Tag Archive: world news – intermediate

France impedes partying on New Year’s Eve to limit COVID-19 infections

France impedes partying on New Year’s Eve to limit COVID-19 infections

©Daniel Haug/Getty Images Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How did you celebrate New Year’s Eve? Are outdoor parties and fireworks displays popular in your country during the holiday season? Please share something about it. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. cooperation /koh-op-uh-REY-shuhn/ [noun] – the act of working together with someone or doing what they ask you We ask everyone’s cooperation to finish this project by the due date. frustration /fruh-STREY-shuhn/ [noun] – the feeling of being annoyed or less confident because you cannot achieve what you want, or something that makes you feel like this…
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Scientists make significant progress in using DNA to store data

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you like taking pictures and videos? Why? Is DNA important? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. substantial /suhb-STAN-shuhl / [adejctive] – large in size, value, or importance His novel’s first draft requires a substantial amount of rewriting. storage /STAWR-ij/ [noun] – the putting and keeping of things in a special place for use in the future To make more storage space, we had to build some cupboards. data /DAT-uh/ [noun] – information, especially facts or numbers, collected to be examined and considered and used to help decision-making, or information…
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Hertfordshire tractors raise funds for Christmas charity

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© ROMAN TURNEY PHOTOGRAPHY via BBC NEWS Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you volunteered for a good cause? If yes, please tell me more about it. If not, what would you like to volunteer for and why? When does your country usually have parades? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. witness /WIT-nis/ [verb] – to see something happen We witnessed a public song performance on our way home. parade /puh-REYD/ [noun] – a large number of people walking or in vehicles, all going in the same direction, usually as part of a public celebration of…
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What factors influence a child’s decision to have a best friend?

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What qualities do you look for in a friend? Could you tell me about your best friend? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. tend /tend/ [verb] – to be likely to behave in a particular way or have a particular characteristic In this section of the country, we tend to have cold winters and hot, dry summers. intimacy /IN-tuh-muh-see/ [noun] – close familiarity or friendship; closeness The opposite of loneliness is intimacy, not togetherness. evolutionary /ev-uh-LOO-shuh-ner-ee/ [adjective] – relating to the way in which living things develop over millions of years…
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Amazon faces criticisms over safety protocols at tornado-hit warehouse

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is the most recent natural disaster you have seen on the news? What do you think is the worst natural disaster? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. Illinois /il-uh-NOI/ [noun] – a state in the central US, whose capital city is Springfield and whose largest city is Chicago My parents got married in Illinois. tornado /tawr-NEY-doh/ [noun] – a dangerous storm which is a spinning cone of wind that destroys anything in its path as it moves across the ground Hundreds of buildings and homes were destroyed by the tornado…
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New Zealand to reopen to travelers who have been vaccinated

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Where did you last travel? Could you tell me more about it? What activities would you like to do if Covid restrictions were already lifted? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. prohibit /proh-HIB-it/ [verb] – to officially refuse to allow something It is prohibited to drive on the ice with a motor vehicle. entitled /en-TAHYT-ld/ [adjective] – feeling that you have the right to do or have what you want without having to work for it or deserve it, just because of who you are Officers are entitled to travel first…
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The man who is transforming towns into massive sponges

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What does your government do to solve the flooding problem? Do you think it is effective? Why do you think so? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. drown /droun/ [verb] – to (cause to) die by being unable to breathe underwater A child can drown in only a few inches of water. concept /KON-sept/ [noun] – a principle or idea The central concept of the picture puzzled me. management /MAN-ij-muhnt / [noun] – the control and organization of something The company has been harmed by poor management for numerous years. function…
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Dubai opens world’s first, highest 360-degree infinity pool

Dubai opens world's highest 360-degree infinity pool

©AURA Skypool Lounge via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some of the famous hotels in your country? Do you like staying at hotels? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. base /beys/ [verb] – to have a particular town or area, etc. as the main place that you live and work in, or where you do business from The new clothing company is based in Manila. story /STAWR-ee/ [noun] – a level of a building I’m so excited to visit Blair’s new 12-story mansion! residential /rez-i-DEN-shuhl/ [adjective] – a residential…
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New coronavirus variant Omicron under observation by scientists

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© Thomas Faull/Alamy Live News/Alamy Live News via The Guardian Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is the deadliest disease for you and why? When do you think the pandemic will end? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. variant /VAIR-ee-uhnt/ [noun] – a form of a virus or disease that is slightly different from other forms, for example because the virus causing the disease has mutated A new variant of the disease was discovered in the US. infection /in-FEK-shuhn/ [noun] – a condition in which bacteria or viruses that cause disease have entered the body Take…
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Vulcano residents evacuate due to high levels of carbon dioxide

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© Shutterstock via britannica.com Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. For you, what is the worse natural disaster and why? How can we prepare for natural disasters? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. volcanic /vol-KAN-ik/ [adjective] – of, relating to, or made by a volcano A volcanic island has been discovered off the north coast of Australia. carbon dioxide /KAHR-buhn dahy-OK-sahyd/ [noun] – the gas formed when carbon is burned, or when people or animals breathe out Carbon dioxide emissions should be stabilized. forbid /fer-BID/ [verb] – to not allow something, or to order someone not to…
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