Tag Archive: world news – intermediate

New seal rescue center in Netherlands opens near Wadden Sea

Brix-News (4)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do rescue centers usually do for animals? Why might some sea animals get hurt in the ocean? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. swollen /SWOH-luhn/ [adjective] – larger or rounder than normal, usually because of injury or illness His knee was swollen after the fall. injure /IN-jer/ [verb] – to hurt a person or animal She injured her leg while running. separate /SEP-uh-reyt/ [verb] – to make people or things not be together The teacher separated the noisy group of students. awareness /uh-WAIR-nis/ [noun] – knowing that something exists or…
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Massive blackout hits Spain and Portugal, exposing infrastructure vulnerabilities

Brix-News (1)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is a blackout? Have you seen news about blackouts in other countries? If so, what country was it about? If not, what problems do you think happen during blackouts? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. blackout /BLAK -out/ [noun] – a period when there is no light or power because of an electrical failure The blackout made the whole street very dark at night. disruption /dis-RUHP-shuhn/ [noun] – an interruption that makes something not work or continue as usual The heavy rain caused a disruption in train service. evacuate /ih-VAK-yoo-eyt/…
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USDA withdraws proposed salmonella rule for poultry producers

chicken

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you usually think of when you hear the word “bacteria”? If you could create a rule to help people stay healthy, what kind of rule would you make? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. lower /LOH-er/ [verb] – to make something less in amount, degree, or level The company wants to lower energy usage by switching to LED lights. annually /AN-yoo-uh-lee/ [adverb] – once every year The event is held annually to celebrate the town’s history. contaminated /kuhn-TA-muh-nay-tuhd/ [adjective] – containing harmful or dirty substances People were warned not…
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Vultures provide critical ecological services despite negative image

vulture

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. If you were in charge of protecting animals, what would you do first? Why do you think some animals are important, even if people don’t like them? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. vulture /VUHL-cher/ [noun] – a large bird that eats the bodies of dead animals In India, vultures help farmers by eating dead cattle and reducing disease spread. stray /strey/ [adjective] – not owned or controlled by anyone; having no home Stray cats in the city often look for food in garbage cans. bacterium /bak-TEER-ee-uhm/ [noun] – a very…
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Zoos focus on geriatric care for aging animals

Elephant

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think older animals need to stay healthy and happy? If you could design a home for an old elephant, what would it look like? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. decade /DEK-eyd/ [noun] – a period of ten years Many new buildings were added to the city over the past decades. simply /SIM-plee/ [adverb] – in a plain or easy way; only or just The museum was built to simply display art, but now it also offers art classes. conservation /kon-ser-VEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the protection and careful management…
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Stray dog escapes in Alaska weeks after rescue from California wildfires

Jackie

©(Skylar Young-Bayer via Associated Press) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you think a dog feels when it moves to a new place? What would you bring if you had to search for a lost pet? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. county /KOUN-tee/ [noun] – a part of a country or state that has its own local government Many people lost power during the snowstorm in the mountain county. theme /theem/ [noun] – the main subject of a talk, book, film, etc. The film shows strong themes of courage and family. hibernation /hahy-ber-NEY-shuhn/ [noun]…
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Search dogs bring comfort amid Bangkok building collapse tragedy

Rescue

©(AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you think dogs can be heroes? Why or why not? What does “hope” mean to you? Can you think of a time you felt hopeful? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. shelter /SHEL-ter/ [noun] – a place that provides protection from danger, bad weather, or other difficult situations After the hurricane, a temporary shelter was set up at the school gym for evacuated residents. grief /greef/ [noun] – deep sorrow, especially caused by someone’s death The town was filled with grief after the sudden passing of their…
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Devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake hits Myanmar, tremors felt across Southeast Asia

Myanmar

©(The Myanmar Military True News Information Team via AP) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think people need most right after a big disaster happens? If you could design a safe place for everyone during a strong earthquake, what would it look like? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. collapsed /kuh-LAPST/ [adjective] – having fallen down or given way, usually due to damage or pressure They hid under a collapsed roof. destructive /dih-STRUHK-tiv/ [adjective] – causing great damage or harm The hurricane was more destructive than expected, tearing off roofs and uprooting trees. pressure…
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Surge in crocodile attacks in West Sulawesi raises alarm, experts seek solutions

Brix-News (2)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What should you do if an animal attacks you? Why might animals attack humans? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. significant /sig-NIF-i-kuhnt / [adjective] – important or large enough to have an effect The significant increase in attacks worried the local community. surge /surj/ [noun] – a sudden large increase or rise There was a surge in crocodile attacks last year. link /lingk/ [verb] – to connect or relate things together The rise in air pollution has been linked to an increase in respiratory illnesses in the city. expansion /ik-SPAN-shuhn/ [noun]…
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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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