Tag Archive: Business & Economy – Intermediate

©AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson, File Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever heard of buy now, pay later services? If so, where did you first hear about them? If not, what kind of payment methods are you more familiar with? Have you ever bought something by paying in several smaller payments? If so, was it easier or harder than paying the full price at once? If not, would you like to try this kind of payment in the future? 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…
Read more

©Takuto Kaneko/Kyodo News via AP Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you read about Japan’s economy before? If so, what detail do you remember? If not, what do you imagine it is like? Do you know any country that depends on exports? If so, which product do they sell? If not, which product could they export? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. significant /sig-NIF-i-kuhnt/ [adjective] – important or noticeable The new park had a significant effect on local happiness. volatile /VOL-uh-tl/ [adjective] – likely to change suddenly and unexpectedly The stock market can be volatile during…
Read more

©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…
Read more

©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…
Read more

©(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….
Read more

©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]…
Read more

©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] –…
Read more

©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/…
Read more

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] –…
Read more

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…
Read more