Tag Archive: world news – intermediate

Non-essential shops reopen in Republic of Ireland

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How has the “new normal” affected your daily tasks? What are the activities that the people could not enjoy now because of the lockdown restrictions? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. ease /eez/ [verb] – to make or become less severe, difficult, unpleasant, painful, etc. Apply cold compress and medication to ease the pain. likely /LAHYK-lee/ [adjective] – If something is likely, it will probably happen or is expected They regard him as a likely candidate for the position. citizen /SIT-uh-zuhn/ [noun] – a person who is a member of a…
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A US-based crew fully surveys the world’s deepest shipwreck

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think about scuba diving? What would you like see underwater? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. depth /depth/ [noun] – the distance down either from the top of something to the bottom, or to a distance below the top surface of something The depth of this sea is impossible to be reached. although /awl-THOH/ [conjunction] – despite the fact that He decided to go, although I begged him not to. entire /en-TAHYUHR/ [adjective] – whole or complete, with nothing missing He used his entire time asleep. discover /dih-SKUHV-er/…
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China records slowest population growth in decades

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What comes to your mind when you hear the word ‘population’? What countries with high population do you know? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. pace /peys/ [noun] – the speed at which someone or something moves, or with which something happens or changes The child is observing how the turtle walk in a slow pace. boost /boost/ [verb] – to improve or increase something The shop boosted their profit this month by having weekend sales. priority /prahy-AWR-i-tee/ [noun] – something that is very important and must be dealt with before…
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North Korea to boycott the Tokyo Olympics

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. When was the last time you watched an Olympic game? What is your favorite sport? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. infection /in-FEK-shuhn/ [noun] – a disease in a part of your body that is caused by bacteria or a virus They tested her blood for signs of the infection. athlete /ATH-leet/ [noun] – a person who is very good at sports or physical exercise, especially one who competes in organized events He became a professional athlete when he was in high school. disagree /dis-uh-GREE/ [verb] – to not have the…
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Delhi authorities call for help from Indian Armed Forces in its battle against COVID-19 crisis

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©Getty Images Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you protect yourself from the coronavirus? How can we strengthen our body’s immune system? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. packed /pakt/ [adjective] – completely full Citrus fruits are packed with Vitamin C. run /ruhn/ [verb] – to be in control of or manage something Mr. Gonzales has been running this company for over ten years. death toll /DETH toll/ [noun] – the number of people who die because of an event such as a war or an accident The typhoon left with a death toll of…
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Singapore and Hong Kong to lift travel ban between the two cities

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you have any plans on traveling to a different country this year? Why or why not? Please share the travel rules in your country. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. transport /TRANS-pawrt/ [noun] – a system of vehicles, such as buses, trains, aircraft, etc. for getting from one place to another The authorities have been developing the city’s transport system for better traffic conditions. depart /dih-PAHRT/ [verb] – to go away from a place, especially on a trip We depart from Manila at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow. dependent /dih-PEN-duhnt/ [adjective] –…
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Beijing is now the billionaire capital of the world

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you save up money? Why or why not? Do you shop online? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. containment /kuhn-TEYN-muhnt/ [noun] – the act of controlling or limiting something or someone harmful The firefighters handled the containment of the fire quickly. firm /furm/ [noun] – a company offering a professional service, for example a company of lawyers: My brother is going to work part-time at a law firm this summer. net worth /net werth/ [noun] – the ​value of the ​assets (= property and money)​ that a ​person or…
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4000-year-old Giant Slab found in France is the oldest map in Europe

Denis Gliksman - Inrap

©Denis Gliksman via BBC.com Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Are you interested in history? Why or why not? What do you know about prehistoric people? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. excavate /EKS-kuh-veyt/ [verb] – to remove earth that is covering very old objects buried in the ground to discover things about the past The tools were excavated in an area 400 meters from the previous site. throughout /throo-OUT/ [adverb] – in every part, or during the whole period of time You can see the detailed patterns throughout the walls of the palace. accurate /AK-yer-it/ [adjective]…
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Brazil’s president replaces six ministers as Covid crisis worsens

Brazilian Army General Fernando Azevedo e Silva, who was appointed by Brazilian President-elect Jair Bolsonaro as Defence Minister, gestures to journalists upon arrival at the transitional government's headquarters in Brasilia, on December 11, 2018. - Bolsonaro takes office on January 1, 2019. (Photo by EVARISTO SA / AFP)        (Photo credit should read EVARISTO SA/AFP via Getty Images)

©Evaristo Sa via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think of the country Brazil? Where do you prefer checking news about COVID-19? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. announce /uh-NOUNS/ [verb] – to make something known or tell people about something officially They announced their marriage yesterday. release /ri-LEES/ [verb] – to allow something to be shown in public or to be available for use They will release the results of the exam today. former /FAWR-mer/ [adjective] – of or in an earlier time; before the present time or in the past I…
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Philippines locks down capital and nearby provinces on Holy Week due to surging COVID-19 cases

Philippines locks down capital and nearby provinces on Holy Week due to surged COVID-19 cases

©Lisa Marie David via Reuters Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What measures were implemented in your country to prevent the spread of coronavirus? How do you cope with the current pandemic? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. enhanced /en-HANST/ [adjective] – better than before The brand wants to create enhanced versions of their products. enforcement /en-FAWRS-muhnt/ [noun] – the process of making people obey a law or rule, or making a particular situation happen or be accepted The citizens support the enforcement of the bill against racism. impede /im-PEED/ [verb] – to slow something down or…
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