Intermediate

The reason that prevents us to be kind

2022年4月4日

Giving a helping hand. Lending a helping hand. Solidarity, compassion, and charity, rescue. Hands of man and woman on blue sky background.

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How would you define “kindness” in your own words? How can you tell that the kindness shown to you is sincere? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. personal space /PUR-suh-nl speys/ [noun] – the physical space immediately surrounding someone, into which any invasion feels threatening to or uncomfortable for them Please be respectful of people’s personal spaces. admit /ad-MIT/ [verb] – to agree that something is true Nina was hesitant to admit that she was wrong. compassion /kuhm-PASH-uhn/ [noun] – a strong feeling of sympathy and sadness for the suffering or…
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Intermediate

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2022’s best Asian restaurant is located in Tokyo

2022年4月3日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How long does it take you to decide what to order at a restaurant? Do you trust online restaurant reviews? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. critic /KRIT-ik/ [noun] – someone whose job is to give their opinion about something, especially films, books, music, etc. Karl works as a film critic. quirk /kwurk/ [noun] – an unusual habit or part of someone’s personality, or something that is strange and unexpected Kelly’s bookstore has a lot of quirks and music. creative /kree-EY-tiv/ [adjective] – producing or using original…
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Intermediate

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Australia confirms recent mass bleaching incident in the Great Barrier Reef

2022年4月2日

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© GETTY IMAGES via BBC News Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What marine activities do you enjoy? (fishing, snorkeling, etc.) How do you think climate change affects the oceans? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. marine /muh-REEN/ [adjective] – related to the sea or sea transport You can ask my brother anything about the sea. He’s an expert on marine life. reef /reef/ [noun] – a line of rocks or sand just above or just below the surface of the sea, often dangerous to ships My family and I saw beautiful coral reefs when we went…
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Intermediate

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Modern friendship’s myths and realities

2022年4月1日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How much time do you spend on your smartphone? Can you live without using a smartphone? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. criticism /KRIT-uh-siz-uhm/ [noun] – the act of saying that something or someone is bad I’d like to make a few criticisms about your speech. concerned /kuhn-SURND/ [adjective] – worried I’m concerned about your well-being. image /IM-ij/ [noun] – a picture in your mind or an idea of how someone or something is I have a mental image of how I want the garden to look. vital…
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Intermediate

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Security guards curate art exhibit at Baltimore museum

2022年3月31日

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©The Baltimore Museum of Art via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you see paintings? How would you describe the typical uniform of a security guard in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. meaningful /MEE-ning-fuhl/ [adjective] – useful, serious, or important The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is such a meaningful book. strike /strahyk/ [verb] – to cause someone to have a feeling or idea about something There was something about the song that struck him. invest /in-VEST/ [verb] – to put money, effort, time, etc. into something to make a profit…
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Intermediate

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Wildfires slow the recovery of the ozone layer, a study says

2022年3月30日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is a wildfire? When are wildfires most likely to occur? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. barrier /BAR-ee-er/ [noun] – something that prevents something else from happening or makes it more difficult Ozone is the earth’s barrier against ultra-violet radiation. determine /dih-TUR-min/ [verb] – to discover the facts or truth about something A follow-up audit will be conducted by the office to determine whether any modifications or improvements have been made. recovery /ri-KUHV-uh-ree/ [noun] – a process in which a situation improves after a difficult period The physicians were surprised…
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Intermediate

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Unique places to visit in Brazil

2022年3月29日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you travel? What animal fascinates you the most? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. stunning /STUHN-ing/ [adjective] – extremely beautiful or attractive Budapest is a stunning city! paranormal /par-uh-NAWR-muhl/ [adjective] – impossible to explain by known natural forces or by science Ben likes to read paranormal stories. species /noun/ [SPEE-sheez] – a set of animals or plants in which the members have similar characteristics to each other and can breed with each other There are more than 200 species of mammals in the Philippines. remote /ri-MOHT/ [adjective]…
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Intermediate

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Mastering the art of gift-giving

2022年3月28日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you do when you receive a gift you do not like? What are considered unlucky gifts in your country’s culture? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. master /MAH-ster/ [verb] – to learn how to do something well It takes years to master a foreign language. personality /pur-suh-NAL-i-tee/ [noun] – the type of person you are, which is shown by the way you behave, feel, and think She has a kind and loving personality. nurture /NUR-cher/ [verb] – to take care of, feed, and protect someone or something, especially young…
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Intermediate

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Magnitude 7.4 earthquake hits Japan

2022年3月27日

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© AFP via BBC News Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you think natural disasters have become more frequent nowadays? Please explain your answer. What is the worst natural disaster for you and why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. magnitude /MAG-ni-tood/ [noun] – a measure of how strong or violent an earthquake is A 5.0 magnitude earthquake was detected in the southern islands. severe /suh-VEER/ [adjective] – causing very great pain, difficulty, worry, damage, etc.; very serious She is still recovering from severe flu. on board /ON BAWRD/ [idiom] – on or in an aircraft,…
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Intermediate

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Blind people will be able to see thanks to bionic eye technology

2022年3月26日

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you wear eyeglasses? Why or why not? What technology is very useful nowadays? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. vision /VIZH-uhn/ [noun] – the ability to see Her left eye has very limited vision. artificial /ahr-tuh-FISH-uhl/ [adjective] – made by people, often as a copy of something natural Her bouquet was comprised entirely of artificial flowers. retina /RET-n-uh/ [noun] – the area at the back of the eye that receives light and sends pictures of what the eye sees to the brain This is an incurable condition of the…
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Intermediate

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