Tag Archive: Business & Economy – Intermediate

900 employees laid off via Zoom call

zoom

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. At what age do people in your country usually retire from work? What are the top jobs in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. market efficiency /MAHR-kit ih-FISH-uhn-see/ [noun] – a situation in which a financial market operates well, for example where customers have enough information about products, prices are related to supply and demand, etc. The market efficiency from our services maintains positive results. terminate /TUR-muh-neyt/ [verb] – to remove someone from their job He was terminated for breach of contract. human resources /YOO-muhn REE-sor-suhz/ [noun] – the…
Read more

Jack Dorsey steps down as Twitter’s CEO

_121869562_hi072294801

©BBC via REUTERS Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you use social media apps? In your country, are technology jobs in high demand? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. resign /ri-ZAHYN/ [verb] – to give up a job or position by telling your employer that you are leaving Mr. Chase has resigned from the company after 30 years. emphasize /EM-fuh-sahyz/ [noun] – to show that something is very important or worth giving attention to He emphasized that all employees must follow office rules. criticism /KRIT-uh-siz-uhm/ [noun] – the act of saying that something or…
Read more

A UK digital bank moves to a 4-day workweek without cutting pay

student-g3f404eda1_1920

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are the common jobs in your city? How do you relax after a stressful day? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. adopt /uh-DOPT/ [verb] – to accept or start to use something new Many restaurants have adopted a digital payment system. conventional /kuhn-VEN-shuh-nl / [adjective] – traditional and ordinary She prefers conventional ways of living. wisdom /WIZ-duhm/ [noun] – the ability to use your knowledge and experience to make good decisions and judgments Our grandfather shared some of his wisdom this afternoon. necessary /NES-uh-ser-ee / [adjective] – needed in order…
Read more

Toshiba confirms breakup plan

toshiba

© GETTY IMAGES via BBC News Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What electronic device brand is popular in your country? Which electronic brand/s do you trust the most? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. standalone /STAND-uh-lohn/ [adjective] – a standalone company or organization manages its own activities and does not depend on a larger organization for money or approval TechQ Corporation is expected to split into four standalone businesses by next year. semiconductor /sem-ee-kuhn-DUHK-ter/ [noun] – a substance, such as silicon, that allows some electricity to flow through it, used in making electronic devices Diamond is…
Read more

World food prices hit a new 10-year high, UN says

cereals-gdc8ec728b_1920

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What type of cooking oil do you use? What is the most popular cereal brand in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. harvest /HAHR-vist / [noun] – the time of year when crops are cut and collected from the fields The potato farmers are looking forward to a good harvest this year. severely /suh-VEER-lee / [adverb] – very seriously Many fresh graduates are severely affected by labor shortages. poverty /POV-er-tee/ [noun] – the condition of being extremely poor More than three million people in the city live in poverty….
Read more

Facebook reveals its new name: Meta

Facebook reveals its new name Meta

©Facebook Connect 2021 Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How much time do you spend on social media? Do you have a Facebook account? If yes, when did you create it? If no, please state the reason why. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. virtual /VUR-choo-uhl/ [adjective] – created by computer technology and appearing to exist but not existing in the physical world We had a virtual meeting with our president. term /turm/ [noun] – a word or expression used in relation to a particular subject, often to describe something official or technical What does that term…
Read more

Winter heating bills set to soar in the US as energy prices jump

house-554955_960_720

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Are you looking forward to winter? Why or why not? How often do you reheat food? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. household /HOUS-hold/ [noun] – a group of people, often a family, who live together Our whole household is always up early on the weekend. economic /ek-uh-NOM-ik/ [adjective] – relating to trade, industry, and money Business leaders shared their opinions during the economic discussions. supply /suh-PLAHY/ [noun] – an amount of something available Our farm provides us with an endless supply of lemons. contribute to /kuhn-TRIB-yoot to / [phrasal verb]…
Read more

LinkedIn is terminating its site in China

LinkedIn is terminating its site in China

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you used an online recruitment portal to search for a job vacancy? Please tell me more about it. What online recruitment channel is the most widely used in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. expand /ik-SPAND/ [verb] – to increase in size, number, or importance, or to make something increase in this way The corporation plans to expand in other countries. departure /dih-PAHR-cher/ [noun] – the act of leaving a place, job, etc., or an occasion when this happens The band’s departure left several fans devastated. outdo /out-DOO/…
Read more

UK port delays cause a shortage of Harry Potter toys

harry-potter-gddd8ccc77_1920

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What toys did you play with as a child? What are some popular toy brands in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. affect /uh-FEKT/ [verb] – to have an influence on someone or something, or to cause a change in someone or something We already expected that the weather would affect our flight. stock /stok/ [noun] – the total amount of goods or the amount of a particular type of goods available in a shop New stock of books will arrive next Tuesday. chain /cheyn/ [noun] – a set…
Read more

Fortnite banned from App Store as legal battle continues

Fortnite banned from App Store as legal battle continues

©Getty Images Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your favorite online video game? On which device do you like playing video games: Android or Apple? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. ban /ban/ [verb] – to forbid (= refuse to allow) something, especially officially Smoking is banned at gasoline stations. legal /LEE-guhl/ [adjective] – connected with the law Mika will take legal action after the scandalous incident. demonstrate /DEM-uhn-streyt/ [verb] – to show or make something clear These problems demonstrate the effects of lack of communication between team members. sidestep /SAHYD-step/ [verb] – to…
Read more