Tag Archive: science & technology – intermediate

Exploring the impact of mobile phones

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Can you imagine living without a mobile phone? Why or why not? In what ways have mobile phones impacted our personal relationships with family and friends? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. barrier /BAR-ee-er/ [noun] – anything used or acting to block someone from going somewhere or from doing something, or to block something from happening Despite facing several language barriers, the international students worked hard to understand their course materials and communicate effectively with their classmates. convenience /kuhn-VEEN-yuhns/ [noun] – the state of being convenient I always choose to book…
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Virtual influencers: The rise of computer-generated celebrities in marketing

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is a virtual influencer? How does it differ from a human influencer? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. virtual /VUR-choo-uhl/ [adjective] – created by computer technology and appearing to exist but not existing in the physical world During the pandemic, most schools have shifted to virtual classes to ensure the safety of their students and faculty. combination /kom-buh-NEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the mixture you get when two or more things are combined The teacher advised her students to review their notes and textbooks because the exam questions would be a combination…
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Seaweed as a sustainable fuel

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What comes to mind when you hear the word “sustainable”? What type of fuel do airplanes use, and how is it different from other fuels? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. extract /ik-STRAKT/ [verb] – to remove or take out something In science class, we learned how to extract DNA from strawberries using a simple home-made solution. convert /kuhn-VURT/ [verb] – to (cause something or someone to) change in form or character I need to convert the measurements from cups to milliliters to follow the recipe correctly. prospect /PROS-pekt/ [noun] –…
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The spacecraft production line for upcoming Moon missions

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Are you fond of watching TV shows, movies, and documentaries about space? Why do you enjoy them? What do you think are the most exciting recent discoveries or developments in the field of space exploration, and why do you find them interesting? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. fascinate /FAS-uh-neyt/ [verb] – to interest someone a lot The intricate patterns of the coral reefs never fail to fascinate marine biologists and researchers.. requirement /ri-KWAHYUHR-muhnt/ [noun] – something that you must do, or something you need To apply for a student visa,…
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Why is vinegar so effective at cleaning?

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you think vinegar is an effective cleaner? How would you describe the smell of vinegar when used for cleaning? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. chore /chawr/ [noun] – a job or piece of work that is often boring or unpleasant but needs to be done regularly I don’t enjoy doing my laundry because it feels like such a chore; it takes a lot of time and effort to sort, wash, and fold all my clothes. dissolve /dih-ZOLV/ [verb] – (of a solid) to be absorbed by a liquid, especially…
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Should you stay away from burned food?

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever burned food while cooking? If so, what was it, and how did you handle the situation? Do you think burning food is a common problem? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. shed light on (something) /shed lahyt on/ [idiom] – to help to explain a situation The professor’s presentation helped shed light on the topic and clarified some of the confusing aspects that we didn’t understand before. chemical /KEM-i-kuhl/ [noun] – any basic substance that is used in or produced by a reaction involving…
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Is our ability to smell being damaged by air pollution?

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you noticed any changes in the air quality where you live over the past few years, and if so, how have they affected your community? What are some of the main causes of air pollution in your area, and how do they impact your daily life? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. widely /WAHYD-lee / [adverb] – including a lot of different places, people, subjects, etc. The internet is widely used as a source of information for students. function /FUHNGK-shuhn/ [noun] – the purpose of something or someone One of…
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Robots to perform 39% of household tasks in ten years, experts say

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Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. In what ways do you think robots can help us? What do you think would happen if robots became more intelligent? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. predict /pri-DIKT/ [verb] – to say that an event or action will happen in the future, especially as a result of knowledge or experience It’s impossible to predict the weather accurately. decade /DEK-eyd/ [noun] – a period of ten years Demand is anticipated to rise in the following decade. domestic /duh-MES-tik/ [adjective] – belonging or relating to the home, house, or family The cooking…
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The 61-year quest for artificial hearts

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Would you like one of your organs to be replaced if it failed? Why or why not? What do you think are the most significant advances in technology in the past decade? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. globally /gloh-buhl-li/ [adverb] – across the whole world Globally, people are working to reduce carbon emissions to help protect the planet from climate change. artificial /ahr-tuh-FISH-uhl/ [adjective] – made by people, often as a copy of something natural The company is developing an artificial intelligence tool to help doctors diagnose diseases more accurately…
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Why we dream in multiple languages

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Are you learning a foreign language? If so, have you ever dreamed of that language? Are you learning a foreign language aside from English? If so, could you tell me about it? If not, what language would you like to learn? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. puzzle /PUHZ-uhl/ [verb] – to cause someone to feel confused and slightly worried because they cannot understand something The math problem was so difficult that it puzzled the entire class, and no one could solve it. learner /LUR-ner/ [noun] –…
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