Tag Archive: world news – intermediate

Iceland on high alert as volcano erupts near Grindavik

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What comes to mind when you hear the term “volcanic eruption”? How do you think volcanic eruptions can impact the surrounding areas and communities? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. lagoon /luh-GOON/ [noun] – a shallow body of water separated from a larger body of water by sandbars or coral reefs The tourists enjoyed swimming in the clear, warm waters of the lagoon. movement /MOOV-muhnt/ [noun] – the act, process, or result of moving or being moved The slow movement of the glacier fascinated the onlookers. assess /uh-SES/ [verb] – to…
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Rare snow blankets southern China amidst freezing northern temperatures

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What thoughts or feelings come to mind when you imagine a place that rarely sees snow suddenly being covered in a blanket of snow? How do you think the daily routines and activities of people in a region unaccustomed to snow might be impacted by the occurrence of rare snowfall? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. failure /FEYL-yer / [noun] – the fact of someone or something not succeeding The student felt a deep sense of failure when she couldn’t solve the math problem. expectation /ek-spek-TEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the feeling that…
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Brazilian drought impacts fertilizer sales and global agriculture

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What knowledge do you have about the term ‘El Niño’? What plants or crops are your country known for? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. harvest /HAHR-vist/ [noun] – the time of year when crops are cut and collected from the fields, or the activity of cutting and collecting them, or the crops that are cut and collected During autumn, farmers begin the harvest of ripe fruits and vegetables from their fields. affect /uh-FEKT/ [verb] – to have an influence on someone or something, or to cause a change in someone…
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Thai rice fields blossom into whimsical cat art, attracting tourists and transforming agriculture

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©REUTERS/Napat Wesshasartar Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What images or ideas come to mind when you hear the words “farming” or “agriculture”? How do you think farming relates to the arts? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. diverse /dih-VURS/ [adjective] – varied or different The restaurant offered a diverse menu, featuring dishes from various cuisines around the world. agriculture /AG-ri-kuhl-cher/ [noun] – the practice or work of farming Sustainable agriculture aims to balance food production with environmental stewardship. appeal /uh-PEEL/ [noun] – power to attract, please, or stimulate the mind of someone The novel’s universal themes…
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Cyclone Jasper brings floods and crocodile sightings to Australia’s northeast

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©Brent Paterson/via REUTERS Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think might happen to a community or area if it experiences a flood? How do you think residents in a flood-prone region prepare for and cope with the challenges of floods? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. chaos /KEY-os/ [noun] – a state of total confusion with no order The surprise party threw the room into chaos as guests shouted and balloons flew in every direction. consequence /KON-si-kwens/ [noun] – a result of a particular action or situation, often one that is bad or not…
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Britain contemplates a social media crackdown for under-16s amid growing concerns

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What comes to mind when you hear the term “social media”? Can you think of any examples or ways people might use it? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. 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 The company plans to establish a new policy to promote eco-friendly practices in the workplace. consideration /kuhn-sid-uh-REY-shuhn / [noun] – the act of thinking about something carefully Before making a decision, it’s important to take various considerations into…
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Switzerland’s glaciers rapidly lose ice

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©Matthias Huss/GLAMOS Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you already know or think about ‘glaciers’? Have you already experienced the effects of climate change? In what way? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. rapid /RAP-id/ [adjective] – fast or sudden She made a rapid decision to accept the job offer without much deliberation. link /lingk/ [verb] – to make a connection between two or more people, things, or ideas The professor linked various concepts to illustrate the broader theory. vanish /VAN-ish/ [verb] – to disappear or stop being present or existing, especially in a sudden,…
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China addresses housing crisis amid property market challenges

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©REUTERS/Tingshu Wang Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What problems do you think people face when it comes to finding homes or places to live? What factors do you consider before choosing a place to live or deciding on a house to move into? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. struggle /STRUHG-uhl / [verb] – to experience difficulty and make a very great effort in order to do something She struggled to meet her deadlines amidst a heavy workload at the office. debt /det/ [noun] – something, especially money, that is owed to someone else, or the…
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Urging countries to curb factory farming for climate goals

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What environmental issues are you aware of that contribute to climate change? What strategies or methods is your country employing to reduce environmental problems? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. cause /kawz/ [verb] – to make something happen, especially something bad Smoking can cause health problems like lung disease. tons /tuhnz/ [noun] – a unit of weight equal to 1,000 kilograms The cargo ship transported 5 metric tons of wheat to the port. proposal /pruh-poh-zuhl / [noun] – a suggestion, sometimes a written one The proposal was well-received by the committee….
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Asian wealth managers head to Dubai for client diversification

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Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What comes to mind when you think about Dubai? If you were to live in Dubai, what challenges do you think you might experience, considering its unique cultural and economic landscape? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. client /KLAHY-uhnt/ [noun] – a customer or someone who receives services The business prioritizes delivering exceptional products and services to every client, ensuring satisfaction and loyalty. emphasize /EM-fuh-sahyz/ [verb] – to show that something is very important or worth giving attention to During the presentation, the speaker tried to emphasize the significance of sustainable…
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