Tag Archive: science & technology – intermediate

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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Planet orbiting a “white dwarf” star potentially supports life

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you believe that there is life on other planets? Please elaborate on your answer. Could you give three reasons why Earth is habitable? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. capable /KEY-puh-buhl/ [adjective] – having the ability, power, or qualities to be able to do something I believe your idea is capable to be enhanced. identify /ahy-DEN-tuh-fahy/ [verb] – to recognize someone or something and say or prove who or what that person or thing is Even a newborn can identify its mother’s voice. initially /ih-NISH-uh-lee/ [adverb] – at the beginning The…
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Auctioneer Sotheby’s sells a rare black diamond for $4.3m

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©REUTERS via BBC Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What have you discovered recently? (music, book, product) Please share something about it. Have you been to a planetarium? If not, would you like to visit one? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. theory /THEE-uh-ree/ [noun] – a formal statement of the rules on which a subject of study is based or of ideas that are suggested to explain a fact or event or, more generally, an opinion or explanation Today, we learned about Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. origin /AWR-i-jin/ [noun] – the beginning or cause of…
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Apple users can now use Face ID with a mask

Apple will let you use Face ID with a mask in the next iOS update

©Chaim Gartenberg/The Verge Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What security features does your phone offer? Do you trust a face recognition feature? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. buff /buhf/ [noun] – a person who knows a lot about and is very interested in a particular subject John is a huge jazz buff. function /FUHNGK-shuhn/ [noun] – a process that a computer or a computer program uses to complete a task Just enable this send-to-all function to deliver several e-mails by batch. vital /VAHYT-l/ [adjective] – absolutely necessary or important; essential Hard…
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Rare twin baby elephants in Kenya fight for survival

Rare twin baby elephants in Kenya fights for survival

©Jane Wynyard/Save The Elephants (STE) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your favorite animal and why? What animal represents your country’s culture? Please share something about it. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. reserve /ri-ZURV/ [noun] – an area of land kept in its natural state, especially for wild animals to live in and be protected Corbett National Park is one of India’s famous wildlife reserves. conservation /kon-ser-VEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the protection of plants and animals, natural areas, and interesting and important structures and buildings, especially from the damaging effects of human activity Energy conservation…
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NASA: A Belfast mathematician is pursuing her goal of becoming an astronaut

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Did you dream to become an astronaut before? Why or why not? What fascinates you about space? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. investigate /in-VES-ti-geyt/ [verb] – to examine a crime, problem, statement, etc. carefully, especially to discover the truth Of course, we’re investigating how such an error could have occurred. remote /ri-MOHT/ [adjective] – far away in distance Australia is huge and remote from the world’s major population centers. county /KOUN-tee/ [noun] – the largest political division of most states in the US Texas is divided into 254 counties. solar…
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Wordle is the internet’s newest fan-favorite game

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©Josh Wardle via powerlanguage Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you usually spend your free time? How often do you play internet games? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. clue /kloo/ [noun] – a sign or some information that helps you to find the answer to a problem, question, or mystery I need to study the clues to solve this puzzle. obsession /uhb-SESH-uhn/ [noun] – something or someone that you think about all the time Elle has a chocolate obsession. invention /in-VEN-shuhn/ [noun] – something that has never been made before, or the process of…
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Honey is a superfood for insects

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you put honey in your tea? Why or why not? What are the health benefits of honey? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. functional /FUHNGK-shuh-nl/ [adjective] – designed to be practical and useful rather than attractive Our furniture isn’t very expensive, but it is functional. boost /boost/ [verb] – to improve or increase something Eating healthy food boosts the immune system. infection /in-FEK-shuhn/ [noun] – a condition in which bacteria or viruses that cause disease have entered the body To limit the danger of infection, wrap the wound in a…
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Thriving wildlife in deserted areas around Fukushima

Thriving wildlife in deserted areas around Fukushima (1)

©University of Georgia Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What animal best represents your character? Please explain. What particular animals have become famous in your country for some special skill or accomplishment? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. abandoned /uh-BAN-duhnd/ [adjective] – left in a particular place or condition, usually forever The abandoned building is said to be haunted. calamity /kuh-LAM-i-tee/ [noun] – a serious accident or bad event causing damage or suffering That earthquake was the worst calamity in the country’s history. discharge /dis-CHAHRJ/ [verb] – to send out a substance, especially waste liquid or gas…
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