Tag Archive: science & technology – beginner

Google software can now identify ramen by shop

Google software can now identify ramen by shop

Pre-reading questions: Do you like to eat ramen? How often do you eat ramen? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: identify /ahy-DEN-tuh-fahy/ [verb] to know or name something We can’t identify the person in the picture. software /SAWFT-wair/ [noun] a program that you use to make a computer do something This new software is very useful. gather /GATH-er/ [verb] to collect things The teacher gathered the students’ papers. arrangement /uh-REYNJ-muhnt/ [noun] the positions of a group of objects I like the arrangement of these flowers. topping /TOP-ping/ [noun] food that is put on top of other food My favorite ice cream has many toppings. Ramen fans can now identify different bowls…
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More and more people are downloading self-care apps

More and more people are downloading self-care apps

Pre-reading questions: Do you like using smartphones? Please explain your answer. How do you stay healthy? Vocabulary: user /YOO-zer/ [noun] someone who uses a product, machine, or service There are many cell phone users these days. self-care /SELF-KAIR/ [noun] the act of caring for yourself I’d like to hear her self-care tips because she’s always healthy. profit /PROF-it/ [verb] to earn money It’s not good to profit from somebody else’s loss. wellness /WEL-nis/ [noun] the condition of being healthy You can achieve wellness through a healthy diet and regular exercise. trend /trend/ [noun] something that is popular at the moment She always follows the newest fashion trends. The number of…
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Washington passes net neutrality law

Washington passes net neutrality law

Pre-reading questions: Do you think the Internet is important? Please explain your answer. How often do you use the Internet? Vocabulary: neutrality /nyoo-TRAL-i-tee/ [noun] the state of being independent and not supporting any side Neutrality is important for a judge. block /blok/ [verb] to prevent anyone from passing through A big dog blocked our path. specific /spi-SIF-ik/ [adjective] referring to a particular thing Please give me specific reasons for my bad grade. website /WEB-sahyt/ [noun] a page on the Internet where information about something can be found Please check our website for more details. content /CON-tent/ [noun] the information or ideas that are talked The contents of this newspaper are…
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Didi Chuxing set to start in Brazil

Didi set to start in Brazil

Pre-reading questions: Do you like riding a taxi? Why or why not? Which is better, riding a taxi or a bus? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: app [ap] (noun) a company that offers the same service as another company My favorite app is Line because it is useful. rival [RAHY-vuhl] (noun) someone or something that is competing with another person or thing McDonald’s is Mos Burger’s biggest rival. invest [in-VEST] (verb) to use money to make more money The company invested money on television ads. spend [spend] (verb) to use money to pay for something Jenny spends a lot of money for new clothes. beat [beet] (verb) to defeat a…
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Netflix’s growth goes beyond target

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Pre-reading questions: How often do you watch movies? Do you watch movies at home or at the movie theater? Vocabulary: top [TOP] (verb) – to be more than something Her savings topped $100 this month. expectation [ek-spek-TEY-shuh-n] (noun) – a strong belief that something will happen David did not have good expectations from the movie. stream [STREEM] (verb) – to watch movies on the Internet Janis prefers streaming to going to the movie theater. credit [KRE-dit] (verb) – to be responsible for something good The coach credits this win to the whole team. content [KON-tent] (noun) – a thing that is held or included in something The writers posted new…
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Twitter begins “Advertising Transparency Center”

technology

Pre-reading questions: Do you like using Twitter? Please explain your answer. Which is better, Facebook or Twitter? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: advertising [noun] – the business of making paid announcements She works for an advertising company. transparency [noun] – quality of being easily seen Transparency must always be present in a company. users [noun] – someone who uses something All users were happy with their service. advertisement [noun] – announcements made to convince someone to buy something KFC’s advertisement featured their new chicken flavor. duration [noun] – the length of time something continues or exists We have set the duration of our ad until next month only. Twitter has…
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Google keeps a list of everyone’s search history

technology

Pre-reading questions: Do you use Google Chrome? What are the popular websites in Japan? Vocabulary: search [verb] – to look for something I will search for my cellphone. website [noun] – a page on the internet with information about something I opened a website about food. search history [noun] – a list of websites the user has visited You can remove your search history on Google Chrome. information [noun] – facts learned about something The teacher gave us some information about the project. advertisement [noun] – a paid notice that tells people about a product or service There are a lot of advertisements at the mall. Google keeps a list…
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Netflix’s charge increases

technology

Pre-reading questions: Do you like watching movies online? Do you think watching movies in cinemas is more fun? Vocabulary: membership [noun] – to become a member of a club This coffee shop requires membership. prime membership [noun] – membership higher than a standard plan My prime membership at the health club will end next week. improve [verb] – become better She needs to improve her grades this year. standard [adjective] – considered normal I have a standard TV at home. plan [noun] – something that you pay for to receive a service My mobile phone plan is expensive.   Netflix will increase its membership fee. The standard membership plan for…
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Easier learning through smartphones

technology

Pre-reading questions: Do you like using smartphones? What do you usually do with your smartphone? Vocabulary: record [verb] – to put sounds or pictures onto a computer or other electronic device so that they can be heard or seen later I want to record my tutor’s class so I can study again later. share [verb] – tell someone about something Maria wants to share a story today. feedback [noun] – opinion about something; what someone thinks of something My boss gave me a good feedback on my report. application [noun] – a program in a computer or smartphone I use a smartphone application to call my mother everyday. convenient [adjective]…
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US Congress votes to eliminate internet privacy protection

technology

Pre-reading questions: Is internet connection important? Please explain your answer. How often do you use the internet? The US House of Representatives voted to replace some internet privacy rules. The old rules started when Obama was the president of the United States. The new rules will allow internet companies to sell their customers’ browsing history without their approval. Browsing history shows the websites an internet user visits, and his other personal data. If President Trump approves the rules, it will become a law. Vocabulary: vote [verb] – choose; decide allow [verb] – to give permission approval [noun] – to agree law [noun] – rules in a certain country website [noun]…
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