Tag Archive: Science & Technology – Intermediate

Giant pumpkin in New York highlights human ingenuity in horticulture

Giant Pumpkin

©(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…
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Scientists detect new organic molecules on Saturn’s moon Enceladus

Saturn

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]…
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Study reveals ancient carvings dating back 12,000 years

rock carving

©(Maria Guagnin/Sahout Rock Art and Archaeology Project via AP) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. If you could visit one ancient place in the world, where would you like to go and why? What animals from today do you think people would carve into rock to show future generations? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. artwork /AHRT-wurk/ [noun] – a painting, drawing, sculpture, or other piece made by an artist The museum displayed an artwork of a famous king from the 15th century. ancestor /AN-ses-ter/ [noun] – a person, animal, or plant from the past that modern…
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Cyberattack disrupts European airports, causes major flight cancellations

cyberattack

©(Carsten Koall/dpa via AP) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you think people feel when their travel plans suddenly change? What would you do if you had to wait many hours before a trip? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. disrupt /dis-RUHPT/ [verb] – to interrupt or stop the normal progress of something Heavy rain disrupted train services across the country, causing long delays. update /UHP-deyt/ [noun] – the newest version of information, software, or a system The company released an update to fix problems in the mobile app. operational /op-uh-REY-shuh-nl/ [adjective] – working and…
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NASA introduces new astronaut class with more women than men for first time

Cris-News (31)

©NASA via AP Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever read or heard about astronauts before? If so, what do you know about them? If not, what would you like to know? Do you know any country that sends people into space? If so, what did you hear about their space program? If not, which country do you think will go in the future? 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 museum has a noteworthy collection of ancient tools. indispensable /in-di-SPEN-suh-buhl/ [adjective] –…
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New dinosaur species brings fresh insight into prehistoric predators

Dino

©(Marcelo Luna via AP) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What comes to your mind when you hear the word “fossil”? If you could travel back to the time of dinosaurs, what would you want to see or do? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. prehistoric /pree-hi-STAWR-ik/ [adjective] – from the time before written history The museum displayed prehistoric tools used by early humans. carnivorous /kahr-NIV-er-uhs/ [adjective] – relating to a person, animal, or other living thing that eats meat Lions are carnivorous animals that hunt other animals for food. claw /klaw/ [noun] – one of the…
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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 Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever seen a painting with very bright colors? If so, what colors stood out? If not, what colors do you like in art? Do you know any famous artist from your country or from another country? If so, what do you know about their work? If not, who 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] – important or interesting enough to be noticed The museum displayed a noteworthy piece that attracted many visitors. deliberate /dih-LIB-er-it/ [adjective] –…
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Amber discovery in Ecuador provides first South American insect fossils

insect

©(Mónica Solórzano-Kraemer via AP) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. If you could go back in time to see an ancient forest, what would you expect to find there? How do you imagine the world looked in the time of the dinosaurs? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. deposit /dih-POZ-it/ [noun] – a natural layer where minerals, fossils, or other materials have collected in the ground Scientists studied salt deposits formed millions of years ago under the sea. absence /AB-suhns/ [noun] – the state of not being present or not existing The absence of animals in the…
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Oldest known mummies, dating back 12,000 years, unearthed across Southeast Asia

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©Hirofumi Matsumura via AP Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever read about ancient burial practices in history? If so, what did you learn? If not, what do you want to know? Do you know any traditions in your country that honor ancestors? If so, how are they practiced? If not, what tradition interests you? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. sustained /suh-STEYND/ [adjective] – continuing for a long time. The country enjoyed a sustained period of peace. preserved /pri-ZURVD/ [adjective] – kept something in its original state or prevented it from being damaged The…
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Study reveals octopus arm usage in the wild

Octopus

Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What sea animals do you find interesting? Why? If you had more than two arms or legs, what would you do with them? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. preference /PREF-er-uhns/ [noun] – a stronger liking for one choice over another The survey showed a preference for online classes among high school students. den /den/ [noun] – the hidden homes of wild animals Wolves usually live together in dens during the cold winter months. contribution /kon-truh-BYOO-shuhn/ [noun] – something given, added, or done to help a result or cause The company…
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