Tag Archive: world news – intermediate

Rare tropical cyclone cluster raises concerns about climate change’s impact on weather

typhoon

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. When was the last time you experienced a strong typhoon? Is it possible to solve climate change? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. cyclone /SAHY-klohn/ [noun] – a large-scale, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms featuring a clearly defined circulation pattern The town was evacuated due to the approaching cyclone. destruction /dih-STRUHK-shuhn/ [noun] – the act of destroying something, or the fact of being destroyed The earthquake left a path of destruction across the city. factor /FAK-ter/ [noun] – a fact or situation that influences the result…
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Study reveals alarming decline in African elephant populations

Elephant

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What animals in your country are endangered? Why do you think some animals are hunted more than others? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. shrink /shringk/ [verb] – to become smaller, or to make something smaller As the climate changes, the habitats of many animals continue to shrink. loss /laws/ [noun] – the fact of losing something or someone Many animals are facing the loss of their natural habitats because of urbanization. vanish /VAN-ish/ [verb] – to disappear or stop being present or existing, especially in a sudden, surprising way All…
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Chickens and ducks assist in Romanian middle schools

chickenducks

©Photos/George Calin via REUTERS Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What kind of activities do you enjoy the most at school? How can students work together to make their school a better place? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. county /KOUN-tee/ [noun] – a geographical region or administrative division within a country She moved to a small county to escape the busy city life. interact /in-ter-AKT/ [verb] – to communicate or engage with someone or react to something The teacher encouraged the students to interact with each other during the group project. disability /dis-uh-BIL-i-tee/ [noun] – an…
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Europe faces catastrophic flooding while the U.S. endures a flash drought amid extreme weather patterns linked to climate change

BRIX IIMG (12)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What causes changes in weather patterns? How does climate change affect our environment? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. severe /suh-VEER/ [adjective] – very great; intense The storm caused severe damage to many buildings. disruption /dis-RUHP-shuhn/ [noun] – disturbance or problems that interrupt an event, activity, or process The earthquake caused a major disruption in the city’s transportation system. transportation /trans-per-TEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the action of moving people or goods from one place to another Public transportation is essential for many people in cities. trap /trap/ [verb] – to catch and…
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The global biodiversity conference in Cali will address progress toward the 30 by 30 initiative

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Why is it important to protect different species of plants and animals? What causes a loss of biodiversity in nature? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. safeguard /SEYF-gahrd/ [verb] – to protect something from harm or damage The school installed cameras to safeguard the students from any danger. evaluate /ih-VAL-yoo-eyt/ [verb] – to judge or calculate the value of something The teacher will evaluate the students’ projects based on clarity of ideas and creativity. biodiversity /bahy-oh-di-VUR-si-tee/ [noun] – the variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or…
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Hurricane Helene devastates Tampa, Florida

BRIX IIMG (4)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Can you describe how hurricanes are different from other types of storms? How do people prepare for the possible dangers before a hurricane hits? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. hurricane /HUR-i-keyn/ [noun] – a violent windstorm, especially one with a circular motion, occurring over warm tropical oceans The hurricane destroyed many houses along the coast last summer. evacuate /ih-VAK-yoo-eyt/ [verb] – to remove someone from a dangerous place to a safe one The school decided to evacuate students when the fire alarm rang. shelter /SHEL-ter/ [noun] – a structure that…
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Unprecedented rainfall transforms Sahara Desert

BRIX IIMG (1)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What happens to a desert landscape when it rains? Why is rain considered a significant event in deserts? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. phenomenon /fi-NOM-uh-non/ [noun] – a fact or event that can be observed, especially something unusual or difficult to understand The Northern Lights are a beautiful phenomenon that many people travel to see. moisture /MOIS-cher/ [noun] – a small amount of liquid, often water, that is present in the air or on a surface Plants need some moisture to grow healthy and strong. devastation /dev-uh-STEY-shuhn/ [noun] – severe…
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New research reveals humanity may have hit the limit of life expectancy

old

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What does “life expectancy” mean? Do you think living longer is always a good thing? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. advance /ad-VANS/ [noun] – the forward movement of something, or an improvement or development in something The latest advances in technology have made communication much faster. slow down /sloh doun/ [phrasal verb] – to reduce speed or become less active The overall reduction in pollution has slowed down. point out /point out/ [phrasal verb] – to mention or highlight something important She pointed out a mistake…
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Auto mechanics student faces life-threatening situation as vehicle accelerates uncontrollably to 120 mph in Minnesota

Copy of News Templates (1)

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are the most common causes of road accidents? What safety measures do you believe are most effective in preventing road accidents? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. acceleration /ak-sel-uh-REY-shuhn/ [noun] – the increase in the speed or rate of something The car experienced rapid acceleration, reaching a high speed quickly. interstate /in-ter-STEYT/ [noun] – a major highway that runs between states They decided to avoid the interstate to stay away from heavy traffic. respond /ri-SPOND/ [verb] – to react to something that has been said or done The police responded…
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Belgian researchers study impact of climate change on pear farming in 2040 simulation

Pears

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What fruit do you wish your country could grow, and why do you think it would be beneficial? What possible effects of climate change could impact the crops or produce in farming? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. transparent /trans-PAIR-uhnt/ [adjective] – allowing light to pass through so that objects behind can be distinctly seen The glass is transparent, so we can see the beautiful garden outside. harvest /HAHR-vist/ [noun] – the time of year when crops are cut and collected from the fields, or the activity of cutting and collecting…
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