Tag Archive: Culture & Travel – Expert

The best and worst party in history

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© Wikimedia Commons via historyofyesterday.com Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. elegance /EL-i-guhns/ [noun] – the quality of being graceful and attractive in appearance or behavior He is recognized for the elegance in his writing. Shah /shah/ [noun] – the title of a ruler of Iran in the past The Shah would now be much more concerned with the military than social issues. go down in history /goh doun in HIS-tuh-ree/ [idiom] – to be remembered or recorded in history Her wisdom will surely go down in history. historian /hi-STAWR-ee-uhn/ [noun] – someone who writes about or studies history A local historian…
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The great fall foliage in Japan

colorful trees and rural road in deep autumn forest, natural background

Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. foliage /FOH-lee-ij/ [noun] – the leaves of a plant or tree The dense foliage entirely covered the path. take in something /TEYK in/ [phrasal verb] – to go to see something of interest We traveled the entire island by car, taking in all the sites. batter /BAT-er/ [noun] – a mixture of flour, eggs, and milk, used to make pancakes or to cover food before frying it Dip the fish in the batter before dropping it into the hot oil. flank /flangk/ [verb] – to be at the side of someone or something Agents from the…
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The country that is “seven years behind” the world

Location Ethiopia. Red pin on the map.

Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. abide by (something) /uh-BAHYD bahy/ [phrasal verb] – to accept or obey an agreement, decision, or rule Participants must follow the judge’s final decision. leap year /leep yeer/ [noun] – a year that happens every four years and has an extra day on 29 February Use the extra day that comes with this leap year to organize some outings. behind /bih-HAHYND/ [adverb] – slower or later than someone else, or than you should be She was already a month behind with the rent. (the) Gregorian calendar /gri-GAWR-ee-uhn KAL-uhn-der/ [noun] – the system used in many parts…
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Saving Hawaii’s natural wonders

Waterfall in Kauai With Rainbow and Bird Overhead

©Adobe Stock | Kauai, Hawaii Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. flora and fauna /FLOR-uh n FAW-nuh/ [noun (biology)] – the flora and fauna of a place are its plants and animals Scientists have yet to discover different species of flora and fauna. mongoose /MONG-goos/ [noun] – a small tropical animal with a long tail that eats snakes, rats, and birds’ eggs Mongooses from North Africa were believed to eat crocodile eggs. meticulous /muh-TIK-yuh-luhs/ [adjective] – very careful and with great attention to every detail He’s meticulous in accomplishing tasks on time. canopy /KAN-uh-pee/ [noun] – the branches and leaves that spread…
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Must-try dumplings from around the world

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. plump /pluhmp/ [adjective] – having a pleasantly soft, rounded body or shape We had a plump and juicy roast chicken for dinner. aroma /uh-ROH-muh/ [noun] – a strong, pleasant smell, usually from food or drink I just love the aroma of freshly brewed coffee! intense /in-TENS/ [adjective] – extreme and forceful or (of a feeling) very strong She drank more than 8 glasses of water because of the intense heat. infuse /in-FYOOZ/ [verb] – to fill (with herbs, liquid, tea leaves, etc.) so as to extract flavor or other qualities I infused this dish with some…
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Four artworks of Surrealism explained

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©The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo / MOMAT/DNPartcom via BBC Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. rationality /rash-uh-NAL-i-tee/ [noun] – the quality of being based on clear thought and reason, or of making decisions based on clear thought and reason Scientists use logic and rationality in their studies. void /void/ [noun] – a large hole or empty space Lucy looked into the void over the cliff. defiance /dih-FAHY-uhns/ [noun] – behavior in which you refuse to obey someone or something He slammed the door shut in defiance upon exiting the conference room. repressed /ri-PREST/ [adjective] – having feelings that you do…
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The language of Mother’s Day flowers

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. usefulness /YOOS-fuhl-ness/ [noun] – the quality or state of being useful Mr. Kent talked about the usefulness of artificial intelligence in his speech. fragrance /FREY-gruhns/ [noun] – a sweet or pleasant smell The fragrance of herbs put her in a good mood. uncover /uhn-KUHV-er/ [verb] – to discover something secret or hidden I enjoy uncovering the mysteries of remote islands. elegance /EL-ih-guhns/ [noun] – the quality of being graceful and attractive in appearance or behavior It was Daniella’s elegance that left an impression on him. innocence /IN-uh-suhns/ [noun] – the quality of not having much experience…
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A guide to Children’s Day in Japan

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. eventful /ih-VENT-fuhl/ [adjective] – full of interesting or important events Ben and Karen enjoyed an eventful week in Amsterdam. observe /uhb-ZURV/ [adjective] – to obey a law, rule, or custom My relatives, who are American citizens, observe Thanksgiving Day. ornament /AWR-nuh-muhnt/ [noun] – an object that is beautiful rather than useful This market offers Christmas ornaments at affordable prices. warrior /WAWR-ee-er/ [noun] – a soldier, usually one who has both experience and skill in fighting, especially in the past Thomas enjoys reading stories about Roman warriors. significance /sig-NIF-i-kuhns/ [noun] – importance He discussed the significance of…
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The Golden Week

a house-shaped blackboard with the text golden week written in it and a flag of japan, against a pale green rustic wooden background

Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. strategically /struh-TEE-juh-klee/ [adverb] – in a way that relates to the achievement of long-term or overall aims and interests The seats are strategically placed for maximal viewing. observe /uhb-ZURV/ [verb] – to obey a law or rule, or celebrate a holiday or religious event in a traditional way Coming of Age Day is observed on the second Monday of January. constitution /kon-sti-TOO-shuhn/ [noun] – the set of political principles by which a state or organization is governed, especially in relation to the rights of the people it governs The US constitution was signed in 1787. prosperity…
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Japanese green tea leaves sell for nearly 2 million yen

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. indigenous /in-DIJ-uh-nuhs/ [adjective] – used to refer to plants and animals that grow or live naturally in a place, and have not been brought there from somewhere else This dish is made of indigenous herbs and spices. mark /mahrk/ [verb] – to show respect for or commemorate Today marks the 12th anniversary of our store. surge /surj/ [verb] – to increase suddenly and strongly House prices in the UK have surged this month. transaction /tran-SAK-shuhn/ [noun] – an occasion when someone buys or sells something, or when money is exchanged or the activity of buying or…
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