australia under investigation for being a fake doctor

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you encountered a fake doctor before? Please share some details about it. What is your opinion about people who fake their documents or papers? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. former /FAWR-mer/ [adjective] – used to describe someone who had a particular position or job in the past Our former supervisor now works abroad. pretend /pri-TEND/ [verb] – to behave as if something is true when you know that it is not, especially in order to deceive people or as a game She had pretended to be a doctor for…
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Google and Facebook to require COVID-19 vaccinations for employees working at the office

Google and Facebook to require vaccinations for employees working at the office

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Would you prefer working from home or at the office? Why? How do you keep yourself safe from the coronavirus? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. regulation /reg-yuh-LEY-shuhn/ [noun] – an official rule or the act of controlling something It is a regulation to wear corporate attire at the office. implement /IM-pluh-ment/ [verb] – to start using a plan or system The new payment system will be implemented next week. approach /uh-PROHCH/ [noun] – a way of considering or doing something The government’s approach to health care seems unsystematic. mournful /MAWRN-fuhl/…
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