Tag Archive: science & technology – beginner

NASA discovers new heavy metal planet

earth-1388003_960_720

Pre-reading questions: What is the biggest planet in the solar system? Would you like to see our planet from space? Vocabulary: usually /YOO-zhoo-uh-lee/ [adverb] in the way that most often happens I usually get up late. heavy /HEV-ee/ [adjective] thick, strong, solid, or looking that way I always eat heavy breakfast in the morning. close /klohz/ [adverb] near in position, time, or condition Timmy is too close to fail. star /stahr/ [noun] a large ball of burning gas in space that is usually seen from earth as a point of light in the sky at night The smallest star is the brightest. almost /AWL-mohst/ [adverb] nearly but not quite His…
Read more

The Genbi: The art museum shinkansen you do not want to miss

shinkansen-2504783_960_720

Pre-Reading Questions: Do you like to travel? Do you like riding the shinkansen? Vocabulary: special /SPESH-uhl/ [adjective] not ordinary or usual I have prepared a special lunch for you. complement /KOM-pluh-ment/ [verb] to make something else seem better or more attractive Her beautiful voice is complemented with her awesome guitar playing. serve /surv/ [verb] to provide food or drinks to a customer or guest My favorite restaurant serves different kinds of food every day. between /bih-TWEEN/ [preposition] in or into the space that separates two places, people, or objects The show was held between Maine street and Alden street. proudly /PROUD-ly/ [adverb] with feelings of satisfaction and pleasure My best…
Read more

Behavioral therapy: An alternative way to get rid of Internet addiction

internet gaming

Pre-Reading Questions: Do you like to play online games? Do you surf the net during your free time? Vocabulary: spend /spend/ [verb] to use time doing something We spent a day at the beach last Tuesday. life /lahyf/ [noun] the experience or state of being alive His life was special and meaningful. because /bih-KOZ/ [conjunction] for the reason that She was absent because of her illness. after /AF-ter/ [preposition] following in time, place, or order We can eat lunch after this service. use /yooz/ [verb] to put something such as a tool, skill, or building to a particular purpose We use pencil to draw lines and shapes. People like to…
Read more

Japan to use facial recognition technology for foreign visitors

face

Photo by © ANN via The Star Pre-reading questions: Do you like going to other countries? What kind of technology do you use the most? Vocabulary: transfer /trans-FUR/ [verb] to move someone or something from one place, vehicle, person, or group to another Let me transfer the files to your phone. scanner /SKAN-er/ [noun] a device for making images of the inside of the body or for reading information into a computer system I use photo scanner for my project. attach /uh-TACH/ [verb] to fasten or join one thing to something else She attached a new external camera to her laptop. immigration /im-i-GREY-shuhn/ [noun] the process of examining your passport…
Read more

Smartphone app detects ear infection in kids

ear app

Photo by © The Associated Press via CBC Pre-reading questions: Do you like using smartphones? What kind of smartphone applications do you usually use? Vocabulary: app /ap/ [noun] abbreviation for application: software designed for a particular purpose that you can download onto a mobile device. Ordering food online is made easier by using apps in smartphones. funnel /fuhn-l/ [noun] an object that has a wide round opening at the top, sloping sides, and a narrow tube at the bottom We need to use a funnel in transferring the liquid into the bottle. wave /weyv/ [noun] the pattern in which some types of energy, such as sound, light, and heat, are…
Read more

New app helps smokers quit

smoke app

Photo by © CUREAPP INC. via The Japan Times Pre-reading questions: Do you have any bad habits? Is it easy to quit smoking? Vocabulary: company /KUHM-puh-nee/ [noun] an organization that sells goods or services in order to make money He works in a small company in China. create /kree-EYT/ [verb] to make something new, or invent something He wants to create something new for our math club. history /HIS-tree/ [noun] a record of past events relating to a particular person or company We are checking the patient’s medical history. daily /DEY-lee/ [adjective] happening or done every day A daily workout will keep you active for the rest of the day….
Read more

Robots affect human emotions according to studies

Robots affect human emotions according to studies

Pre-reading questions: Do you have a robot? What kind of robot do you like? Vocabulary: comfort /KUHM-fert/ [noun] the pleasant and satisfying feeling Grey gives a lot of comfort to Hannah. joy /joi/ [noun] great happiness or pleasure Aly’s heart is full of pure joy. maker /MEY-ker/ [noun] a person or company that makes a particular type of product Anne is a shoe maker. act /akt/ [verb] to behave in the stated way Maria needs to stop acting like a child. conscious /KON-shus/ [adjective] aware of what is happening around you Larry is conscious of everything. A new study found that most people feel sad when a robot “dies”. A…
Read more

Facebook chief wants more government regulation of internet

markz

Photo by © Getty via Evoke.ie Pre-reading questions: When did you first use the internet? Do you use the internet everyday? Vocabulary: rule /rool/ [noun] an accepted principle or instruction that states the way things are or should be done Every employee should follow the rules of their company. dangerous /DEYN-jer-uhs/ [adjective] able or likely to cause harm or death, or unpleasant problems Don’t go to the mountains alone, it is dangerous! agreed /uh-GREE/ [adjective] accepted Sellers should follow the agreed standard retail price. important /im-PAWR-tnt/ [adjective] a great value, meaning, or effect It is important to practice your right to vote. before /bih-FAWR/ [adverb] at or during a time…
Read more

New device translates thoughts into speech

brain

Pre-reading questions: Do you think technologies are helpful? What technologies do you always use? Vocabulary: thought /thawt/ [noun] the act of thinking about or considering something, an idea or opinion, or a set of ideas The student shared his thoughts about the research to his professor. patient /PEY-shuhnt/ [noun] a person who is receiving medical care Doctors always make sure to check on their patients’ health. produce /pruh-DOOS/ [verb] to make something or bring something into existence The larynx or voice box is the part of the body that produces sound. result /ri-ZUHLT/ [noun] the information you get from something The result of the exam was posted yesterday. successful /suh k-ses-fuhl/…
Read more

Japanese company produces high-tech wheelchairs

wheelchairs

Photo by © AFP via The Straits Times Pre-reading questions: What is your favorite sport? Do you watch sports on television? Vocabulary: company /KUHM-puh-nee/ [noun] an organization that produces or sells goods or services in order to make profit Harunari’s company is growing fast. wheelchair /HWEEL-chair/ [noun] a chair on wheels that people who are unable to walk use on moving around Takatsuki needs to use a wheelchair because he got into an accident. athlete /ATH-leet/ [noun] a person who is skilled or trained in a sport A lot of athletes are admirable. champion /CHAM-pee-uhn/ [noun] that has beaten all other competitors in a competition Manny Pacquiao is one of…
Read more