Tag Archive: science & technology – intermediate

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

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© 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…
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Black hole: A celestial body near us

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

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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…
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Eleven essential apps when in Japan

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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…
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Musicians hold free shows online to beat COVID-19

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

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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…
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Life formed on asteroid crater, according to research

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Pre-reading questions: What is your opinion about life on other planets? Do you think people on Earth could survive on other planets? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: asteroid /AS-tuh-roid/ [noun] one of many large rocks that circle the sun Scientists support the theory that an asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs. project /pruh-JEKT/ [verb] to throw something forward or into the air The spaceship projected outer space has now landed on Mars. mile /mahyl/ [noun] a unit of distance equal to 1.6 kilometers According to her, the nearest mall is about 3 miles from here. unearth /uhn-URTH/ [verb] to find something by digging in the ground The students used some tools…
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Researchers discover new Pterosaurs species

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Pre-reading questions: Are you fond of watching dinosaur movies? Please explain your answer. Do you like reading about ancient animal discoveries? Why or why not? Vocabulary: creature /KREE-cher/ [noun] used to refer to a life form that is unusual or imaginary This book has mentioned many mythical creatures. skill /skil/ [noun] a special ability to do something She has improved her cooking skills recently. justify /JUHS-tuh-fahy/ [verb] to show that something is reasonable, right, or true There’s nothing he can say to justify his actions. diverse /DAHY-vurs/ [adjective] varied or different Brazilian cuisine is extremely diverse, owing to the culturally mixed history of the country. ancient /EYN-shuhnt/ [noun] of or…
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China implements face scans for phone users

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Pre-reading questions: Do you always use your mobile phone? What do you think is the purpose of using mobile phones? Vocabulary: tighten /TAHYT-n/ [verb] to make a rule, system, or law stronger and more difficult to ignore Philippine Airlines tightened its security after the incident that happened last month. create /kree-EYT/ [verb] to make something new, or invent something The artist decided to create a unique hat for farmers made out of fruit gourd. implement /IM-pluh-ment/ [verb] to start using a plan or system The school had been slow to implement the new set of rules and regulations. advise /ad-VAYZ/ [verb] to give someone useful information, or to tell them…
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NASA’s InSight mission records astonishing sounds on the red planet

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Pre-reading questions: Do you know anything about Mars? Elaborate your answer. Do you consider it as the second Earth? Why or why not? Vocabulary: bizarre /bih-ZAHR/ [adjective] very strange and unusual Everyone stared at the student who wore a bizarre outfit to school. observe /uhb-ZURV/ [verb] to watch carefully the way something happens or the way someone does something Drivers must observe the traffic rules. intention /in-TEN-shuhn/ [noun] something that you want and plan to do Tom had no intention of helping Jessica. surface /SUR-fis/ [noun] the outer or top part or layer of something Three-fourths of the earth’s surface is water. landscape /LAND-skeyp/ [noun] a large area of countryside,…
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