Tag Archive: World News – Intermediate

Florida’s freshwater springs face growing threats from pollution and overuse

fresh water

Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What comes to your mind when you think of clear, blue water in nature? How would you feel if your favorite place in nature became polluted? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. gallon /GAL-uhn/ [noun] – a unit of liquid measurement equal to about 3.8 liters in the U.S. The factory uses thousands of gallons of water every week for production. runoff /RUHN-awf/ [noun] – water from rain, farms, or other sources that flows over land and carries substances into rivers, lakes, or seas Heavy rain caused chemical runoff from the…
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Climate change intensified deadly wildfires in Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus, study finds

Cris-News (20)

©AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis, File Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever read about wildfires in the news? If so, what did you learn? If not, what do you imagine happens? Do you know why high temperatures and droughts can cause fires? If so, can you give an example? If not, what do you think happens to trees? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. pivotal /PIV-uh-tl/ [adjective] – very important because of its effect on the future of something Clean water is pivotal for good health. susceptible /suh-SEP-tuh-buhl/ [adjective] – easily influenced or harmed by something…
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FDA orders recall of Walmart shrimp linked to radioactive isotope

Walmart

©(AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you decide if food in a store looks safe or fresh? What do you think “food safety” means? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. substance /SUHB-stuhns/ [noun] – a material or matter with particular qualities Scientists discovered a dangerous substance in the river water. container /kuhn-TEY-ner/ [noun] – an object such as a box or a bottle used to hold or carry things Officials found illegal goods hidden inside large containers at the port. code /kohd/ [noun] – a set of numbers or letters used for…
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Cambridge Dictionary adds 6,000 new words in 2025 update

dictionary

Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is a new word you have learned recently, in English or your own language? How do you feel when people use new slang words that you do not know? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. nonsense /NON-sens/ [noun] – words or ideas that have no meaning or make no sense The children laughed at the nonsense words in the funny storybook. influence /IN-floo-uhns/ [verb] – to affect or change the way someone thinks, behaves, or develops Teachers often influence how students choose their future jobs. database /DEY-tuh-beys/ [noun] – a…
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Osprey numbers drop as food source dwindles in bay

Cris-News (12)

©AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever seen an osprey or another large bird near water? If so, where did you see it? If not, what bird would you like to see? What animals in your country are important to protect? Why do you think so? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. revival /ri-VAHY-vuhl/ [noun] – a process in which something becomes active or strong again The small town saw a revival of local markets. inevitable /in-EV-i-tuh-buhl/ [adjective] – certain to happen and unable to be avoided It was inevitable that the…
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Supreme Court allows Mississippi social media law for minors to proceed

Baby use smartphone

Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you feel about children using social media at a young age? What are some good things children can get from using social media? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. platform /PLAT-fawrm/ [noun] – a type of system or technology that allows people to communicate, share, or access information (e.g., websites, apps, or services) Online shopping platforms have become essential for small businesses. justice /JUHS-tis/ [noun] – judge of a high court, especially the Supreme Court The justices debated the case for hours before making a ruling. reject /ri-JEKT/ [verb]…
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Global talks on plastic pollution end without agreement

pollution

Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What kinds of plastic items do you use most often in your daily life? Can you think of something you have reused many times instead of throwing it away? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. agreement /uh-GREE-muhnt/ [noun] – a decision or arrangement that people accept after discussion The two companies reached an agreement to share new technology. production /pruh-DUHK-shuhn/ [noun] – the process of making or growing something, especially in large amounts The factory increased production of electric cars to meet demand. oppose /uh-POHZ/ [verb] – to disagree with something…
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Canada wildfires prompt U.S. lawmakers to urge stronger forest management

Cris-News (8)

Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What things can cause a big forest fire? What problems can wildfire smoke cause for people’s health? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. importance /im-PAWR-tns/ [noun] – the quality of being important The teacher explained the importance of listening carefully in class. strategic /struh-TEE-jik/ [adjective] – helping to achieve a plan, usually in war, politics, or business The team made a strategic choice to save money. robust /roh-BUHST/ [adjective] – strong and healthy, or unlikely to break or fail The bridge is made from robust materials. escalated /EH-skuh-lay-tuhd/ [adjective] – increased…
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Y2K fashion trends make a strong comeback worldwide

Y2K

©(Nicky Andrews via AP) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How would you describe your favorite style of clothing? What makes a fashion style interesting or fun for you? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. promote /pruh-MOHT/ [verb] – to support, encourage, or advertise something so that people notice or buy it The company worked hard to promote its new smartphone on TV. denim /DEN-uhm/ [noun] – a type of strong cotton cloth, usually blue, used for making jeans and jackets This bag is made of strong denim. expression /ik-SPRESH-uhn/ [noun] – the act of showing thoughts,…
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Juneau braces for potential Mendenhall glacier flooding as basin nears danger level

Cris-News (4)

©Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities via AP Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever seen or experienced flooding in your area? If so, what happened? If not, what do you think it would be like? Do you know what can cause glacier water to suddenly flow into rivers? If so, can you name an example? If not, what could be a possible cause? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. flooding /FLUHD-ing/ [noun] – a situation in which an area is covered with water, often from rain The heavy rain caused flooding in the…
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