Tag Archive: world news – intermediate

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

people-2592302_1280

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…
Read more

More than 10 million Australians under lockdown as part of the fight against the Delta strain

sydney-opera-house-363244_1280

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…
Read more

Wildfires hit western Canada

wildfire

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…
Read more

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…
Read more

Global online shutdowns hit major businesses

online

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…
Read more

Amazonians rescue ‘Terminator’ of the fish world

200817164027-arapaima-1-super-169

©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…
Read more

Half of US states vaccinate at least 50% of their adult population

flu-shot-1719334_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Why are shots important? How much percent of your citizens have already been vaccinated? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. prevention /pri-VEN-shuhn/ [noun] – the act of stopping something from happening or of stopping someone from doing something It is often said that prevention is better than cure. population /pop-yuh-LEY-shuhn/ [noun] – all the people living in a particular country, area, or place India has a population of more than 1 billion. corporation /kawr-puh-REY-shuhn/ [noun] – a large company or group of companies that is controlled together as a single organization…
Read more

Public school establishes policy on parents who fail to pick up their kids on time

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What time do classes end at your school? Are you required to go home immediately after classes? Please tell me more about it. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. policy /POL-uh-see/ [noun] – a set of ideas or a plan for action followed by a business, a government, a political party, or a group of people The library made a new policy for borrowing books. disobey /dis-uh-BEY/ [verb] – to refuse to do something that you are told to do Traffic regulations must not be disobeyed at all costs. arrangement /uh-REYNJ-muhnt/…
Read more

Millennials use Covid to alter Sicily’s €1 home programs

city-4739114_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Would you like to live in a foreign land? Please tell me more about it. What kinds of housing programs do you know about? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. bold /bohld/ [adjective] – not frightened of danger She was a bold and fearless woman. resident /REZ-i-duhnt/ [noun] – a person who lives or has their home in a place The residents became angry because of the lack of parking spaces. apply /uh-PLAHY/ [verb] – to request something, usually officially, especially in writing or by sending in a form I had…
Read more

Thousands of Australian youth protest against climate change

_118594347_gettyimages-539883215

© Getty Images Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. In what environmental activities have you participated? What do you know about climate change? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. youth /yooth/ [noun] – young people, both male and female, considered as a group The young celebrity acts as a spokesperson to represent the opinion of today’s youth. protest /PROH-test/ [verb] – to show that you disagree with something by standing somewhere, shouting, carrying signs, etc. Several low-wage earners gathered at the plaza to protest against the rising cost of basic necessities. face /feys/ [verb] – to deal…
Read more