Intermediate

Youngsters in Bristol’s inner city tackle climate change with the help of a podcast

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your favorite program online? Could you tell me more about it? Why do some people listen to podcasts? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. establish /ih-STAB-lish/ [verb] – to start a company or organization that will continue for a long time These working practices were created in the previous century. vision /VIZH-uhn/ [noun] – an idea or mental image of something We see his vision of the future in his works. episode /EP-uh-sohd/ [noun] – one of the single parts into which a story is divided, especially when it…
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Starbucks plans to phase out its disposable cups by 2025

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you drink coffee or tea first thing in the morning? Why or why not? Do you prefer drinking coffee/tea in a mug or a cup? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. get rid of something /get-rid-of/ [phrasal verb] – to remove something that you do not want any longer You should get rid of all the things you no longer use. durable /DOOR-uh-buhl/ [adjective] – able to last and be used for a long time without becoming damaged This wooden chair is really durable. curious /KYOOR-ee-uhs/ [adjective] – interested…
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A guide to Peranakan cuisine

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©Sharon Wee and Marshall via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your favorite food to eat during lunch? Tell me something about it. How often do you eat spicy food? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. diverse /dih-VURS/ [adjective] – including many different types of people or things I enjoy working in a diverse environment. combination /kom-buh-NEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the mixture you get when two or more things are combined This city is a combination of Asian and Western cultures. date back /deyt-bak/ [phrasal verb] – to have existed for a particular length of…
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Possible extinct giants depicted in rock paintings

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© CNN News Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Which animal do you think is the most endangered and why? What is your opinion of giant animals? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. porcupine /PAWR-kyuh-pahyn/ [noun] – an animal with a covering of long, sharp quills (= stiff hairs like needles) on its back I found a porcupine by the riverside. naturalistic /nach-er-uh-LIS-tik/ [adjective] – similar to what exists in nature Zoos keep the animals in naturalistic settings for their comfort. visible /VIZ-uh-buhl/ [adjective] – able to be seen Most of the writings in this old book…
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The splendor of the oldest place on Earth

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© Dan Avila via BBC Travel Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is the oldest place in your country? Please tell me more about it. How do you consider a place to be beautiful? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. civilization /siv-uh-luh-ZEY-shuhn/ [noun] – human society with its well developed social organizations, or the culture and way of life of a society or country at a particular period in time Chinese civilization is one of the world’s oldest. prehistoric /pree-hi-STAWR-ik/ [adjective] – describing the period before there were written records The museum contains artifacts from prehistoric…
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Hedgehog population in the UK countryside declines, studies show

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are endangered species? Do hedgehogs make good pets? Why do you think so? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. rural /ROOR-uhl / [adjective] – in, of, or like the countryside The area is still undeveloped and rural. decline /dih-KLAHYN/ [verb] – to gradually become less, worse, or lower They’ve just declined the price. survey /SUR-vey/ [noun] – an examination of opinions, behavior, etc., made by asking people questions According to a latest survey, 75% of those questioned were in favor of the plan. urban /UR-buhn / [adjective] – of or…
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HMS Endurance found after 107 years following its sinking

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© Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust and National Geographic via CNN News Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. When was the last time you went to the ocean? What did you do there? What kinds of documentaries do you enjoy watching? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. explorer /ik-SPLAWR-er/ [noun] – someone who travels to places where no one has ever been in order to find out what is there Ferdinand Magellan was a famous sixteenth-century explorer. shipwreck /SHIP-rek/ [noun] – an accident in which a ship is destroyed or sunk at sea, especially by hitting rocks, or…
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The strange reason why migrating birds are attracted to cities

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Where do birds migrate? What birds have adapted to stay in the winter rather than migrate south? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. migratory /MAHY-gruh-tawr-ee/ [adjective] – a migratory bird or animal is one that migrates (= travels to a different place, usually when the season changes) Sea eagles aren’t migratory, so once they’re gone, there’s no way to bring them back. species /SPEE-sheez/ [noun] – a set of animals or plants in which the members have similar characteristics to each other and can breed with each other Mountain gorillas are…
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Paris is set to build a $145M cable car line

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©©Île-de-France Mobilités via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Which city in Europe would you like to visit? Why? How often do you travel by car? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. aerial /AIR-ee-uhl/ [adjective] – in or from the air, especially from an aircraft Reena would like to try aerial photography. estimate /ES-tuh-meyt/ [verb] – to guess or calculate the cost, size, value, etc. of something The estimated costs of the city hall project are over £3 million. capacity /kuh-PAS-i-tee/ [noun] – the total amount that can be contained or produced This washing machine has…
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Why do so many individuals believe in the “soulmate myth”?

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What characteristics are you looking for in a lifetime partner? Why do people believe in soulmates? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. theme park /theem pahrk/ [noun] – a large permanent area for public entertainment, with entertaining activities and big machines to ride on or play games on, restaurants, etc., sometimes all connected with a single subject It’s the biggest theme park outside the United States. individual /in-duh-VIJ-oo-uhl/ [noun] – a single person or thing, especially when compared to the group or set to which they belong Every individual has rights…
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