Tag Archive: world news – intermediate

Newly discovered Earth-sized and Tatooine planets, are they livable?

landscape-1112911_1920

Pre-reading questions: Have you ever imagined yourself living on another planet? Please explain your answer. Do you want to be an astronaut? Why or why not? Vocabulary: telescope /TEL-uh-skohp/ [noun] a cylindrical device that you look through to make objects that are far away looking nearer and bigger Ren was so amazed by the constellations of stars that he saw using the telescope in the planetarium. initial /ih-NISH-uhl/ [adjective] of or at the beginning The initial survey will come from the feedback of unemployed new graduates. attest /uh-TEST/ [verb] to show something or to say or prove that something is true The doctors attest that the plant used for the…
Read more

Flying taxi is ready for take-off

https___blogs-images.forbes.com_ceciliarodriguez_files_2017_04_Screen-Shot-2017-04-23-at-19.00.41

© Photo by Forbes / AeroMobil via Forbes Pre-Reading Questions: Do you ride a taxi when you travel? Why or why not? What public transportation do you like the most? Why? Vocabulary: launch /lawnch/ [verb] to begin something such as a plan or introduce something new such as a product The new clothing line will launch a fashion show for the latest European trends. chassis /CHAS-ee/ [noun] the frame of a vehicle, usually including the wheels and engine, onto which the metal covering is fixed The students presented a sample chassis of their solar car invention to the university’s student government. capable /KEY-puh-buhl/ [adjective] able to do things effectively and…
Read more

Green views may help lessen cravings

Green view may help lessen cravings

Pre-reading questions: What do you usually eat when you are hungry and why? Do you like the view of nature? Why or why not? Vocabulary: frequent /FREE-kwuhnt/ [adjective] happening often His frequent visits in the office bother me. unhealthy /uhn-HEL-thee/ [adjective] not good for your health You will get sick if you continue that unhealthy lifestyle. exclusive /ik-SKLOO-siv/ [adjective] expensive and only for people who are rich or of a high social class The president of the company owns an exclusive clubhouse. reduce /ri-DOOS/ [verb] to make something less in price, size, amount, etc. My doctor advised me to reduce my coffee intake. publish /PUHB-lish/ [verb] to make available to…
Read more

Robots affect human emotions according to studies

Robots affect human emotions according to studies

Pre-reading questions: Do you like robots? Why or why not? What can you say about technologies nowadays? Vocabulary: challenge /CHAL-inj/ [noun] something that needs great mental or physical effort in order to be done successfully It has been a challenge for me to produce a new film. interruption /in-tuh-RUHP-shuhn/ [noun] an occasion when someone or something stops something from happening for a short period of time Sherra worked in the evening without interruptions. entertainment /en-ter-TEYM-muhnt/ [noun] activities that entertain people You can find a lot of entertainment in Makati. server /SUR-ver/ [noun] a central computer from which other computers get information Some servers are not working again. interact /in-ter-AKT/ [verb]…
Read more

Possible cure found for box jellyfish sting

Possible cure found for box jellyfish sting

Pre-reading questions: Do you like animals? Why or why not? What is your favorite marine animal and why? Vocabulary: poisonous /POI-zuh-nuhs/ [adjective] very harmful and able to cause illness or death Inland Taipan is a poisonous snake found in Australia. reduce /ri-DOOS/ [verb] to make something less in price, size, amount, etc. The shoe factory will reduce production because of its low demand. damaging /DAM-i-jing/ [adjective] causing harm She writes a damaging article about the celebrity she secretly hates. extreme /ik-STREEM/ [adjective] to the greatest degree She is very thin now after she went on an extreme diet. failure /FEYL-yer/ [noun] the fact of something not working as it should…
Read more

Facebook chief wants more government regulation of internet

markz

Photo by © Getty via Evoke.ie Pre-reading questions: How can the internet help you learn English? Explain your answer. What do you think is the best thing about the internet? Why? Vocabulary: protection /pruh-TEK-shuhn/ [noun] the act of keeping someone or something safe from injury, damage, or loss Our country needs protection from the terrorists. adopt /uh-DOPT/ [verb] to accept or start to use something new We need to adopt more strategic ways to improve the economy from other countries. harmful /HAHRM-fuhl/ [adjective] causing harm Early use of mobile phones is harmful to children. significant /sig-NIF-i-kuhnt/ [adjective] important, large, or great, especially in leading to a different result or to…
Read more

China to launch new generation of driverless maglev trains in 2020

maglev

Pre-reading questions: What is the most convenient public transportation system for you? Why? Do you like to travel by train? Why or why not? Vocabulary: generation /jen-uh-rey-shuhn/ [noun] a group of products or machines that are all at the same stage of development The company is working on developing the new generation of sports cars. driverless /drahy-ver-lis/ [adjective] (of a vehicle) not having a person as a driver His dream is to invent a reliable driverless car. commercial /kuh-mur-shuhl/ [adjective] used to describe a product or service that can be bought by the public This airport handles almost 20,000 commercial flights a month. entirely /en-tahyuhr-lee/ [adverb] completely The new product…
Read more

World’s largest underwater theme park to open in Bahrain

underwater

Pre-Reading Questions: Have you been to an unusual tourist destination? Explain your answer. Where did you spend your last vacation? Tell me more about it. Vocabulary: establish /ih-stab-lish/ [verb] to start something that will last for a long time, or to create or set something in a particular way She helps to establish their newly opened restaurant. extraordinary /ik-strawr-dn-er-ee/ [adjective] very unusual or special We have been to an extraordinary museum in Europe. highlight /hahy-lahyt/ [noun] the most important and interesting part The painting of Vincent van Gogh is the highlight of the museum. enthusiast /en-thoo-zee-ast/ [noun] someone who is very interested in and involved with a particular subject or…
Read more

Barnard-b discovered to be a new potential home

bernard

Pre-reading questions: Do you think there are other habitable planets? Please explain your answer. Will there be a time in the future when humans can finally live in another planet? Why or why not? Vocabulary: potential /puh-ten-shuhl/ [adjective] possible but not yet achieved Mr. Clarins is one of the potential clients in our business. rotate /roh-teyt/ [verb] to turn around an axis or center point The Earth is rotating around the sun for 365.256 days. Celsius /sel-see-uh s/ [adjective] (°C) measurement of temperature in which water freezes at 0° and boils at 100° The normal temperature in the Philippines is 26.6 °C. barely /bair-lee/ [adverb] by the smallest amount The patient’s…
Read more

Mud and plants on new Pacific island confuse scientists

Mud and plants on new pacific island confuse scientist

Pre-reading questions: Where is the farthest place you have traveled to? Tell me more about it. What will you do if you discover something new? Please explain your answer Vocabulary: unofficially /un-uh-fish-uhl-lee/ [adverb] not officially approved by a person in authority, the government, etc The secretary of justice was unofficially appointed as the new secretary of health. origin /awr-i-jin/ [noun] the beginning or cause of something The origin of some species is still unknown to scientists. eruption /ih-ruhp-shuhn/ [noun] an occasion when a volcano explodes We need to ensure the security now that there were recent volcanic eruptions reported in the city. dropping /drop-ing/ [noun] something dropped; such as dirt,…
Read more