Intermediate

The UK IPO announces that AI has no legal rights

Artificial Intelligence

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your opinion about technologies that can learn and decide on their own? If a computer can do what humans can, should it have the same rights as a living person? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. invention /in-VEN-shuhn/ [noun] – something that has never been made before, or the process of creating something that has never been made before The world changed rapidly after the invention of the phone. expert /EK-spurt/ [noun] – a person with a high level of knowledge or skill relating to…
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The people who oppose work form home setup

laptop-2557571_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Could you tell me about the work setups in your country today? Which of these two setups is more favorable? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. absence /AB-suhns/ [noun] – the fact of not existing The kids had to look elsewhere for amusement because of the absence of television. remote /ri-MOHT/ [adjective] – used to refer to an activity that is done away from the place where it usually happens, especially by means of technology This is the new world of remote work. mental health /MEN-tl helth / [noun] –…
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People to consider switching to EVs

car-3117778_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you already ridden an electric vehicle? Could you tell me about it? Which do you prefer, conventional cars or EVs? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. immediate /ih-MEE-dee-it / [adjective] – happening or done without delay or very soon after something else We must make an immediate response. impact /IM-pakt/ [noun] – a powerful effect that something, especially something new, has on a situation or person We need to assess its impact on climate change. vary /VAIR-ee/ [verb] – if things of the same type vary, they are different…
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Techniques to help you fall back asleep

young woman is waking up with alarm clock

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What time do you usually sleep at night? Was there a time when you had difficulties sleeping? Please tell me more about it. Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. handle /HAN-dl/ [verb] – to deal with Thanks, but I think I can handle all tasks by Friday. stimulate /STIM-yuh-leyt/ [verb] – to make someone excited and interested about something This shampoo can allegedly stimulate hair growth. knitting /NIT-ing/ [noun] – the activity of making a garment, blanket, etc. by interlocking loops of wool or other yarn She’s knitting baby clothes for…
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Japan advises 37 million people turn off their lights

heatwave

©GETTY IMAGES via BBC News Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is the hottest place you have been to? Please tell me more about it. How do you conserve electricity consumption? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. heatstroke /HEET-strohk/ [noun] – a condition that can lead to death, caused by being too long in a very hot place You should take care to avoid heatstroke when traveling in the summer. severe /suh-VEER/ [adjective] – causing very great pain, difficulty, worry, damage, etc.; very serious Railroads were obstructed by a severe snowfall. capacity /kuh-PAS-i-tee/ [noun] – the…
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Art is a blast! The aesthetics of destruction

cold matter

©Cornelia Parker via BBC News Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Can everyone be an artist? Why or why not? What kinds of art are popular in your country? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. railroad /REYL-rohd/ [noun] – the metal tracks on which trains run New railroads are under construction in our city. piece /pees/ [noun] – something that has been created by an artist, musician, or writer His instrumental piece is unique! I’m sure people will love it. twisted /TWIS-tid/ [adjective] – bent so that the original shape is changed or destroyed You can use…
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Jumbo Floating restaurant towed out of Aberdeen harbor

Restaurant at sea

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Could you tell me about your favorite restaurant? What do you usually order in that restaurant? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. elegant /EL-i-guhnt/ [adjective] – graceful and attractive in appearance or behaviour He looked elegant in a light gray suit. kingdom /KING-duhm/ [noun] – an area that is controlled by a particular person or where a particular quality is important I was left in charge of a kingdom that I had no idea how to run. success /suhk-SES/ [noun] – the achieving of the results wanted or hoped for She…
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UK Met Office researchers say there is “fifty-fifty chance” of breaching the 1.5C warming limit

climate-change-3835520_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is the hottest day that you have ever experienced? Have you watched any news about global warming in the past few days? Could you tell me about it? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. primary /PRAHY-mer-ee/ [adjective] – more important than anything else; main Our primary concern is to provide the refugees with food and healthcare. crucial /KROO-shuhl/ [adjective] – (of a decision or event) extremely important because many other things depend on it This aid money is crucial to the government’s economic policies. concerned /kuhn-SURND/ [adjective] – worried The…
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The Maldives’ floating city starts to take shape

floating_city

© Waterstudio.NL/Dutch Docklands via BBC News Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What makes a city great to live in? What is your favorite city and why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. canal /kuh-NAL/ [noun] – a long, thin stretch of water that is artificially made either for boats to travel along or for taking water from one area to another A canal separates the two towns. coastal /KOHS-tl/ [adjective] – positioned on, or relating to the coast The hurricane destroyed several coastal cities. perform /per-FAWRM/ [verb] – to do an action or piece of work…
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Is remote work rapidly closing?

Work from home

© Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever attended an online meeting after getting out of bed? Why or why not? What does work-life balance mean to you? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. summary /SUHM-uh-ree/ [noun] – a comprehensive and usually brief abstract, recapitulation, or compendium of previously stated facts or statements In summary, his views are out of date. conference /KON-fer-uhns/ [noun] – a meeting I attended the conference last summer. decision /dih-SIZH-uhn/ [noun] – the act of or need for making up one’s mind He based his decision on facts, not emotions….
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