Tag Archive: world news – intermediate

IPCC scientists believe it’s “now or never” to limit global warming

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Why do we have to limit climate change? What are some ways you have in mind to limit climate change? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. absorb /ab-SAWRB/ [verb] – to take something in, especially gradually The drug is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream. process /PROS-es/ [noun] – a series of actions that you take in order to achieve a result The process has three distinct stages. implement /IM-pluh-ment/ [verb] – to start using a plan or system Changes to the national health system will be implemented the following year. estimate…
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Iraq hit by worst case of sand and dust storms

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. When was the time you have been caught out in bad weather (e.g., snowstorm)? Please tell me about your experience. How does the weather affect your mood? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. vast /vast/ [adjective] – extremely big The national library has a vast collection of books. treatment /TREET-muhnt/ [noun] – the use of drugs, exercises, etc. to cure a person of an illness or injury Lily needs immediate dental treatment. prevalent /PREV-uh-luhnt/ [adjective] – existing very commonly or happening often Scientists note that this disease is more prevalent in…
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Scientists in Cambridge rejuvenate a 53-year-old woman’s skin cells

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What effective skin rejuvenation treatments do you know? Could you please tell me more about it? Why is it important to rejuvenate skin? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. ultimate /UHL-tuh-mit/ [adjective] – most important, highest, last, or final Your ultimate goal is to perform well in the game. treatment /TREET-muhnt/ [noun] – the use of drugs, exercises, etc. to cure a person of an illness or injury This disease does not usually react to treatment. overcome /oh-ver-KUHM / [verb] – to defeat or succeed in controlling or dealing with something…
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England to prohibit sewage from being discharged into rivers and the sea

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Does your country treat water waste? Could you tell me something about it? What is the main goal of sewage treatment plants? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. outline /OUT-lahyn/ [verb] – to describe something, for example, a new plan or idea, in a general way without giving too many details The government has outlined the number of environmental targets by 2020. corporation /kawr-puh-REY-shuhn/ [noun] – a large company or group of companies that are controlled together as a single organization She didn’t want to work for a large corporation. illegal…
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Seven different fungi to be tested in reducing air pollution in Northern India

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What type of pollution does your country have? How do you think pollution affects the environment? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. fungus /FUHNG-guhs/ [noun] – any of various types of organisms that get their food from decaying material or other living things The lawn has been covered in fungi. decompose /dee-kuhm-POHZ/ [verb] – to decay, or to cause something to decay Bacterial activity decomposes organic waste. (rice) paddy /PAD-ee/ [noun] – a field planted with rice growing in water Water buffaloes pulled plows in the (rice) paddies. harvesting /HAAR-vuh-stuhng/ [noun]…
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Are youngsters growing up too quickly?

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Are you into social media? Why? What is your favorite social media platform? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. social media /SOH-shuhl Mee-dee-uh/ [noun] – websites and computer programs that allow people to communicate and share information on the internet using a computer or cell phone Companies are increasingly using social media to market their products. pressure /PRESH-er/ [noun] – a difficult situation that makes you feel worried or unhappy Be kind to him; he’s been under a lot of pressure lately. mature /MUH-toor/ [verb] – to become more developed…
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The remote workplace’s “ghost coworkers”

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you communicate with your coworkers at work? Are you close to your coworkers? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. shrink /shringk/ [verb] – to become smaller, or to make something smaller If you wash your sweater at too high a temperature, it will shrink. remote /ri-MOHT / [adjective] – far away in distance Australia is huge and remote from the world’s major population centers. manner /MAN-er/ [noun] – the way in which something is done She locked her gaze on me in an accusing manner. crucial /KROO-shuhl /…
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The ‘Dinosaur asteroid’ causes devastation in springtime

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you believe that dinosaurs existed? Why? Why are dinosaurs important? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. springtime /SPRING-tahym/ [noun] – the season of spring The blossom on the trees looks lovely in the springtime. factor /FAK-ter/ [noun] – a fact or situation that influences the result of something The road was a contributing factor in the accident. survive /ser-VAHYV/ [verb] – to continue to live or exist, especially after coming close to dying or being destroyed or after being in a difficult or threatening situation These plants are unable to…
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Australia confirms recent mass bleaching incident in the Great Barrier Reef

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© GETTY IMAGES via BBC News Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What marine activities do you enjoy? (fishing, snorkeling, etc.) How do you think climate change affects the oceans? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. marine /muh-REEN/ [adjective] – related to the sea or sea transport You can ask my brother anything about the sea. He’s an expert on marine life. reef /reef/ [noun] – a line of rocks or sand just above or just below the surface of the sea, often dangerous to ships My family and I saw beautiful coral reefs when we went…
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Modern friendship’s myths and realities

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How much time do you spend on your smartphone? Can you live without using a smartphone? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. criticism /KRIT-uh-siz-uhm/ [noun] – the act of saying that something or someone is bad I’d like to make a few criticisms about your speech. concerned /kuhn-SURND/ [adjective] – worried I’m concerned about your well-being. image /IM-ij/ [noun] – a picture in your mind or an idea of how someone or something is I have a mental image of how I want the garden to look. vital…
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