Tag Archive: world news – intermediate

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…
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Tobacco firm Philip Morris calls for UK cigarette ban by 2030

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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…
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UK faces labor shortage after spike in COVID cases

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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…
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Bars and restaurants in Ireland reopen to the public

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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…
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The United States: The only country without a paid parental leave program

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What kind of policy do you know about? Please tell me more about it. What types of leaves are included in your leave policy at work? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. wealthy /WEL-thee/ [adjective] – rich Although she was wealthy, she lived in a small house. nationwide /ney-shuhn-WAHYD/ [adjective] – existing or happening in all parts of a particular country A nationwide campaign against pollution began in the summer. policy /POL-uh-see/ [noun] – a set of ideas or a plan of what to do in particular situations that have been…
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More than 10 million Australians under lockdown as part of the fight against the Delta strain

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What Covid-19 virus variants do you know? Which country in the world had quickly recovered its economy in spite of the pandemic? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. lockdown /LOK-doun/ [noun] – an emergency situation in which people are not allowed to freely enter, leave, or move around in a building or area because of danger The campus was placed on lockdown shortly after the shootings were reported, and Monday’s classes were canceled. territory /TER-i-tawr-ee/ [noun] – (an area of) land, or sometimes ocean, that is considered as belonging to or…
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Wildfires hit western Canada

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What natural calamities usually hit your country? Are wildfires common in your area? Please tell me more about it. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. evacuate /ih-VAK-yoo-eyt/ [verb] – to move people from a dangerous place to somewhere safe Everyone has safely evacuated from the affected areas. belongings /bi-LAANG-ingz/ [noun] – the things that a person owns, especially those that can be carried Always keep an eye on your belongings. roughly /RUH-flee/ [adverb] – approximately I think the temperature is roughly 23 degrees Celcius. frequency /FREE-kwuhn-see/ [noun] – the number of…
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US devotes $3.2 billion for COVID-19 treatments, other viruses

US devotes $3.2B for COVID-19 treatments, other viruses

©Jim Lo Scalzo via AP Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Are you in favor of vaccines? Why or why not? Why is research and development important? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. reserve /ri-ZURV/ [verb] – to keep something for a particular purpose or time The university has reserved a generous budget for scholars. briefing /BREE-fing/ [noun] – information that is given to someone just before they do something, or a meeting where this happens The department held a task briefing for its new prroject. expedite /EK-spi-dahyt/ [verb] – to make something happen more quickly The…
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Global online shutdowns hit major businesses

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What transactions do you do online? How often do you use online services? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. firm /furm/ [noun] – a company or business We submitted the contract to an engineering firm. timing /TAHY-ming/ [noun] – the time when something happens The stormy weather has such bad timing. We were supposed to go on a picnic today. external /ik-STUR-nl/ [adjective] – of, on, for, or coming from the outside External factors such as noises can make anyone lose focus on their work. connectivity /kon-ek-TIV-i-tee/ [noun] – the ability…
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Amazonians rescue ‘Terminator’ of the fish world

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©River Monsters: The murky world of giant freshwater fish via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What happens when a particular species becomes extinct? What animal abilities do you consider amazing? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. discover /dih-SKUHV-er/ [verb] – to find information, a place, or an object, especially for the first time Scientists have discovered how to know when an earthquake is coming. reach /reech/ [verb] – to get to a particular level, especially a high one The temperature can reach 40 degrees Celsius today. survive /ser-VAHYV/ [verb] – to continue to live or…
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