Tag Archive: Health & Lifestyle – Intermediate

New coronavirus variant Omicron under observation by scientists

omicron

© Thomas Faull/Alamy Live News/Alamy Live News via The Guardian Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is the deadliest disease for you and why? When do you think the pandemic will end? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. variant /VAIR-ee-uhnt/ [noun] – a form of a virus or disease that is slightly different from other forms, for example because the virus causing the disease has mutated A new variant of the disease was discovered in the US. infection /in-FEK-shuhn/ [noun] – a condition in which bacteria or viruses that cause disease have entered the body Take…
Read more

Restoring our ego through status pivoting

getty

© Getty Images via BBC Worklife Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Who is the most successful person you know? Please tell me more about him/her. How do you measure success? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. emphasize /EM-fuh-sahyz/ [verb] – to show that something is very important or worth giving attention to I must emphasize that this is just the summary of the report. coping /KOH-ping/ [noun] – the fact of dealing successfully with problems or difficult situations Exercising is Laura’s coping mechanism. reflect /ri-FLEKT/ [verb] – (of an action or situation) to bring credit or…
Read more

Is mindfulness equal to selfishness?

meditation

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. For you, what is selfishness? Do you meditate? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. flexibility /flek-suh-BIL-i-tee/ [noun] – the ability to change or be changed easily according to the situation Work flexibility is the company’s advantage over others. meditation /med-i-TEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the act of giving your attention to only one thing, either as a religious activity or as a way of becoming calm and relaxed Yoga involves meditation, stretching, and breathing exercises. finding /FAHYN-ding/ [noun] – a piece of information that is discovered during an official…
Read more

Declining invitations the less painful way

envelope

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What kind of invitation have you declined recently? What reasons do you usually give when rejecting invitations? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. show up /shoh uhp/ [phrasal verb] – to arrive for a gathering or event 300 people showed up in the seminar. decline /dih-KLAHYN/ [verb] – to refuse I’m sorry, but I have to decline the party invitation. assume /uh-SOOM/ [verb] – to accept something to be true without question or proof Let’s assume that it might rain tomorrow. acceptable /ak-SEP-tuh-buhl/ [adjective] – satisfactory; good enough The proposal is…
Read more

Say goodbye to the term “late bloomer”

late bloomer

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you define “success”? What do you consider your biggest success? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. bloom /bloom/ [verb] – to grow or develop successfully Mike’s and his band bloomed into successful musicians. expectation /ek-spek-TEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the feeling of expecting something to happen He has high expectations of passing the exams. youthful /YOOTH-fuhl/ [adjective] – characteristic of young people, or relating to the period of life when you are young Despite her age, Olivia has maintained her youthful appearance. brand /brand/ [verb] – to say that you think…
Read more

Can leisure cause more stress than enjoyment?

leisure

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How much free time do you have? Do you usually spend your free time alone or with somebody else? Please tell me more about it. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. tremendous /trih-MEN-duhs/ [adjective] – great in amount, size, or degree We can see that there are tremendous changes done in the city. top-notch /TOP-NOCH/ [adjective] – excellent This restaurant has top-notch customer service. futile /FYOOT-l/ [adjective] – (of actions) having no effect or achieving nothing It was futile to continue with the investigation. point of view /point uhv vyoo/ [noun]…
Read more

Why people feel anxious when giving compliments

worry

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you react when receiving praises? What do you usually compliment others for? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. exist /ig-ZIST/ [verb] – to be, or to be real Some people believe that aliens exist. deed /deed/ [noun] – an intentional act, especially a very bad or very good one Let us do at least one good deed a day. potential /puh-TEN-shuhl/ [noun] – the possibility of something developing or happening in a particular way Thomas has the potential to be a wonderful leader in the future. impact /IM-pakt/ [noun]…
Read more

The Mennonites, a community frozen in time

mennonites

©Jake Michaels, courtesy of Setanta Books Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Are you dependent on technology? Please tell me more about it. How important is modern technology for you? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. society /suh-SAHY-i-tee/ [noun] – all the people in a country, or several similar countries, can be referred to as a society Natural disasters are a common hazard to society. disregard /dis-ri-GAHRD/ [verb] – to not allow something to influence you; ignore Liam seems to always disregard his safety. domestic /duh-MES-tik/ [adjective] – relating to a person’s own country Domestic oil prices…
Read more

Is it okay to fall out of friendship?

friendship

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you contact your friends? What do you and your friends usually do when you meet? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. in touch (with someone) /in tuhch (with SUHM-wuhn)/ [idiom] – seeing someone or communicating with someone regularly Have you been keeping in touch with Yuki? gut feeling /guht FEE-ling/ [noun] – a strong belief about someone or something that cannot completely be explained and does not have to be decided by reasoning I have a gut feeling that Nicholas is lying. circumstance /SUR-kuhm-stans/ [noun] – events that…
Read more

Financial therapy: The secret to eliminate fear of money?

money

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you heard of money phobia? What is your idea about it? How do you budget your money? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. financial /fahy-NAH-shuhl/ [adjective] – relating to money or how money is managed The company just recovered from its financial losses. emotional /ih-MOH-shuh-nl/ [adjective] – connected with or showing feelings The passing of his father has caused Steve emotional pain. poll /pohl/ [noun] – a study in which people are asked for their opinions about a subject or person The poll results will be out next week. effective…
Read more