Tag Archive: science & technology – intermediate

Should we be concerned about the Earth’s rotational speed?

earth-1994069_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How many hours is one Earth rotation? What Earth’s discovery have you known recently? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. contribute /kuhn-TRIB-yoot/ [verb] – to be one of the reasons why something happens I am sure that this meeting will contribute to the reinforcement of peace and security all over the world. occur /uh-KUR/ [verb] – (especially of accidents and other unexpected events) to happen If the primary infection is not treated, further outbreaks may occur. massive /MAS-iv/ [adjective] – very large in size, amount, or number We must make massive…
Read more

How airlines will prevent you from losing your bags in the future

luggage-933487_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you traveled abroad? Please tell me about it. What problems have you encountered while traveling? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. delayed /dih-LEYD/ [adjective] – happening at a later time than expected or intended My plane was delayed by an hour. primary /PRAHY-mer-ee/ [adjective] – more important than anything else; main Our primary concern is to provide the refugees with food and healthcare. management /MAN-ij-muhnt/ [noun] – the control and organization of something Management is looking at ways of cutting costs. aspect /AS-pekt/ [noun] – one part of a situation,…
Read more

How to keep your home cool on a warming planet

man-1866784_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How is the weather today in your place? How often do you use air conditioning? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. recent /REE-suhnt/ [adjective] – happening or starting from a short time ago Weather patterns have changed in recent years. climate /KLAHY-mit/ [noun] – the general weather conditions usually found in a particular place I adapted quickly to the new climate. contribute /kuhn-TRIB-yoot / [verb] – to be one of the reasons why something happens Does smoking contribute to air pollution? architecture /AHR-ki-tek-cher/ [noun] – the art and practice of designing…
Read more

Covid is found in both cats and dogs, according to a study

dog-2606759_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you have a pet? Tell me more about it. What do you usually do when a pet is sick? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. residence /REZ-i-duhns/ [noun] – a home They were hoping to turn a children’s home into a residence for adolescent girls. infection /in-FEK-shuhn/ [noun] – a disease in a part of your body that is caused by bacteria or a virus The immune system is our body’s shield against infection. detect /dih-TEKT/ [verb] – to notice something that is partly hidden or not clear, or to…
Read more

Sky pods, the solution to traffic congestion?

210628164519-02-usky-travel-pods-sharjah-uae-exlarge-169

©uSky Transport Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Which city in your country has the worst traffic? What public transportation do you use daily? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. severe /suh-VEER/ [adjective] – causing very great pain, difficulty, worry, damage, etc.; very serious The car suffered severe damage from the accident. phase /feyz/ [noun] – any stage in a series of events or in a process of development The college student is in a difficult phase of his life. interior /in-TEER-er-er/ [noun] – the inside part of something I was surprised by the colorful interior of…
Read more

Scientists test giant laser to control lightning

laser

©University of Geneva via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do lightning strikes often happen in your area? Please share some instances. When is the rainy season in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. position /puh-ZISH-uhn/ [verb] – to put something or someone in a particular place They positioned themselves by the window to see the sunset better. zone /zohn/ [noun] – an area, especially one that is different from the areas around it because it has different characteristics or is used for different purposes Is this a no-parking zone? harm /hahrm/ [verb] –…
Read more

Ocado seeks to remove the human element from grocery shopping

210504142717-02b-ocado-supermarket-robot-warehouse-spc-intl-exlarge-169

©CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is the biggest robotic company in Japan? Tell me more about it. Do you like the idea of using robots at home? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. objective /uhb-JEK-tiv/ [noun] – something that you plan to do or achieve Our main objective is to improve the company’s productivity. initially /ih-NISH-uh-lee/ [adverb] – at the beginning His illness was initially diagnosed as food poisoning. beneath /bih-NEETH/ [preposition] – in or to a lower position than someone or something, under someone or something The dog was beneath the table….
Read more

Being a morning lark protects you from depression, study says

break-4491221_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How many hours did you sleep last night? What time do you usually sleep at night? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. exhausted /ig-ZAWS-tid/ [adjective] – extremely tired The troops were exhausted after months of war. cycle /SAHY-kuhl/ [noun] – a group of events that happen in a particular order, one following the other, and are often repeated To complete the cycle, this element is necessary. pattern /PAT-ern/ [noun] – a particular way in which something is done, is organized, or happens The pattern of family life has been changing over…
Read more

Hiding ‘Like’ counts on your Facebook and Instagram posts is now within reach

Hiding 'Like' counts on your Facebook and Instagram posts is now within reach

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Which between Facebook and Instagram do you use more often? How many friends/followers do you have on Facebook/Instagram? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. feed /feed/ [noun] – a web page, screen, etc. that updates often to show the latest information I deleted some of my old posts on my Instagram feed. crisis /KRAHY-sis/ [noun] – an extremely dangerous or difficult situation The country is experiencing an economic crisis due to the virus. escalate /ES-kuh-leyt/ [verb] – to become or make something become greater or more serious The conflict escalated more…
Read more

Global online shutdowns hit major businesses

online

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What transactions do you do online? How often do you use online services? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. firm /furm/ [noun] – a company or business We submitted the contract to an engineering firm. timing /TAHY-ming/ [noun] – the time when something happens The stormy weather has such bad timing. We were supposed to go on a picnic today. external /ik-STUR-nl/ [adjective] – of, on, for, or coming from the outside External factors such as noises can make anyone lose focus on their work. connectivity /kon-ek-TIV-i-tee/ [noun] – the ability…
Read more