Tag Archive: lifestyle – beginner

  Pre-reading questions: Do you like to travel? Why? Where is your favorite place?   An island in Hongkong previously named as Yim Tin Sai or “Ghost Island” is slowly returning to life. Yim Tin Tsai means “Little Salt Pan” in Cantonese. The island is a salt pan in the past. When the pans shut down, people slowly fled to the city to seek education. Thanks to Colin Chan, the old village representative, the island is restored to its previous beauty.   Vocabulary: previous [adjective] – coming before something else pan [noun] – a flat expanses of ground covered with salt or other minerals flee [verb] – run away seek…
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  Pre-reading questions: Have you ever traveled by plane? Have you ever experience jet lag?   R.J. Deutschendorf, a chief pilot at Southwest Airlines, says that learning to handle jet lag is part of a pilot’s work. He advises pilots and passengers alike to always drink water while travelling. He emphasizes that it is important to have good eating habits and take enough rest or sleep before flight. He also adds that pilots should never drink alcohol before and during work.   Vocabulary: pilot- [noun] a person who operates the flying controls of an aircraft handle- [verb] manage jet lag- [noun] extreme tiredness and other physical effects felt by a…
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Pre-reading questions: Do you like going to tea houses or coffee shops? Why? Have you ever visited a Chinese tea house? A tea house is a place where people can get refreshments and pastries or even play a chess game. It started in Qing dynasty many years ago. They built tea houses in Chengdu, China as a place for relaxation or just to pass the time. However, it is now under threat because of the new cafes rising all over China. Modern Chinese people prefer new cafes such as Starbucks and Seattle’s best over traditional tea houses. Vocabulary: refreshment – [noun] a light snack or drink pastry – [noun] sweet…
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  Pre-reading questions: Do you know Martin Luther King Jr.? Do you know any historic site?   Atlanta, Georgia – After series of repairs, Martin Luther King’s home re-opened on a holiday dedicated to him. Their home became a museum after his assassination in 1968. People can now get a peek inside the first floor of the historical house. It’s second floor still needs repairs. It has been closed for 5 months for renovation.   Vocabulary: series – [noun] a group or number of related events etc. dedicated – [adjective] wholly committed to something museum – [noun] a building or a place where works of art, scientific specimen, and other…
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  Pre-reading questions: Have you been to the zoo? What is your favorite animal?   Zoo Atlanta’s 100-day old panda twins received their names last Monday, December 12, 2016. The twins will be called Ya Lun and Xi Lun. These duo are the 6th and 7th offspring of their parents. Their names are chosen by public voting. Ya Lun and Xi Lun are going to be shown in public on January.   Vocabulary: receive – [verb] get something duo – [noun] two items of the same kind offspring – [noun] an animal’s young chosen – [verb] one who is the object of choice ; who is given preference public –…
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  Pre-reading questions: Do you like breads and pastries? How many are you in your family?   A bakery in China, named Bakery of Life is now hiring persons with disabilities. Many disabled persons in China are left by their parents in orphanages. The Bread of Life Bakery give them a chance to work and get their fist job. The bakery are owned by American couple Keith and Cheryl Wyse. They started the bakery last 2008.   Vocabulary: disability – [noun] lack of strength or physical or mental ability. orphanage – [noun] an institution for housing orphans. chance – [noun] opportunity own – [adjective] belong to Couple – [noun] pair…
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  Pre-reading questions: Do you like going to parks? What do you usually do in the park?   People going to Dubai are lucky. A new theme park opened last November 17. The theme park is inspired by famous Indian movies. The name of the park is Bollywood Parks Dubai because Indian movies are called Bollywood movies. There will be many attractions in Bollywood Parks Dubai.   Vocabulary: Dubai – ドバイ[proper noun] a city in United Arab Emirates (UAE) lucky – 幸運な[adjective] good luck; fortune inspired – 感化されて[adjective] come from famous – 有名な[adjective] known by many people attractions – アトラクション[noun] something people want to see   True or False: The…
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  Pre-reading questions: Do you think Wi-Fi is useful for everyone? How important is Wi-Fi to you?   A new list of Wi-Fi speed in airports was issued this year. Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport USA is the first one on the list. These five Asian countries are added: Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Taiwan. Six airports from Thailand are also on the list this year.   Vocabulary: list – 一覧表[noun] a number of connected items or written names speed – スピード[noun] a rate of movement or action airport – 空港[noun] a place where airplanes can land or take off issued – 発する[verb] provided; given national – 国の[adjective] a…
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  Pre-reading questions: Have you ever joined a Halloween party? Do you think Zombie party is safe?   Shibuya Halloween is a popular event in Japan. It takes place on Halloween night. It is celebrated near JR Shibuya station in Tokyo. It’s a gathering of people in Halloween costumes. 2,268 people joined last year’s Zombie party. Around 90 events will be held in Shibuya this year, but celebrity Hakase Suidobashi said that Halloween should not be celebrated in a busy place like Tokyo.   Vocabulary: Halloween – ハロウィーン [noun] the evening before All Saints’ Day popular – 人気のある [adjective] common celebrated – 有名な [adjective] widely known costumes – 衣装 [noun]…
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Pre-reading questions: Where do you like to go on vacation? What did you do during your last vacation? Today, tourists visiting Paris are fewer. The Paris government plans to increase the number of tourists. They need tourism volunteers, mostly university students, who can speak English. Taxi and bus drivers, and hotel staff will take English classes. They will also make a new welcome app for tourists to guide first-time visitors. To make sure that everybody is safe, the government is in a state of high security. Vocabulary: tourist – 旅行者 a person traveling to another place volunteer – ボランティア a person who offers services for free staff – スタッフ a group of people,…
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