Tag Archive: Culture & Travel – Intermediate

Japan’s traditional way of starting anew

brooms

© Shirokiya Denbe in Tokyo’s Chuo Ward via The Mainichi Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you clean your house? Does your family have a tradition every Christmas? Please tell me more about it. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. in honor of /IN AA-nr UHV/ [idiom] – as a celebration of or expression of respect for The statue in Sendai was built in honor of Masamune Date. complement /KOM-pluh-ment/ [verb] – to make something else seem better or more attractive when combining with it The new wallpaper design complements the sofa sets. framework…
Read more

Elle magazine to stop using animal fur in its publications worldwide

_121930633_gettyimages-107881871

©BBC via Getty Images Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is the most popular magazine in your country? What are some current fashion trends in your city? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. publication /puhb-li-KEY-shuhn/ [noun] – a book, magazine, newspaper, or document in which information or stories are published Laura writes for the student publication. agreement /uh-GREE-muhnt/ [noun] – the situation in which people have the same opinion, or in which they approve of or accept something: Everyone seems to be in agreement with the travel plans. consumer /kuhn-SOO-mer/ [noun] – a person who buys…
Read more

Dubai opens world’s first, highest 360-degree infinity pool

Dubai opens world's highest 360-degree infinity pool

©AURA Skypool Lounge via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some of the famous hotels in your country? Do you like staying at hotels? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. base /beys/ [verb] – to have a particular town or area, etc. as the main place that you live and work in, or where you do business from The new clothing company is based in Manila. story /STAWR-ee/ [noun] – a level of a building I’m so excited to visit Blair’s new 12-story mansion! residential /rez-i-DEN-shuhl/ [adjective] – a residential…
Read more

3 splendid places to witness Tokyo’s fall colors

3 splendid places to witness Tokyo's fall colors

©Marufish/Flickr Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your favorite season and why? What is the worst season for you and why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. atmosphere /AT-muhs-feer/ [noun] – the character, feeling, or mood of a place or situation The hotel has a relaxed atmosphere. adore /uh-DAWR/ [verb] – to love and respect someone very much, or to like something very much I adore your shoes! Where did you buy that pair? magnificent /mag-NIF-uh-suhnt/ [adjective] – very good, beautiful, or deserving to be admired The Taj Mahal is a magnificent tourist spot. feast…
Read more

Bucket list: The most beautiful towns in Europe

europe

© CNN Travel Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you traveled abroad? Please tell me more about it. Please describe the most beautiful place you have been to. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. leisurely /LEE-zher-lee/ [adverb] – used to describe an action that is done in a relaxed way, without hurrying After lunch, we went on a leisurely walk in the park. perch /purch/ [verb] – to be in a high position or in a position near the edge of something You can see the old castle perched on the hill from here. fortune /FAWR-chuhn/…
Read more

The promising future of Japan’s traditional crafts

lanterns-g6f8e4e6c1_640

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What products have you made by hand? What craft tradition is your region known for? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. handicraft /HAN-dee-kraft/ [noun] – a product that is made by hand rather than by using a machine My friend’s shop is known for its handicrafts. ceramics /suh-RAM-iks/ [noun] – the objects produced by shaping and baking clay, especially when considered as art Ceramics and glass products are displayed on the shelf. famed /feymd/ [adjective] – famous or known to many people The city where I’m from is famed for its…
Read more

World’s best cheese for 2021 announced

http___cdn.cnn.com_cnnnext_dam_assets_211103151313-02-world-cheese-awards-2021

© via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How much cheese do you eat per week? How often do you buy cheese from the grocery? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. continent /KON-tn-uhnt / [noun] – one of the seven large land masses on the earth’s surface, surrounded, or mainly surrounded, by sea and usually consisting of various countries In today’s lesson, the children learned about the seven continents. widely /WAHYD-lee / [adverb] – including a lot of different places, people, subjects, etc Tofu is an ingredient that is widely used in Asian countries. export /ik-SPAWRT/…
Read more

Sweden’s Saturday sweets tradition

candies

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is the most popular candy brand in your country? Which do you usually eat after meals, desserts or candies? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. treat /treet/ [noun] – a type of food that is eaten in addition to your usual meals, usually something sweet Have you already given treats to the children? concept /KON-sept/ [noun] – a principle or idea The concept of this presentation is quite easy to understand. values /VAL-yooz/ [noun] – the principles that help you to decide what is right and wrong and how to…
Read more

The New York Public Library puts an end to overdue fees

_120882815_gettyimages-1223645116

©Getty Images via BBC Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do libraries in your country charge fees for overdue books? What books from a library would you like to borrow? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. abolish /uh-BOL-ish/ [verb] – to end an activity or custom officially The young mayor wants to abolish private schools. 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 by a group of people, a business organization, a government, or a political party The clothing store has…
Read more

A mysterious ancient ‘dragon man’ has been discovered and has joined the human family tree

skull-g4984c7a9b_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some of the greatest discoveries do you know? What is the importance of these discoveries? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. feature /FEE-cher/ [noun] – a typical quality or an important part of something This is a key feature of our society. curiosity /kyoor-ee-OS-i-tee/ [noun] – an eager wish to know or learn about something The children looked at their new teacher in curiosity. beyond /bee-OND/ [preposition] – outside or after It won’t go on beyond midnight. alter /AWL-ter/ [verb] – to change something, usually slightly, or to cause…
Read more