Tag Archive: world news – intermediate

Why do so many individuals believe in the “soulmate myth”?

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What characteristics are you looking for in a lifetime partner? Why do people believe in soulmates? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. theme park /theem pahrk/ [noun] – a large permanent area for public entertainment, with entertaining activities and big machines to ride on or play games on, restaurants, etc., sometimes all connected with a single subject It’s the biggest theme park outside the United States. individual /in-duh-VIJ-oo-uhl/ [noun] – a single person or thing, especially when compared to the group or set to which they belong Every individual has rights…
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Several European countries accept Ukrainian refugees

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© GETTY IMAGES via BBC News Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you been to a European country? If so, how was it? If not, which nation would you like to visit and why? Do you have a foreign friend? Please tell me more about him or her. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. invasion /in-VEY-zhuhn/ [noun] – an occasion when an army or country uses force to enter and take control of another country They were planning on a full-scale invasion of the north. refugee /ref-yoo-JEE/ [noun] – a person who has escaped from their…
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The suffocating expectation of 24-hour, seven-day-a-week digital accessibility

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you feel when someone has not replied to your text message? How many minutes does it take you to reply to someone’s text message? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. concerned /kuhn-SURND/ [adjective] – worried I’m a little concerned about my mother’s health. respond /ri-SPOND/ [verb] – to say or do something as a reaction to something that has been said or done He responded to every question asked to him. remote /ri-MOHT/ [adjective] – far away in distance Australia is huge and remote from the world’s major population…
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There are more tree species on the planet than we originally predicted

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you been to a tropical forest before? Could you share something about it? What comes to mind after reading the title of the article? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. species /SPEE-sheez/ [noun] – a set of animals or plants in which the members have similar characteristics to each other and can breed with each other Mountain gorillas are a rare species in the wild. tropical /TROP-i-kuhl / [adjective] – extremely hot My dream is to live on a tropical island. rely on /ri-LAHY on/ [phrasal verb] – to need…
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Space travel damages red blood cells quicker than on Earth

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think of space travel? What do you think of the health risk of space travel? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. occur /uh-KUR/ [verb] – (especially of accidents and other unexpected events) to happen If any of these symptoms occur while taking the medicine, contact your doctor right away. gather /GATH-er/ [verb] – to collect several things, often from different places or people She gathered the newspapers that had been scattered about the room. calculate /KAL-kyuh-leyt / [verb] – to judge the amount or value of something by using…
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Spain’s ‘liquid gold’ is still unexplored

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What Earth element do you think is unexplored? What is liquid gold? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. potential /puh-TEN-shuhl/ [adjective] – able to develop into something in the future when the necessary conditions exist It’s believed that a number of potential purchasers have expressed interest. rural /ROOR-uhl / [adjective] – in, of, or like the countryside The area is still undeveloped and rural. emerge /ih-MURJ/ [verb] – to appear by coming out of something or out from behind something The flowers emerge in the spring. treat /treet/ [verb] – to…
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Kew experts name a new tree after a famous Hollywood actor

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Who is your favorite Hollywood actor? Could you tell me something about him/her? What do you think about naming a newfound plant after a famous person? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. vast /vast/ [adjective] – extremely big The movie had a vast audience. outline /OUT-lahyn/ [verb] – to give the main facts about something She outlined what I would be doing during the interview. endangered /en-DEYN-jerd/ [adjective] – in danger of being harmed, lost, unsuccessful, etc. The list of endangered species includes nearly 300 fishes social media /SOH-shuhl MEE-dee-uh/ [noun]…
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UK rental costs rise as employees return to the office

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©GETTY IMAGES via BBC Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is it like living in your city? What is the most popular rental website/app in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. gradual /GRAJ-oo-uhl / [adjective] – happening or changing slowly over a long period of time or distance He saw a gradual improvement in his student’s performances last month. boost /boost/ [verb] – to improve or increase something The summer promotions boosted the sales of the store. privacy /PRAHY-vuh-see/ [noun] – someone’s right to keep their personal matters and relationships secret Laura values her…
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Sea temperatures rise abnormally in Alaska

A dead seal found on a beach near Kotzebue, Alaska

©Raime Fronstin/NPS/NOAA Fisheries Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How is the temperature in your country? Is your country rich in bodies of water? Kindly share something about it. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. specialist /SPESH-uh-list/ [noun] – someone who has a lot of experience, knowledge, or skill in a particular subject She’s a specialist in modern French literature. commercial /kuh-MUR-shuhl/ [adjective] – related to buying and selling things He is interested in buying the warehouse for a commercial project. sustained /suh-STEYND/ [adjective] – continuing for a long time We must make a sustained effort to…
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How companies drove employees to resign

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think are the reasons why employees resign? How would you handle a resignation from one of your best employees? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. break out /BREYK out/ [verb] – if something dangerous or unpleasant breaks out, it suddenly starts Fighting has broken out around the area. suburb /SUHB-urb/ [noun] – an area on the edge of a large town or city where people who work in the town or city often live Is Box Hill a suburb of Melbourne? economist /ih-KON-uh-mist/ [noun] – a person who…
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