Voca from Articles: November 2025

December 1, 2025

MATERIAL: Daily News Article

CATEGORY: Top Stories

TITLE: World Central Kitchen provides food to furloughed federal workers in Washington, DC

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

1. furlough [FUR-loh]

Additional Information: It can function as an adjective when placed before a noun and in its past participle form (ex. a furloughed worker, furloughed employees).

2. shutdown [SHUHT-doun]

Additional Information: Its phrasal verb form is shut down (ex. The factory shut down for two weeks while the machines were repaired).

3. adhere to [ad-HEER too]

Additional Information: It is used in a formal context.

4. cushion [KOOSH-uhn]

Additional Information: This word may also be used as a verb (ex. The company saved extra money to cushion its losses during emergencies).

5. squeeze [skweez]

Additional Information: A related word is pressure.

SYNONYMS:

1. furlough - layoff, break

2. shutdown - closure, stoppage

3. adhere to - follow, obey

4. cushion - protection, support

5. squeeze - shortage, tightness

DEFINITION:

1. furlough - to stop a worker from working for a while, usually without pay

2. shutdown - a time when an organization, business, or government stops working for a short time

3. adhere to - to follow or act according to a rule, belief, instruction, or promise

4. cushion - something used to reduce the negative impact of a bad situation

5. squeeze - a situation in which there is less money or fewer resources available, making life or business more difficult

FREE CONVERSATION/DISCUSSION:

1. What does it mean when workers are furloughed?

2. How do people feel when they are furloughed from their jobs?

3. Why might a government decide to furlough workers?

4. What is a shutdown in the government?

5. How does a shutdown affect workers and their families?

6. What services stop during a government shutdown?

7. How can communities help furloughed workers?

8. What role did World Central Kitchen play in Washington, DC?

9. Why is food support important during a shutdown?

10. How does food assistance cushion the impact of lost income?

11. What does it mean to adhere to rules or values?

12. Why is it important for organizations to adhere to their mission?

13. How can adhering to values help people in tough times?

14. What is a financial cushion?

15. How can families create a cushion for emergencies?

16. Why is saving money important during uncertain times?

17. What does a financial squeeze mean?

18. How does a squeeze affect small businesses?

19. What can workers do during a financial squeeze?

20. How do shutdowns create a squeeze on the economy?

21. Why do people rely on community kitchens during crises?

22. How does food bring comfort during hard times?

23. What are examples of cushions in everyday life?

24. How can governments cushion the effects of shutdowns?

25. Why is adhering to promises important in leadership?

26. How can workers cushion themselves against job loss?

27. What does it mean to shut down a business temporarily?

28. How do families cope with shutdowns and furloughs?

29. What lessons can we learn from World Central Kitchen’s response?

30. How can communities prepare for future shutdowns?

November 30, 2025

MATERIAL: Daily News Article

CATEGORY: Human Interest

TITLE: German scents exhibition combines 1,000 years of fragrances with art and history

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

1. ponder [PON-der]

Additional Information: This word is usually used in a formal or literary context.

2. stench [stench]

Additional Information: It is often followed by the preposition of.

3. fragrance [FREY-gruhns]

Additional Information: Its adjective form is fragrant.

4. uplifting [uhp-LIF-ting]

Additional Information: Some related words are positive and cheerful.

5. diffuse [dih-FYOOZ]

Additional Information: This verb may also mean “to make light shine less brightly by spreading it in many directions.”

SYNONYMS:

1. ponder - think, reflect

2. stench - stink, bad smell

3. fragrance - scent, aroma

4. uplifting - encouraging, cheerful

5. diffuse - spread, release

DEFINITION:

1. ponder - to think carefully and deeply about something

2. stench - a very strong and unpleasant smell

3. fragrance - a nice and pleasant smell

4. uplifting - in a way that makes you feel happy, hopeful, or encouraged

5. diffuse - to spread or release something slowly and evenly over a wide area

FREE CONVERSATION/DISCUSSION:

