Tag Archive: science & technology – intermediate

Greek letters will not be used again to name tropical cyclones

tropical-cyclone-on-space

© CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your favorite season and why? When is the start of the rainy season in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. distracting /duh -STRAK-tuhng/ [adjective] – making it difficult for someone to give their attention to something The loud music is very distracting. potentially /puh-TEN-shuh-lee/ [adverb] – possibly Measles is a potentially fatal disease. responsible /ri-SPON-suh-buhl/ [adjective] – to have control and authority over something or someone and the duty of taking care of it, him, or her We are all responsible for making this house…
Read more

Photos of glow-in-the-dark shark captured by scientists for the first time

210303105047-03-new-zealand-bioluminescent-shark-exlarge-169

©Dr. Jérôme Mallefet via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. When was the last time you have seen a live sea animal? Are you willing to dive into the sea to discover other sea creatures? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. capture /KAP-cher/ [verb] – to record or take a picture of something using a camera The incident was captured by a passer-by. researcher /ree-SUR-cher/ [noun] – someone who studies a subject, especially in order to discover new information or reach a new understanding The researcher is having a hard time to…
Read more

Japanese billionaire seeks 8 volunteers to join him on Moon voyage

gqGPGYuD

© Yusaku Maezawa Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your favorite space movie or TV show? What is interesting about outer space? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. accompany /uh-KUHM-puh-nee/ [verb] – to go with someone or to be provided or exist at the same time as something Would you like me to accompany you to your room? reveal /ri-VEEL/ [verb] – to make known or show something that is surprising or that was previously secret The new movie was revealed in yesterday’s comic convention. benefit /BEN-uh-fit/ [verb] – to be helped by something or…
Read more

Russia launches Arktika-M to oversee climate in the Arctic

arktika-M

© ROSCOSMOS PRESS SERVICE HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What environmental problem does your country face? Is recycling important to help save our environment? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. satellite /SAT-l-ahyt/ [noun] – a device sent up into space to travel around the earth, used for collecting information or communicating by radio, television, etc. The latest reports will be broadcasted via satellite. orbit /AWR-bit/ [noun] – the curved path through which objects in space move around a planet or star The latest space shuttle launched is now in…
Read more

Facebook to sell Android-based smartwatch next year

smartwatch-828786_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you have a smartwatch? If yes, please tell me more about it. If no, would you like to have one and why? What devices do you have? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. intend /in-TEND/ [verb] – to have as a plan or purpose Our family intends to go to Australia next year. feature /FEE-cher/ [noun] – a typical quality or an important part of something The latest software update has new interesting features. run /ruhn/ [verb] – to (cause something to) operate Old trains used to be run by…
Read more

Smallest reptile in the world discovered in Madagascar

_116835335_095703a2-0424-4430-b425-edfc86012c87 (1)

© via bbc.com Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. When was the last time you have visited a zoo? Would you like to keep an exotic pet? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. diet /DAHY-it / [noun] – the food and drink usually eaten or drunk by a person or group Diet varies between different countries in the world. spectacular /spek-TAK-yuh-ler/ [adjective] – especially great The company had a spectacular success with the product. extreme /ik-STREEM/ [adjective] – very large in amount or degree The people in this area live in extreme poverty….
Read more

Smart dog collar translates dogs’ barks into emotions

© Petpuls Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How many dog breeds can you name? What was your first pet? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. start-up /STAHRT-uhp/ [noun] – a small business that has just been started From a small start-up, it now became one of the leading companies in the industry. recognition /rek-uhg-NISH-uhn/ [noun] – the fact of knowing who a person is or what a thing is because of having seen or experienced that person or thing before Smith has the greatest name recognition out of all the candidates. acts as sth /act as…
Read more

World’s oldest known cave painting discovered in Indonesia

5472

© Maxime Aubert Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Who are some of the most famous painters in your country? Do you like drawing? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. discover /dih-SKUHV-er/ [verb] – to find information, a place, or an object, especially for the first time The children discovered many things about their hometown. locate /loh-KEYT/ [verb] – to be in a particular place Our office is located in the capital. pigment /PIG-muhnt/ [noun] – a substance that gives something a particular color when it is present in it or is added…
Read more

Apple’s AirPods Max are remarkable, but they are a bit pricey

dj-690986_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. When do you usually use headphones? What kind of headphones do you prefer to use? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. attempt /uh-TEMPT/ [verb] – to try to do something, especially something difficult He attempted a joke, but no one laughed. device /dih-VAHYS/ [noun] – an object or machine that has been invented for a particular purpose The people used a special device for finding people trapped in collapsed buildings. power /POU-er/ [verb] – to provide a machine with energy and the ability to operate Buses and trucks are usually powered…
Read more

Gitanjali Rao, Time Magazine’s first ever “Kid of the Year”

_115794894_hi064633890

© Time Magazine Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Who is the most successful person you know? What is your biggest goal in life? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. select /si-LEKT/ [verb] – to choose a small number of things, or to choose by making careful decisions Click ‘File’, then select ‘Make a copy’ from the pull-down menu. nominee /nom-uh-NEE/ [noun] – a person who someone has suggested should be considered to do a particular job, take part in an election, receive an honour, etc. I’ve heard that he is a nominee for best director this…
Read more