Tag Archive: science & technology – intermediate

The UK IPO announces that AI has no legal rights

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your opinion about technologies that can learn and decide on their own? If a computer can do what humans can, should it have the same rights as a living person? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. invention /in-VEN-shuhn/ [noun] – something that has never been made before, or the process of creating something that has never been made before The world changed rapidly after the invention of the phone. expert /EK-spurt/ [noun] – a person with a high level of knowledge or skill relating to…
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Scientists suggest lab-grown meat and insects “good for planet and health”

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Based on your prior knowledge, what do you think are the advantages of lab-grown meat? Please explain your answer. How will producing lab-grown meat affect climate change? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. consume /kuhn-SOOM/ [verb] – to eat or drink, especially a lot of something He consumes bread with every meal. willingness /WIL-ing-nis/ [noun] – the quality of being happy to do something if it is needed She shows a willingness to work independently. adjust /uh-JUHST/ [verb] – to change something slightly, especially to make it more correct, effective, or…
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Man-made diamond sales rise

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©Charles and Colvard via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you see jewelry ads? Is gifting jewelry common in your country? Would you like to receive a piece of jewelry on your birthday? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. environmental /en-vahy-ruhn-MUHN-tl/ [adjective] – relating to the environment The college students are working on an environmental project. generation /jen-uh-REY-shuhn/ [noun] – all the people of about the same age within a society The new generation is aware of our society’s issues. purchase /PUR-chuhs/ [noun] – something that you buy This umbrella is the best…
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Japanese researchers create electric chopsticks to boost salty tastes

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©Issei kato via Reuters Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you eat salty food? Do you use metal chopsticks? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. heighten /HAHYT-n/ [verb] – to increase or make something increase, especially an emotion or effect TV commercials heightened the interest in food products. sense /sens/ [noun] – an ability to understand, recognize, value, or react to something, especially any of the five physical abilities to see, hear, smell, taste, and feel Mina lost her sense of smell after catching a cold. intake /IN-teyk/ [noun] –…
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Google plans to spend $9.5 billion to expand offices

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you find Google useful? Why or why not? Aside from Google, what are other popular search engines in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. invest /in-VEST/ [verb] – to put money, effort, time, etc. into something to make a profit or get an advantage He invested $1.5 million in a milk tea franchise. campus /KAM-puhs/ [noun] – the buildings of a college or university, or of a large organization, and the land that surrounds them Anna visited several college campuses today. community /kuh-MYOO-ni-tee/ [noun] – the people living…
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Medication matching to DNA is part of the new era of medicine

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you believe that there will be an easier way to treat illnesses in the future? Why? Why should treatments should be developed? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. major /MEY-jer/ [adjective] – more important, bigger, or more serious than others of the same type Recently, there has been a major shift in attitudes. drug /druhg/ [noun] – any natural or artificially made chemical that is used as a medicine For his condition, he takes a variety of drugs. claim /kleym/ [verb] – to say that something is true or is…
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An anonymous person returns the stolen Charles Darwin notebooks

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©Cambridge University Library via BBC Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you keep a diary? Why or why not? What happened recently that made you happy? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. priceless /PRAHYS-lis/ [adjective] – A priceless object has such a high value, especially because it is rare, that the price of it cannot be calculated My grandfather’s painting is priceless. sense /sens/ [noun] – an ability to understand, recognize, value, or react to something, especially any of the five physical abilities to see, hear, smell, taste, and feel She felt a sense of happiness…
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Blind people will be able to see thanks to bionic eye technology

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you wear eyeglasses? Why or why not? What technology is very useful nowadays? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. vision /VIZH-uhn/ [noun] – the ability to see Her left eye has very limited vision. artificial /ahr-tuh-FISH-uhl/ [adjective] – made by people, often as a copy of something natural Her bouquet was comprised entirely of artificial flowers. retina /RET-n-uh/ [noun] – the area at the back of the eye that receives light and sends pictures of what the eye sees to the brain This is an incurable condition of the…
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Scientist discovers rainbow-colored fish in the Maldives

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©Yi-Kai Tea via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Which aquatic animal do you find the most interesting? Why? Do you read scientific magazines? If not, would you like to read one in the future? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. involvement /in-VOLV-ment/ [noun] – the act or process of taking part in A student’s involvement in volunteer programs is very important. species /SPEE-sheez/ [noun] – a set of animals or plants in which the members have similar characteristics to each other and can breed with each other She studies different species of plants. partnership /PAHRT-ner-ship/…
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Sony and Honda team up to build and sell electric cars

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some popular Sony products in your country right now? How often do you receive car sales brochures/flyers? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. joint /joint/ [adjective] – belonging to or shared between two or more people This is a joint project between the university and the town hall. establish /ih-STAB-lish/ [verb] – to start a company or organization that will continue for a long time They will establish a new organization next year. agreement /uh-GREE-muhnt/ [noun] – a decision or arrangement, often formal and written, between two or more…
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