1. Have you ever visited a museum exhibition about scents?

2. What fragrance do you find most relaxing?

3. Do you think smells can help us remember history?

4. How would you describe the fragrance of your favorite flower?

5. Why do you think people enjoy perfumes?

6. What kind of stench do you dislike the most?

7. Do you believe scents can change your mood?

8. How do you feel when you smell freshly baked bread?

9. Can you ponder why certain smells remind us of childhood?

10. What uplifting scent makes you feel happy?

11. Do you think fragrance is more powerful than music in creating emotions?

12. How would you explain the difference between fragrance and stench to a child?

13. What smell do you associate with your hometown?

14. Do you think scents can be considered art?

15. How do you feel when you diffuse essential oils in a room?

16. What fragrance do you connect with celebrations?

17. Can you ponder how scents influence culture?

18. What uplifting smell helps you start your day?

19. Do you think bad smells can also teach us something?

20. How would you describe the fragrance of nature after rain?

21. What stench do you associate with pollution?

22. Do you think fragrance can tell stories?

23. How do you feel when you smell incense in a temple?

24. What uplifting fragrance do you want in your classroom or workplace?

25. Can you ponder why perfumes are so popular worldwide?

26. Do you think scents can connect people across generations?

27. What fragrance do you associate with holidays?

28. How do you feel when you diffuse lavender in your room?

29. Do you think stench can also be part of history?

30. What uplifting smell makes you feel hopeful about the future?

November 29, 2025

MATERIAL: Daily News Article

CATEGORY: Lifestyle/Entertainment

TITLE: The new $50M Literary Arts Fund will support independent publishers and nonprofits

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

1. backing [BAK-ing]

Additional Information: A related word is aid.

2. all manner of [awl MAN-er uhv]

Additional Information: It is used in a formal context.

3. acclaimed [uh–CLAYMD]

Additional Information: Some adverbs often used before acclaimed are highly, widely, and universally.

4. drastically [DRAS-tik-lee]

Additional Information: A related word is severely.

5. parameter [puh–RAM-i-ter]

Additional Information: It is usually used in its plural form.

SYNONYMS

1. backing - support, aid, help

2. all manner of - many kinds, various types, different sorts

3. acclaimed - admired, praised, honored

4. drastically - extremely, severely, suddenly

5. parameter - limit, boundary, rule

DEFINITION:

1. backing - support, especially money, that helps a person, project, or organization

2. all manner of - many different kinds or types of people or things

3. acclaimed - admired by many people, especially for skill or achievement

4. drastically - in a very noticeable or extreme way; suddenly and strongly

5. parameter - a limit or rule that helps define how something is done

FREE CONVERSATION/DISCUSSION:

1. What do you think about the idea of a $50M Literary Arts Fund?

2. How can financial backing help writers and publishers?

3. Do you believe independent publishers are important for society?

4. What kinds of books do you think deserve more support?

5. Have you ever read a book from an independent publisher?

6. Why do you think some artists become acclaimed?

7. Can you name an acclaimed writer or musician you admire?

8. How does strong financial backing change the success of a project?

9. Do you think drastically changing habits is easy or hard?

10. What parameters should be set for a fair competition?

11. How can funding help promote all manner of arts and culture?

12. Do you think young writers should get more backing?

13. What is the difference between mainstream and independent publishing?

14. How can drastically new ideas affect literature?

15. Why do you think parameters are important in creative projects?

16. What kind of backing do schools need to support arts programs?

17. Do you think acclaimed artists always deserve their fame?

18. How can communities support all manner of local talents?

19. What happens when a project has no financial backing?

20. Do you think drastically cutting costs is good for art projects?

21. How can parameters help keep projects organized?

22. What kind of backing would you give to a friend’s creative project?

23. Do you think acclaimed works are always the best ones?

24. How can drastically new technology change the publishing industry?

25. What parameters should be set for fair use of funds?

26. How can backing from nonprofits help small publishers?

27. Do you think acclaimed awards influence what people read?

28. How can drastically different cultures influence literature?

29. What parameters should be used to select grant recipients?

30. How can all manner of voices be included in literature today?

November 28, 2025

MATERIAL: Daily News Article

CATEGORY: Education/Family

TITLE: Character.AI is banning minors from interacting with its chatbots

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

1. chatbot [CHAT-bot]

Additional Information: Its shortened version is bot.

