Tag Archive: science & technology – intermediate

Robotaxi competition grows as Waymo launches service in Atlanta

Waymo

©(AP Photo/Terry Chea, File) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you usually use to get around your city? What do you think is important for a car to be safe? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. partnership /PAHRT-ner-ship/ [noun] – a relationship between people or groups who work together to reach a goal The company formed a partnership with a software firm to improve its online service. driverless /DRAHY-ver-lis/ [adjective] – able to move or work without a human driver The airport is testing driverless buses to move people between terminals. expansion /ik-SPAN-shuhn/ [noun] –…
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GPS pet trackers gain popularity in urban areas amid rising concerns over lost animals

GPS

©(AP Photo/Kelvin Chan) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever lost something important? What did you do to find it? What do you think would be the hardest part about losing a pet? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. signal /SIG-nl/ [noun] – a message or information sent using sound, light, radio waves, or other methods The TV stopped working because the satellite signal was too weak. widely /WAHYD-lee/ [adverb] – to a large degree or in many places The internet is widely used for education and work. function /FUHNGK-shuhn/ [verb] – to work or…
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Scientists confirm 4.16-billion-year-old rocks in Quebec

Brix-News (32)

©Jonathan O’Neil via AP Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever read or watched something about very old rocks? If so, what did you learn? If not, would you like to know more? Do you know any places in the world where scientists study old rocks? If so, which places? If not, where do you think they study them? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. influence /IN-floo-uhns/ [verb] – to affect or change how someone or something develops, behaves, or thinks A teacher can influence students by being kind and helpful. respect /ri-SPEKT/ [noun] –…
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Vera C. Rubin Observatory unveils first space images with record-breaking camera in Chile

Brix-News (30)

©NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory via AP Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever seen pictures of space objects, like stars or planets? If so, which one surprised you the most? If not, where do you think you could find them? Do you know anything about telescopes or space cameras? If so, what do you know? If not, what do you think they are used for? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. distinct /dih-STINGKT/ [adjective] – clearly different or separate The two birds have distinct colors. identify /ahy-DEN-tuh-fahy/ [verb] – to recognize someone or something…
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Ancient humans adapted early to harsh environments, new study finds

harsh environment

©(AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam, Jerome Delay, Matthew Craft) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What kind of place do you think is difficult to live in? Why? Imagine you are the first person to live in a new land. What three things would you take with you? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. examine /ig-ZAM-in/ [verb] – to look at something carefully to learn more about it Scientists examined the animal bones to learn about its diet. migrate /MAHY-greyt/ [verb] – to move from one place to another, usually to live or find better conditions People…
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The US to build $8.5 million fly-breeding facility in Texas to combat screwworm threat near Mexico border

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©USDA Agricultural Research Service via AP Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you heard of insects that harm farm animals? If so, what do they do? If not, what do you think they might do? Have you learned about how science helps stop harmful insects? If so, what methods do you know? If not, what methods do you think could help? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. contamination /kuhn-tam-uh-NEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the process of making something dirty or harmful by adding something dangerous or unwanted The water had contamination, so people could not drink it. efficient…
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Australian moths use stars to navigate long distances, study finds

moth

©(Ajay Narendra via AP) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you think people would travel if they could not use maps or GPS? Do you think small creatures like insects can teach us big lessons? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. life cycle /lahyf SAHY-kuhl/ [noun] – the stages an animal or plant goes through from birth to death The butterfly’s life cycle includes the egg, caterpillar, pupa, and adult stages. long-distance /LAWNG-DIS-tuhns/ [adjective] – covering a large area or going far away Many birds take long-distance flights during winter to…
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Study finds 22% drop in emperor penguin populations linked to sea ice loss

emperor penguin

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think it would be like to live in a very cold place like Antarctica? How do you think animals stay safe or warm in the snow? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. decline /dih-KLAHYN/ [noun] – a gradual decrease in number, amount, or quality There was a sharp decline in student attendance during the rainy season. breed /breed/ [verb] – to produce young animals or offspring Many birds breed in the spring when the weather is warmer. estimate /ES-tuh-meyt/ [verb] – to make a guess about the size,…
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Spiral pattern in Oort Cloud discovered through planetarium project

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©American Museum of Natural History via AP Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever been to a planetarium? If so, what did you enjoy most about it? If not, would you like to go? Why or why not? Do you know what people can see in a planetarium? If so, what have you learned from it? If not, what do you think you might learn? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. phenomenon /fi-NOM-uh-non/ [noun] – something that exists or happens, especially something unusual or interesting A rainbow is a natural phenomenon that appears after rain….
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Dehorning leads to significant drop in rhino poaching, study finds

rhinoceros

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. If you could create a safe place for animals, what would it look like? What do you think animals need to live a safe and happy life? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. illegal /ih-LEE-guhl/ [adjective] – not allowed by law The store was closed for selling illegal products. long-term /LAWNG-turm/ [adjective] – continuing or lasting for a long period of time Saving money is a long-term goal for many families. poacher /POH-cher/ [noun] – someone who catches and kills animals illegally The rangers arrested several poachers in the national park….
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