Tag Archive: world news – intermediate

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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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are endangered species? Do hedgehogs make good pets? Why do you think so? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. rural /ROOR-uhl / [adjective] – in, of, or like the countryside The area is still undeveloped and rural. decline /dih-KLAHYN/ [verb] – to gradually become less, worse, or lower They’ve just declined the price. survey /SUR-vey/ [noun] – an examination of opinions, behavior, etc., made by asking people questions According to a latest survey, 75% of those questioned were in favor of the plan. urban /UR-buhn / [adjective] – of or…
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© Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust and National Geographic via CNN News Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. When was the last time you went to the ocean? What did you do there? What kinds of documentaries do you enjoy watching? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. explorer /ik-SPLAWR-er/ [noun] – someone who travels to places where no one has ever been in order to find out what is there Ferdinand Magellan was a famous sixteenth-century explorer. shipwreck /SHIP-rek/ [noun] – an accident in which a ship is destroyed or sunk at sea, especially by hitting rocks, or…
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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…
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©©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…
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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…
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