Tag Archive: World News – Intermediate

©(Craig McKenzie via AP) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What animal in your country do you think is special? Why? If you were a volunteer in an animal contest, how would you promote your favorite animal? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. threat /thret/ [noun] – a danger or something that can cause harm Air pollution is a growing threat to people living in big cities. dynamic /dahy-NAM-ik/ [adjective] – always changing, full of energy, or active The city has a dynamic culture with many festivals and activities. volunteer /vol-uhn-TEER/ [noun] – a person who offers…
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©(AP Photo/Jorge Saenz, File) Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you feel when you spend time in nature? If you lived near a rainforest, what would you like to do there? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. respiratory /RES-per-uh-tawr-ee/ [adjective] – relating to breathing or the organs used in breathing Air pollution in large cities can worsen respiratory conditions among children. underline /UHN-der-lahyn/ [verb] – to emphasize the importance of something The incident underlines the need for better safety rules in construction sites. measure /MEZH-er/ [verb] – to find the size, amount, or degree of…
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©AP Photo/Abdul Rehman Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What happens when there is heavy rainfall in your country? What problems can floods cause for people and houses? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. devastating /DEV-uh-stey-ting/ [adjective] – causing a lot of damage or destruction The storm was devastating for the small fishing town. resilient /ri-ZIL-yuhnt/ [adjective] – able to be strong, healthy, or successful again after something bad happens Children can be resilient after facing difficult times. infrastructure /IN-fruh-struhk-cher/ [noun ] – the basic systems and services that are necessary for a country Good infrastructure makes…
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©AP Photo/Hiro Komae Pre-reading Questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever climbed a mountain? If so, which mountain did you climb? If not, would you like to try? Do you know any famous mountains in Japan? If so, which ones? If not, what is a famous place you know instead? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. acknowledge /ak-NOL-ij/ [verb] – to accept, admit, or recognize something, or the truth or existence of something The teacher acknowledged the student’s hard work after the exam. fortitude /FAWR-ti-tood/ [noun] – courage over a long period of time, especially in…
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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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©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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©(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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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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©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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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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