Tag Archive: world news – intermediate

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,…
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Pre-reading questions: Do you like a monarchical government? Why or why not? What do you think is the best government system in the world? Why? Vocabulary: step down /STEP-doun/ [phrasal verb] to give up a job or position He steps down from his position to prove that he is innocent. rumor /ROO-mer/ [verb] to tell or spread by rumor (an unofficial, interesting story or piece of news that might be true or invented) The young couple was rumored to tie the knot next year. maintain /meyn-TEYN/ [verb] to continue to have She tries to maintain her body figure because she wants to join Miss Universe next year. leader /lee-der// [noun]…
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Photo from © snohetta.com via snohetta.com Pre-reading questions: Do you like traveling? Why or why not? Do you like the view of the sea? Please discuss your answer. Vocabulary: underwater /UHN-der-WAW-ter/ [adjective] under the surface of the water, especially under the surface of the sea An underwater camera is in demand during summer. architectural /ahr-ki-TEK-cher-uhl/ [adjective] relating to the design of buildings Beautiful buildings are made by famous architectural firms. submerge /suhb-MURJ/ [verb] to go below the surface of an area of water A marine biologist submerges into the sea to see the shark. cope /kohp/ [verb] to deal successfully with a difficult situation Having a positive attitude can help…
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Pre-reading questions: What are the effects of climate change? Give supporting details. Do you think that human-caused activities are the main reasons behind global warming? Explain. Vocabulary: peak /peek/ [verb] to reach the highest point, value, or level Her performance peaked since I last saw her. severity /suh-VER-i-tee/ [noun] the fact or condition of being extremely painful, difficult The severity of the heat during summer can cause heat stroke. human-caused /HYOO-muhn kawst/ [adjective] something that is done or caused by human Heavy street floods are a human-caused disaster because of improper waste disposal. seriously /SEER-uhs-lee/ [adverb] to consider a person, subject, or situation to be important or dangerous and worth…
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Pre-reading questions: Do you want to visit Korea? Why or why not? What is your opinion about the conflict between North and South Korea? Vocabulary: separation /sep-uh-REY-shuhn/ [noun] a situation in which two or more people or things are separated Separation is the time of high emotional stress. embrace /em-BREYS/ [verb] to hold someone close to you with your arms to express affection She greeted her daughter and embraced her tightly. reminisce /rem-uh-NIS/ [verb] to talk or write about past experiences that you remember She likes to reminisce about her years in high school. get-together /GET-tuh-geth-er/ [noun] a gathering of people, esp. for enjoyment She attended a family get-together last…
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Pre-reading questions: Do you want to go to Greenland? Why or why not? Do you want to see an icerberg? Why? Vocabulary: huge /hyooj/ [adjective] extremely large in size or amount There was huge animal wandering on the road. community /kuh-MYOO-ni-tee/ [noun] the people living in one particular area All my relatives are living in one community. rise /rahyz/ [verb] to move up The price of the painting rises as it gets older. cause /kawz/ [noun] the reason why something happens Bacteria is one of the causes of human diseases. declare /dih-KLAIR/ [verb] to announce something publicly or officially The school declared suspension of classes because of the heavy rain….
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Pre-reading questions: Do you like buying foreign products? Why? Do you think foreign products are expensive? Why? Vocabulary: contract /KON-trakt/ [noun] a legal document that states and explains a formal agreement A partnership between two people needs a contract as a proof of agreement. remove /ri-MOOV/ [verb] to take something away from an object, group, or place They will remove the books from the shelf and arrange it. agreement /uh-GREE-muhnt/ [noun] a promise or decision made between two or more people The two enterprises made an agreement to sell the same product. hindrance /HIN-druhns/ [noun] something that makes it more difficult for you to do something Making mistakes is not…
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Pre-reading questions: What is your opinion about child labor? Is child labor prominent in your country? Vocabulary: aggrandize /uh-GRAN-dayhz/ [verb] to make great or greater: increase, enlarge Her teacher aggrandizes her pride because of too much praises. bore /bawr/ [verb] to make a hole in something using a tool It’s part of her morning routine to bore in her garden. endangered /en-DEYN-jerd/ [adjective] in danger of being harmed, lost, unsuccessful Tony’s health is endangered because of eating too much junk food. enduring /en-DOOR-ing/ [adjective] continuing for a long time; lasting She is known because of her enduring generosity. eradicate /ih-RAD-i-keyt/ [verb] to get rid of or destroy something completely People…
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Pre-reading questions: How many glasses of water do you drink in a day? Do you know ways on how to conserve water? Please cite them and explain each. Vocabulary: crisis /KRAHY-sis/ [noun] a situation that is extremely difficult The country’s citizens blame the government for the economic crisis. shortage /SHAWR-tij/ [noun] a situation when there is not enough of something There’s a shortage of chairs and school equipment in public schools. widespread /WAHYD-spred/ [adjective] affecting or including a lot of places, people, etc. The newest development on computer gaming was received with widespread interest. estimate /ES-tuh-meyt/ [verb] to guess the cost, size, value, etc. of something We need to estimate…
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