2. open-ended [OH-puhn-EN-did]

Additional Information: An antonym of this word is fixed.

3. persona [per-SOH-nuh]

Additional Information: Its root word is person.

4. lifelike [LAHYF-lahyk]

Additional Information: A related word is realistic.

5. frontier [fruhn-TEER]

Additional Information: The word may also mean “a border between two countries.”

SYNONYMS

1. chatbot - bot, virtual assistant, AI helper

2. open-ended - flexible, broad, unlimited

3. persona - character, role, identity

4. lifelike - realistic, natural, true-to-life

5. frontier - boundary, edge, new area

DEFINITION:

1. chatbot - a computer program that can talk with people and answer questions like a real person

2. open-ended - giving people the freedom to answer or talk in their own way, without being limited to a single correct response

3. persona - the different characters or roles that someone creates or uses, especially to show certain qualities or behaviors

4. lifelike - looking or acting very much like a real person, animal, or thing

5. frontier - a new area of knowledge or activity that people are beginning to explore or develop

FREE CONVERSATION/DISCUSSION:

1. What do you think about minors being banned from using chatbots?

2. Do you believe chatbots are safe for children?

3. How often do you use a chatbot yourself?

4. What kinds of questions do you usually ask chatbots?

5. Do you think chatbots can replace teachers in some cases?

6. How can open-ended questions help students learn better?

7. Can you give an example of an open-ended question?

8. Why do people create different personas online?

9. Do you think online personas are always honest?

10. How can personas affect the way people communicate?

11. Have you ever seen a lifelike robot or toy?

12. Do you think lifelike technology is exciting or scary?

13. How can lifelike chatbots help families?

14. What new frontiers of technology interest you the most?

15. Do you think artificial intelligence is a frontier of education?

16. How should parents guide children in using chatbots?

17. Do you think banning minors is a good decision?

18. How can chatbots be useful for family life?

19. What are the risks of children talking to chatbots?

20. Do you think chatbots can give open-ended answers?

21. How can teachers use chatbots in classrooms?

22. Do you think lifelike chatbots can replace human friends?

23. How can personas help people express themselves online?

24. What frontier of science do you want to explore?

25. Do you think chatbots should have age restrictions?

26. How can open-ended discussions help families bond?

27. Do you think lifelike technology will change schools?

28. How can chatbots help with homework?

29. Do you think personas make online communication more fun?

30. What frontier of technology do you think will change family life most?

November 27, 2025

MATERIAL: Daily News Article

CATEGORY: Technology/Innovations

TITLE: Phony AI-generated videos of Hurricane Melissa flood social media sites

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

1. splice [splahys] Additional Information: It can be used as a noun (ex. The movie was carefully made with a smooth splice of hundreds of short videos).

2. hoax [hohks] Additional Information: Hoax can be combined with another noun to specify its kind (ex. hoax photo, hoax call).

3. debunk [dih-BUHNGK] Additional Information: An antonym of this word is confirm.

4. deepfake [DEEP-feyk] Additional Information: An image of a deepfake: https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deepfake#/media/Plik:Morphing_madness.jpg

5. inherently [in-HER–uhnt-lee] Additional Information: Its adjective form is inherent (ex. Good communication is an inherent part of effective teamwork in any company).

SYNONYMS

1. splice - join, connect, link

2. hoax - trick, fake, scam

3. debunk - disprove, expose, refute

4. deepfake - fake video, altered recording, manipulated image

5. inherently - naturally, basically, essentially

DEFINITION:

1. splice - to connect two or more pieces of film, video, or other material to make a single piece

2. hoax - an act or a thing that is made or done to fool people into believing something that is not true

3. debunk - to show that a story, idea, or belief is not true

4. deepfake - a photo, video, or sound recording that has been changed using artificial intelligence (AI) to make it look or sound real

5. inherently - in a way or manner that is a natural or basic part of someone or something

