Tag Archive: world news – intermediate

©(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]…
Read more

©(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…
Read more

©(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…
Read more

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]…
Read more

©(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…
Read more

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…
Read more

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/…
Read more

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…
Read more

©(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,…
Read more

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…
Read more