Tag Archive: Science & Technology – Intermediate

McDonald’s reports strong Q4 growth driven by promotions and lower prices

Brix-News (7)

©AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do discounts influence restaurant choices? Why? Do seasonal promotions affect shopping habits? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. confidence /KON-fi-duhns/ [noun] – the feeling of trust or belief in something Discounts helped build confidence in the brand. reduce /ri-DOOS/ [verb] – to make something smaller or less Cold weather may reduce restaurant visits. expand /ik-SPAND/ [verb] – to increase the size or range of something The brand plans to expand its drink menu. growth /grohth/ [noun] – an increase in size, number, or importance Sales growth…
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Study finds two-month-old infants can distinguish object categories

Brix-News (6)

©Cusack Lab via AP Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do babies recognize objects early in life? What signs show this? How do scientists study baby brain activity? Why is it difficult? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. reliable /ri-LAHY-uh-buhl/ [adjective] – able to be trusted as accurate The new method provided reliable results for the study. difference /DIF-er-uhn-siz/ [noun] – ways in which things are not the same The scans showed differences in brain activity. challenging /CHAL-in-jing/ [adjective] – difficult but interesting The research was challenging because babies moved often. comfortable /KUHM-fer-tuh-buhl/ [adjective] – feeling relaxed…
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Researchers identify oldest known wooden tools at Greek site

oldest wood

©(Katerina Harvati, Dimitris Michailidis via AP) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Why do you think people keep old objects? What kind of tools do you use every day? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. archaeologist /ahr-kee-OL-uh-jist/ [noun] – a person who studies people from the past by looking at old objects The archaeologist reported a new discovery at the desert site. ancient /EYN-shuhnt/ [adjective] – very old and from a long time ago The city is famous for its ancient buildings. artifact /AHR-tuh-fakt/ [noun] – an object made by people in the past The museum displayed…
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Study suggests apes possess the ability to imagine

APE

Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you imagine when you think about apes? Do you think imagination is only for stories and games, or can it be useful in real life? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. captive /KAP-tiv/ [adjective] – kept under control and not free to leave The captive animal stayed in a protected area for medical care. indicate /IN-di-keyt/ [verb] – to show or point out something clearly Signs on the road indicate the correct direction. pour /pawr/ [verb] – to cause a liquid to flow from one container to another…
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James Webb Telescope Map reveals unprecedented dark matter structure across billions of years

Cris-News

©NASA via AP Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do telescopes help scientists study? What examples can be given? Why do scientists explore space? What benefits can be mentioned? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. improve /im-PROOV/ [verb] – to make something better New data helped improve space research results. major /MEY-jer/ [adjective] – very important or serious The project is a major step in astronomy. process /PROS-es/ [noun] – a series of actions to achieve something The process involves studying light patterns. observe /uhb-ZURV/ [verb] – to watch carefully Scientists observe galaxies using telescopes. measure…
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NASA moon rocket test disrupted by hydrogen fuel leaks

Brix-News (3)

©Sam Lott/NASA via AP Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is a rocket fueling test? Why is it done before launch? What dangers can fuel leaks cause? How can engineers reduce these risks? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. concern /kuhn-SERNS/ [noun] – worries or problems Safety concerns delayed the test schedule. process /PRAH-ses/ [noun] – series of actions Fueling is a slow process. procedure /pruh-SEE-jerz/ [noun] – official methods New procedures improved safety. importance /im-POR-tns/ [noun] – value or significance The test showed the importance of preparation. critical /KRIT-i-kuhl/ [adjective] – extremely important The test…
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Rhode Island officials rescue exotic tegu lizard found buried in snow during cold spell

Brix-News (2)

©New England Wildlife Center via AP Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What animals are seen near your home in Winter? What should be done when an animal looks sick or hurt? Who should be called? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. uncommon /uhn-KOM-uhn/ [adjective] – not usual or often seen Uncommon animal sightings increase during extreme weather. concern /kuhn-SURN/ [noun] – a feeling of worry about a problem Officials shared concern about exotic pet releases. damage /DAM-ij/ [noun] – physical harm or injury Cold weather caused damage to the lizard’s body. monitoring /MON-i-ter-ing/ [noun] – careful…
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Sprout signals a shift toward friendly social robots

humanoid

©(AP Photo/Seth Wenig) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. When you hear the word “robot,” what kind of robot do you imagine? Would you feel comfortable having a robot in your home or school? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. humanoid /HYOO-muh-noid/ [adjective] – having a shape or form similar to a human The game featured a humanoid character with arms and legs. padded /PAD-id/ [adjective] – covered with soft material for protection or comfort The chair had a padded seat for long meetings. adjustable /uh-JUHS-tuh-buhl/ [adjective] – able to be changed to…
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Sleep-tracking devices see widespread use in 2025 as experts urge careful interpretation

Brix-News

Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you used a device to track sleep? What did you notice about your sleep? Do people trust health apps? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. estimate /ES-tuh-meyt/ [verb] – to roughly calculate an amount The device estimates sleep duration. confidence /KON-fi-duhns/ [noun] – trust in something Users show confidence in trackers. limitation /lim-i-TAY-shuhn/ [noun] – a restriction or weakness Accuracy is a major limitation. anxious /ANGK-shuhs/ [adjective] – feeling worried or nervous Some users feel anxious about scores. valuable /VAL-yuh-uh-buhl/ [adjective] – useful or important The…
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Scientists find naturally mummified cheetah remains in Saudi Arabia

Cheetah Mummified

©(Ahmed Boug/Communications Earth and Environment via AP) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. When you hear about animals from the past, what kinds of places do you imagine they lived in? Why do you think people are interested in learning about animals that lived hundreds of years ago? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. remain /ri-MEYN/ [noun] – what is left of something after it has ended or been destroyed Scientists studied the remains of an ancient tool found near the river. preserve /pri-ZURV/ [verb] – to keep something in its original condition The museum works hard…
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