Intermediate

The Emperor’s Birthday

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© jobsinjapan.com Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think is your country’s most important holiday? Please tell me more about it. What is your best holiday memory? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. imperial /im-PEER-ee-uhl/ [adjective] – belonging or relating to an empire or the person or country that rules it The historic castle stands as a reminder of the country’s imperial past. arguably /AAR-gyoo-uh-blee/ [adverb] – used when stating an opinion or belief that you think can be shown to be true For many, Ōtani Shōhei is arguably the best baseball player. mythology…
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Justin Bieber’s Timbiebs donuts boost Tim Hortons sales

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Who is your favorite celebrity? What do you like about him/her? What is your go-to snack? Please tell me more about it. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. influence /IN-floo-uhns/ [noun] – the power to have an effect on people or things, or a person or thing that is able to do this Studio Ghibli had a huge influence on Laura’s life. upgrade /uhp-GREYD/ [verb] – to improve the quality or usefulness of something, or change it for something newer or of a better standard They need to upgrade the hotel…
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Studio Ghibli’s theme park to open in November 2022

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©Studio Ghibli via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What activities do you usually do during the fall season? Who is your favorite Ghibli character? What is the best thing about this character? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. emotion /ih-MOH-shuhn / [noun] – a strong feeling such as love or anger, or strong feelings in general Christmas brings out many different emotions. divide /dih-VAHYD/ [verb] – to (cause to) separate into parts or groups Miss Sheena divided the class into three groups. recreation /rek-ree-EY-shuhn/ [noun] – the act of making something exist or happen again…
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Spain’s ‘liquid gold’ is still unexplored

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What Earth element do you think is unexplored? What is liquid gold? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. potential /puh-TEN-shuhl/ [adjective] – able to develop into something in the future when the necessary conditions exist It’s believed that a number of potential purchasers have expressed interest. rural /ROOR-uhl / [adjective] – in, of, or like the countryside The area is still undeveloped and rural. emerge /ih-MURJ/ [verb] – to appear by coming out of something or out from behind something The flowers emerge in the spring. treat /treet/ [verb] – to…
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Auctioneer Sotheby’s sells a rare black diamond for $4.3m

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©REUTERS via BBC Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What have you discovered recently? (music, book, product) Please share something about it. Have you been to a planetarium? If not, would you like to visit one? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. theory /THEE-uh-ree/ [noun] – a formal statement of the rules on which a subject of study is based or of ideas that are suggested to explain a fact or event or, more generally, an opinion or explanation Today, we learned about Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. origin /AWR-i-jin/ [noun] – the beginning or cause of…
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Kew experts name a new tree after a famous Hollywood actor

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Who is your favorite Hollywood actor? Could you tell me something about him/her? What do you think about naming a newfound plant after a famous person? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. vast /vast/ [adjective] – extremely big The movie had a vast audience. outline /OUT-lahyn/ [verb] – to give the main facts about something She outlined what I would be doing during the interview. endangered /en-DEYN-jerd/ [adjective] – in danger of being harmed, lost, unsuccessful, etc. The list of endangered species includes nearly 300 fishes social media /SOH-shuhl MEE-dee-uh/ [noun]…
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UK rental costs rise as employees return to the office

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©GETTY IMAGES via BBC Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is it like living in your city? What is the most popular rental website/app in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. gradual /GRAJ-oo-uhl / [adjective] – happening or changing slowly over a long period of time or distance He saw a gradual improvement in his student’s performances last month. boost /boost/ [verb] – to improve or increase something The summer promotions boosted the sales of the store. privacy /PRAHY-vuh-see/ [noun] – someone’s right to keep their personal matters and relationships secret Laura values her…
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Sea temperatures rise abnormally in Alaska

A dead seal found on a beach near Kotzebue, Alaska

©Raime Fronstin/NPS/NOAA Fisheries Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How is the temperature in your country? Is your country rich in bodies of water? Kindly share something about it. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. specialist /SPESH-uh-list/ [noun] – someone who has a lot of experience, knowledge, or skill in a particular subject She’s a specialist in modern French literature. commercial /kuh-MUR-shuhl/ [adjective] – related to buying and selling things He is interested in buying the warehouse for a commercial project. sustained /suh-STEYND/ [adjective] – continuing for a long time We must make a sustained effort to…
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The New York Times acquires Wordle

The New York Times acquires Wordle

©Sarah Tew/CNET Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What word/puzzle games do you play? How would you describe yourself in a five-letter word? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. media /MEE-dee-uh/ [noun] – the internet, newspapers, magazines, television, etc., considered as a group The media has a powerful influence on public opinion. hit /hit/ [noun] – a thing or person that is very popular or successful The show quickly became a hit after its pilot episode. figure out /FIG-yer-out/ [phrasal verb] – to understand or solve something It took me the longest time to figure out how…
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The history of Valentine’s Day

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Is Valentine’s Day more popular among teenagers than adults? Please share your thoughts about this. With what color would you associate love and why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. disobey /dis-uh-BEY/ [verb] – to refuse to do something that you are told to do Never disobey traffic regulations. deed /deed/ [noun] – an intentional act, especially a very bad or very good one Miku is known for her good deeds of helping others, especially children. captivity /kap-TIV-i-tee/ [noun] – the situation in which a person or animal is kept somewhere…
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