Intermediate

Australia confirms recent mass bleaching incident in the Great Barrier Reef

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© GETTY IMAGES via BBC News Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What marine activities do you enjoy? (fishing, snorkeling, etc.) How do you think climate change affects the oceans? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. marine /muh-REEN/ [adjective] – related to the sea or sea transport You can ask my brother anything about the sea. He’s an expert on marine life. reef /reef/ [noun] – a line of rocks or sand just above or just below the surface of the sea, often dangerous to ships My family and I saw beautiful coral reefs when we went…
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Modern friendship’s myths and realities

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How much time do you spend on your smartphone? Can you live without using a smartphone? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. criticism /KRIT-uh-siz-uhm/ [noun] – the act of saying that something or someone is bad I’d like to make a few criticisms about your speech. concerned /kuhn-SURND/ [adjective] – worried I’m concerned about your well-being. image /IM-ij/ [noun] – a picture in your mind or an idea of how someone or something is I have a mental image of how I want the garden to look. vital…
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Security guards curate art exhibit at Baltimore museum

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©The Baltimore Museum of Art via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you see paintings? How would you describe the typical uniform of a security guard in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. meaningful /MEE-ning-fuhl/ [adjective] – useful, serious, or important The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is such a meaningful book. strike /strahyk/ [verb] – to cause someone to have a feeling or idea about something There was something about the song that struck him. invest /in-VEST/ [verb] – to put money, effort, time, etc. into something to make a profit…
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Wildfires slow the recovery of the ozone layer, a study says

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is a wildfire? When are wildfires most likely to occur? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. barrier /BAR-ee-er/ [noun] – something that prevents something else from happening or makes it more difficult Ozone is the earth’s barrier against ultra-violet radiation. determine /dih-TUR-min/ [verb] – to discover the facts or truth about something A follow-up audit will be conducted by the office to determine whether any modifications or improvements have been made. recovery /ri-KUHV-uh-ree/ [noun] – a process in which a situation improves after a difficult period The physicians were surprised…
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Unique places to visit in Brazil

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you travel? What animal fascinates you the most? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. stunning /STUHN-ing/ [adjective] – extremely beautiful or attractive Budapest is a stunning city! paranormal /par-uh-NAWR-muhl/ [adjective] – impossible to explain by known natural forces or by science Ben likes to read paranormal stories. species /noun/ [SPEE-sheez] – a set of animals or plants in which the members have similar characteristics to each other and can breed with each other There are more than 200 species of mammals in the Philippines. remote /ri-MOHT/ [adjective]…
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Mastering the art of gift-giving

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you do when you receive a gift you do not like? What are considered unlucky gifts in your country’s culture? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. master /MAH-ster/ [verb] – to learn how to do something well It takes years to master a foreign language. personality /pur-suh-NAL-i-tee/ [noun] – the type of person you are, which is shown by the way you behave, feel, and think She has a kind and loving personality. nurture /NUR-cher/ [verb] – to take care of, feed, and protect someone or something, especially young…
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Magnitude 7.4 earthquake hits Japan

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© AFP via BBC News Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you think natural disasters have become more frequent nowadays? Please explain your answer. What is the worst natural disaster for you and why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. magnitude /MAG-ni-tood/ [noun] – a measure of how strong or violent an earthquake is A 5.0 magnitude earthquake was detected in the southern islands. severe /suh-VEER/ [adjective] – causing very great pain, difficulty, worry, damage, etc.; very serious She is still recovering from severe flu. on board /ON BAWRD/ [idiom] – on or in an aircraft,…
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Blind people will be able to see thanks to bionic eye technology

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you wear eyeglasses? Why or why not? What technology is very useful nowadays? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. vision /VIZH-uhn/ [noun] – the ability to see Her left eye has very limited vision. artificial /ahr-tuh-FISH-uhl/ [adjective] – made by people, often as a copy of something natural Her bouquet was comprised entirely of artificial flowers. retina /RET-n-uh/ [noun] – the area at the back of the eye that receives light and sends pictures of what the eye sees to the brain This is an incurable condition of the…
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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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