Tag Archive: science & technology – intermediate

Facebook rolls out newest functionality with Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp

william-hook-9e9PD9blAto-unsplash

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What social media applications do you usually use? How often do you use the internet? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. press /pres/ [noun] – newspapers and magazines, and those parts of television and radio that broadcast news, or reporters and photographers who work for them The press people were quick to get the latest scoop about the superstar’s new dating scandal. fuse /fyooz/ [verb] – (of ideas, cultures, musical styles, etc.) to combine or be combined together The band’s newest song fuses jazz, hip-hop, and electronic styles. function /FUHNGK-shuhn/ [noun]…
Read more

Energy-storing bricks: A new renewable energy potential

200810125524-02-smart-bricks-energy-storage-solution-green-buildings-exlarge-169

© The D’Arcy Laboratory in Washington via CNN Pre-reading questions: How do you save energy at home? What types of energy are popular in your country? Vocabulary: expert /EK-spurt/ [noun] — a person with a high level of knowledge or skill relating to a particular subject or activity They claimed that the experts have discovered the vaccine for the novel coronavirus. standard /STAN-derd/ [adjective] — usual rather than special, especially when thought of as being correct or acceptable Could you tell me the standard procedures? strength /strengkth/ [noun] — the ability to do things that need a lot of physical or mental effort The poor animal didn’t even have the…
Read more

Google Doodle reminder: wear masks and save lives

google-doodle

© Google Doodle via independent.co.uk Pre-reading questions: Do you follow social distancing? What sites do you usually visit? Vocabulary: maintain /meyn-TEYN/ [verb] to continue to have; to keep in existence, or not allow to become less Vitamin A helps us to maintain good eyesight. variety /vuh-RAHY-i-tee/ [noun] the characteristic of often changing and being different The milk tea cafe offers a wide variety of flavors. redirect /ree-di-REKT/ [verb] to change the direction of something, especially to send a letter to a new address I think the URL is broken. It won’t redirect me to the website. decrease /dih-KREES/ [verb] to become less, or to make something become less The statistics…
Read more

Pittsburgh International Airport tests UV robot cleaners to fight COVID-19

UV robots

© Photo: Pittsburgh International Airport Pre-reading questions: What electronic devices do you use to clean your house or room? Do you believe that robots were made for a better life? Why or why not? Vocabulary: robot /ROH-buht/ [noun] a machine controlled by a computer that is used to perform jobs automatically Kris said that it was his first time to see a robot, and it was scary. protection /pruh-TEK-shuhn/ [noun] the act of protecting or state of being protected The government agencies will offer better security and protection to keep all the important files safe. potential /puh-TEN-shuhl/ [adjective] the possibility of something developing or happening in a particular way A…
Read more

Black hole: A celestial body near us

black hole

Pre-Reading Questions: Are you interested in learning space explorations? Why or why not? What do you think are black holes? Vocabulary: astonishing /uh-STON-i-shing/ [adjective] very surprising It was the beginning of an astonishing 12-year friendship. creation /kree-EY-shuhn/ [noun] the act of creating something, or the thing that is created She had been with the company since its creation in 1990. identify /ahy-DEN-tuh-fahy/ [verb] to recognize someone or something and say or prove who or what that person or thing is Police will have the pictures enlarged in an attempt to identify the thief. movement /MOOV-muhnt/ [noun]a change of position There will be no movement of cars on the road this…
Read more

Work and safety during the pandemic: What can offices do?

thermal cam2

Pre-Reading Questions: How often do you go inside buildings? Do you think technology can keep us safe? Why or why not? Vocabulary: policy /POL-uh-see/ [noun] a set of ideas or a plan of what to do in particular situations that has been agreed to officially by a group of people When will the new no-smoking policy be implemented? conform /kuhn-FAWRM/ [verb] to obey a rule or reach the necessary stated standard All employees are expected to conform to the company’s rules. arrangement /uh-REYNJ-muhnt/ [noun] a group of objects that have been put in a particular order or position The flower arrangement Hana gave me was beautiful. device /dih-VAHYS/ [noun] an…
Read more

Eleven essential apps when in Japan

Capture1

Pre-Reading Questions: What are the best places to visit in Japan? What country do you want to visit the most? Why? Vocabulary: delicious /dih-LISH-uhs/ [adjective] having a very pleasant taste I really love the delicious cakes they sell! It’s really worth the price. delight /dih-LAHYT/ [noun] great pleasure, satisfaction, or happiness I couldn’t help but express my delight with his great performance. accessibility /ak-SES-uh-buhl-i-tee/ [noun] the fact of being able to be reached or obtained easily The new city Mayor proposed a new project to increase accessibility to the hospitals. timetable /TAHYM-tey-buhl/ [noun] a list of the times when buses, trains, and planes leave and arrive I need to know…
Read more

Musicians hold free shows online to beat COVID-19

News din pic

Pre-reading questions: When do you usually listen to music? What type of music do you listen to? Vocabulary: prohibit /proh-HIB-it/ [verb] to prevent a particular activity The use of mobile phones is prohibited during class. get-together /GET-tuh-geth-er/ [noun] a gathering of people; one or more people meet The school batch ‘91 get-together will be held in the university auditorium. measure /MEZH-er/ [noun] a method for dealing with a situation The World Health Organization (WHO) suggested measures to keep people from getting sick. recital /ri-SAHYT-l/ [noun] a performance of music or poetry, usually given by one person or a small group of people Lisa is nervous for her violin recital. demonstrate…
Read more

Chinese firms are on a mission to put an end to the virus

UV

Pre-reading questions: What do you know about viruses? Please explain your answer. What is ultraviolet (UV) light used for? Vocabulary: implement /IM-pluh-ment/ [verb] to start using a plan or system The company implemented the use of mobile phones at work. convert /kuh n-VURT/ [verb] to (cause something or someone to) change in form or character Through the help and advice of his family, he has converted himself into a better person. lower /LOH-er/ [verb] to move something into a low position He lowered down the volume of the radio so that he could hear the music well. install /in-STAWL/ [verb] to put furniture, a machine, or a piece of equipment into…
Read more