Tag Archive: world news – intermediate

Overseas spectators not allowed in Tokyo Olympics 2021

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© Kyodo News Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Who are the famous Olympic athletes in your country? Are you excited about the 2021 Olympic games? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. spectator /SPEK-tey-ter/ [noun] – a person who watches an activity, especially a sports event, without taking part The spectators cheered loudly as the opening ceremony started. overseas /oh-ver-SEEZ/ [adjective] – in, from, or to other countries The overseas fans have been waiting for the concert. permit /per-MIT/ [verb] – to allow something Smoking is not permitted inside the building. venue /VEN-yoo/…
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Experts give their opinions on when people can go on holiday again

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How is the Covid-19 vaccination program in your country? Where would you like to travel this year? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. decline /dih-KLAHYN/ [verb] –to gradually become less, worse, or lower His interest in computers declined after he lost his job. leisure /lee-zher/ [noun] – the time when you are not working or doing other duties Some people only have a limited amount of leisure. control /kuhn-TROHL/ [noun] – the act of controlling something or someone, or the power to do this You need to stay in control…
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Russia launches Arktika-M to oversee climate in the Arctic

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© ROSCOSMOS PRESS SERVICE HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What environmental problem does your country face? Is recycling important to help save our environment? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. satellite /SAT-l-ahyt/ [noun] – a device sent up into space to travel around the earth, used for collecting information or communicating by radio, television, etc. The latest reports will be broadcasted via satellite. orbit /AWR-bit/ [noun] – the curved path through which objects in space move around a planet or star The latest space shuttle launched is now in…
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Months back, India was in crisis. Why have their Covid cases dropped?

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you know about India? Would you like to go to India someday? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. confusion /pronunciation/ [noun] – a situation in which people do not understand what is happening, what they should do or who someone or something is The country was in confusion due to the number of Covid-19 cases. seriously /pronunciation/ [adverb] – badly or severely He wasn’t seriously hurt, just had a lot of cuts and bruises. exhaustion /ig-ZAWA-chuhn/ [noun] – the state of being extremely tired She felt sick from exhaustion….
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Children during the pandemic go without dental treatment

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. When did you last have your dental checkup? How often do you have your dental checkup? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. dental /DEN-tl/ [adjective] – relating to the teeth Have you already made a dental check-up appointment? survey /SUR-vey/ [noun] – an examination of opinions, behavior, etc., made by asking people questions A new survey found that 58% of individuals didn’t know where their heart was. nationwide /NEY-shuhn-WAHYD/ [adjective] – existing or happening in all parts of a particular country A nationwide survey was announced yesterday. fear /feer/ [noun] –…
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Climate change is worsening pollen season across the U.S.

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever had a pollen allergy before? What do you know about allergies? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. finding /FAHYN-ding/ [noun] – a piece of information that is discovered during an official examination of a problem, situation, or object These findings are inconsistent with those of previous studies. last /lahst/ [verb] – to continue to exist The documentary lasted almost two hours. annual /AN-yoo-uhl/ [adjective] – happening once every year The school festival is an annual event. extend /ik-STEND/ [verb] – to add to something in order to make…
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Tourists who take selfies could spread Covid-19 to gorillas

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What animals do you like? Have you already seen a gorilla? What can you say about it/ Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. traveler /TRAV-uh-ler/ [noun] – someone who travels The modern traveler can go where he likes. research /ri-SURCH/ [noun] – a detailed study of a subject, especially in order to discover (new) information or reach a (new) understanding: His research in the area of disease prevention has provided surprising results. individual /in-duh-VIJ-oo-uhl/ [noun] – a single person or thing, especially when compared to the group or set to which…
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A piece of Himalayan glacier bursts open a dam in India

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are common natural disasters in your country? What do you do to help save the environment? 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 People in the building were urged to evacuate the area immediately. avalanche /AV-uh-lanch/ [noun] – a large amount of ice, snow, dirt, or rock falling suddenly and quickly down the side of a mountain They were able to escape the avalanche in the ski resort yesterday afternoon. incident /IN-si-duhnt/ [noun] – an event that…
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Europeans pay 20% more for their holidays than they did before the pandemic

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. When was the time you traveled? Do you have any plans traveling this year? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. particularly /per-TIK-yuh-ler-lee/ [adverb] – especially, or more than usual We are particularly interested in hearing from individuals who speak two or more European languages. scheduled /SKEJ-oold/ [adjective] – planned to happen at a particular time He usually attended regularly scheduled meetings with the technicians. doubt /dout/ [noun] – (a feeling of) not being certain about something, especially about how good or true it is I’m having doubts about his ability to…
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AstraZeneca vaccines in France to be given to people under 65 years

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© EPA via bbc.com Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are the Covid-19 vaccines that you know of? How has Covid-19 change your life? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. approve /uh-PROOV/ [verb] – to accept, allow, or officially agree to something The committee has approved the suggestion discussed in the meeting. decision /dih-SIZH-uhn/ [noun] – a choice that you make about something after thinking about several possibilities As the company’s president, he has to make tough decisions. firm /furm/ [noun] – a company offering a professional service, for example a company of lawyers She works…
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