Tag Archive: world news – intermediate

Malta welcomes travelers back safely

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Would you like to work overseas? Why or why not? How can you describe the pandemic response in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. response /ri-SPONS/ [noun] – an answer or reaction We must make an immediate response to the problem. severe /suh-VEER/ [adjective] – extreme or very difficult: The punishment wasn’t too severe. prevention /pri-VEN-shuhn/ [noun] – the act of stopping something from happening or of stopping someone from doing something When it comes to health, it is generally said that prevention is preferable to treatment. overseas /oh-ver-seeZ/…
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La Paz, Bolivia hit by high levels of UV radiation

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© Claudia Morales/Reuters via CNN news Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is the ideal weather temperature for you? When is the rainy season in your country? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. heatwave /HEET-weyv/ [noun] – a period of time such as a few weeks when the weather is much hotter than usual According to the news, we can expect more heatwaves in the coming months. extreme /ik-STREEM/ [adjective] – very large in amount or degree Most areas in Russia experience extreme cold. last /lahst/ [verb] – to continue to exist These machines should last…
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Australia to urge parental consent for minors on social media

Australia to urge parental consent for minors on social media

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What social networking sites do you use often? Is your country strict in terms of online media? Please tell me more about it. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. acquire /uh-KWAHYUHR/ [verb] – to obtain or begin to have something Her family acquired the property in 1996. penalty /PEN-l-tee/ [noun] – a punishment, or the usual punishment, for doing something that is against a law What is the penalty for dangerous driving? draft /drahft/ [noun] – a piece of text, a formal suggestion, or a drawing in its original state, often…
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COP26: World leaders pledge commitment to deforestation efforts

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are the famous forests in your country? What can you do to help nature? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. cease /sees/ [verb] – to stop something The company has decided to cease its operations temporarily. deforestation /dee-fawr-uh-STEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the cutting down of trees in a large area, or the destruction of forests by people Deforestation can cause floods and drought. wildfire /WAHYLD-fahyuhr/ [noun] – a fire that is burning strongly and out of control on an area of grass or bushes in the countryside Authorities were able to…
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China promises to stop the construction of new coal-fired power plants in other countries

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What infrastructure projects are being built in your country now? What do you think about China’s plan to stop the construction of new coal-fired power plants in other countries? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. massive /MAS-iv / [adjective] – very large in size, amount, or number A massive number of people were crowded into the room. agreement /uh-GREE-muhnt/ [noun] – a decision or arrangement, often formal and written, between two or more groups or people They have violated the conditions of the human rights agreement. state /steyt/ [noun] – a…
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Thailand is now open to vaccinated tourists

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you eat at a restaurant these days? Do you always listen to news about COVID-19? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. curb /kurb/ [noun] – a limit on something that is not wanted Ellen should try to put a curb on her bad spending habits. entry /EN-tree/ [noun] – the act of entering a place or joining a particular society or organization The museum offers free entry for the whole month of May. optimistic /op-tuh-MIS-tik/ [adjective] – hoping or believing that good things will…
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New wind farm powers Amazon’s operations

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think of renewable energy? Could tell me some of the benefits of using renewable energy? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. production /pruh-DUHK-shuhn/ [noun] – the amount of something that is made or grown by a country or a company Wheat production has increased over time. headquarters /HED-kwawr-terz/ [noun] – the main offices of an organization such as the army, the police, or a business company The company’s headquarters is in China. schedule /SKEJ-ool/ [noun] – a list of planned activities or things to be done showing the…
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How can I lower my carbon footprint in the face of climate change?

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you buy plastic products? What things at home do you reuse? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. warm /wawrm / [verb] – to (cause to) become warm (= less cold) With this electric heater, we can quickly warm up the room. impact /IM-pakt/ [noun] – a powerful effect that something, especially something new, has on a situation or person The anti-smoking campaign has and continues to have a significant impact on young people. carbon footprint /KAHR-buhn FOOT-print/ [noun] – someone’s carbon footprint is a measurement of the amount of…
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No more super high-rise buildings, China says

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©Getty Images via BBC Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you have a fear of heights? Have you been to Shanghai, China? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. construction /kuhn-STRUHK-shuhn/ [noun] – the work of building or making something, especially buildings, bridges, etc The construction of the new mall will begin next week. practicality /prak-ti-KAL-i-tee / [noun] – the quality of being able to provide effective solutions to problems We are not sure about the practicality of his plan. ban /ban/ [noun] – an official order that prevents something from happening There was a ban on…
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People are now taking on extra, secret jobs to keep them out of the eyes of their bosses

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Why do some prefer two jobs at the same time? Do you think having one job is enough? Please elaborate on your answer. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. remote /ri-MOHT/ [adjective] – far away in distance Australia is huge and remote from the world’s major population centers. era /EER-uh/ [noun] – a period of time of which particular events or stages of development are typical We live in an era of instant communication. layoff /LEY-awf/ [noun] – an occasion when a company stops employing someone, sometimes temporarily, because the company…
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