Tag Archive: Health & Lifestyle – Intermediate

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…
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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…
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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]…
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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]…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Mindfulness matters: 5 ways to begin your mindfulness journey

yoga-2176668_1920

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What makes you stressed? Have you tried doing yoga? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. curiosity /kyoor-ee-OS-i-tee / [noun] – an eager wish to know or learn about something Curiosity is important when making art. concentrate /KON-suhn-treyt/ [verb] – to direct your attention or your efforts towards a particular activity, subject, or problem You have to concentrate on your studies. vehicle /VEE-i-kuhl/ [noun] – a machine, usually with wheels and an engine, used for transporting people or goods, especially on land There was a broken vehicle on the road. effective /ih-FEK-tiv/…
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What is “digital body language”?

video call

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you prefer having meetings or discussing things via email? Why? How do you express your emotions or intentions through text? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. cue /kyoo/ [noun] – a signal for someone to do something Their failure became their cue to do better next time. remotely /ri-MOHT-lee/ [adverb] – employees who work remotely work mainly from home and communicate with the company by email and telephone ABC Company allows its employees to work remotely. patch /pach/ [verb] – to treat someone’s injuries or repair the damage to something,…
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COVID-19 vaccination financial support in Japan to be extended

vaccine (2)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How is the progress of vaccination programs in your country? Are you already vaccinated? Please tell me more about it. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. financial /fahy-NAN-shuhl/ [adjective] – relating to money The organization offers financial assistance to students. benefit /BEN-uh-fit/ [verb] – to be helped by something How can we benefit from doing yoga? municipality /myoo-nis-uh-PAL-i-tee/ [noun] – a city or town with its own local government, or the local government itself The municipality has banned smoking since last year. set up /SET-uhp/ [phrasal verb] – to place or…
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