Tag Archive: world news – intermediate

Scientists discover a perfectly preserved dinosaur embryo in China

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©BBC News Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What things do you know about dinosaurs? Please tell me more about it. Could you describe your favorite dinosaur? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. embryo /EM-bree-oh/ [noun] – an animal that is developing either in its mother’s womb or in an egg, or a plant that is developing in a seed Once an egg is fertilized by the sperm, it becomes an embryo. discovery /dih-SKUHV-uh-ree/ [noun] – the process of finding information, a place, or an object, especially for the first time, or the thing that is found…
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Tonga reveals damage caused by tsunami

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© Consulate of the Kingdom of Tonga Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do tsunamis hit your country? What do you think causes a tsunami? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. volcanic ash /vol-KAN-ik ash/ [noun] – loose fragmented solid material ejected from a volcano in the form of powder The town is filled with volcanic ash after the eruption. isolate /AHY-suh-leyt/ [verb] – to separate something from other things, or to keep something separate The country is currently isolated due to its high radiation. degree /dih-GREE/ [noun] – (an) amount or level of something…
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Power blackout hits Central Asia

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are the major electric companies in your country? Do you use a heater during the winter season? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. nation /NEY-shuhn / [noun] – a country, especially when thought of as a large group of people living in one area with their own government, language, traditions, etc The entire nation is celebrating the Olympic wins. link /lingk/ [noun] – to connect two objects or places physically Turkey is linked to many Asian continents. enable /en-EY-buhl/ [verb] – to make someone able to do something, or to…
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Wales carries out digital deposit return scheme to fulfill zero-waste goals

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How does recycling benefit the environment? Why is it important to only put items that can be recycled in the recycling bin? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. scheme /skeem / [noun] – an officially organized plan or system In our town, there is a new recycling scheme for plastic bottles. reveal /ri-VEEL/ [verb] – to make known or show something that is surprising or that was previously secret He refused to reveal the location of her chocolate eggs. cooperation /koh-op-uh-REY-shuhn/ [noun] – the act of working together with someone or…
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Why are Mauritius’ seashells disappearing?

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Why do people love to go to the beach? What can seashells be used for? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. consequence /KON-si-kwens/ [noun] – a result of a particular action or situation, often one that is bad or not convenient Many believe that poverty is a consequence of overpopulation. significant /sig-NIF-i-kuhnt / [adjective] – noticeable In recent years, there has been significant growth in the number of female students. cyclone /SAHY-klohn/ [noun] – a violent tropical storm The cyclone struck the village late last night. coastal /KOHS-tl/ [adjective] – positioned…
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Rare twin baby elephants in Kenya fight for survival

Rare twin baby elephants in Kenya fights for survival

©Jane Wynyard/Save The Elephants (STE) Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your favorite animal and why? What animal represents your country’s culture? Please share something about it. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. reserve /ri-ZURV/ [noun] – an area of land kept in its natural state, especially for wild animals to live in and be protected Corbett National Park is one of India’s famous wildlife reserves. conservation /kon-ser-VEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the protection of plants and animals, natural areas, and interesting and important structures and buildings, especially from the damaging effects of human activity Energy conservation…
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Food companies ask the government to help them resolve the supply chain crisis

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you manage the food supply at home? Why is it important to resolve the supply chain crisis? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. take into account /teyk in-too uh-KOUNT/ [idiom] – to consider or remember something when judging a situation I’m hoping that when my teacher evaluates my paper, she would take into account the fact that I was sick right before the tests. tackle /TAK-uhl/ [verb ] – to try to deal with something or someone The president appears to be at a loss about how to tackle…
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Africa’s ambition is to become a hydrogen superpower

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you think hydrogen is more efficient than electricity? Why do you think so? What are the pros and cons of hydrogen power? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. revolution /rev-uh-LOO-shuhn/ [noun] – a very important change in the way that people do things The vaccine produced a revolution in medicine. council /KOUN-suhl/ [noun] – a group of people elected or chosen to make decisions or give advice on a particular subject, to represent a particular group of people, or to run a particular organization The council discussed the proposed law…
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Denmark frees three suspected pirates

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© Danish Armed Forces via BBC News Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you think pirates still exist nowadays? Please share your thoughts about them. Where is the largest sea in your country located? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. suspected /suh-SPEK-tuhd/ [adjective] – believed to be guilty of a crime The suspected thieves were eventually caught by the police. locate /loh-KEYT/ [verb] – to find We cannot locate the exact destination of the shop. attempted /uh-TEMP-tuhd/ [adjective] – (of a crime) that someone has tried to commit without success He’s being questioned for the attempted…
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Hydroelectric dams have been linked to the extinction of tigers and jaguars

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Why do animals become extinct? What do dams do? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. expansion /ik-SPAN-shuhn/ [noun] – to increase in size, number, or importance, or to make something increase in this way The company’s expansion on their commercial operations during the 1980s had a huge impact on their services. impact /IM-pakt/ [noun] – a powerful effect that something, especially something new, has on a situation or person The new measures are going to prevent the impact of the new tax system. construction /kuhn-STRUHK-shuhn/ [noun] – the work of building…
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