Tag Archive: science & technology – intermediate

Flying squirrel colony found in unexpected university tree removal mission

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you know about flying squirrels? How do you think they differ from other types of squirrels? Have you ever seen a flying squirrel before? If so, where? If not, what do you think they look like? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. stumble upon /STUHM-buhl uh-PAWN/ [idiom] – to discover by chance The hikers stumbled upon a hidden waterfall while exploring the dense forest. intrigue /in-TREEG/ [verb] – to interest someone a lot, especially by being strange, unusual, or mysterious The mystery novel intrigued her with its unexpected plot…
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Venus shows more volcanic activity than previously thought

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How important do you think it is for scientists to continuously update their knowledge and understanding of space exploration findings? What planet or planets are you familiar with? What interesting information or facts could you share about them? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. radar /REY-dahr/ [noun] – a system that uses radio waves to find the position of objects that cannot be seen The airport’s radar detected an incoming aircraft long before it was visible to the naked eye. scale /skeyl/ [noun] – the size, extent, or level of something,…
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Ancient pig-like mammal reveals brain evolution beginnings

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©Scott Reid/Handout via REUTERS Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Can you think of examples where early forms of life have significantly evolved over time? What factors might have contributed to those changes you mentioned? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. misty /MIS-tee/ [adjective] – if the weather is misty, there is mist in the air that makes it difficult to see into the distance The morning was misty, with fog lingering over the hills and obscuring the view of the valley below. feature /FEE-cher/ [noun] – a typical quality or an important part of something One…
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AI revolutionizes healthcare for Japan’s beloved cats

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What types of pets are common in your country? What do you consider the most challenging aspect of owning a pet? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. boast /bohst/ [verb] – to proudly possess or to emphasize something desirable or impressive about oneself or something else The company boasts a revolutionary new technology that has changed the industry. database /DEY-tuh-beys/ [noun] – a structured set of data held in a computer, especially one that is accessible in various ways The company maintains a comprehensive database of customer preferences to tailor their…
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New fossil discovery sheds light on pre-dinosaur predators in Brazil

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©Rodrigo Temp Muller/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Why do you think scientists want to explore and study ancient life forms from millions of years ago? Would you like to become a paleontologist? If so, what aspects of studying prehistoric life interest you? If not, what other fields of science or exploration do you find more appealing, and why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. crocodile /KROK-uh-dahyl/ [noun] – a large reptile with a hard skin that lives in and near rivers and lakes in hot, wet parts of the world The Nile…
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Ancient DNA analysis uncovers pivotal horse evolution 4,200 years ago

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you know about how animals change over time to better survive in their environments? Why do you think some species survive while others go extinct? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. occur /uh-KUR/ [verb] – (especially of accidents and other unexpected events) to happen The event will occur next week, so we need to prepare. domestication /duh-mes-ti-KAY-shuhn/ [noun] – the process of bringing animals or plants under human control in order to provide food, power, or company The domestication of dogs happened thousands of years ago. archaeological /ahr-kee-uh-LOJ-i-kuhl/ [adjective]…
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Scientists discover fossils of ‘Sea Phantom’ pterosaur in Australia

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©Curtin University/Gabriel Ugueto/Handout via REUTERS Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Are you interested in learning about ancient or prehistoric times? Why or why not? What aspects of ancient history or prehistoric life intrigue you the most? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. fossil /FOS-uhl/ [noun] – the remains or impressions of a prehistoric organism preserved in petrified form or as a mold or cast in rock The museum displayed a fossil of a prehistoric fish, perfectly preserved in sedimentary rock. eerie /EER-ee/ [adjective] – strange in a frightening and mysterious way The abandoned house had an…
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H5N1 avian influenza devastates global bird populations, raises alarm over potential human epidemic

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you know about bird flu and how it spreads among birds? Why do you think some viruses can infect multiple species while others cannot? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. infect /in-FECT/ [verb] – to pass a disease to a person, animal, or plant Doctors are trying to stop the virus from infecting more people. preventive /pri-VEN-tiv/ [adjective] – intended to stop something before it happens The community took preventive actions to avoid the flu. attention /uh-TEN-shuhn/ [noun] – notice, thought, or interest The teacher asked for the students’…
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Space tourists show astronaut-like body changes, study reveals adaptation and recovery patterns

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you understand by the term “space tourist”? How do you think their experiences compare to those of professional astronauts? Why do you think understanding the physiological changes in space is important for space tourism? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. physiological /FIZ-ee-uh-LOJ-i-kuhl/ [adjective] – relating to the way living organisms or bodily parts function The study aimed to understand the physiological effects of space travel on the human body. gravity /GRAV-i-tee/ [noun] – the force that attracts objects toward the center of the Earth, or toward any other physical…
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Elephants may address each other by name, study finds

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you already know about elephants and their social behaviors? Why do you think elephants have garnered attention from researchers for their cognitive abilities? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. react /ree-AKT/ [verb] – to act in a particular way as a direct result of something else The dog reacted with excitement when its owner returned home. strongly /STRAWNG-lee/ [adverb] – with great intensity or force She strongly disagreed with the proposal during the meeting. excitement /ik-SAHYT-muhnt/ [noun] – a feeling of being excited, or an exciting event The children…
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