Tag Archive: Science & Technology – Intermediate

Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What serious illnesses have been discussed in the news recently? If something was discussed, what made it important? If nothing comes to mind, what kind of health news do you usually notice? What conditions do you know that affect the brain or memory? If you know one, what symptoms are usually seen? If not, what symptom do you think would be difficult to notice? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. salutary /SAL-yuh-ter-ee/ [adjective] – causing improvement; beneficial The new study had a salutary effect on the team’s safety plan. illuminating /ih-LOO-muh-ney-ting/…
Read more

©AP Photo/Federica Narancio, File Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What medical studies have you heard about before? If so, what was the study about? If not, what study would you like to learn about? What health problems do people in your country often talk about?If so, why do people talk about them? If not, what health topic interests Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. conspicuous /kuhn-SPIK-yoo-uhs/ [adjective ] – very easy to see or notice The bright sign was conspicuous, so everyone saw it quickly. sudden /SUHD-n/ [adjective] – a sudden noise made the students look…
Read more

©AP Photo/Mikhail Metzel, File Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever read about astronauts working in space? If so, what did they do there? If not, what do you think they do? Do you know any countries that have sent people to space? If so, which ones? If not, which country do you think could? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. remarkable /ri-MAHR-kuh-buhl/ [adjective] – unusual or special and therefore surprising and worth mentioning The artist’s skill is remarkable for someone so young. pivotal /PIV-uh-tl/ [adjective] – central and important The teacher played a pivotal…
Read more

©(Kotaro Ueda/Kyodo News via AP) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you think people feel when they see a rocket launch? What kinds of things do you think astronauts need while living in space? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. rocket /ROK-it/ [noun] – a vehicle or device powered by engines that use gases to move, especially used for travel into space The rocket launched from the coastal base to send a satellite into orbit. astronaut /AS-truh-nawt/ [noun] – a person trained to travel and work in space The astronaut prepared for a spacewalk to…
Read more

©Tyler Keillor, The University of Chicago via AP Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever visited a museum that showed dinosaur fossils or bones? If so, what did you find most interesting? If not, would you like to visit one? Have you ever seen a scientific discovery on TV or the internet? If so, what was it about? If not, what kind of discovery would you like to learn about? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. noteworthy /NOHT-wur-thee/ [adjective] – deserving attention because of being important or interesting The teacher’s project was noteworthy for its…
Read more

©(NewsNation) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some good and bad things about getting information from the internet? What do you think could happen if computers or AI start writing articles instead of people? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. platform /PLAT-fawrm/ [noun] – a type of website or system that allows people to share or use information and services Many students use online platforms to study foreign languages. promote /pruh-MOHT/ [verb] – to support or encourage something to happen, grow, or become more popular The campaign promotes the importance of recycling to protect the…
Read more

Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Why do you think scientists study animals that lived a very long time ago? How would you feel if scientists discovered a living dinosaur today? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. debate /dih-BEYT/ [verb] – to discuss a topic where people have different opinions Students debated if online learning is better than studying in a classroom. impact /IM-pakt/ [noun] – the strong effect or result of one thing hitting or affecting another The storm had a big impact on the city’s power supply. mineral /MIN-er-uhl/ [noun] – a natural substance found…
Read more

©(Fredrik Sandberg/TT News Agency via AP) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What kind of global problems do you think scientists are trying to solve today? If you could invent something to help the Earth, what would it be? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. chemistry /KEM-uh-stree/ [noun] – the science that studies substances and how they change when mixed or combined She wants to study chemistry in college to become a scientist. structure /STRUHK-cher/ [noun] – something that has been built or arranged in a particular way Many modern structures are made of glass and steel….
Read more

©(AP Photo/Shelby Lum) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think helps plants grow well? If you could grow any giant fruit or vegetable, what would you choose and why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. fertilizer /FUR-tl-ahy-zer/ [noun] – a substance added to soil to help plants grow The farmer used organic fertilizer to help his tomatoes grow bigger. compete /kuhm-PEET/ [verb] – to try to win or be better than others Students compete in a science contest to show their projects. nutrient /NOO-tree-uhnt/ [noun] – a substance in food or soil that helps…
Read more

Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What comes to your mind when you think about space? If you could visit a moon or planet, what would you like to see there? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. molecule /MOL-uh-kyool/ [noun] – the smallest unit of a substance made up of two or more atoms joined together Scientists studied water molecules in the laboratory to understand their behavior. ring /ring/ [noun] – a circular band of dust, ice, or rock that moves around a planet Astronomers observed the bright rings of Saturn through a telescope. subsurface /suhb-SUR-fuhs/ [adjective]…
Read more