Tag Archive: world news – intermediate

Impact of bird flu on North American wildlife and efforts to mitigate its spread

birdflu

©(AP Photo/Guadalupe Pardo, File) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. If you had a pet bird, what would you do to keep it safe and healthy? If you could create a safe home for birds, what would it look like? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. loss /laws/ [noun] – a condition in which something or someone is no longer present or available Farmers reported significant losses when drought conditions damaged their crops. severe /suh-VEER/ [adjective] – very serious or extreme The town suffered severe damage after the hurricane hit the coastline. spread /spred/ [noun] – the…
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Cocoa farmers fight climate challenges in Indonesia

cocoa

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. If you were starting a new farm, what crops would you choose to grow and why? What do you think farmers need most to grow healthy plants—sunlight, water, or good soil? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. steady /STED-ee/ [adjective] – not changing or moving suddenly; constant Tomato plants need steady temperatures and plenty of sunlight to grow well. humidity /hyoo-MID-i-tee/ [noun] – the amount of moisture in the air The humidity in the greenhouse helps the plants grow faster. fertilizer /FUR-tl-ahy-zer/ [noun] – a natural or chemical substance that…
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Experts warn of increased mudslide risks in California due to wildfires, droughts, and climate change

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Why do you think it is important to prepare for natural disasters? If you were in charge of keeping a town safe from mudslides, what would you do? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. mudslide /MUHD-slide/ [noun] – a flow of mud, debris, or rock that falls down a slope, often after heavy rain The mudslide covered the road after the heavy rain. wildfire /WAHYLD-fahyuhr/ [noun] – Meaning: A large, destructive fire that spreads quickly in nature, especially in forest areas. The wildfire spread quickly due to strong winds. tragic /TRAJ-ik/…
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3.8-magnitude earthquake shakes Maine, tremors felt across Northeastern U.S.

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. If you suddenly felt a small earthquake, what would be the first thing you do? How do you think people feel when they experience an earthquake for the first time? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. tremor /TREM-er/ [noun] – a slight shaking movement in a person’s body or in the ground The small tremor made the windows shake for a few seconds. seismic /SAHYZ-mik/ [adjective] – relating to or caused by an earthquake Scientists use special tools to study seismic activity under the ground. proliferate /pruh-LIF-uh-reyt/ [verb] – to increase…
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Oldest rhinoceros in the United States passes away at Tennessee zoo

rhino

©(Amy Smotherman Burgess/Zoo Knoxville via AP) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. If you could visit any wild animal in its natural home, which animal would you choose and why? Imagine you are taking care of a large animal like a rhino. What would be the most challenging part? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. rapid /RAP-id/ [adjective] – happening quickly or in a short time The company experienced rapid growth after launching its new product. mobility /moh-BIL-i-tee/ [noun] – the ability to move or be moved freely and easily After the surgery, her mobility was limited,…
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Rare black wolves spotted in Polish forest, raising conservation interest

black wolves

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. If you could choose to be an animal for a day, which one would you be and why? How do you feel about wolves? Do they seem scary, interesting, or something else?I Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. coordinator /koh-AWR-dn-ey-ter/ [noun] – a person who organizes and manages activities or projects The coordinator of the school event made sure everything went smoothly. marking /MAHR-king/ [noun] – a pattern on the body of an animal The butterfly’s wings had beautiful markings that looked like eyes. domesticated /duh-MEH-stuh-kay-tuhd/ [adjective] – tamed and trained…
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Massive snake removal operation unfolds in Sydney suburb

snakes

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What would you do if you found a snake in your yard or near your house? How do you think weather changes affect animals in nature? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. venomous /VEN-uh-muhs/ [adjective] – containing poison that can harm or kill Scientists discovered a venomous spider inside the cave, which was dangerous to humans. resident /REZ-i-duhnt/ [noun] – a person who lives in a particular place The resident of the small town was happy to see new businesses opening. shocking /SHOK-ing/ [adjective] – very surprising in a way that…
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Ancient 4,000-year-old canal network discovered in Belize reveals early environmental engineering by pre-Maya societies

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever heard of canals being used to catch fish? If yes, where did you hear about it? If not, what other ways do people catch fish? Have you ever caught or eaten catfish? If yes, where was it? If not, what kind of fish have you tried? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. sanctuary /SANGK-choo-er-ee/ [noun] – a place where people or animals are protected and safe The birds live in a sanctuary where they are safe from hunters. insight /IN-sahyt/ [noun] – a clear understanding of something The…
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Ancient Greece linked to world’s oldest lead pollution

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you know about pollution and how it affects the environment? What do you know about how mining affects the environment? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. contribution /kon-truh-BYOO-shuhn/ [noun] – something that you give or do to help something be successful His contribution to the project helped it finish on time. contamination /kuhn-tam-uh-NEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the process of making something dirty or harmful by adding something bad The water was unsafe due to contamination from chemicals. archaeological /ahr-kee-uh-LOJ-i-kuhl/ [adjective] – related to the study of ancient places and objects…
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Over 200 undersea quakes near Santorini prompt school closures and emergency measures

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think people should do to stay safe during an earthquake? If you had to prepare for an emergency, what three things would you bring with you? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. tremor /TREM-er/ [noun] – a slight shaking movement in a person’s body or of the earth The ground had a small tremor after the earthquake. authority /uh-THAWR-i-tee/ [noun] – a group of people with official responsibility for a particular area of activity The school authority closed classes because of the storm. tourism /TOOR-iz-uhm/ [noun] –…
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