Tag Archive: Science & Technology – Intermediate

©(Blue Origin via AP) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What comes to mind when you think about traveling to space? If you could float without gravity for a short time, what would you like to do? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. spaceflight /SPEYS-flahyt/ [noun] – a journey into outer space The country planned a spaceflight to test new technology. suborbital /suhb-AWR-bi-tl/ [adjective] – related to a flight that goes into space but does not go around Earth The company tested a suborbital flight for research purposes. boundary /BOUN-duh-ree/ [noun] – a line that shows where…
Read more

©AP Photo/Abbie Parr Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How is AI used in everyday technology today? Where has AI already become common? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. organized /AWR-guh-nized/ [adjective] – planned in a careful way The company followed an organized launch plan. flexible /FLEK-suh-buhl/ [adjective] – able to change easily Flexible devices support different user needs. priority /pry-OR-i-tee/ [noun] – something most important Safety is a priority at airports. practical /PRAK-ti-kuhl/ [adjective] – useful in real situations Practical solutions save time and money. direction /duh-REK-shuhn/ [noun] – way something is developing The project changed…
Read more

©(AP Photo/Mark Baker) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. When you hear the word “Antarctica,” what images or feelings come to mind? How do you think animals survive in places with very cold weather? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. rapid /RAP-id/ [adjective] – happening very quickly The city experienced rapid population growth after new factories opened. glacier /GLEY-sher/ [noun] – a large, slow-moving mass of ice The glacier moved slowly down the mountain over many years. impact /IM-pakt/ [noun] – a strong effect or influence The new law had a major impact on public transportation. reduction…
Read more

©AP Photo/Jorge Saenz, File Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What science projects have been discussed in your school or community? How did people learn about their importance? What development plans have caused concern in your area? What were the main reasons for the concern? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. interrupt /in-ter-UHPT/ [verb] – to stop something for a short time Noise from the street can interrupt a lesson. weaken /WEE-kuhn/ [verb] – to make something less strong Heavy rain can weaken the signal of a radio. reduce /ri-DOOS/ [verb] – to make something smaller or…
Read more

©NASA/LASP/CU Boulder via AP Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What news has been heard about Mars missions? What details were memorable? What space communication issues have been discussed before? Why were they important? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. intractable /in-TRAK-tuh-bul/ [adjective] – very difficult or impossible to deal with The team faced an intractable problem during the mission review. obfuscate /OB-fuh-skayt/ [verb] – to make something less clear The missing data started to obfuscate the team’s analysis. recalibrate /ree-KAL-uh-brayt/ [verb] – to change or correct something so it works well again NASA needed to recalibrate…
Read more

©AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What major scientific discoveries about DNA have been widely reported? How did these reports influence public interest? What controversies involving scientists have appeared in news before? How did those cases shape public reactions? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. convergence /noun/ [kuhn-VUR-juhns] – the coming together of ideas, data, or conditions The convergence of studies helped confirm the results. precipitate /pri-SIP-uh-tayt/ [verb] – to cause something to happen suddenly or prematurely. His remarks helped precipitate a debate in the community. recontextualize /ree-kon-TEKS-tyoo-uh-lize/ [verb] – to place something…
Read more

Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What diseases involving the immune system are commonly discussed in news reports? What procedures are typically used to diagnose long-term illnesses? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. intractable /in-TRAK-tuh-buhl/ [adjective] – very difficult or impossible to deal with The city faced an intractable problem with traffic. heterogeneous /het-uh-roh-JEE-nee-uhs/ [adjective] – consisting of many different types The group was heterogeneous in skills. precursor /PREE-kur-ser/ [noun] – something that comes before another thing Dark clouds are a precursor to rain. ameliorate /uh-MEEL-yuh-reyt/ [verb] – to make a bad situation better New rules helped…
Read more

©Tamara Thomsen/Wisconsin Historical Society via AP Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What ancient transportation systems have been discovered in your country? What objects are usually found in archaeological water sites? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. preeminent /pree-EM-uh-nuhnt/ [adjective] – more important or better than others The museum holds a preeminent place in the city. recontextualize /ree-kuhn-TECKS-chuh-wuh-lighz/ [verb] – to place something in a new context Scholars recontextualize old records for modern study. perpetuity /pur-pi-TOO-i-tee/ [noun] – lasting forever The law remains in effect for perpetuity. irrevocable /ih-REV-uh-kuh-buhl/ [adjective] – impossible to change The team made…
Read more

©AP Photo/Rick Bownmer, File Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What events in your community encourage people to help others? What traditions related to gratitude exist in your culture? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. resonance /REZ-uh-nuhns/ [noun] – a lasting effect or emotional impact The festival created emotional resonance for many families. propensity /proh-PEN-suh-tee/ [noun] – a natural tendency to behave in a particular way Many groups show a propensity to help during crises. salient /al-troo-IS-tik/ [adjective] – showing concern for helping others Volunteers often act for altruistic reasons. convergence /kuhn-VUR-juhns/ [noun] – two or more…
Read more