Tag Archive: world news – intermediate

China faces third consecutive population decline amid aging crisis and economic challenges

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think causes a population to decrease in a country? How might fewer young people and more elderly people affect a country’s economy? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. observe /uhb-ZURV/ [verb] – to watch carefully or notice something, especially to learn about it Scientists observe animals in their natural habitat to understand their behavior. prioritization /prahy-OR-uh-tuh-ZAY-shuhn/ [noun] – the act of deciding which tasks or goals are most important Time management requires proper prioritization of tasks. advancement /ad-VANS-muhnt/ [noun] – the process of improving or developing something, often…
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Polar vortex drives Florida manatees to seek warm waters amid ongoing conservation challenges

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Can you think of any places where freezing temperatures are common? What happens to plants and animals in these places? Have you experienced very cold weather before? If so, what did you do to stay warm? If not, how would you prepare? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. vulnerable /VUHL-ner-uh-buhl/ [adjective] – able to be easily hurt, influenced, or attacked The small bird was vulnerable to predators in the open field. critical /KRIT-i-kuhl/ [adjective] – extremely important or necessary; very serious It is critical to wear a helmet while riding a…
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Bird flu in raw milk leads to cat deaths in California

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you think people decide what is safe for their pets to eat? How would you feel if something happened to your pet because of food or drink you gave them? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. hospitalize /HOS-pi-tl-ahyz/ [verb] – to provide medical treatment or care to someone in a hospital The patient was hospitalized after a serious car accident. recall /ri-KAWL/ [verb] – to officially remove a product from the market due to safety concerns The restaurant recalled the contaminated batches of meat after safety concerns arose. cause…
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Neuralink advances brain-computer interface technology, successfully implants devices in three people

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you know about machines being connected to human brains? Why do you think scientists are working on linking brains to machines? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. confirm /kuhn-FURM/ [verb] – to state or show that something is definitely true or correct The teacher confirmed that the test would be on Friday. procedure /pruh-SEE-jer/ [noun] – a set of actions that is the official or accepted way of doing something The nurse explained the procedure before giving the injection. technique /tek-NEEK/ [noun] – a way of doing an activity…
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Wildfires in Los Angeles disrupt entertainment industry and cause severe damage

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you know about wildfires and how they spread? How might technology help firefighters in dangerous situations? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. initiative /ih-NISH-uh-tiv/ [noun] – a new plan or action to solve a problem or improve a situation The school started an initiative to clean up the local park. attribute /uh-TRIB-yoot/ [verb] – to say that something is caused by something else Experts attribute the success of the project to teamwork. technological /tek-nuh-LOJ-i-kuhl/ [adjective] – relating to or using technology Technological advancements have made our lives more convenient….
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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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