Tag Archive: Culture & Travel – Expert

What you need to know about the Lunar New Year

What you need to know about the Lunar New Year

©Jeff Mitchell/Getty Images Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. a full plate /uh-FOOL-pleyt/ [idiom] – schedule or workload that is filled to capacity with obligations, tasks, or problems I’m sorry, I have a full plate this week. I can’t finish this by Friday. cut from the same cloth /KUHT-from-duh-SEYM-klawth/ [idiom] – having very similar qualities to someone or something else The country’s new prime minister is cut from the same cloth as his predecessor. observe /uhb-ZURV/ [verb] – to obey a law, rule, or custom The elders in the town still observe the local traditions. action-packed /AK-shuhn-pakt/ [adjective] – full of exciting…
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The island of colors

Coastal Scenery of El Nido, Palawan Island, The Philippines, a P

Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. escapade /ES-kuh-peyd/ [noun] – an act or incident involving excitement, daring, or adventure Their latest escapade was a hitchhike from Tokyo to Osaka. azure /AZH-er/ [adjective] – having the bright blue color of the sky on a clear day Fleecy clouds fill the azure skies. verdant /VUR-dnt/ [adjective] – of the bright green color of lush grass You can see children playing on the verdant lawn. chartreuse /shahr-TROOZ/ [adjective] – a yellow-green color that sits in-between the yellow and green on the color wheel The women invited to the wedding are required to wear chartreuse dresses….
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Beat the winter blues with these 3 healthy and cozy drinks

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. chill /chil / [noun] – a feeling of cold Sandra closed the windows after feeling the chill in the air. infuse /in-FYOOZ/ [verb] – If you infuse a drink or it infuses, you leave substances such as tea leaves or herbs in hot water so that their flavour goes into the liquid These drinks are infused with fruits. combat /kuhm-BAT/ [verb] – to try to stop something unpleasant or harmful from happening or increasing Drinking vitamins helps you combat stress. dissolve /dih-SOLV/ [verb] – (of a solid) to be absorbed by a liquid, especially when mixed,…
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Japan’s traditional way of starting anew

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© Shirokiya Denbe in Tokyo’s Chuo Ward via The Mainichi Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. gloss /glos/ [noun] – a smooth, shiny appearance on the surface of something Could you buy paint that has a gloss finish? static /STAT-ik/ [adjective] – staying in one place without moving, or not changing for a long time The oil price has remained static for a few months. purge /purj/ [verb] – to get rid of something unwanted, harmful, or evil The new president has promised to purge the corrupt police force. accumulate /uh-KYOO-myuh-leyt/ [verb] – to collect a large number of things over a…
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Dubai opens world’s first, highest 360-degree infinity pool

Dubai opens world's highest 360-degree infinity pool

©AURA Skypool Lounge via CNN Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. feat /feet/ [noun] – something difficult needing a lot of skill, strength, courage, etc. to achieve it This tunnel is a phenomenal feat of engineering. real estate /REE-uhl-ih-STEYT/ [noun] – property in the form of land or buildings He invested most of his wealth in real estate. headquartered /HED-kwawr-terd/ [adjective] – if an organization is headquartered somewhere, it has its main office in that place Several large companies are headquartered in northern California. lounge /lounj/ [noun] – a room in a hotel, airport, theatre, etc. where people can relax or wait…
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3 splendid places to witness Tokyo’s fall colors

3 splendid places to witness Tokyo's fall colors

©Marufish/Flickr Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. splashy /SPLASH-ee/ [adjective] – attracting attention, particularly colorful or showy The dress was printed with splashy flowers. deem /deem/ [verb] – to consider or judge something in a particular way Several factors are deemed necessary to produce a good output of the project. catch a glimpse (of something/someone) /KACH-uh-GLIMPS-uhv-SUHM-thing/ [idiom] – to see someone or something very briefly or suddenly Many had waited for hours to catch a glimpse of him. glory /GLAWR-ee/ [noun] – great beauty, or something special or extremely beautiful, that gives great pleasure They want to restore the castle to its…
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Bucket list: The most beautiful towns in Europe

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© CNN Travel Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. thatched /thacht/ [adjective] – a thatched building has a roof that is made from straw or reeds My family owns a thatched cottage on the island. convent /KON-vent/ [noun] – a building in which nuns (= members of a female religious order) live Sarah entered the convent when she was 16 and has spent her whole life there. grimy /GRAHY-mee/ [adjective] – dirty The children’s clothes were grimy from playing in the playground the entire afternoon. warren /WAWR-uhn/ [noun] – a maze of passageways or small rooms This place has a warren of…
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The promising future of Japan’s traditional crafts

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. exquisite /ik-SKWIZ-it/ [adjective] – very beautiful and delicate It’s rare to find such an exquisite antique. caliber /KAL-uh-ber/ [noun] – the degree of quality or excellence of something or someone The school is continuously improving the caliber of its curriculum. intricacy /IN-tri-kuh-see/ [noun] – the quality of having a lot of complicated small parts or details The intricacy of the needlework’s details is mesmerizing. ubiquitous /yoo-BIK-wi-tuhs/ [adjective] – seeming to be everywhere Paper lanterns are ubiquitous. You can see them nearly everywhere in the country. serenity /suh-REN-i-tee/ [noun] – the quality of being peaceful and calm…
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World’s best cheese for 2021 announced

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© via CNN Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. prestigious /pre-STIJ-uhs/ [adjective] – very much respected and admired, usually because of being important Mr. Merrick graduated from a prestigious university. texture /TEKS-cher/ [noun] – the quality of something that can be decided by touch; the degree to which something is rough or smooth, or soft or hard The bread’s texture is soft and spongy. distinctive /dih-STINGK-tiv / [adjective] – Something that is distinctive is easy to recognize because it is different from other things This beef stew has a distinctive smell. grace /greys/ [verb] – to be in a place, on a…
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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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