Tag Archive: Science & Technology – Expert

Cyberattack disrupts European airports, causes major flight cancellations

cyberattack

©(Carsten Koall/dpa via AP) Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. cyberattack /SAHY-ber-uh-tak/ [noun] – an attack against computer systems or networks, often using the internet A cyberattack shut down the hospital’s online appointment system, forcing staff to manage patients by hand. severity /suh-VER-i-tee/ [noun] – the seriousness or extreme nature of a situation, problem, or condition The severity of the earthquake led to the closure of many schools and offices in the city. kiosk /KEE-osk/ [noun] – a small machine or stand where a person can get information, buy a ticket, or perform another service by themselves Train passengers used self-service kiosks…
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NASA introduces new astronaut class with more women than men for first time

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©NASA via AP Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. integral /in-TI-gruhl/ [adjective] – necessary and important as a part of a whole The new astronaut class is an integral step for future missions. formidable /FAWR-mi-duh-buhl/ [adjective] – causing fear, admiration, or respect because of size, strength, or difficulty The astronaut class faces formidable training before going to space. illustrious /ih-LUHS-tree-uhs/ [adjective] – famous, well respected, and admired The class includes illustrious experts in engineering and science. epochal /EP-uh-kuhl/ [adjective] – very important, because it has a strong effect or influence on future events The astronaut class marks an epochal moment in NASA’s…
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New dinosaur species brings fresh insight into prehistoric predators

Dino

©(Marcelo Luna via AP) Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. enigmatic /en-ig-MAT-ik/ [adjective] – mysterious and difficult to understand Historians still debate the enigmatic symbols found in the ancient temple. elongated /EE-long-gay-tid/ [adjective] – made longer than usual The bird’s elongated beak helped it reach food hidden deep inside flowers. opportunistic /op-er-too-NIS-tik/ [adjective] – taking advantage of a situation, often without planning The bird showed opportunistic behavior by feeding on leftovers from larger predators. poignant /POIN-yuhnt/ [adjective] – causing a strong feeling of sadness or sympathy The ceremony carried a poignant meaning for the families who had lost loved ones. floodplain /FLUD-playn/…
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Scientists identify manganese blue as source of Pollock’s vivid pigment in MoMA masterpiece

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©AP Photo/David Goldman, File Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. illustrious /ih-LUHS-tree-uhs/ [adjective] – famous, well respected, and admired The city hosted an illustrious writer who shared stories of travel. salutary /SAL-yuh-ter-ee/ [adjective] – causing improvement of behavior or character The teacher gave salutary advice that helped students focus on goals. seminal /SEM-uh-nl/ [adjective] – strongly influencing later developments The scientist published a seminal study that changed medicine. lucid /LOO-sid/ [adjective] – clearly expressed and easy to understand The professor gave a lucid explanation of the difficult theory. interdisciplinary /in-ter-DIS-uh-pluh-ner-ee/ [adjective] – involving two or more different subjects or areas of knowledge…
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Amber discovery in Ecuador provides first South American insect fossils

insect

©(Mónica Solórzano-Kraemer via AP) Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. quarry /KWAWR-ee/ [noun] – a place where large amounts of stone, sand, or minerals are dug from the ground The new quarry provided marble that was later used in building the museum. resin /REZ-in/ [noun] – a sticky substance produced by some trees, often hardening into a solid form Ancient jewelry was sometimes made by setting small objects inside hardened resin. supercontinent /soo-per-KON-tn-uhnt/ [noun] – a very large landmass made up of multiple continents joined together in the past Scientists explained that the movement of the supercontinent eventually created today’s separate continents….
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Oldest known mummies, dating back 12,000 years, unearthed across Southeast Asia

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©Hirofumi Matsumura via AP Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. epochal /EP-uh-kuhl/ [adjective] – very important, or having a great influence, especially making the beginning of a new development or period The invention of the internet was an epochal moment in communication. heuristic /hyoo-RIS-tik/ [adjective] – allowing people to learn by discovering things themselves and learning from their own experiences The teacher used a heuristic method to help students find answers. transcendence /tran-SEN-duhns/ [noun] – the state of being greater, better, or going beyond usual limits Music gave her a sense of transcendence beyond daily life. edifying /ED-uh-fahy-ing/ [adjective] – improving someone’s…
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Study reveals octopus arm usage in the wild

Octopus

Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. tendency /TEN-duhn-see/ [noun] – a natural way of behaving or acting in a certain direction Reports showed a tendency for people to shop online more often during holidays. inclination /in-kluh-NEY-shuhn/ [noun] – a feeling or preference that makes someone want to do something The research showed an inclination of students to use digital textbooks instead of printed ones. methodology /meth-uh-DOL-uh-jee/ [noun] – a system or method used to study or do research The project used a new methodology to test the safety of electric cars. redundancy /ri-DUHN-duhn-see/ [noun] – the state of having extra parts or…
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Australia approves world-first vaccine to protect koalas from chlamydia

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. precarious /pri-KAIR-ee-uhs/ [adjective] – in a dangerous state because of not being safe or steady The animals lived in a precarious place after the forest fire. salutary /SAL-yuh-ter-ee/ [adjective] – causing improvement of behavior or character The warning gave a salutary lesson about driving more carefully. exacerbate /ig-ZAS-er-beyt/ [verb] – to make something that is already bad even worse Cutting more trees can exacerbate the problem of flooding. galvanize /GAL-vuh-nahyz/ [verb] – to excite or cause someone to act The speech helped galvanize people to join the campaign. inexorable /in-EK-ser-uh-buhl/ [adjective] – continuing without any possibility…
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Study links rising U.S. temperatures to surge in sugar consumption

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. deleterious /del-i-TEER-ee-uhs/ [adjective] – harmful Too much sugar has a deleterious effect on children’s health. exacerbate /ig-ZAS-er-beyt/ [verb] – to make something that is already bad worse Lack of clean water can exacerbate health problems in poor areas. perpetuate /per-PECH-oo-eyt/ [verb] – to make something such as a bad situation continue for a long time High prices can perpetuate poverty in many communities. salient /SEY-lee-uhnt/ [adjective] – The salient facts are the most important and noticeable ones. The most salient point in the report was about rising costs. unequivocal /uhn-i-KWIV-uh-kuhl/ [adjective] – total, or expressed in…
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Study warns of major decline in ocean’s key oxygen-producing microbe

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©AP Photo/Annika Hammerschlag Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. alarming /uh-LAHR-ming/ [adjective] – causing worry or fear The sudden drop in temperature was alarming for the farmers. incontrovertible /in-kon-truh-VUR-tuh-buhl/ [adjective] – impossible to doubt because of being obviously true The teacher gave incontrovertible proof that the student was present in class. meticulous /muh-TIK-yuh-luhs/ [adjective] – very careful and with great attention to every detail The artist was meticulous in painting every leaf on the tree. unprecedented /uhn-PRES-i-den-tid/ [adjective] – never having happened or existed in the past The city experienced unprecedented snowfall last winter. formidable /FAWR-mi-duh-buhl/ [adjective] – causing fear or respect…
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