FREE CONVERSATION/DISCUSSION:

1. What is a splice in video editing?

2. Why do people create hoaxes online?

3. How can we debunk false information on social media?

4. What is a deepfake?

5. Why are deepfakes dangerous?

6. How can you tell if a video is fake?

7. What tools can help detect deepfakes?

8. Why do hoaxes spread quickly on social media?

9. What should you do if you see a suspicious video online?

10. How does AI make deepfakes look real?

11. Why is it important to debunk false stories?

12. What are examples of hoaxes you have heard about?

13. How can teachers explain deepfakes to students?

14. Why are people fooled by fake videos?

15. What is the difference between a hoax and a prank?

16. How can splice be used in making movies?

17. Why do people believe in hoaxes even after they are debunked?

18. What dangers can deepfakes cause in politics?

19. How can social media companies stop hoaxes?

20. Why is it inherently risky to trust everything online?

21. What are safe ways to check if news is true?

22. How can young people protect themselves from hoaxes?

23. What role does technology play in spreading fake news?

24. Why do some people create deepfakes for fun?

25. How can governments respond to dangerous hoaxes?

26. What is the difference between editing and splicing?

27. Why is it important to confirm information before sharing?

28. How can communities work together to fight hoaxes?

29. What are positive uses of AI in video editing?

30. Why should we learn about deepfakes in school?

November 26, 2025

MATERIAL: Daily News Article

CATEGORY: Science/Environment

TITLE: COVID-19 vaccines may help some cancer patients fight tumors

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

1. rev up [rev uhp]

Additional Information: The phrase rev up literally means “to make an engine run faster.”

2. cutting-edge [kuht-ing EJ]

Additional Information: Some related words are latest and high-tech.

3. skepticism [SKEP-tuh-siz-uhm]

Additional Information: Its adjective form is skeptical.

4. rigorous [RIG-uh-ruhs]

Additional Information: Some antonyms of this word are careless and relaxed.

5. spur [spur]

Additional Information: It usually follows the form spur (something) on.

SYNONYMS

1. rev up - speed up, boost, energize

2. cutting-edge - modern, advanced, new

3. skepticism - doubt, disbelief, uncertainty

4. rigorous - strict, thorough, precise

5. spur - encourage, motivate, push

DEFINITION:

1. rev up - to make something go faster, more active, or more effective

2. cutting-edge - very modern, new, and advanced

3. skepticism - the attitude of showing doubt or not easily believing something is true until there is evidence or proof

4. rigorous - very careful, exact, and done with great attention and discipline

5. spur - to encourage something to take action or cause something to happen faster

FREE CONVERSATION/DISCUSSION:

1. What do you know about COVID-19 vaccines?

2. How do vaccines usually help the body fight diseases?

3. Why might vaccines help cancer patients fight tumors?

4. Do you think vaccines can rev up the immune system?

5. What does rev up mean in everyday life?

6. Can you think of examples of cutting-edge technology?

7. Why is cutting-edge research important in medicine?

8. What is skepticism, and why do people feel it about new treatments?

9. Do you think skepticism is good or bad in science?

10. Why do scientists need to follow rigorous processes?

11. What happens if research is not rigorous?

12. How can new discoveries spur more medical research?

13. What does spur mean in daily life?

14. How do you think vaccines spur the immune system?

15. Why might cancer patients benefit from vaccines differently than healthy people?

16. Do you think exercise can rev up the body’s defenses?

17. What are some cutting-edge medical tools you have heard of?

18. Why do people sometimes doubt new medicines?

19. How can scientists prove their discoveries are correct?

20. What is the role of rigorous testing in vaccine development?

21. How do governments spur vaccine programs?

22. Do you think skepticism helps keep science honest?

23. How can cutting-edge discoveries change the future of healthcare?

24. What does it mean to rev up your energy in daily life?

25. How can rigorous discipline help students in school?

26. What are examples of policies that spur economic growth?

27. Why is it important to balance skepticism with trust in science?

28. How do vaccines rev up the immune system to fight viruses?

29. What cutting-edge discoveries have changed the world recently?

30. How can rigorous research spur confidence in new treatments?

November 25, 2025

MATERIAL: Daily News Article

CATEGORY: Health

TITLE: Advice to feed babies peanuts early and often helped thousands of kids avoid allergies

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

1. life-threatening [LAHYF-thret-ning]

Additional Information: The word threatening means indicating that something negative or undesirable might occur.

