Tag Archive: Culture & Travel – Intermediate

Adventurer reaches Japan after epic 46,000-kilometer trek

fukuoka

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What country would you like to visit most? Why? What is your favorite way to travel long distances? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. barrier /BAR-ee-er/ [noun] – obstacles or challenges that prevent progress or movement The new law aims to remove barriers to education. unfamiliar /uhn-fuh-MIL-yer/ [adjective] – not known or recognized; strange She felt nervous walking through the unfamiliar streets of the city. budget /BUHJ-it/ [noun] – an amount of money available for a particular purpose The company is trying to cut costs and stay within the budget. saving…
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British author Samantha Harvey wins Booker Prize for “Orbital,” a novel exploring Earth’s fragility and climate change

BRIX IIMG (18)

©AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What does a novelist do? What makes a novel different from other types of books? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. novel /NOV-uhl/ [noun] – a long written story about imaginary events and people She finished reading a new novel by her favorite author. aboard /uh-BAWRD/ [preposition] – on or inside a ship, plane, or other vehicle The astronauts were aboard the International Space Station. commend /kuh-MEND/ [verb] – to praise someone or something publicly The teacher commended the student for completing the project early. panel /PAN-l/ [noun]…
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Mexico City’s floating gardens face threats from urban growth

Chinampas

©(AP Photo/Felix Marquez) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is urbanization? What challenges do farmers face in maintaining their livelihoods today? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. mud /muhd/ [noun] – soft, wet earth or soil, often found on the ground after rain After the rain, the trail was covered in thick mud, making it hard to walk. profitable /PROF-i-tuh-buhl/ [adjective] – earning or likely to earn money or gain Investing in renewable energy projects can be very profitable. ecologist /ih-KOL-uh-jist/ [noun] – a person who studies the natural relationships between the air, land, water, animals,…
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Archaeologists unearth twelve sandstone statues at Angkor Thom in Cambodia

BRIX IIMG (15)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you know about archaeology? What tools or methods do archaeologists typically use in their work? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. sculpture /SKULP-cher/ [noun] – the art of making two- or three-dimensional representative or abstract forms, especially by carving stone or wood The museum displayed an ancient sculpture carved from stone. dedicated /DED-i-key-tid/ [adjective] – believing that an activity or idea is important and giving a lot of energy and time to it She is dedicated to preserving the local history of her town. restoration /reh-str-AY-shn/ [noun] – the…
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Curfew aims to reduce overtourism in Seoul’s historic hanok village

hanok village

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some popular tourist destinations in your country? If you could visit any famous tourist destination, where would you go and why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. dynasty /DAHY-nuh-stee/ [noun] – a line of hereditary rulers of a country or a powerful family that maintains power for a long period The Ming Dynasty is known for its significant contributions to Chinese culture and art. flock /flok/ [verb] – to gather or move in a large crowd towards a place Tourists flock to the beach each summer to enjoy the…
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Egypt opens new galleries in long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum

Egypt Musuem

©REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What civilization are you most interested in, and what aspects of its culture or history would you like to learn more about? If you could create your own museum, what theme would it have, and what artifacts would you include? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. construction /kuhn-STRUHK-shuhn/ [noun] – the act of building or developing a structure The construction of the new library is scheduled to begin next month. pharaoh /FAIR-oh/ [noun] – (the title of) a king of ancient Egypt Historians often study the reign…
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World’s first continual cruise to welcome passengers after Belfast repair delays

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think are the advantages of taking a cruise vacation compared to other types of travel? What amenities or activities do you think are important to have on a cruise ship? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. voyage /VOI-ij/ [noun] – a long journey, especially by ship The crew prepared for their voyage across the Pacific Ocean. gearbox /GEER-boks/ [noun] – a mechanical device that contains gears and is used to change the speed or direction of a moving vehicle or machine The car’s gearbox needed to be replaced…
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Ribeira Sacra winegrowers embrace steep hills and a rich heritage in Spain

vines-2546056_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is a famous beverage in your country? What do you know about the potential benefits of drinking wine, and why do you think some people believe it is good for health? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. medieval /mid-EE-vuhl/ [adjective] – related to the Middle Ages (the period in European history from about AD 600 to AD 1500) The medieval castle stood proudly on the hill, showcasing its ancient architecture. monastery /MON-uh-ster-ee/ [noun] – a building in which monks live and worship The old monastery was known for its beautiful…
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Beloved Manhattan garden faces demolition as city pushes for affordable housing

Elizabeth Garden

©REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some well-known parks or green spaces in your country? How does the government in your country typically inform the public about new construction projects? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. dealer /DEE-ler / [noun] – a person who buys and sells goods or services The art dealer managed to sell a rare painting for a significant amount. alternative /awl-TUR-nuh-tiv/ [adjective] – different from the one that is usual or expected We need to find an alternative route because the main road is closed. stick with /stik with/…
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Greece to impose cruise ship tax on popular islands to combat overtourism

santorini-416136_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What factors make a destination appealing to tourists? What vacation spots would you like to visit someday, and why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. pressure /PRESH-er/ [noun] – the continuous physical force exerted on or against an object by something in contact with it; or a situation causing mental or emotional strain The deadline for the project created a lot of pressure for the entire team. policy /POL-uh-see/ [noun] – a set of ideas or a plan of what to do in particular situations that has been agreed to officially…
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