Tag Archive: world news – intermediate

The strange reason why migrating birds are attracted to cities

bird-migration-g79d51c69c_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Where do birds migrate? What birds have adapted to stay in the winter rather than migrate south? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. migratory /MAHY-gruh-tawr-ee/ [adjective] – a migratory bird or animal is one that migrates (= travels to a different place, usually when the season changes) Sea eagles aren’t migratory, so once they’re gone, there’s no way to bring them back. 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…
Read more

Paris is set to build a $145M cable car line

317

©©Île-de-France Mobilités via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Which city in Europe would you like to visit? Why? How often do you travel by car? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. aerial /AIR-ee-uhl/ [adjective] – in or from the air, especially from an aircraft Reena would like to try aerial photography. estimate /ES-tuh-meyt/ [verb] – to guess or calculate the cost, size, value, etc. of something The estimated costs of the city hall project are over £3 million. capacity /kuh-PAS-i-tee/ [noun] – the total amount that can be contained or produced This washing machine has…
Read more

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

companion-gfcb58c86e_1280

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…
Read more

Several European countries accept Ukrainian refugees

ukraine

© 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…
Read more

The suffocating expectation of 24-hour, seven-day-a-week digital accessibility

whatsapp-g879ce705b_1280

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…
Read more

There are more tree species on the planet than we originally predicted

trees-g4b5c3fce0_1280

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…
Read more

Space travel damages red blood cells quicker than on Earth

earth-gff99c52c8_1280

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…
Read more

Spain’s ‘liquid gold’ is still unexplored

forest-g6c0ddf582_1280

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…
Read more

Kew experts name a new tree after a famous Hollywood actor

nature-g51381d990_1280

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]…
Read more

UK rental costs rise as employees return to the office

_110468796_gettyimages-903861978

©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…
Read more