2. recommendation [rek-uh-men-DEY-shuhn]

Additional Information: The verb form of this word is recommend.

3. mistakenly [mi-STEY-kuhn-lee]

Additional Information: Its root word is mistake.

4. groundbreaking [GROUND-brey-king]

Additional Information: A related adjective is innovative.

5. catch on [kach on]

Additional Information: When catch on is followed by an object, it is usually connected by prepositions such as with and in.

SYNONYMS

1. life-threatening - deadly, dangerous, severe

2. recommendation - advice, suggestion, guidance

3. mistakenly - wrongly, incorrectly, accidentally

4. groundbreaking - new, important, innovative

5. catch on - become popular, spread, trend

DEFINITION:

1. life-threatening - very serious and possibly causing death

2. recommendation - a suggestion about what should be done

3. mistakenly - in a way that is not correct

4. groundbreaking - very new and important; introducing new ideas or methods

5. catch on - to become popular

FREE CONVERSATION/DISCUSSION:

1. What does it mean when something is life-threatening?

2. Can you give an example of a life-threatening situation?

3. Why is it important to treat allergies quickly?

4. What is a recommendation you often hear from doctors?

5. Do you usually follow recommendations from teachers or parents?

6. Can you share a recommendation you gave to a friend?

7. What happens if someone mistakenly eats food they are allergic to?

8. Have you ever mistakenly done something funny?

9. Why do people sometimes mistakenly believe certain health myths?

10. What does groundbreaking mean in science?

11. Can you think of a groundbreaking invention?

12. Why are groundbreaking ideas important for health?

13. Do you know any groundbreaking discoveries in medicine?

14. What does it mean when something catches on?

15. Can you give an example of a trend that caught on in your school?

16. Why do some ideas catch on quickly?

17. Have you seen a new game or app catch on among your friends?

18. Why do you think feeding peanuts early can help avoid allergies?

19. Do you know anyone with a peanut allergy?

20. How can parents protect children from life-threatening allergies?

21. What kind of recommendations do doctors give to new parents?

22. Why is it important to avoid mistakes when feeding babies?

23. Can you think of a groundbreaking health program in your community?

24. What foods have caught on as popular health choices?

25. Do you think recommendations can help prevent health problems?

26. How can teachers give recommendations to help students learn better?

27. What would you recommend to someone who wants to stay healthy?

28. Why do you think some recommendations catch on while others do not?

29. Can you share a time when you mistakenly thought something was healthy but it was not?

30. How can groundbreaking research change the way we live?

November 24, 2025

MATERIAL: Daily News Article

CATEGORY: Top Stories

TITLE: Trump administration pledges to speed up some student loan forgiveness after lawsuit

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

1. earnings [UR-ningz]

Additional Information: It’s always in its plural form.

2. in limbo [in LIM-boh]

Additional Information: Some verbs in past participle form that are usually used with this expression are stuck in limbo, kept in limbo, and left in limbo.

3. light at the end of the tunnel [lahyt at thee end uhv thuh TUHN-l]

Additional Information: This expression comes from the literal experience of being in a dark tunnel, where seeing light at the end shows that someone is about to get out of the tunnel.

4. implementation [im-pluh-men-TEY-shuhn]

Additional Information: Its verb form is implement (ex. The city implemented new traffic safety measures last week).

5. reimburse [ree-im-BURS]

Additional Information: It is used in a formal context.

