Tag Archive: Culture & Travel – Expert

Sweden’s Saturday sweets tradition

Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. scrumptious /SKRUHMP-shuhs/ [adjective] – tasting extremely good The tonkatsu at the restaurant was scrumptious. Let’s have another one next time. pick and mix /pik uhnd miks/ [noun] – a selection of sweets from which the customer can choose, paid for by weight There’s a new shop downtown that offers a pick and mix of Japanese candies. indulgence /in-DUHL-juhns/ [noun] – an occasion when you allow someone or yourself to have something enjoyable, especially more than is good for you Avoid excessive indulgence in sweets and sugary drinks. unwind /uhn-WAHYND/ [verb] – to relax after a period…
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The New York Public Library puts an end to overdue fees

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©Getty Images via BBC Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. eliminate /ih-LIM-uh-neyt/ [verb] – to remove or take away someone or something Roy’s job is to eliminate errors in the computer system. suspend /suh-SPEND/ [verb] – to stop something from being active, either temporarily or permanently Bus service is suspended until further notice. incentive /in-SEN-tiv/ [noun] – something that encourages a person to do something You need to think of new incentives to offer our customers. applaud /uh-PLAWD/ [verb] – to say that you admire and agree with a person’s action or decision They applauded my decision to run for office. equity…
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A mysterious ancient ‘dragon man’ has been discovered and has joined the human family tree

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. revelation /rev-uh-LEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the act of making something known that was secret, or a fact that is made known The papers published shocking revelations regarding their personal lives. disclose /dih-SKLOHZ/ [verb] – to make something known publicly, or to show something that was hidden Science can disclose the mysteries of nature. globe /glohb / [noun] – the world Magellan was the first person to circumnavigate the globe. shift /shift / [verb] – (of an idea, opinion, etc.) to change Over the last century, society’s perceptions regarding humans have shifted dramatically. trait /treyt/ [noun] – a…
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Escape into an orchid haven in Tokyo

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©teamLab Planets via CNN Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. tranquility /trang-KWIL-i-tee/ [noun] – a peaceful, calm state, without noise, violence, worry, etc A day at the beach is all I need to gain tranquility. masterpiece /MAS-ter-piece/ [noun] – a work of art such as a painting, film, or book that is made with great skill I believe that Kokoro is Natsume Sōseki’s masterpiece. aroma /uh-ROH-ma/ [noun] – a strong, usually pleasant smell She loves the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. resilience /ri-ZIL-yuhns/ [noun] – the ability to be happy, successful, etc. again after something difficult or bad has happened Sheena’s natural…
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The carless hamlets of Italy

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. hamlet /HAM-lit/ [noun] – a small village Despite its small population, the hamlet has a rich tradition. petition /puh-TISH-uhn/ [verb] – to make a formal request for something The townspeople petitioned for new street lights. burgeoning /BUR-juh-ning/ [adjective] – growing or developing quickly The city is flourishing with a burgeoning artists community. steadfast /STED-fast/ [adjective] – resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering Although nervous, Anna remained steadfast during her ballet performance. mighty mite /MAHY-tee mahyt/ [noun, idiom] – something small but very strong or powerful There’s a shop in our city that sells mighty mite fireworks….
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Lake Biwa’s symbol of ancient sushi

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©Tom Schiller via BBC News Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. progenitor /proh-JEN-i-ter/ [noun] – something from which another thing develops or that causes something else to happen or exist Based on the theory of evolution, ape is the progenitor of man. esteemed /ih-STEEMD/ [adjective] – held in great respect; admired The old professor is esteemed for his teaching abilities and wisdom. authentic /aw-THEN-tik/ [adjective] – being what it is claimed to be; genuine Let us check if the painting is authentic or just a replica. fermentation /fur-men-TEY-shuhn/ [adjective] – a process of chemical change in food or drink because of the…
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Putrajaya: Malaysia’s “other” capital

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©Ronan O’Connell via BBC Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. traverse /truh-VURS/ [verb] – to move or travel through an area They found it difficult to traverse the areas by the hanging bridge. avant-garde /uh-vahnt-GAHRD/ [noun] – avant-garde ideas, styles, and methods are very original or modern in comparison to the period in which they happen Tristan’s art is an avant-garde work that caught the attention of many. regalia /ri-GEYL-yuh/ [noun] – official and traditional special clothes and decorations, especially those worn or carried in formal ceremonies You can see the Russian Imperial regalia in that museum. saving grace /SEY-ving greys/ [noun,…
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What to expect from a pizza vending machine in Rome

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©Andrew Medichini / AP via CNN Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. quaint /kweynt/ [adjective] – attractive because of being unusual and especially old-fashioned We found a quaint cafe in the center of the city. crave /kreyv/ [verb] – to have a very strong feeling of wanting something I always crave sweets late at night. influential /in-floo-EN-shuhl/ [adjective] – having a lot of influence on someone or something Hikaru Utada is one of Japan’s most influential artists. spin /spin/ [verb] – to (cause to) turn around and around, especially fast The new washing machine spins perfectly. match /mach/ [verb] – to be…
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Picasso masterpieces displayed in a Las Vegas restaurant could fetch over $100M in auction

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©Sotheby’s and MGM resorts via CNN Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. auction /AWK-shuhn/ [noun] – a usually public sale of goods or property, where people make higher and higher bids (= offers of money) for each thing, until the thing is sold to the person who will pay most We are going to host an auction of jewelry from Spain. initiative /ih-NISH-uh-tiv/ [noun] – a new plan or process to achieve something or solve a problem I work in a company with great environmental initiatives. deepen /DEE-puhn/ [verb] – to become more strongly felt or experienced, or to make something this…
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Airbnb CEO says business travel will never be the same as it was before the outbreak

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. anticipate /an-TIS-uh-peyt/ [verb] – to imagine or expect that something will happen We anticipate that sales will rise next year. outbreak /OUT-breyk/ [noun] – a time when something suddenly begins, especially a disease or something else dangerous or unpleasant The area was struck by an outbreak of cholera. accomplish /uh-KOM-plish/ [verb] – to finish something successfully or to achieve something You should accomplish the task within the allotted time. incorporate /in-KAWR-puh-reyt/ [verb] – to include something as part of something larger The new cars will incorporate a number of major improvements. platform /PLAT-fawrm/ [noun] – the…
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