Tag Archive: World News – Intermediate

Local wedding flowers show growing interest in sustainability

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Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. If you could grow your own flowers for a celebration, what colors or types would you choose, and why? What things do you think make an event feel special or meaningful? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. sustainable /suh-STEY-nuh-buhl/ [adjective] – able to continue for a long time without harming the environment Using sustainable materials in buildings can lower environmental impact in many cities. vegetation /vej-i-TEY-shuhn/ [noun] – plants in a particular area Cutting too much vegetation from hillsides can cause the soil to wash away during storms. seasonal /SEE-zuh-nl/ [adjective]…
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Airlines face disruptions after software problem found in Airbus A320 jets

Nippon

©(Takahiko Kanbara/Kyodo News via AP) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What thoughts come to mind when you think about traveling by airplane? What do you think makes air travel feel exciting or stressful for some people? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. malfunction /mal-FUHNGK-shuhn/ [noun] – a failure to work correctly The computer had a malfunction during the exam and suddenly shut down. unaffected /uhn-uh-FEK-tid/ [adjective] – not changed or harmed by something The nearby houses stayed unaffected after the small earthquake. interference /in-ter-FEER-uhns/ [noun] – unwanted influence or interruption that affects how something works The…
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U.S. turkey production faces significant strain after disease outbreaks and rising costs

turkey

Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What foods are important for holidays or special events in your country? What do you usually look for when you go grocery shopping? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. supply /suh-PLAI/ [noun] – the amount of something that is available to use or buy The store reduced its supply of bread after fewer customers came in last week. promotion /pruh-MOH-shuhn/ [noun] – an activity or special offer used to encourage people to buy a product The electronics shop used weekend promotions to attract more customers. pressure /PRESH-er/ [noun] – a situation…
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Tiger trafficking intensifies despite global protection efforts

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Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What comes to mind when you think about wild animals living in forests or jungles? Why do you think some animals become endangered? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. steady /STED-ee/ [adjective] – happening regularly and not changing quickly The city reported a steady increase in new library visitors this year. seizure /SEE-zher/ [noun] – the act of taking something by legal or official force The border team reported new seizures of smuggled electronics during inspections. advanced /ad-VANST/ [adjective] – having a higher or more developed level than others The company…
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San Diego Zoo’s oldest tortoise dies at estimated age of 141

Gramma

©(San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance via AP) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What animals do you think can live for a very long time? Why do you think so? How would you feel if you met an animal that was older than most people you know? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. lifespan /LAHYF-span/ [noun] – the length of time that a person, animal, or thing lives The lifespan of the parrot at the rescue center was more than 70 years. wild /wahyld/ [noun] – a natural place where animals or plants live without human control…
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Australia prepares to enforce social media ban for children under 16

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Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you feel about younger teenagers using social media? What makes you feel safe or unsafe when you use the internet? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. constitutional /kon-sti-TOO-shuh-nl/ [adjective] – related to the constitution or basic laws of a country The organization filed a constitutional complaint, saying the new school rule violated students’ rights. involvement /in-VOLV-muhnt/ [noun] – the act of taking part in something Parents showed strong involvement in the school’s plan to improve safety. suspected /suh-SPEK-tid/ [adjective] – believed to be guilty or likely to be something…
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Zoo uses public veterinary exams to increase transparency and awareness

zoo

©(AP Photo/Seth Wenig) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. If you could design a room for animals to get medical care, what would you put inside it? What do you imagine a zoo hospital looks like inside? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. aquarium /uh-KWAIR-ee-uhm/ [noun] – a building or place where fish and other water animals are kept for people to see Many families visited the city’s aquariums to learn how marine animals are cared for. procedure /pruh-SEE-jer/ [noun] – a step or action done in a certain order to achieve a result, especially in medical…
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Big cats and bears get emergency care at closed argentina zoo

Cris-News (44)

©AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What animals do you usually see in a zoo? If so, which animal do you remember the most? If not, where have you seen wild animals? Have you heard stories about animals living in bad conditions? If so, what happened in the story? If not, what do you think bad conditions look like? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. harrowing /HAR-oh-ing/ [adjective] – very shocking or upsetting The movie showed a harrowing scene that made the audience feel very worried. colossal /kuh-LOS-uhl/ [adjective] – extremely large The museum…
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Village faces ecological risks as snakehead fish population expands

snakehead fish

©(AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What comes to mind when thinking about a river or lake in your country? If a large, unfamiliar fish appeared in a local river, what do you imagine the community would do? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. reservoir /REZ-er-vwahr/ [noun] – a large man-made lake used to store water The town built a new reservoir to provide clean water during the dry season. native /NEY-tiv/ [adjective] – originally from a particular place; not introduced The park protects native plants that grow naturally in the region. aquatic /uh-KWAT-ik/…
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Global energy outlook shows sharp growth in electricity demand

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Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What comes to your mind when you think about electricity? What kinds of things in your daily life need electricity? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. decade /DEK-eyd/ [noun] – a period of ten years Scientists say the past decade has seen major changes in global weather patterns. assessment /uh-SES-muhnt/ [noun] – a judgment or evaluation of something The health department released an assessment on how pollution affects local communities. peak /peek/ [noun] – the highest point or level of something Tourism reached its peak last summer when travel rules were…
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