Tag Archive: world news – intermediate

© REUTERS via BBC Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you taken a picture of an eclipse before? How was it? Would you like to visit the moon? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. eclipse /ih-KLIPS/ [noun] – an occasion when the sun disappears from view, either completely or partly, while the moon is moving between it and the earth, or when the moon becomes darker while the shadow of the earth moves over it Lunar eclipses are rare phenomena. shade /sheyd/ [noun] – a type or degree of a color She…
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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you usually find on the beach? Have you already seen animal fossils? Could you tell me something about it? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. discover /dih-SKUH-er/ [verb] – to find information, a place, or an object, especially for the first time We looked for the missing papers all morning and eventually discovered them in a drawer. attached /uh-TACHT/ [adjective] – to like someone or something very much I’m very attached to my old house. dig /dig/ [verb] – to break up and move soil using a tool, a…
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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think of today’s temperature? How do you cope with hot temperatures? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. severe /suh-VEER/ [adjective] – causing very great pain, difficulty, worry, damage, etc.; very serious There is a severe food and water shortage in areas of Africa. prime minister /prahym MIN-uh-ster/ [noun] – the leader of the government in some countries In 1979, Margaret Thatcher became the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. steady /STED-ee/ [adjective] – not moving or changing suddenly This year, most rental prices have remained steady….
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©Google via BBC Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What can you say about your primary school? Which do you prefer, a large or small class? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. rural /ROOR-uhl/ [adjective] – in, of, or like the countryside Poverty still exists in some rural areas. case /keys/ [noun] – a particular situation or example of something Public transport is not a good option in this case. agreement /uh-GREE-muhnt/ [noun] – a decision or arrangement, often formal and written, between two or more groups or people Two schools have reached an agreement to…
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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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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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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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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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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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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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