Intermediate

The Mennonites, a community frozen in time

mennonites

©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…
Read more

What causes flash floods in extreme weather?

flood-392707_1280

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…
Read more

Former hospital staff in Australia under investigation for being a fake doctor

doctor-563429_1280

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…
Read more

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/…
Read more

Is it okay to fall out of friendship?

friendship

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you contact your friends? What do you and your friends usually do when you meet? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. in touch (with someone) /in tuhch (with SUHM-wuhn)/ [idiom] – seeing someone or communicating with someone regularly Have you been keeping in touch with Yuki? gut feeling /guht FEE-ling/ [noun] – a strong belief about someone or something that cannot completely be explained and does not have to be decided by reasoning I have a gut feeling that Nicholas is lying. circumstance /SUR-kuhm-stans/ [noun] – events that…
Read more

Yuto Horigome of Japan wins the first-ever gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics

skateboard-5326930_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think of skateboarding? Please explain your answer. What sport are you good at? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. current /KUR-uhnt/ [adjective] – of the present time The current situation is very frustrating for us. trip /trip/ [verb] – to lose your balance after knocking your foot against something when you are walking or running, or to cause someone to do this That cable is dangerous. Someone might trip over it. struggle /STRUHG-uhl/ [verb] – to experience difficulty and make a very great effort in order to do…
Read more

A $5,800 Japanese whiskey gifted to Mike Pompeo is missing, U.S. says

210805081626-restricted-mike-pompeo-12-09-2020-exlarge-169

©Elijah Nouvelage / Bloomberg / Getty Images via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is the most popular whiskey brand in your country? When do you usually give gifts to your family or friends? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. worth /wurth/ [adjective] – having a particular value, especially in money Susanna’s house is worth £300,000. knowledge /NOL-ij/ [noun] – the state of knowing about or being familiar with something He has no knowledge of what happened last Thursday. cause /kawz/ [noun] – to make something happen, especially something bad He told me that too…
Read more

The music industry is turning to live streaming to increase revenue

hand-1850120_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What was the last music festival you attended? Do you watch online concerts nowadays? Could you tell me more about it? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. effective /ih-FEK-tiv/ [adjective] – successful or achieving the results that you want This car polish is an effective shield against rust. existence /ig-ZIs-tuhns/ [noun] – the fact of something or someone existing The company that they started is still in existence today. virtual /VUR-choo-uhl/ [adjective] – created by computer technology and appearing to exist but not existing in the physical world You can take…
Read more

Metro Manila under lockdown again due to COVID-19 Delta variant

Metro Manila under lockdown again due to COVID-19 Delta variant

©Pablo Barcelon via CNN Philippines Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your country’s current status in the ongoing pandemic? When was the last time you heard about COVID-19 news in the Philippines? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. permit /per-MIT/ [verb] – to allow something Smoking is not permitted in all areas of the establishment. crucial /KROO-shuhl/ [adjective] – extremely important or necessary Training is one of the most crucial parts of becoming a great athlete. severe /suh-VEER/ [adjective] – causing very great pain, difficulty, worry, damage, etc.; very serious Many people suffer severe financial…
Read more

Simone Biles wins bronze but leaves the competition

biles

©USA Today Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Are you updated with the Olympics? Please tell me more about it. What sport do you enjoy watching live or on television? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. competition /kom-pi-TISH-uhn/ [noun] – a situation in which someone is trying to win something or be more successful than someone else Mizuki won first place in the poetry competition. unclear /uhn-KLEER/ [adjective] – not sure or certain It is still unclear if the meeting schedule will be changed or not. suffer /SUHF-er/ [verb] – to experience physical or mental pain Anne…
Read more