Tag Archive: science & technology – intermediate

Why AI won’t replace creative, social, and physical jobs anytime soon

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Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. empathy /EM-puh-thee/ [noun] – the ability to share someone else’s feelings or experiences by imagining what it would be like to be in that person’s situation Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, and it’s an important skill to have when you want to be a good friend. therapist /THER-uh-pist/ [noun] – someone whose job is to treat a particular type of mental or physical illness or disability, usually with a particular type of therapy If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed out, it might be helpful to talk to a therapist…
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Why AI won’t replace creative, social, and physical jobs anytime soon

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is the definition of AI? What are some examples of creative jobs that require a human touch? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. emotional intelligence /ih-MOH-shuh-nl in-TEL-i-juhns/ [noun phrase] – the ability to understand the way people feel and react and to use this skill to make good judgments and to avoid or solve problems Having emotional intelligence means being aware of your own feelings and how they affect others. currently /KUR-uhnt-lee/ [adverb] – at the present time Currently, I am studying English, but I used to study Spanish in…
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Could potatoes and tomatoes power our lives?

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some common uses of potatoes and tomatoes in our daily lives? What is vegetable electricity? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. process /PROS-es/ [noun] – a series of actions that you take in order to achieve a result When you bake a cake, it’s important to follow the process step by step to ensure it turns out delicious. concept /KON-sept/ [noun] – a principle or idea The concept of recycling is to take old materials and turn them into something new instead of throwing them away. generate /JEN-uh-reyt/ [verb]…
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Unlocking Earth’s secrets

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are the different layers of the earth, and how do they differ in composition and properties? What are some of the biggest mysteries that scientists are still trying to solve about the Earth’s geology? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. diamond /DAHY-muhnd/ [noun] – a transparent, extremely hard precious stone that is used in jewelry, and in industry for cutting hard things I found a beautiful diamond on the beach while I was on vacation. surface /SUR-fis/ [noun] – the outer or top part or layer of something The little…
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Building resilience for a sustainable future

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What does “resilience” mean? What are some ways that individuals can take action to promote resilience and sustainability in their daily lives? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. apparent /uh-PAIR-uhnt/ [adjective] – able to be seen or understood It was apparent from the way she was sweating and breathing heavily that she had just finished a vigorous workout. imperative /im-PER-uh-tiv/ [adjective] – extremely important or urgent: It is imperative that you finish your homework before watching TV if you want to get good grades in school. emerge /ih-MURJ/ [verb] – to…
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Criticism arises over inaccurate portrayals of climate change in literature and film

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is climate fiction? Do you think climate fiction helps us better understand and respond to the challenges posed by climate change in our own lives and communities? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. tackle /TAK-uhl/ [verb] – to try to deal with something or someone The coach taught the football players how to tackle properly to prevent injuries during games. crisis /KRAHY-sis/ [noun] – a time of great disagreement, confusion, or suffering The company went bankrupt due to the financial crisis that affected the entire country. extreme /ik-STREEM/ [adjective] –…
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Public phone charging kiosks pose ‘juice jacking’ threat

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Which cyberattacks are you familiar with? What do you think cyberattackers do with the information they steal from other people? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. harmful /HAHRM-fuhl/ [adjective] – causing harm The juice drink was banned because it was found to contain harmful chemicals. device /dih-VAHYS/ [noun] – an object or machine that has been invented for a particular purpose The most popular device is probably the mobile phone. compromise /KOM-pruh-mahyz/ [verb] – to lower or weaken standards He didn’t realize that his inattentiveness compromised his chance to close the…
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Electricity production to use less fossil fuel: cleaner energy from renewables on the rise

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are the negative effects of global warming on our planet that you can observe? Do you think you can do something to help the planet cope with climate change? Tell me more about it. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. analyst /AN-l-ist/ [noun] – someone whose job is to study or examine something in detail in order to discover or understand more about it and often to make predictions The university invited a business analyst to speak at their conference. source /sohrs / [noun] – the place something comes from…
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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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