Tag Archive: Culture & Travel – Intermediate

Putrajaya: Malaysia’s “other” capital

Putrajaya

©Ronan O’Connell via BBC Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your city known for? What place would you visit once the pandemic passes? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. geometric /jee-uh-ME-trik/ [adjective] – a geometric pattern or arrangement is made up of shapes such as squares, triangles, or rectangles The building is known for its geometric wall patterns. greenery /GREE-nuh-ree/ [noun] – green foliage, growing plants, or vegetation I suggest putting greenery along the hallway to make it look fresh. tropical /TROP-i-kuhl/ [adjective] – of or characteristic of the tropics (= the hottest area of…
Read more

What to expect from a pizza vending machine in Rome

©Andrew Medichini / AP via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. When do you usually eat pizza? What is your least favorite pizza topping? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. residential /rez-i-DEN-shuh/ [adjective] – A residential road, area, etc. has only private houses, not offices and factories You can find my store in the residential neighborhood of Jiyugaoka. inventor /in-VEN-ter/ [noun] – someone who has invented something or whose job is to invent things Ken Kutaragi is the inventor of PlayStation. compete /kuhm-PEET/ [verb] – to try to be more successful than someone or something else…
Read more

Picasso masterpieces displayed in a Las Vegas restaurant could fetch over $100M in auction

http___cdn.cnn.com_cnnnext_dam_assets_210811150255-02-picasso-mgm-las-vegas-sothebys-sale

©Sotheby’s and MGM resorts via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you been to Las Vegas? Do you have art pieces in your house? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. estimated /EZ-tuh-meytd/ [adjective] – roughly calculated or approximate The price of the mansion is estimated at $100 million. organizer /AWR-guh-nahy-zer / [noun] – the person or group who plans and arranges an event or activity Please contact the organizer for our company party. highlight /HAHY-layt/ [noun] – the best or most exciting, entertaining, or interesting part of something The highlight of the wedding was the…
Read more

Airbnb CEO says business travel will never be the same as it was before the outbreak

airbnb-3399753_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you book a hotel? What was the last place that you went to? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. state /steyt/ [verb] – to say or write something, especially clearly and carefully Please state why you wish to apply for this scholarship. lack /lak/ [noun] – the fact that something is not available or that there is not enough of it Lack of sleep made her more exhausted. procedure /pruh-SEE-jer/ [noun] – a set of actions that is the official or accepted way of doing something The procedure is…
Read more

‘Hotels on Rails’: New European sleeper trains are coming

http___cdn.cnn.com_cnnnext_dam_assets_210623142238-midnight-trains-chambre

©Midnight Trains Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you go to work/school? Do you enjoy staying in hotels? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. route /root/ [noun] – a particular way or direction between places I need to find the fastest route from Tokyo to Nagano. network /NET-wurk/ [noun] – a large system consisting of many similar parts that are connected together to allow movement between the parts and a control center Japan Railways operates about 70 percent of Japan’s railway network. alternative /awl-TUR-nuh-tiv/ [noun] – An alternative plan or method is one that you…
Read more

Floating breakfasts are becoming a trend, here’s why

Floating breakfasts are becoming a trend, here's why

©Joel Centano via virtuoso.com Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Where do you usually spend your vacation? What food do you usually eat during breakfast? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. trend /trend/ [noun] – a general development or change in a situation or in the way that people are behaving Creating a fashion trend is one of my goals as a designer. fancy /FAN-see/ [adjective] – decorative or complicated We had a date at a fancy restaurant. tropical /TROP-i-kuhl/ [adjective] – extremely hot The Philippines is a tropical country. picturesque /pik-chuh-RESK/ [adjective] – attractive in appearance,…
Read more

How “valuable” are gemstones?

precious-1432335_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What accessories do you like wearing? What was the most expensive accessory you bought? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. unique /yoo-NEEK/ [adjective] – something that is unique, is unusual, or the only one of its type She has a unique way of singing on stage. ancestral /an-SES-truhl/ [adjective] – relating to members of your family from the past My grandmother refused to sell our ancestral house. diplomat /DIP-luh-mat/ [noun] – an official whose job is to represent one country in another, and who usually works in an embassy My dad…
Read more

If you desire to travel this year, you may be required a vaccine passport

photographer-407068_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. When was the last time you went traveling? How was your last travel experience? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. firm /furm/ [noun] – a company offering a professional service, for example a company of lawyers He works for a law firm in Canada. upload /UHP-lohd/ [verb] – to copy or move programs or information to a larger computer system or to the internet I uploaded the pictures on Facebook yesterday. obtain /uhb-TEYN/ [verb] – to get something, especially by asking for it, buying it, working for it, or producing it…
Read more