Intermediate

What you need to know about the Lunar New Year

What you need to know about the Lunar New Year

©Jeff Mitchell/Getty Images Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What part of your culture are you most proud of? What do you know about China’s history or culture? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. festivity /fe-STIV-i-tee/ [noun] – the parties, meals, and other social activities with which people celebrate a special occasion During the holidays, I usually go to special festivities or on a vacation with my family or friends. like two peas in a pod /lahyk-too-pees-in-uh-pod/ [idiom] – very similar The siblings Mavy and Aira are like two peas in a pod. latter /LAT-er/ [noun] –…
Read more

Tonga reveals damage caused by tsunami

tonga

© Consulate of the Kingdom of Tonga Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do tsunamis hit your country? What do you think causes a tsunami? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. volcanic ash /vol-KAN-ik ash/ [noun] – loose fragmented solid material ejected from a volcano in the form of powder The town is filled with volcanic ash after the eruption. isolate /AHY-suh-leyt/ [verb] – to separate something from other things, or to keep something separate The country is currently isolated due to its high radiation. degree /dih-GREE/ [noun] – (an) amount or level of something…
Read more

Power blackout hits Central Asia

power-towers-gc5c9ff342_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are the major electric companies in your country? Do you use a heater during the winter season? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. nation /NEY-shuhn / [noun] – a country, especially when thought of as a large group of people living in one area with their own government, language, traditions, etc The entire nation is celebrating the Olympic wins. link /lingk/ [noun] – to connect two objects or places physically Turkey is linked to many Asian continents. enable /en-EY-buhl/ [verb] – to make someone able to do something, or to…
Read more

Netflix raises its monthly rates in US and Canada

Netflix raises its monthly subscription prices in US and Canada

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some of your favorite TV shows? What online video services do you use? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. rate /reyt/ [noun] – an amount or level of payment We sell these high-quality products at reasonable rates. standard /STAN-derd/ [adjective] – usual rather than special, especially when thought of as being correct or acceptable Let’s just avail of the standard room package for our hotel stay to save money. utilize /YOOT-l-ahyz/ [verb] – to use something in an effective way The team utilized an effective marketing strategy to improve…
Read more

Wales carries out digital deposit return scheme to fulfill zero-waste goals

plastic-waste-gae4211f4a_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How does recycling benefit the environment? Why is it important to only put items that can be recycled in the recycling bin? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. scheme /skeem / [noun] – an officially organized plan or system In our town, there is a new recycling scheme for plastic bottles. reveal /ri-VEEL/ [verb] – to make known or show something that is surprising or that was previously secret He refused to reveal the location of her chocolate eggs. cooperation /koh-op-uh-REY-shuhn/ [noun] – the act of working together with someone or…
Read more

Why are Mauritius’ seashells disappearing?

seashell-g6ae087216_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Why do people love to go to the beach? What can seashells be used for? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. consequence /KON-si-kwens/ [noun] – a result of a particular action or situation, often one that is bad or not convenient Many believe that poverty is a consequence of overpopulation. significant /sig-NIF-i-kuhnt / [adjective] – noticeable In recent years, there has been significant growth in the number of female students. cyclone /SAHY-klohn/ [noun] – a violent tropical storm The cyclone struck the village late last night. coastal /KOHS-tl/ [adjective] – positioned…
Read more

Rare twin baby elephants in Kenya fight for survival

Rare twin baby elephants in Kenya fights for survival

©Jane Wynyard/Save The Elephants (STE) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your favorite animal and why? What animal represents your country’s culture? Please share something about it. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. reserve /ri-ZURV/ [noun] – an area of land kept in its natural state, especially for wild animals to live in and be protected Corbett National Park is one of India’s famous wildlife reserves. conservation /kon-ser-VEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the protection of plants and animals, natural areas, and interesting and important structures and buildings, especially from the damaging effects of human activity Energy conservation…
Read more

The pleasure of holding grudges and forgiveness

Colleagues arguing in office. Problem in team. Business people a

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some situations that make you angry? Do you think getting angry has benefits? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. bitterness /BIT-er-nis/ [noun] – a feeling of anger and unhappiness He explained his side of the story with bitterness. settle /SET-l/ [verb] – to reach a decision or an agreement about something, or to end a disagreement It’s been a month but they haven’t settled their argument yet. grudge /gruhj/ [noun] – a strong feeling of anger and dislike for a person who you feel has…
Read more

NASA: A Belfast mathematician is pursuing her goal of becoming an astronaut

astronaut-gfb284f7a8_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Did you dream to become an astronaut before? Why or why not? What fascinates you about space? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. investigate /in-VES-ti-geyt/ [verb] – to examine a crime, problem, statement, etc. carefully, especially to discover the truth Of course, we’re investigating how such an error could have occurred. remote /ri-MOHT/ [adjective] – far away in distance Australia is huge and remote from the world’s major population centers. county /KOUN-tee/ [noun] – the largest political division of most states in the US Texas is divided into 254 counties. solar…
Read more

Food companies ask the government to help them resolve the supply chain crisis

vegetables-gc1f980212_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you manage the food supply at home? Why is it important to resolve the supply chain crisis? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. take into account /teyk in-too uh-KOUNT/ [idiom] – to consider or remember something when judging a situation I’m hoping that when my teacher evaluates my paper, she would take into account the fact that I was sick right before the tests. tackle /TAK-uhl/ [verb ] – to try to deal with something or someone The president appears to be at a loss about how to tackle…
Read more