EnglishClub

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

• culprit: someone who committed a particular crime
• therapy dog: a dog trained to comfort and support people
• recover: to take back something that was lost or stolen
• precaution: an action taken to prevent something bad from happening

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Pre-Listening Vocabulary

• community: a group of people who live in the same area or share a common interest
• celebrate: to honour a special occasion with a party or ceremony
• anniversary: the date that a particular couple was married
• in moderation: in a reasonable way, without excess

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World’s Oldest Living Couple Celebrates Their 80th Anniversary

Discussion Question

Do you know anyone who lived a very long life? What was their secret?

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

• activist: a person who protests for political change
• campaign: a course of action that aims to make a difference
• emission: the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, especially when caused by human activity
• conference: a meeting where people gather to discuss a common issue
• announce: to officially declare something to the public

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Time Magazine Names Climate Activist Greta Thunberg Person of the Year

Discussion Question

Have you made changes in your life to help prevent climate change? What kind?

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

• accidentally: by chance, by mistake
• invite: to ask someone to attend an event
• go viral: to quickly become popular on the Internet
• upload: to put information on the Internet, especially pictures, videos, or articles

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Pre-Listening Vocabulary

• devastated: ruined or destroyed
• art therapist: someone who helps people use art to improve their mental health
• community: a group of people who live in the same area or have common interests
• phoenix: a bird from ancient myths that dies and is reborn from ashes
• recognition: gratitude, appreciation
• award: to give something as a prize

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Pre-Listening Vocabulary

• resident: a person who lives in a particular place
• mysterious: strange, unusual, and difficult to explain
• in plain sight: in a place that is easy to see
• spokesperson: someone who makes public announcements for a person or group
• claim: to declare that one owns something

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Image credit: Cambridge Dictionary

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

• discarded: thrown away; disposed of
• awareness: knowledge or comprehension of a situation
• blog: a website written by a person or group that discusses thoughts and experiences
• shortlist: a list of people or things to be considered for a job, prize, or other final placement
• ecosystem: a group of plants and animals that live together and interact
• carbon dioxide: a compound gas that contributes to global warming

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Pre-Listening Vocabulary

• hijacking: the act of illegally taking control of a plane, boat, or vehicle
• depart: to leave or exit
• alert: a warning of possible danger
• hold hostage: to keep someone captive in order to make demands
• false alarm: an apparently dangerous situation that turns out to be harmless
• evacuate: to move people away from danger

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Pre-Listening Vocabulary

• prevent: to stop; to make it too difficult
• backlash: a very negative response by many people
• trial: a test or experiment
• put an end: to stop the practice
• install: to place in an area and make ready for use
• monitor: to watch or check regularly

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Pre-Listening Vocabulary

• innovative: focused on new ideas and solutions
• tackle: to take on a big challenge
• coating: a top layer
• shelf life: how long an item is suitable for sale or consumption
• peel: the outer layer of a fruit or vegetable
• consume: to take into the body

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Pre-Listening Vocabulary

• grant: money given by an organization for a specific purpose (often research related)
• artificial: made by humans; not natural
• womb: the organ in a female body where a fetus (unborn baby) develops
• complication: a problem that is usually unexpected
• preterm: before the 37th week of pregnancy
• umbilical cord: the cord that connects the fetus to the placenta

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Dutch Scientists Developing Artificial Womb

Discussion Questions

Do you approve of this research and development project? What ethical concerns might some people have with the artificial womb?

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

• emoji: a small digital icon that expresses an emotion or subject
• literal: the basic sense of a word or phrase
• evolve: to change over time
• surge: a sudden increase
• potential: having a future possibility
• impeachment: a charge against someone in public office (e.g., the president) for a serious wrongdoing
• whistleblower: a person who shares secret information about misconduct

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Pre-Listening Vocabulary

• shrink: to get smaller in size
• European Union: a political and economical group of 28 countries
• postsecondary: after high school
• abroad: in a foreign country
• pace: a continuous speed

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Pre-Listening Vocabulary

• massive: very big
• public: everyday people
• facial recognition: technology that identifies people by features of the face
• coincide: to occur at the same time
• anniversary: a date that is marked at the same time each year

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Pre-Listening Vocabulary

• ban: to no longer allow
• era: a long period of time
• prosperity: growth, success, and wealth
• colonial: related to a time of exploration and settlement where a stronger nation uses its power over a weaker one
• controversial: causing disagreement and conflict
• aspect: part

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