Tag Archive: lifestyle – intermediate

Have we known burnout wrong? Let’s find out

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What exhausts you the most? Do you consider yourself burnt out? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. stage /steyj/ [noun] – a part of an activity or a period of development We are already in the final stage of this product’s development. benchmark /BENCH-mahrk/ [noun] – a level of quality that can be used as a standard against which to compare other things They created a new set of benchmarks to check and know the quality of their services. pessimism /PES-uh-miz-uhm/ [noun] – the tendency to see…
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How “valuable” are gemstones?

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What accessories do you like wearing? What was the most expensive accessory you bought? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. unique /yoo-NEEK/ [adjective] – something that is unique, is unusual, or the only one of its type She has a unique way of singing on stage. ancestral /an-SES-truhl/ [adjective] – relating to members of your family from the past My grandmother refused to sell our ancestral house. diplomat /DIP-luh-mat/ [noun] – an official whose job is to represent one country in another, and who usually works in an embassy My dad…
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The truth behind astrology’s sudden fame: The stars have spoken

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your star sign? Do you often read or check your horoscope? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. boom /boom/ [verb] – an increase in something, or a time when something becomes more popular My business boomed when I advertised it on Twitter. seek /seek/ [verb] – to ask for advice, help, approval, permission, etc. You must seek approval from your teacher first. horoscope /HAWR-uh-skohp/ [noun] – a description of what is going to happen to you, based on the position of the stars and planets…
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New normal, new work structures: Will they be effective?

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What motivates you to work harder? How many days does it usually take you to finish your tasks? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. majority /muh-JAWR-i-tee/ [noun] – the larger number or part of something The majority of people surveyed prefer televisions to radios. preference /PREF-er-uhns/ [noun] – a choosing of or special liking for one person or thing rather than another or others His preference for clothes is rather unique. claim /kleym/ [verb] – to say that something is true or is a fact Susan claims that she lost her…
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The hidden strength behind “weak-tie” friendships

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you enjoy doing with your friends? What qualities do you think are important in a friend? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. quantity /KWON-ti-tee/ [noun] – the amount or number of something, or a particular amount or number Prices depend on the quantity ordered. circle /SUR-kuhl/ [noun] – a group of people with family, work, or social connections Emma isn’t one of my close friends circle of friends. coincidence /koh-IN-si-duhns/ [noun] – chance or luck By coincidence, she and I went to the same elementary school. run out /RUHN-out/…
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The pandemic is playing with our focus: How do we get rid of it?

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©Alamy via BBC Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you consider yourself focused on your tasks during this time of the pandemic? Why or why not? Do you prefer working/taking lessons at home or in the office/school? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. hack /hak/ [verb] – to manage to deal successfully with something Is there any way to successfully hack stressful situations? theory /THEE-uh-ree/ [noun] – a formal statement of the rules or principles on which an activity or a subject of study is based Recent research seems to support this theory about improving…
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How to beat burnout: Start from within

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think causes burnout? Do you feel too busy sometimes? In what way? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. burnout /BURN-out/ [noun] – the state of having no energy or enthusiasm because of working too hard, or someone who shows the effects of this state Burnout is quite common among teachers. contribute /kuhn-TRIB-yoot/ [verb] – to be one of the reasons why something happens Working straight for hours contributes to burnout and stress. overcome /oh-ver-KUHM/ [verb] – to defeat or succeed in controlling or dealing with something Overcome our…
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Benefits of taking notes the old-fashioned way: Pen and paper

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Pre-reading questions: Do you save all your notes on your computer? Why or why not? When do you usually take notes on paper? Vocabulary: spot /spot/ [verb] – to see or notice someone or something Claire was able to easily spot the error in the material. external /ik-STUR-nl/ [adjective] – of, on, for, or coming from the outside You should buy an external hard drive for your computer. paraphrasing /par-uh-FREYZ-ing/ [noun] – using a person’s own words to express someone else’s messages or ideas Paraphrasing is a must when rewriting articles to avoid copying. visual /VIZH-oo-uhl/ [adjective] – relating to seeing Visual learners process information they can see better than…
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How can workers travel back to work after lockdown?

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Pre-Reading Questions: Do you take a cab at all times? Why or why not? What do you usually ride when going to places? Vocabulary: route /root/ [noun] ⁠— a particular way or direction between places Passengers nowadays will have to take different routes due to lockdown. rush hour /ruhsh OU-er/ [noun] ⁠— the busy part of the day when towns and cities are crowded, either in the morning when people are travelling to work, or in the evening when people are travelling home It would be best to avoid rush hours when coming home from the mall. banned /band/ [adjective] ⁠— prohibited, not allowed Liquids more than 100 ml are…
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