Tag Archive: Science & Technology – Intermediate

Japan to use facial recognition technology for foreign visitors

face

Photo by © ANN via The Star Pre-reading questions: In your own opinion, what is the most useful technology? Have you ever tried face scanning device before? How was the experience? Vocabulary: fiscal /FIS-kuhl/ [adjective] the financial year 2010, etc The government employees will have a meeting on July 18th about the fiscal year. microchip /MAHY-kroh-chip/ [noun] a chip There are built-in microchips inserted to some animals for study purposes. departure /dih-PAHR-cher/ [noun] the act of leaving a place, or a flight, train, etc. He had to wait for few hours before his departure for Japan. guarantee /gar-uhn-TEE/ [verb] to promise that something will happen or exist She guaranteed her…
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Smartphone app detects ear infection in kids

ear app

Photo by © The Associated Press via CBC Pre-reading questions: Do you like using health apps in smartphones? Why or why not? What are the health apps that you use? If none, how do you check your health? Vocabulary: invent /in-VENT/ [verb] to design and/or create something that has never been made before The Wright brothers invented the first successful airplane. infection /in-FEK-shuhn/ [noun] a disease in a part of your body that is caused by bacteria or a virus It was advisable that humans should take a bath at least once a day to avoid skin infections. analysis /uh-NAL-uh-sis/ [noun] the study of something in detail Researchers are doing…
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New app helps smokers quit

smoke app

Photo by © CUREAPP INC. via The Japan Times Pre-reading questions: Do you think smoking is good for the health? Why or why not What do you think is the impact of tobacco in the business industry? Explain your answer. Vocabulary: technology /tek-NOL-uh-jee/ [noun] the use of scientific knowledge or processes in business, industry, manufacturing, etc. The leading smartphone brand in Japan has one of the most advanced technologies around the world. frequent /free-KWUH -nt/ [adjective] happening or doing something often Their arguments are becoming more and more frequent. session /SESH-uhn/ [noun] a period of time or meeting arranged for a particular activity The meeting sessions should be finished by tomorrow….
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Robots affect human emotions according to studies

Robots affect human emotions according to studies

Pre-reading questions: Do you like robots? Why or why not? What can you say about technologies nowadays? Vocabulary: challenge /CHAL-inj/ [noun] something that needs great mental or physical effort in order to be done successfully It has been a challenge for me to produce a new film. interruption /in-tuh-RUHP-shuhn/ [noun] an occasion when someone or something stops something from happening for a short period of time Sherra worked in the evening without interruptions. entertainment /en-ter-TEYM-muhnt/ [noun] activities that entertain people You can find a lot of entertainment in Makati. server /SUR-ver/ [noun] a central computer from which other computers get information Some servers are not working again. interact /in-ter-AKT/ [verb]…
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Facebook chief wants more government regulation of internet

markz

Photo by © Getty via Evoke.ie Pre-reading questions: How can the internet help you learn English? Explain your answer. What do you think is the best thing about the internet? Why? Vocabulary: protection /pruh-TEK-shuhn/ [noun] the act of keeping someone or something safe from injury, damage, or loss Our country needs protection from the terrorists. adopt /uh-DOPT/ [verb] to accept or start to use something new We need to adopt more strategic ways to improve the economy from other countries. harmful /HAHRM-fuhl/ [adjective] causing harm Early use of mobile phones is harmful to children. significant /sig-NIF-i-kuhnt/ [adjective] important, large, or great, especially in leading to a different result or to…
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New device translates thoughts into speech

brain

Pre-reading questions: What is the most helpful invention for you? Please explain your answer. How do you think technological advances affect people’s lives? Vocabulary: encode /en-KOHD/ [verb] to put information into a form in which it can be stored, and which can only be read using special technology or knowledge The new manager asked his associates to encode the documents into his Google Drive. vocal /VOH-kuhl/ [adjective] relating to or produced by the voice, either in singing or speaking Ryan Cayabyab is one of the most talented vocal coaches in the Philippines. epileptic /ep-uh-LEP-tik/ [adjective] a very sudden attack of an illness in which someone becomes unconscious or develops violent…
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Japanese company produces high-tech wheelchairs

wheelchairs

Photo by © AFP via The Straits Times Pre-reading questions: Do you like sports? Why or why not? Are you interested to watch a Paralympic game? Why or Why not? Vocabulary: create /kree-EYT/ [verb] to make something new I have created a recipe that you will surely like. achieve /UH-cheev/ [verb] to succeed in finishing something or reaching an aim A lot of my friends achieved a degree in Computer science. leading /LEE-ding/ [adjective] first or most important Uniliver is still the leading brand in the Philippines. perfectly /PUR-fikt-lee/ [adverb] in a satisfying or entirely no mistakes way My sister’s room was perfectly organized. unknown /uhn-NOHN/ [adjective] not familiar Some…
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Survey shows Japanese youth spend three hours online each day

online

Pre-reading questions: Do you use the Internet for fun or learning? Explain your answer. How often do you use the internet? Vocabulary: study /stuhd-ee/ [noun] the activity of examining a subject in detail to discover new information The previous study showed how people choose to spend their free time. spend /spend/ [verb] to use time doing something or being somewhere She spent a lot of time finishing her homework. search /surch/ [verb] to look for information on the internet Searching the internet helps students do their homework. government /guhv-ern-muhnt/ [noun] the group of people who officially control a country The government is planning to help the needy. data /dey-tuh/ [noun]…
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China to launch new generation of driverless maglev trains in 2020

maglev

Pre-reading questions: What is the most convenient public transportation system for you? Why? Do you like to travel by train? Why or why not? Vocabulary: generation /jen-uh-rey-shuhn/ [noun] a group of products or machines that are all at the same stage of development The company is working on developing the new generation of sports cars. driverless /drahy-ver-lis/ [adjective] (of a vehicle) not having a person as a driver His dream is to invent a reliable driverless car. commercial /kuh-mur-shuhl/ [adjective] used to describe a product or service that can be bought by the public This airport handles almost 20,000 commercial flights a month. entirely /en-tahyuhr-lee/ [adverb] completely The new product…
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Facebook makes people unhappy, according to a study

fbbb

Pre-reading questions: Do you use social media sites? Why or why not? How often do you use social networking sites? Vocabulary: huge /yooj/ [noun] extremely large in amount or size Her last book signing was a huge success. unaware /uhn-uh-wair/ [adjective] not understanding or realizing something Angela is unaware of the announcement made by the principal. impact /im-pakt/ [noun] a powerful effect that something has on a situation or person Your friend can make a great impact in your life. attitude /at-i-tood/ [noun] a feeling or opinion about something or someone My attitude depends on how you treat me. recognize /rek-uhg-nahyz/ [verb] to know someone or something because you have…
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