Tag Archive: world news – intermediate

Mass evacuations underway as devastating fire sweeps Hollywood Hills

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some reasons a fire might start in a forest or city? What would you do if firefighters weren’t able to stop a fire in your area? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. uncontrollably /uhn-kuhn-TROW-luh-blee/ [adverb] – in a way that cannot be controlled or stopped The fire spread uncontrollably across the dry land. strategy /STRAT-i-jee/ [noun] – a plan of action designed to achieve a particular goal The team developed a new strategy to win the game. specialist /SPESH-uh-list/ [noun] – a person who has a lot of knowledge…
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Severe winter storm disrupts U.S. travel, brings freezing temperatures and snow

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think might cause extreme weather like a severe snowstorm? What safety measures should people take during a winter storm? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. severe /suh-VEER/ [adjective] – very bad or serious The severe heat made it difficult to work outside. impact /im-PAKT/ [verb] – to have a strong effect on something The bad weather impacted the farmers’ crops. region /REE-juhn/ [noun] – a large area of a country or the world This region is known for its beautiful mountains. meteorologist /mee-tee-uh-ROL-uh-jist/ [noun] – a scientist who…
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Mekong giant catfish shows signs of recovery after conservation efforts in Cambodia

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Can you name any endangered animals in rivers or lakes? Why are some species living in freshwater becoming endangered? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. significant /sig-NIF-i-kuhnt/ [adjective] – important or noticeable The discovery of clean water in the village was a significant event. decline /dih-KLAYN/ [verb] – to become smaller, fewer, or less The number of visitors to the park declined after the rainy season began. disrupt /dis-RUHPT/ [verb] – to prevent something from continuing as usual or as expected A power outage disrupted the online class for an hour….
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Two critically endangered North Atlantic right whales entangled in fishing gear off Massachusetts coast

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What happens to animals that are endangered? What might happen if an endangered species disappears? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. endangered /en-DEYN-jerd/ [adjective] – at risk of becoming extinct Some animals are endangered because their habitats are disappearing. collision /kuh-LIZH-uhn/ [noun] – an event where two things crash into each other There was a collision between two cars on the highway. reproduction /ree-pruh-DUHK-shuhn/ [noun] – the process by which animals or plants produce offspring The reproduction of many animals happens in the spring. challenge /CHAL-inj/ [noun] – a difficult task…
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Germany and France launch high-speed train service to strengthen EU ties and promote eco-friendly travel

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you know about high-speed trains? What are the advantages of using trains compared to cars or airplanes? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. sustainable /suh-STEY-nuh-buhl/ [adjective] – causing little or no damage to the environment and therefore able to continue for a long time The company uses sustainable materials to make their products. initiative /ih-NISH-uh-tiv/ [noun] – a new plan or action to improve something or solve a problem The school started an initiative to plant trees in the playground. modernize /MOD-er-nahyz/ [verb] – to make something more modern…
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Google’s 2024 “Year in Search” shows global trends and insights

Google

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you use Google? How is Google different from other search engines? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. trending /TREN-ding/ [adjective] – referring to a topic or event that is becoming popular or gaining attention, especially on social media or in searches The song is trending on social media right now. extreme /ik-STREEM/ [adjective] – very intense, severe, or far beyond the normal or expected The extreme cold made it difficult to stay outside for long. individual /in-duh-VIJ-oo-uhl/ [noun] – a single person or thing, especially when compared to…
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Mount Kanlaon eruption triggers evacuations, disrupts air travel, and raises alert level in the Philippines

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©AP Photo/Chona Aplaon Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What safety measures should people take if a volcano erupts? Why are these measures important? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. disrupt /dis-RUHPT/ [verb] – to cause something to be unable to continue in the normal way The heavy rain disrupted the outdoor event. precautionary /pri-KAW-shuh-ner-ee/ [adjective] – done to prevent problems or danger The school closed as a precautionary step before the typhoon. theorize /THEE-uh-rahyz/ [verb] – to develop ideas to explain something Scientists theorized that the unusual weather was caused by climate change. destructive /dih-STRUHK-tiv/ [adjective]…
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Brazilian states push to ease rainforest protections, sparking environmental concerns

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is privatization? Why do some people believe that protected forest areas should be privatized? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. agricultural /a-gruh-KUHL-chr-uhl/ [adjective] – related to farming or the production of food He works in an agricultural business that grows crops. contribute /kuhn-TRIB-yoot/ [verb] – to give or add to something The students will contribute their ideas to the project. target /TAHR-git/ [verb] – a goal or an aim that is set The company has set a target to reduce pollution. legalize /LEE-guh-lahyz/ [verb] – to make something legal They…
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Ban on social media for minors moves closer to reality in Australia

socmed

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Can social media be harmful? If so, in what ways? What are some of the positive impacts that social media can have on people or society? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. enforcement /en-FAWRS-muhnt/ [noun] – the process of making people obey a law or rule, or making a particular situation happen or be accepted The police are responsible for the enforcement of traffic laws. verification /ver-uh-fi-KEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the process of confirming something is true, accurate, or legitimate The bank requires verification of identity before processing large transactions. thorough /THUR-oh/…
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Powerful “Bomb Cyclone” strikes West Coast, causing widespread damage and disruptions

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you know about storms that cause heavy rain and strong winds? What causes them? How do people stay safe during storms with heavy rainfall and strong winds? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. cyclone /SAHY-klohn/ [noun] – a violent tropical storm or weather system with strong winds that spin in circles A powerful cyclone hit the island, causing heavy damage to homes. extended /ik-STEN-did/ [adjective] – longer than usual or expected; covering a larger area or period The teacher gave us an extended deadline for the project. snowfall /SNOH-fawl/…
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