Tag Archive: Culture & Travel – Intermediate

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What holidays do you always look forward to? Please tell me more about them. What do you think is the most important holiday in your country and why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. date back /deyt bak/ [phrasal verb] – to have existed for a particular length of time or since a particular time Washington’s official snowfall records date back to 1884. honor /ON-er/ [verb] – to show great respect for someone, esp. in public Mother’s Day is a special day to honor motherhood. entrance /EN-truhns/ [noun] – the right…
Read more

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What was your first impression of Easter? How do the people in your country celebrate Easter? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. symbol /SIM-buhl/ [noun] – something that is used to represent a quality or idea The dragon is commonly known as a symbol of power. link /lingk/ [verb] – to make a connection between two or more people, things, or ideas Experts say that cutting down trees is linked to climate change. rebirth /ree-BURTH/ [noun] – a new period of growth of something People consider spring as the season of…
Read more

©James Cummins Bookseller via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Which do you prefer, fiction or nonfiction books? Why? How often do you visit a bookstore? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. reflect /ri-FLEKT/ [verb] – to show, express, or be a sign of something This book reflects the Indonesian culture. sophisticated /suh-FIS-ti-key-tid / [verb] – very complex, This song has sophisticated lyrics. handwriting /HAND-rahy-ting/ [noun] – the particular way in which someone forms letters with a pen or pencil Dorian’s handwriting is light and clear. classic /KLAS-ik/ [noun] – a piece of writing, a musical…
Read more

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How long does it take you to decide what to order at a restaurant? Do you trust online restaurant reviews? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. critic /KRIT-ik/ [noun] – someone whose job is to give their opinion about something, especially films, books, music, etc. Karl works as a film critic. quirk /kwurk/ [noun] – an unusual habit or part of someone’s personality, or something that is strange and unexpected Kelly’s bookstore has a lot of quirks and music. creative /kree-EY-tiv/ [adjective] – producing or using original…
Read more

©The Baltimore Museum of Art via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you see paintings? How would you describe the typical uniform of a security guard in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. meaningful /MEE-ning-fuhl/ [adjective] – useful, serious, or important The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is such a meaningful book. strike /strahyk/ [verb] – to cause someone to have a feeling or idea about something There was something about the song that struck him. invest /in-VEST/ [verb] – to put money, effort, time, etc. into something to make a profit…
Read more

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you travel? What animal fascinates you the most? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. stunning /STUHN-ing/ [adjective] – extremely beautiful or attractive Budapest is a stunning city! paranormal /par-uh-NAWR-muhl/ [adjective] – impossible to explain by known natural forces or by science Ben likes to read paranormal stories. species /noun/ [SPEE-sheez] – a set of animals or plants in which the members have similar characteristics to each other and can breed with each other There are more than 200 species of mammals in the Philippines. remote /ri-MOHT/ [adjective]…
Read more

©Sharon Wee and Marshall via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your favorite food to eat during lunch? Tell me something about it. How often do you eat spicy food? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. diverse /dih-VURS/ [adjective] – including many different types of people or things I enjoy working in a diverse environment. combination /kom-buh-NEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the mixture you get when two or more things are combined This city is a combination of Asian and Western cultures. date back /deyt-bak/ [phrasal verb] – to have existed for a particular length of…
Read more

© Dan Avila via BBC Travel Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is the oldest place in your country? Please tell me more about it. How do you consider a place to be beautiful? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. civilization /siv-uh-luh-ZEY-shuhn/ [noun] – human society with its well developed social organizations, or the culture and way of life of a society or country at a particular period in time Chinese civilization is one of the world’s oldest. prehistoric /pree-hi-STAWR-ik/ [adjective] – describing the period before there were written records The museum contains artifacts from prehistoric…
Read more

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What types of chocolate do you like the most? What sweets are popular in your country? Please tell me more about them. 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 Try not to give the children too many snacks and treats. melt /melt/ [verb] – to turn from something solid into something soft or liquid, or to cause something to do this First, melt a lump of butter in the frying pan. crunchy…
Read more