Tag Archive: Business & Economy – Intermediate

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

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

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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]…
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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/…
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UK port delays cause a shortage of Harry Potter toys

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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…
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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…
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Nike and Costco cite supply problems as the holidays approach

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Is there a Costco warehouse in your city? Have you been to the grocery recently? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. strain /streyn/ [noun] – a force or influence that stretches, pulls, or puts pressure on something, sometimes causing damage His rudeness caused a strain on his relationship with his co-workers. struggle /STRUHG-uhl/ [verb] – to experience difficulty and make a very great effort in order to do something Cora is struggling with her paperwork. panic /PAN-ik/ [noun] – a sudden strong feeling of fear that prevents reasonable thought and action:…
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Microsoft now allows its users to sign in without passwords

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you experienced any software problems? Are you updated about cybersecurity news? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. implement /IM-pluh-muhnt/ [verb] – to start using a plan or system Most stores have implemented digital payment. initially /ih-NISH-uh-lee/ [adverb] – at the beginning Initially, Lora wanted to go to law school. generate /JEN–uh-reyt/ [verb] – to cause something to exist The store’s online app generates a barcode. unique /yoo-NEEK/ [adjective] – being the only existing one of its type or, more generally, unusual, or special in some way Your name is unique;…
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Amazon offers to cover college tuition for most hourly workers in the US

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is the minimum working age in your country? How many hours do part-timers work in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. qualify /KWOL-uh-fahy/ [verb] – to have the legal right to have or do something because of the situation you are in, or to cause someone to have such a right He is qualified for the best student award. employer /em-PLOI-er/ [noun] – a person or company that has people who do work for wages or a salary I have to talk with my employer this morning. boost…
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Toyota to cut global production by 40% due to chip shortage

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©Getty Images via BBC Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you drive? What is the most popular car brand in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. essential /uh-SEN-shuhl/ [adjective] – necessary or needed Nowadays, laptops are an essential tool in companies. crisis /KRAHY-sis/ [noun] – a time of great disagreement, confusion, or suffering We should practice smart spending habits in this economic crisis. production /pruh-DUHK-shuhn/ [noun] – the process of making or growing goods to be sold The toys went out of production in 2010. demand /dih-MAHND/ [noun] – a need for something to…
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