Intermediate

Fans line up early for Shohei Ohtani and Decoy bobblehead at Dodger Stadium

Ohtani

©Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What qualities or skills make a sports player stand out in their field? Which sports events or teams in your country attract the most attention? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. eager /EE-ger/ [adjective] – strongly wanting to do or have something The students were eager to start their summer vacation. fame /feym/ [noun] – the state of being known or recognized by many people because of your achievements, skills, etc. Her fame grew rapidly after she won the international singing competition. stretch /strech/ [verb] – to…
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Study says women should check heart disease risks in their 30s

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some factors that contribute to heart disease in women? Do you think it is important to start health screenings earlier in life? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. manufacturer /man-yuh-FAK-cher-er/ [noun] – a company that produces goods in large numbers Many car manufacturers are shifting their focus to electric vehicles. suffer /SUHF-er/ [verb] – to experience pain, distress, or hardship He had to suffer through a long and difficult recovery after the surgery. biomarker /BAHY-oh-mahr-ker/ [noun] – biological molecules found in blood, other body fluids,…
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NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover to climb steep crater

mars rover

©NASA via AP Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you know what space rovers are? If so, how important do you think they are for space exploration? If not, are you interested in outer space? Why or why not? Have you ever climbed a big mountain or a tall wall before? If so, how difficult was it? If not, would you ever try it? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. sample /SAM-puhl/ [noun] – a small part or amount of something that is tested or examined The scientist collected samples of the soil for testing. slope…
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Japan faces severe rice shortage amid extreme weather and rising demand

Emihokoro

©REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What factors can lead to a shortage of essential goods in a country? Why is it important for researchers to develop new varieties of crops or products? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. endure /en-DOOR/ [verb] – to withstand or tolerate something difficult or unpleasant over a period of time She had to endure a long wait at the airport due to the flight delay. sharply /SHAR-plee/ [adverb] – in a sudden, severe, or intense manner. The temperature dropped sharply overnight, causing frost to form on the windows. stock…
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Tomatina festival paints Bunol red with tomato fun and global cheers

Tomatina

©REUTERS/Eva Manez Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What types of festivals do you know about from different cultures or countries? How do people in your country prepare for and celebrate festivals? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. spirited /SPIR-i-tid/ [adjective] – full of energy, enthusiasm, or liveliness The team gave a spirited performance at the championship game. manner /MAN-er/ [noun] – a way of doing something; the style or method She spoke in a calm and respectful manner during the meeting. firecracker /FAHYUHR-krak-er/ [noun] – a small explosive device that makes a loud noise and sometimes…
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116-year-old Japanese woman officially named world’s oldest living person by Guinness

Oldest woman

©(City of Ashiya via AP) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some things people might admire in someone who is very old? What are some challenges that a person might face when they live to be very old? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. currently /KUR-uhnt-lee/ [adverb] – at the present time She is currently working on a new project. prefecture /PREE-fek-cher/ [noun] – a political region or local government area in some countries, for example Japan, France, and Italy The prefecture is responsible for local government services. strength /strengkth/ [noun] – the ability to…
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Paris Paralympic opening ceremony set to challenge views on disabilities

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you know about the Paralympic Games? Can you name any sports that are included in the Paralympic Games? Have you ever watched a Paralympic event on TV or online? If yes, which athletes or sports impressed you the most, and why? If not, what might you enjoy watching? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. exciting /ik-SAHY-ting/ [adjective] – causing great enthusiasm and eagerness The roller coaster ride was very exciting for the children. show /shoh/ [noun] – a performance or presentation, such as a play or concert We went…
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Amphibious car parade ends in Amsterdam due to new emission rules

amphibious car

©REUTERS Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How important is it to preserve traditional events? What are some ways you personally try to reduce your environmental impact in daily life? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. parade /puh-REYD/ [noun] – a public procession or celebration, often with people walking or in vehicles, typically held to mark a special event The children watched the colorful parade pass by their school. standard /STAN-derd/ [noun] – a level of quality The new standards for safety were implemented across all factories. turnout /TURN-out/ [noun] – the number of people attending an…
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California launches $250 million initiative to support journalism and advance AI research

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is the role of journalism in society? What are some common tools or technologies used by journalists today? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. struggle /STRUHG-uhl/ [verb] – to make a great effort to achieve something, or to try very hard She had to struggle to lift the heavy box. democratic /dem-uh-KRAT-ik / [adjective] – relating to a system of government where the people choose their leaders by voting The country has a democratic system of government where people vote for their leaders. oppose /uh-POHZ/ [verb] – to be against…
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Hong Kong welcomes birth of giant panda twins from oldest first-time mother

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some reasons why people might find giant pandas special or important? How might the care and feeding of newborn animals differ from caring for adult animals? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. give birth /giv burth/ [phrasal verb] – to produce offspring or deliver a baby The mother cat gave birth to a healthy kitten early in the morning. symbol /SIM-buhl/ [noun] – a sign, shape, or object that is used to represent something else The heart symbol is often used to represent love. newborn /NOO-BAWRN/ [adjective] – recently…
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