Tag Archive: science & technology – intermediate

The US to build $8.5 million fly-breeding facility in Texas to combat screwworm threat near Mexico border

Brix-News (25)

©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

Brix-News (24)

©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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Mudslide hits Swiss village after glacier collapse

Brix-News (23)

©Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever seen pictures of a glacier? If so, what did it look like? If not, where can you see one? Do you know what happens when a lot of ice melts quickly? If so, what do you think causes it? If not, what do you think might happen? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. serious /SEE-ee-uhs/ [adjective] – bad or dangerous enough to cause worry The road is closed because of a serious car crash. immediate /ih-MEE-dee-it/ [adjective] – happening or done without waiting The…
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Experts predict more years of record heat and dangerous weather

Brix-News (22)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have hot summers made daily life hard in your town? If so, what problems did it cause? If not, why do you think it did not? Have you ever heard about climate change on the news or in school? If so, what did you learn? If not, would you like to learn more? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. dangerous /DEYN-jer-uhs/ [adjective] – a dangerous person, animal, thing, or activity could harm someone Driving in heavy rain is very dangerous. critical /KRIT-i-kuhl/ [adjective] – very important for the way things will…
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Ancient DNA reveals unknown hunter-gatherer group in Colombia

Colombia

©(William Usaquen, Andrea Casas-Vargas via AP) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you think people traveled from one place to another a long time ago? If you could travel back in time, what question would you ask an ancient person? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. plateau /pla-TOH/ [noun] – a large flat area of land that is high above sea level The animals live on the high plateaus in the mountains. discovery /dih-SKUHV-uh-ree/ [noun] – something that is found for the first time The discovery of a new plant was very exciting for the…
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Avocado demand grows despite farm challenges in California

Brix-News (21)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever seen a wildfire on TV or in real life? If so, what did you feel when you saw it? If not, what do you think it looks like? Do you know what an avocado tree looks like or where avocados grow? If so, where did you learn about it? If not, would you like to see one? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. destroy /dih-STROI/ [verb] – to damage something so badly that it no longer exists or cannot be used The strong wind destroyed the small shop…
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Dermatologists recommend sunscreen for all skin types

skin

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you usually do to protect your skin on a sunny day? If something is done, what is it? If not, why not? Have you ever used sunscreen before going outside? If so, when and why? If not, what do you use instead? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. sunscreen /SUHN-skreen/ [noun] – a substance that you put on your skin to protect it from the sun I use sunscreen when I go to the beach. detect /dih-TEKT/ [verb] – to notice something that is not easy to see, hear,…
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