Tag Archive: world news – intermediate

Wildlife flourishes in closed national parks

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Pre-reading questions: Do you like going to parks? Why or why not? What place do you like to visit? Vocabulary: enormous /ih-NAWR-muhs/ [adjective] – extremely large The new shopping mall in town is enormous. wander /WON-der/ [verb] – to walk around slowly in a relaxed way or without any clear purpose or direction The new tenant wandered around the house for inspection. wildlife /WAHYLD-lahyf/ [noun] – animals and plants that grow independently of people, usually in natural conditions The company advocates people to protect the wildlife. behavior /bih-HEYV-yer/ [noun] – a particular way of acting Scientists are observing animal behavior to prove their theory. temporary /TEM-puh-rer-ee/ [adjective] – not lasting…
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Asian cooks: Cooking up game plans amidst the lockdown

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Pre-Reading Questions: What is your favorite food? Why? Which do you prefer, eating at a restaurant or eating at home? Why? Vocabulary: gather /GATHER-er/ [verb] – to collect several things, often from different places or people The campaign aims to gather enough food for the typhoon victims. merchant /MUR-chuhnt/ [noun] – a person whose job is to buy and sell products in large amounts, especially by trading with other countries Being a merchant is a difficult job especially in promoting the products. strategy /STRAT-i-jee/ [noun] – a detailed plan for achieving success in situations such as war, politics, business, industry, or sports, or the skill of planning for such situations:…
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Meet Gli, Hagia Sophia’s celebrity cat

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© hagiasophiacat on Instagram via hagiasofiaturkey.com Pre-Reading Questions: What places have you been to? What would you like to have as a pet? Vocabulary: basilica /buh-SIL-i-kuh/ [noun] –a public building in ancient Rome that was round at one end and had two rows of columns supporting the roof, or a large church with a similar design The king was buried in the Basilica of Saint Denis in northern Paris, where his body stayed until 1793. shelter /SHEL-ter/ [noun] –to protect yourself from bad weather, danger, or attack: The boys took shelter from the storm inside an old truck. sensation /sen-SEY-shuhn/ [noun] –something very exciting or interesting, or something that causes…
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80,000 tourists begin evacuation from Da Nang, Vietnam

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© Reuters via Bangkok Post Pre-reading questions: Have you been travelling for leisure or vacation during the pandemic? Why or why not? What do you do during day offs or holidays in this time of pandemic? Vocabulary: evacuation /ih-vak-yoo-EY-shuhn/ [noun] the act of moving people from a dangerous place to somewhere safe The evacuation for the landslide victims will start today. domestic /duh-MES-tik/ [adjective] relating to a person’s own country Domestic flights are not allowed from today until further notice. extensive /ik-STEN-siv/ [adjective] covering a large area; having a great range The extensive survey in the community started yesterday. spread /spred/ [noun] the development or growth of something so that…
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Carbon emissions decrease during COVID-19 pandemic

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Pre-reading questions: Do you think carbon dioxide is good for the environment? Why or why not? Kindly share the pandemic safety guidelines in Japan. Vocabulary: volume /VOL-yoom/ [noun] the number or amount of something in general The volume of this container is 3 cubic meters. industry /IN-duh-stree/ [noun] the companies and activities involved in the process of producing goods for sale, especially in a factory or special area The hotel and casino industries are working hard on improving their images. measure /MEZH-er/ [verb] to discover the exact size or amount of something It is impossible to measure the total amount of money in the bank. circumstance /SUR-kuhm-stans/ [noun] a fact…
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Endangered African black rhinos gradually increase in number

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Pre-reading questions: What endangered animals do you know? How can people save animals from extinction? Vocabulary: population /pop-yuh-LEY-shuhn/ [noun] – all the people or animals of a particular type or group who live in one country, area, or place The population in Metro Manila has increased rapidly in the last 20 years. endangered /en-DEYN-jerd/ [adjective] – animals or plants that may soon not exist because there are very few now alive Conservationists attempt to save endangered animal species. conservation /kon-ser-VEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the protection of plants and animals, natural areas, and interesting and important structures and buildings Wildlife conservation is important to prevent species from going extinct. decline /dih-KLAYHN/ [noun]…
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Global tourism’s reopening plan

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Pre-reading questions: Why do you think people like traveling? What do you like about your country’s tourist destinations? Vocabulary: recover /ri-KUHV-er/ [verb] – to become normal again from being damaged or having problems The economy is at last beginning to recover. worldwide /WURLD-WAHYD/ [adverb] – extending or spread throughout the world The story has attracted attention worldwide. assist /us-SIST/ [verb] – to help The family decided to assist me with my chores. lay-off /ley awf/ [verb] – to stop employing someone, usually because there is no work for them to do The workforce has been laid off due to the pandemic. optimistic /op-tuh-MIS-tik/ [adjective] – hoping or believing that good…
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Chinese firms are on a mission to put an end to the virus

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Pre-reading questions: What do you know about viruses? Please explain your answer. What is ultraviolet (UV) light used for? Vocabulary: implement /IM-pluh-ment/ [verb] to start using a plan or system The company implemented the use of mobile phones at work. convert /kuh n-VURT/ [verb] to (cause something or someone to) change in form or character Through the help and advice of his family, he has converted himself into a better person. lower /LOH-er/ [verb] to move something into a low position He lowered down the volume of the radio so that he could hear the music well. install /in-STAWL/ [verb] to put furniture, a machine, or a piece of equipment into…
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Highest active volcano in Russia erupts

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Pre-reading questions: What are some active volcanoes in Japan? How do you prepare for natural disasters in advance? Vocabulary: steam /steem/ [noun] the hot gas that is produced when water boils The engine was releasing steam from the boiler. aviation /ey-vee-EY-shuhn/ [noun] the business of designing and manufacturing aircraft Almost 60% of major aviation companies cut their prices to compete against budget airlines. impair /im-PAIR/ [verb] to damage or weaken something so that it is less effective A maximum volume on earphones can impair your hearing. apparatus /ap-uh-RAT-uhs/ [noun] a set of equipment or tools or a machine that is used for a particular purpose Make sure to check your…
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Hydrogen Fuel: A green alternative in the fight against climate change

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Pre-Reading Questions: How do you feel about climate change? Which region in your country has the best weather? Vocabulary: carbon footprint /KAHR-buhn FOOT-print / [noun] –a measurement of the amount of carbon dioxide produced by the activities of a person, company, organization, etc. Researchers are looking for more ways to reduce carbon footprint. firm /furm/ [noun] –a company or business Today they celebrate the law firm’s 10th year anniversary. availability /uh-vei-luh-BI-luh-tee/ [noun] –the fact that something can be bought, used, or reached, or how much it can be Kindly check the list to see the availability of the materials. in the long run /in-the-LAWNG-run/ [idiom] –at a time that is…
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