Tag Archive: world news – intermediate

Blue whales have returned to South Georgia after 50 years

Blue-Whale-Tail

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is the largest animal you have seen in person? Do you like going to zoos or safaris? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. severely /suh-VEER-lee/ [adverb] – very seriously The accident left the students severely traumatized. decline /dih-KLAHYN/ [verb] – to gradually become less, worse, or lower Danica’s interest in the project declined when she became busy with her part-time job. contribute /kuhn-TRIB-yoot/ [verb] – to give something, especially money, in order to provide or achieve something together with other people Newton’s discoveries contributed a lot…
Read more

El Rastro in Madrid reopens after more than 8 months due to COVID-19 threat

©Reuters Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Where do you usually buy cheap things? How often do you go shopping at open-space markets? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. security /si-KYOOR-i-tee/ [noun] – protection of a person, building, organization, or country against threats such as crime or attacks by foreign countries The building tightened its security after the robbery incident. throughout /throo-OUT/ [preposition] – in every part, or during the whole period of time James looked throughout the house, but still couldn’t find his wallet. stall /stawl/ [noun] – a large table or a small shop with…
Read more

Americans still travel for Thanksgiving despite the growing number of COVID-19 cases

airport-2373727_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. When was the last time you traveled? How does your family celebrate a special day? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. mark /mahrk/ [verb] – to show respect for or commemorate Tomorrow’s party will mark their 25th wedding anniversary. exhausted /ig-ZAWS-tid/ [adjective] – extremely tired By the time they reached the location they were already exhausted. leisure /LEE-zher/ [adjective] – relating to the the time when you are free from work or other duties and can relax Most people only have a little amount of leisure time. mount /mount/ [verb] –…
Read more

12 year-old boy discovers 69-million-year old dinosaur fossil

_114917159_nathananddionhrushkin

© Nature Conservancy of Canada via CNN.com Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What dinosaur species do you know? What images come to your mind when you hear the word dinosaur? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. partly /PAHRT-lee/ [adverb] – to some degree, but not completely What the boy said was partly right. unearth /uhn-URTH/ [verb] – to find something by digging in the ground Ancient tools that are more than 500 years old have been unearthed at the site. institute /IN-sti-toot/ [noun] – an organization where people do a particular type of scientific, educational, or…
Read more

Microsoft turns to using cleaner jet fuel to cut down air pollution

plane-841441_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you travel by plane? When travelling domestically, do you prefer travelling by plane or by shinkansen? Please tell me more. Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. aviation /ey-vee-EY-shuhn/ [noun] – the activity of flying aircraft, or of designing, producing, and keeping them in good condition My father is one of the managers of an aviation company. headquarters /HED-kwawr-terz/ [noun] – the main offices of an organization such as an army, the police, or a business company Please call the main headquarters in Paris immediately. lesser /LES-er/ [adjective] –…
Read more

It was just an attempt. Today the World Food Programme gives food to countless people each year

WFP

© CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever had a chance to help victims of a tragedy? Please tell me more. What organization are you a part of? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. organization /awr-guh-nuh-ZEY-shuhn/ [noun] – a group of people who work together in an organized way for a shared purpose I was a part of an organization when I was in highschool. occur /uh-KUR/ [verb] – (especially of accidents and other unexpected events) to happen The police are investigating how a crime like this could have occurred. earthquake /URTH-kweyk/ [noun] –…
Read more

Dubai begins preparations for Expo 2020 one year ahead its opening

expo 2020

© CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Have you ever been in an international event? If yes, how was it? If not, what event would you like to attend and why? Do you think attending international events is interesting? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. construction /kuhn-STRUHK-shuhn/ [noun] – the work of building or making something, especially buildings, bridges, etc. We cannot visit our old school right now. It’s under construction. theme /theem/ [noun] – the main subject of a talk, book, film, etc. Since it’s October, we should pick a Halloween…
Read more

China’s Forbidden City stands proud at 600

forbidden-city

© Frédéric Soltan/Corbis/Getty Images via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What temples have you visited? Do you like visiting historical sites? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. decade /DEK-eyd/ [noun] – a period of ten years A lot of changes happened over the past 2 decades. supernatural /soo-per-NACH-er-uhl/ [adjective] – things that cannot be explained by science Marina has a lot of books about supernatural phenomena. ambience /AM-bee-uhns/ [noun] – the character of a place or the quality it seems to have The resort is expensive but the ambience is wonderful,…
Read more

The Netherlands implements new rules amidst virus concerns for the first time

coronavirus-mask

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What businesses are open in your country during this pandemic? Do you go to public places during this pandemic? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. regulation /reg-yuh-LEY-shuhn/ [noun] – an official rule or the act of controlling something The new school regulations will be effective next week. select /si-LEKT/ [adjective] – chosen from a larger number as being the best or most valuable School clubs shouldn’t be available for only a select few; they should be for all students. psychological /sahy-kuh-LOJ-i-kuhl/ [adjective] – relating to the human…
Read more

China resumes domestic travel as COVID-19 spread is contained

populated

© Liu Zhongjun via CNN Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What countries have you already been to? Are you anxious about the spread of COVID-19? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. government /GUHV-ern-muhnt/ [noun] –the group of people who officially control a country The government planned to build the first nuclear power plant in the country. honor /ON-er/ [verb] – in order to celebrate or show great respect for someone or something We have to honor the sacrifices of our ancestors. initial /ih-NISH-uhl/ [adjective] – of or at the beginning The HR staff announced that I…
Read more