Tag Archive: world news – intermediate

The town in Germany that is stuck in the past

german

©BBC, David Perry Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you like visiting old villages? Why or why not?  Could you tell me about your favorite vacation spot? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. picturesque /pik-chuh-RESK/ [adjective] – (especially of a place) attractive in appearance, especially in an old-fashioned way We visited the picturesque fishing village of Lochinver. progressive /pruh-GRES-iv/ [adjective] – developing or happening gradually This is a very progressive firm that uses the most modern systems. signal /SIG-nl/ [noun] – a series of electrical or radio waves that are sent to a radio or television…
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Switzerland’s melting glaciers affect Europe’s water supply

glacier_bbc-news

© BBC News Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you believe that water is precious? Please explain why. What would it be like to not have access to fresh drinking water? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. glacier /GLEY-sher/ [noun] – a large mass of ice that moves slowly The sink sank when it struck the cold glacier. melt /melt/ [verb] – to turn from something solid into something soft or liquid Iron melts when made hot enough. mass /mas/ [noun] – a large amount of something that has no particular shape or arrangement The village…
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Thousands of fish found dead on the River Oder

dead fish

© BBC News Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are the litter laws in your city? What simple things do you do to help reduce pollution? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. chemical /KEM-i-kuhl/ [adjective] – relating to chemicals (any basic substance that is used in or produced by a reaction involving changes to atoms or molecules) The chemical industry is a big suspect in terms of pollution. toxin /TOK-sin/ [noun] – a poisonous substance, especially one produced by bacteria, that causes disease Test results revealed high toxin levels in shellfish. unclear /uhn-KLEER/ [adjective] – not…
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Ancient earthquake-resilient design of the Himalayas

kath kuni

©BBC News, Tarang Mohnot Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Could you tell me about your community? Do you think we can prevent earthquakes? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. community /kuh-MYOO-ni-tee / [noun] – the people living in one particular area or people who are considered as a unit because of their common interests, social group, or nationality He did it for the interests of the community. earthquake /URTH-kweyk / [noun] – a sudden violent movement of the earth’s surface, sometimes causing great damage Many buildings fell down during the earthquake. maintain /meyn-TEYN/ [verb] – to…
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How inflation affects people’s diets around the world

inflation

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you do to make sure you avoid eating unhealthy foods? Do you change the food you eat based on the season? Please tell me more about it. Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. adapt /uh-DAPT/ [verb] – to change, or to change something, to suit different conditions or uses Kei finds it extremely challenging to adapt to his new surroundings. inflation /in-FLEY-shuhn/ [noun] – a general, continuous increase in prices The government has made great progress in managing inflation. significantly /sig-NIF-i-kuhnt-lee/ [adverb] – by a large amount A healthy…
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Philippine schools reopen

book-1822474_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have schools resumed in your country? Could you tell me about it? What are your concerns regarding the reopening of classes during the COVID-19 pandemic? Could you tell me about it? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. spread /spred/ [noun] – the development or growth of something so that it covers a larger area or affects a larger number of people It is concerning how quickly the spread of the disease has been in recent years. enact /en-AKT/ [verb] – to put something into action, especially to make something law Under…
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Serena Williams to step away from tennis

madame-tussauds-1720455_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How popular is tennis in your country? Why do you think that is? What sports are you into? How often do you play sports? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. career /kuh-REER/ [noun] – An occupation undertaken for a significant period of a person’s life and with opportunities for progress. He seemed destined for a career as an engineer like his father. retire /ri-TAHYUHR/ [verb] – To withdraw from one’s career, occupation, or office, usually because of age He is going to retire next winter. focus /FOH-kuhs/ [verb] – to give…
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International leaders to discuss the protection of the world’s oceans

Big aquarium with colourful corals and fishes

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your favorite marine animal and why? Do you go fishing? If so, how is the experience? If not, why? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. the high seas /hahy sees/ [noun (plural)] – the seas that are not controlled by any country The issues of piracy on the high seas have been increasing. adequately /AD-i-kwit-lee/ [adverb] – in a way that is enough or satisfactory for a particular purpose He had not planned adequately for the work at hand. network /NET-wurk/ [noun] – a large system consisting of many…
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Can grasshoppers truly take the place of beef?

grasshopper-100883_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your favorite food? Could you tell me about it? Is there a kind of food that you do not eat? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. contribute /kuhn-TRIB-yoot/ [verb] – to be one of the reasons why something happens Does smoking contribute to lung cancer? source /sawrs/ [noun] – the place something comes from or starts at, or the cause of something These fruits are a good source of vitamin C. mission /MISH-uhn/ [noun] – any work that someone believes it is their duty to do It seems…
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4,000 beagles rescued and open for adoption

Young woman walking with Beagle dog in the summer park. Obedient pet with his owner. Walking of pets.

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you prefer buying or adopting animals? Why? What animal do you think makes the best pet? Why? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. shelter /SHEL-ter/ [noun] – something that gives protection, such as a building or tent, or the protection provided Contributions will surely help animal shelters. humane /hyoo-MEYN/ [adjective] – showing kindness, care, and sympathy towards others, especially those who are suffering The regulations emphasize humane treatment for all. breed /breed/ [verb] – to keep animals for the purpose of producing young animals in a controlled way He makes…
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