Tag Archive: world news – expert

China to launch new generation of driverless maglev trains in 2020

maglev

Vocabulary: maglev /mag-lev/ [noun] short for magnetic levitation: an advanced type of transport system in which a train travels on a magnetic track, often at very high speeds South Korea’s first maglev train began operations on February 3, 2016. acceleration /ak-sel-uh-rey-shuhn/ [noun] the increase in something’s speed, or its ability to go faster He bought a sports car that has impressive acceleration. intercity /in-tur-sit-ee/ [adjective] traveling from one city to another, or happening between cities There is an intercity bus station near the shopping mall. solely /sohl-lee/ [adverb] only and not involving anyone or anything else He is solely in charge of the event that will be held next week….
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World’s largest underwater theme park to open in Bahrain

underwater

Vocabulary: diversified /dih-vur-suh-fahyd/ [adjective] of differing kinds, various Europe has a lot of diversified tourist destinations. exquisitely /ik-skwiz-it-lee/ [adverb] in a very beautiful and delicate way She has an exquisitely inborn talent. submerge /suhb-murj/ [verb] to put or sink below the surface of water It is so easy for him to submerge in the sea because he grew up near the ocean. centerpiece /sen-ter-pees/ [noun] the most important or attractive part or feature of something The centerpiece of this hotel is extremely elegant. biologist /bahy-ol-uh-jist/ [noun] a specialist in biology My best friend is a marine biologist who works abroad. Do you always end up in the same popular destinations…
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Barnard-b discovered to be a new potential home

bernard

Vocabulary: primitive /prim-i-tiv/ [adjective] relating to the character of an early stage in the evolutionary or historical development of something The students saw portraits of primitive communities in the 1700’s at the museum. astrophysicist /as-troh-fiz-uh-sist/ [noun] someone who studies astrophysics The astrophysicist explained about the discovery of the new planet. geothermal /jee-oh-thur-muh-l/ [adjective] of or connected with the heat inside the earth The icy surface wasn’t a problem anymore because of the geothermal activity happening underneath it. hostile /hos-tl/ [adjective] unpleasant or not suitable for living or growing The planet is known as hostile due to its freezing temperature. anticipate /an-tis-uh-peyt/ [verb] to imagine or expect that something will happen…
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Mud and plants on new Pacific island confuse scientists

Mud and plants on new pacific island confuse scientist

Vocabulary: discovery /dih-skuhv-uh-ree/ [noun] the act of finding something that had not been known before The recent study has lead to the discovery of new incurable diseases. bemuse /bih-myooz/ [verb] to slightly confuse someone Benedict Cumberbatch’s role as Sherlock Holmes bemuses me every time I watch the series. vegetation /vej-i-tey-shuhn/ [noun] plants in general, or plants that are found in a particular area The vegetation in rural areas is flourishing because of hardworking farmers. isthmus /is-muhs/ [noun] a narrow piece of land with water on each side that joins two larger areas of land There were more than five new isthmuses found in the country because of high-functioning drones. erode…
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King of Malaysia leaves the throne

King of Malaysia leaves the throne

Vocabulary: abdicate /AB-di-keyt/ [verb] to give up a position as king or queen The queen had abdicated her throne for she wanted to have a simple life. allegedly /uh-lej-id-lee/ [adverb] used to convey that something is claimed to be the case or have taken place without proof The people are looking for him because he allegedly won the lottery. preserve /pri-ZURV/ [verb] to keep something as it is The CEO of a manufacturing company wants to preserve the company’s mission and vision for the future generation. rare /rair/ [adjective] not common or frequent; very unusual For ordinary people, it is very rare to witness the wedding of a royal couple….
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The largest underwater restaurant in the world is opening soon

The largest underwater restaurant in the world is opening soon

Photo from © snohetta.com via snohetta.com Vocabulary: phenomenal /fi-NOM-uh-nl/ [adjective] highly extraordinary The singer’s popularity came from her phenomenal voice. half-sunken /haf-SUHNG-kuhn/ [adjective] half fallen to the bottom of the sea A half-sunken boat was found in the sea after the super typhoon. crucial /KROO-shuhl/ [adjective] involving an extremely important decision The president’s decision is crucial to the company. intense /in-TENS/ [adjective] extreme or very strong An intense competition for promotion made the employees do their best. astound /uh-STOUND/ [verb] to surprise or shock someone very much Her marriage proposal astounded all her friends. In the southern part of Norway, the largest underwater restaurant is nearly finished. The phenomenal restaurant…
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Human-caused activities result to extreme weather conditions

landscape-Human-caused activities result to extreme weather conditions

Vocabulary: utmost /UHT-mohst/ [adjective] the greatest amount or degree possible The new model of Toyota cars offers the utmost power and performance. intensify/ /in-TEN-suh-fahy/ [verb] to make something stronger or more extreme Smoke coming out of factories intensifies global warming. dynamic /dahy-NAM-ik/ [adjective] continuously changing The company’s policy is dynamic that’s why adaptability is a challenge to some employees. human-induced /HYOO-muhn in-DOOST/ [adjective] something that is done or caused by human Heavy street floods are a human-induced disaster because of improper waste disposal. drastically /DRAS-tik-uh-lee/ [adverb] extremely or very; in a way that is likely to have a strong or far-reaching effect In the desert, temperature drastically changes from day…
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Thailand’s tallest building lets tourists walk on frightening glass floor

Pre-reading Questions Answer the following questions about the topic. Please explain your answer. Why do you think some people are afraid of heights? Have you experienced any horrific situations? Article Reading Read the passage and take note of the highlighted words in the Vocabulary Guide. Bangkok is famous for many family-friendly tourist destinations. Aside from temples, mouth-watering cuisines and fantastic shopping malls, there is a new attraction that will give tourists a sensational, yet unforgettable experience. The Mahanakhon SkyWalk is located on top of King Power Mahanakhon, a 1,030-feet-high skyscraper which is Thailand’s tallest completed building. Tourists can test their courage by walking through the large glass floor over the…
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Families from South and North Korea meet after decades

Families from South and North Korea finally met

Vocabulary: cradle /KREYD-l/ [verb] to hold someone or something gently Sarah cradled her sister tenderly and apologized for what she has done. relive/ /ree-LIV/ [verb] to remember an experience clearly The athlete was reliving his glory days with his teammates. reunite /ree-yoo-NAHYT/ [verb] to bring people together again The students reunited after a decade. divided /dih-VAHYD-did/ [adjective] separated Due to conflicts, divided families are increasing. outcome /OUT-kuhm/ [noun] a result or effect of an action, situation, etc The outcome of the event yesterday was unexpected. After numerous years of separation, the reunion of the divided families from North and South Korea happened at the Mount Kumgang resort last August 20,…
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Greenland’s giant iceberg threatens fishing community

Greenland's giant iceberg threatens fishing community

Vocabulary: colossal /kuh-LOS-uhl/ [adjective] extremely large A colossal hidden treasure was found in the cave. perilously /PER-uh-luhs-lee/ [adverb] extremely dangerous People are afraid because the train is perilously stopping in the middle of the journey. isolate /AHY-suh-leyt/ [adjective] not near to other places Living in an isolated place is good since it is so peaceful. hazardous /HAZ-er-duhs/ [adjective] dangerous Hazardous gases is one of the reasons of climate change. engender /en-JEN-der/ [verb] to cause something A polluted environment can engender human diseases. A colossal iceberg has drifted perilously close to an isolated fishing community in Inaarsuit, Greenland. According to the village councilor it is the biggest iceberg they have ever…
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