Tag Archive: world news – intermediate

Taiwan approves use of domestically-developed COVID-19 vaccine despite criticisms

medigen

©BBC News Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What COVID-19 vaccine brands are being used in your country? How many percent do you think are already fully vaccinated in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. criticism /KRIT-uh-siz-uhm/ [noun] – an opinion given about something or someone, esp. a negative opinion, or the activity of making such judgments The new novel he published received a lot of criticisms from parents. safety /SEYF-tee/ [noun] – a state in which or a place where you are safe and not in danger or at risk Our top priority is…
Read more

Members of Parliament say that charging fees for electric vehicles must be reasonable

carsharing-4382651_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you support the use of electric cars in the future? Why or why not? What do you think of using electric cars? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. accessible /ak-SES-uh-buhl / [adjective] – possible to approach, enter, or use The information is readily accessible on the Internet. remote /ri-MOHT/ [adjective] – far away in distance They live in a remote mountain village. ban /ban/ [verb] – to forbid (= refuse to allow) something, especially officially The company bans smoking on the premises. consumer /kuhn-SOO-mer / [noun] – a person who…
Read more

What causes flash floods in extreme weather?

flood-392707_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What kinds of disasters have you already experienced in your area? What causes flooding? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. climate change /KLAHY-mit cheynj/ [noun] – changes in the world’s weather, in particular the fact that it is believed to be getting warmer as a result of human activity increasing the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere There is growing concern about climate change. soak /sohk/ [verb] – to make something very wet, or of a liquid to be absorbed The clothes should soak for a quarter before washing. severe…
Read more

Former hospital staff in Australia under investigation for being a fake doctor

doctor-563429_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you encountered a fake doctor before? Please share some details about it. What is your opinion about people who fake their documents or papers? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. former /FAWR-mer/ [adjective] – used to describe someone who had a particular position or job in the past Our former supervisor now works abroad. pretend /pri-TEND/ [verb] – to behave as if something is true when you know that it is not, especially in order to deceive people or as a game She had pretended to be a doctor for…
Read more

A $5,800 Japanese whiskey gifted to Mike Pompeo is missing, U.S. says

210805081626-restricted-mike-pompeo-12-09-2020-exlarge-169

©Elijah Nouvelage / Bloomberg / Getty Images via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is the most popular whiskey brand in your country? When do you usually give gifts to your family or friends? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. worth /wurth/ [adjective] – having a particular value, especially in money Susanna’s house is worth £300,000. knowledge /NOL-ij/ [noun] – the state of knowing about or being familiar with something He has no knowledge of what happened last Thursday. cause /kawz/ [noun] – to make something happen, especially something bad He told me that too…
Read more

The music industry is turning to live streaming to increase revenue

hand-1850120_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What was the last music festival you attended? Do you watch online concerts nowadays? Could you tell me more about it? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. effective /ih-FEK-tiv/ [adjective] – successful or achieving the results that you want This car polish is an effective shield against rust. existence /ig-ZIs-tuhns/ [noun] – the fact of something or someone existing The company that they started is still in existence today. virtual /VUR-choo-uhl/ [adjective] – created by computer technology and appearing to exist but not existing in the physical world You can take…
Read more

Metro Manila under lockdown again due to COVID-19 Delta variant

Metro Manila under lockdown again due to COVID-19 Delta variant

©Pablo Barcelon via CNN Philippines Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your country’s current status in the ongoing pandemic? When was the last time you heard about COVID-19 news in the Philippines? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. permit /per-MIT/ [verb] – to allow something Smoking is not permitted in all areas of the establishment. crucial /KROO-shuhl/ [adjective] – extremely important or necessary Training is one of the most crucial parts of becoming a great athlete. severe /suh-VEER/ [adjective] – causing very great pain, difficulty, worry, damage, etc.; very serious Many people suffer severe financial…
Read more

Tobacco firm Philip Morris calls for UK cigarette ban by 2030

no-smoking-148825_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. In your country, are people allowed to smoke on the streets? Do companies in your office have no-smoking policies? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. ban /ban/ [verb] – to forbid (= refuse to allow) something, especially officially Most schools ban the use of cell phones inside classrooms. decade /DEK-eyd/ [noun] – a period of ten years, especially a period such as 2010 to 2019 She worked as an accountant for a decade. invest /in-VEST/ [verb] – to put money, effort, time, etc. into something to make a profit or get…
Read more

UK faces labor shortage after spike in COVID cases

flag-5201916_1920

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Are you currently studying or working from home? What businesses are still closed in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. rise /rahyz/ [verb] – to move upwards The number of coronavirus cases in Ireland is rising. implement /IM-pluh-ment/ [verb] – to start using a plan or system The school implemented new rules for the students. potentially /puh-TEN-shuh-lee/ [adverb] – possibly You will encounter potentially dangerous situations when hiking. expose /ik-SPOHZ/ [verb] – to put someone at risk from something harmful or unpleasant The mountaineers had been exposed to a…
Read more

Bars and restaurants in Ireland reopen to the public

restaurant

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Are all bars and restaurants open in your country? Have you been to bars and restaurants since the pandemic started? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. allow /uh-LOU/ [verb] – to let someone do something or let something happen; permit Jane wasn’t allowed to go with us to the cinema. accompany /uh-KUHM-puh-nee/ [verb] – to go with someone or to be provided or exist at the same time as something Children must be accompanied by adults. effectively /ee-FEK‐tiv-lee/ [adverb] – in a way that is successful and achieves what you want…
Read more