Tag Archive: Business & Economy – Intermediate

Philadelphia’s SEPTA enacts major service cuts

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©AP Photo/Matt Rourke Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you often see buses or trains in your city? If so, which one do you use more? If not, how do people travel? Have you ever heard about bus or train fares going up? If so, how much did they increase? If not, what do you think happens then? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. consequential /kon-si-KWEN-shuhl/ [adjective] – having important or noticeable results The teacher made a consequential decision about the final exam. mounting /MOUN-ting/ [adjective] – gradually increasing The family faced mounting bills after the…
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Kraft Heinz to split into two independent companies in 2026 after strategic review

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©AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you heard of a company splitting into two smaller businesses? If so, which company did you hear about? If not, what do you imagine happens? Do you know any food brands that are very popular worldwide? If so, which ones do you know? If not, what kind of food do you think sells well? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. decline /dih-KLAHYN/ [noun] – when something becomes less in amount, importance, quality, or strength The town had an economic decline after the factory closed. competition…
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Nigeria bans raw shea nut exports to boost local industry

shea

©(AP Photo/David Durowaiye) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What products do you know that are made from plants or natural ingredients? What do you think is more helpful for people in small communities: farming or building factories? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. ban /ban/ [noun] – an official order that stops people from doing or using something The city announced a six-month ban on plastic bags to reduce waste. capacity /kuh-PAS-i-tee/ [noun] – the ability to hold, produce, or deal with something The stadium has the capacity to hold 50,000 people for the football match….
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German economy contracts 0.3% in Q2 2025 amid tariffs and weak spending

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©AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What comes to mind when you hear the word “investment”? What do you think makes a place or community strong during hard times? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. absolute /AB-suh-loot/ [adjective] – very great or to the largest degree possible. The teacher had absolute control in the classroom. absorb /ab-SAWRB/ [verb] – to take something in, especially gradually. The sponge can absorb water quickly. abstract /ab-STRAKT/ [adjective] – existing as an idea, not as a material object The artist painted an abstract picture. concrete /KON-kreet/ [adjective]…
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CEO pay in S&P 500 rises nearly 10% in 2024 as pay gap widens

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©Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Would you prefer a secure, average-paying job or a risky job with very high pay? Why? Do you think pay should depend on effort, skills, or results? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. formidable /FAWR-mi-duh-buhl/ [adjective] – causing you to have fear or respect for something because it is large, powerful, or difficult The company faced a formidable challenge in meeting its profit goals. detrimental /de-truh-MEN-tl/ [adjective] – causing harm or damage Skipping meals can have a detrimental effect on health. conspicuous /kuhn-SPIK-yoo-uhs/ [adjective] –…
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Young U.S. graduates face rising job market struggles as employers favor experience

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©AP Illustration / Peter Hamlin Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What skills do you think are important for getting a good job? If you had an interview tomorrow, how would you prepare for it? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. resilience /ri-ZIL-yuhns/ [noun] – the ability to be happy, successful, etc. again after something difficult or bad has happened The village showed resilience after the flood destroyed many houses. strategic /struh-TEE-jik/ [adjective] – helping to achieve a plan, usually in war, politics, or business The team made a strategic plan to win the competition. versatile /VUR-suh-tl/…
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United Airlines system outage causes major flight disruptions in U.S. and abroad

flight

Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How would you feel if your trip was delayed for many hours? What do you think passengers can do while waiting for a delayed flight? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. disrupt /dis-RUHPT/ [verb] – to interrupt an event, activity, or process and stop it from continuing normally A power cut disrupted the online class, and students could not join the lesson. schedule /SKEJ-ool/ [noun] – a plan that shows when events or activities will happen The bus schedules changed because of road repairs in the city. tracker /TRA-kr/ [noun] –…
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Vietnam unveils comprehensive reform plan to reach high-income economy by 2045

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Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. If you could start a big project in your community, what would it be? What is one challenge you think many countries face today? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. driver /DRAHY-ver/ [noun] – someone or something that causes something to happen or develops it Education is a driver of social progress. major /MEY-jer/ [adjective] – more important, bigger, or more serious than others of the same type The company faced a major challenge last year. innovation /in-uh-VEY-shuhn/ [noun] – a new idea or method, or the use of new ideas…
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Starbucks aims to boost U.S. sales with new strategies and products

Starbucks

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you usually look for when you go to a coffee shop or cafe? What kind of drink or food would you like to see in a coffee shop? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. strategy /STRAT-i-jee/ [noun] – a plan or method used to achieve a goal The company developed marketing strategies to reach more young people. operate /OP-uh-reyt/ [verb] – to work or function in a particular way The restaurant will operate with fewer staff during the holiday. partnership /PAHRT-ner-ship/ [noun] – a business relationship where two…
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Morocco’s argan forests face ecological and economic pressure

argan tree

©(AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think happens when many people want the same natural product? If you could help protect nature in your town, what would you do first? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. production /pruh-DUHK-shuhn/ [noun] – the process of making or creating something The production of electric cars is increasing every year. industry /IN-duh-stree/ [noun] – a group of businesses that produce a certain product or service The fashion industry creates many jobs around the world. rural /ROOR-uhl/ [adjective] – related to the countryside, not the city…
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