Tag Archive: world news – intermediate

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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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you communicate with your coworkers at work? Are you close to your coworkers? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. shrink /shringk/ [verb] – to become smaller, or to make something smaller If you wash your sweater at too high a temperature, it will shrink. remote /ri-MOHT / [adjective] – far away in distance Australia is huge and remote from the world’s major population centers. manner /MAN-er/ [noun] – the way in which something is done She locked her gaze on me in an accusing manner. crucial /KROO-shuhl /…
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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you believe that dinosaurs existed? Why? Why are dinosaurs important? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. springtime /SPRING-tahym/ [noun] – the season of spring The blossom on the trees looks lovely in the springtime. factor /FAK-ter/ [noun] – a fact or situation that influences the result of something The road was a contributing factor in the accident. survive /ser-VAHYV/ [verb] – to continue to live or exist, especially after coming close to dying or being destroyed or after being in a difficult or threatening situation These plants are unable to…
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© GETTY IMAGES via BBC News Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What marine activities do you enjoy? (fishing, snorkeling, etc.) How do you think climate change affects the oceans? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. marine /muh-REEN/ [adjective] – related to the sea or sea transport You can ask my brother anything about the sea. He’s an expert on marine life. reef /reef/ [noun] – a line of rocks or sand just above or just below the surface of the sea, often dangerous to ships My family and I saw beautiful coral reefs when we went…
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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How much time do you spend on your smartphone? Can you live without using a smartphone? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. criticism /KRIT-uh-siz-uhm/ [noun] – the act of saying that something or someone is bad I’d like to make a few criticisms about your speech. concerned /kuhn-SURND/ [adjective] – worried I’m concerned about your well-being. image /IM-ij/ [noun] – a picture in your mind or an idea of how someone or something is I have a mental image of how I want the garden to look. vital…
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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is a wildfire? When are wildfires most likely to occur? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. barrier /BAR-ee-er/ [noun] – something that prevents something else from happening or makes it more difficult Ozone is the earth’s barrier against ultra-violet radiation. determine /dih-TUR-min/ [verb] – to discover the facts or truth about something A follow-up audit will be conducted by the office to determine whether any modifications or improvements have been made. recovery /ri-KUHV-uh-ree/ [noun] – a process in which a situation improves after a difficult period The physicians were surprised…
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© AFP via BBC News Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you think natural disasters have become more frequent nowadays? Please explain your answer. What is the worst natural disaster for you and why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. magnitude /MAG-ni-tood/ [noun] – a measure of how strong or violent an earthquake is A 5.0 magnitude earthquake was detected in the southern islands. severe /suh-VEER/ [adjective] – causing very great pain, difficulty, worry, damage, etc.; very serious She is still recovering from severe flu. on board /ON BAWRD/ [idiom] – on or in an aircraft,…
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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your favorite program online? Could you tell me more about it? Why do some people listen to podcasts? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. establish /ih-STAB-lish/ [verb] – to start a company or organization that will continue for a long time These working practices were created in the previous century. vision /VIZH-uhn/ [noun] – an idea or mental image of something We see his vision of the future in his works. episode /EP-uh-sohd/ [noun] – one of the single parts into which a story is divided, especially when it…
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© CNN News Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Which animal do you think is the most endangered and why? What is your opinion of giant animals? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. porcupine /PAWR-kyuh-pahyn/ [noun] – an animal with a covering of long, sharp quills (= stiff hairs like needles) on its back I found a porcupine by the riverside. naturalistic /nach-er-uh-LIS-tik/ [adjective] – similar to what exists in nature Zoos keep the animals in naturalistic settings for their comfort. visible /VIZ-uh-buhl/ [adjective] – able to be seen Most of the writings in this old book…
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