Tag Archive: world news – intermediate

Canada launches new COVID-19 gargle test in British Columbia

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you immediately go see a doctor if you have symptoms of a certain disease? Why or why not? What is the importance of getting oneself tested for a disease? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. gargle /GAHR-guhl/ [noun] – the action of rinsing one’s mouth and throat with a medicated solution Use this gargle twice a day to cleanse your mouth and throat. accurate /AK-yer-it/ [adjective] – correct, exact, and without any mistakes How can we be sure if the test result is accurate? conduct /kuhn-DUHKT/ [verb] – to organize…
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No vaccines to be distributed unless proven safe and effective, UN says

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Pre-reading questions: Have you been vaccinated? If so, for what disease? If not, would you try it? What do you do to stay healthy? Vocabulary: press conference /pres KON-fer-uhns/ [noun] – a meeting at which a person or organization makes a public statement and reporters can ask questions The prime minister will hold a press conference this Monday. distribute /dih-STRIB-yoot/ [verb] – to give something out to several people, or to spread or supply something Kindly distribute the test papers to your classmates. authorization /aw-ther-uh-ZEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the action of giving someone official permission for something We were given authorization to use the meeting room this afternoon. otherwise /UHTH-er-wahyz/ [conjunction]…
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Experts discover the cleanest air on Earth

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Pre-reading questions: What kind of weather do you like the most? Do you want to visit Antarctica? Why or why not? Vocabulary: identify /ahy-DEN-tuh-fahy/ [verb] — to recognize someone or something and say or prove who or what that person or thing is Police will have the pictures enlarged in an attempt to identify the thief crisis /KRAHY-sis/ [noun] — a time of great disagreement, confusion, or suffering The rise and fall of prices caused a financial crisis. investigate /in-VES-ti-geyt/ [verb] — to examine a crime, problem, statement, etc. carefully, especially to discover the truth I heard a noise and went downstairs to investigate. origin /AWR-i-jin/ [noun] — the beginning…
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Rare breed of singing dogs, found again in the wild after 50 years

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© New Guinea Highland Wild dog foundation via: CNN Pre-reading questions: How often do you go to zoos? If you were to choose what kind of animal you would be, what is it and why? Vocabulary: expedition /ek-spi-DISH-uhn/ [noun] ⁠— an organized journey for a particular purpose The team prepared themselves for the expedition ancestor /AN-ses-ter/ [noun] ⁠— a plant, animal, or object that is related to one existing at a later point in time These species share a common ancestor. highland /HAHY-luhnd/ [noun] ⁠— in or relating to an area with mountains or hills Their grandparents were born and raised in the highlands. unique /yoo-NEEK/ [adjective] ⁠— being the…
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Underwater Italian village to possibly resurface after 27 years

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© Romano Cagnoni/Hulton Archive/Getty Images via CNN Pre-reading questions: What is your opinion about Italy? Are you interested in visiting a “ghost town”? Why or why not? Vocabulary: resurface /ree-SUR-fis/ [verb] — to rise to the surface of the water again Rumor has it that the underwater village will resurface next year. underwater /UHN-der-WOT-er/ [adjective] — under the surface of water The machine is capable of working even underwater. man-made /MAN-MEYD/ [adjective] — produced or developed by humans rather than coming directly from nature There are many man-made lakes around my city. promote /pruh-MOHT/ [verb] — to encourage the existence or development of something We should focus on promoting the…
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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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