SYNONYMS:

1. earnings - income, salary, pay

2. in limbo - uncertain, unsettled, undecided

3. light at the end of the tunnel - hope, relief, improvement

4. implementation - execution, application, enforcement

5. reimburse - repay, refund, compensate

DEFINITION:

1. earnings - the money that a person receives for the work they do or from their job; income

2. in limbo - in a state of uncertainty in which a person does not know what will happen next

3. light at the end of the tunnel - a sign that a difficult or unpleasant situation is improving or ending; a sign of hope after a period of problems or waiting

4. implementation - the process of putting a plan, law, or idea into action

5. reimburse - to pay back the money that someone has spent or paid

FREE CONVERSATION/DISCUSSION:

1. Do you think student loan forgiveness is important?

2. How do student loans affect young people’s lives?

3. What would you do if your loan was forgiven?

4. Why do you think lawsuits can change government policies?

5. How do you feel when your earnings are not enough?

6. What jobs give the highest earnings in your country?

7. Have you ever felt in limbo about your future?

8. How do you deal with uncertainty in life?

9. What is your personal light at the end of the tunnel?

10. Can you share a time when you felt hope after problems?

11. Why is implementation important in government plans?

12. What happens if a plan is not implemented well?

13. How do you think governments should implement education policies?

14. Have you ever been reimbursed for something?

15. How do you feel when someone reimburses you quickly?

16. Should companies reimburse employees for all work expenses?

17. What is the best way to show gratitude for reimbursement?

18. How do you think earnings affect motivation at work?

19. Do you think people should save part of their earnings?

20. What is one thing you would buy with extra earnings?

21. How do you think student loan forgiveness helps the economy?

22. Should education be free to avoid student loans?

23. How do lawsuits help protect citizens’ rights?

24. What is one situation where you felt stuck in limbo?

25. How do you encourage yourself when you are in limbo?

26. What is one example of light at the end of the tunnel in your life?

27. How do you celebrate when problems finally end?

28. Why is it important to implement promises quickly?

29. What happens if reimbursement is delayed?

30. How do you think governments can support students better?

November 23, 2025

MATERIAL: Daily News Article

CATEGORY: Human Interest

TITLE: Millions of Indians celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

1. derive from [dih-RAHYV fruhm]

Additional Information: It is usually used in the passive form be derived from + noun.

2. deity [DEE-uh-tee]

Additional Information: A male deity can also be called god, while a female deity can be called goddess.

3. exile [EK-sahyl]

Additional Information: This word also means a person who has been forced to leave their country.

4. shimmering [SHIM-er-ing]

Additional Information: Its verb form is shimmer (ex. The lake shimmered beautifully under the moonlight).

5. deck [dek]

Additional Information: Deck is a transitive verb, which means it should always be followed by an object (ex. be decked with hundreds of lights, be decked out in a new dress).

SYNONYMS

1. derive from - originate, come from, develop from

2. deity - god, goddess, divinity

3. exile - banishment, displacement, separation

4. shimmering - glowing, sparkling, glistening

5. deck - decorate, adorn, embellish

DEFINITION:

1. derive from - to come or develop from something

2. deity - a supernatural being that people worship or believe controls the world or nature

3. exile - a situation in which someone has to live away from their home or country, often because they were forced to leave

4. shimmering - describes something that shines with a soft, unsteady, or wavering light

5. deck - to make something beautiful with decorations, lights, flowers, etc., especially for a special occasion

FREE CONVERSATION/DISCUSSION:

1. What is Diwali and why is it called the festival of lights?

2. How do people in India usually celebrate Diwali?

3. Have you ever seen houses decorated with lights during a festival?

4. Why do you think light is an important symbol in celebrations?

5. What kinds of food are prepared during Diwali?

6. Do you celebrate any festivals with your family?

7. How do decorations make a celebration more special?

8. What is your favorite holiday and why?

9. Why do people enjoy fireworks during festivals?

10. Have you ever worn new clothes for a special occasion?

11. What do you think is the meaning of celebrating with family and friends?

12. How do festivals bring communities together?

13. Do you know any other festivals that use lights as a symbol?

14. What do you think children enjoy most about Diwali?

15. How do you feel when you see shimmering lights at night?

16. Why do people give gifts during festivals?

17. What role do music and dance play in celebrations?

18. Do you think festivals are important for culture? Why?

19. How do you prepare your home for a holiday?

20. What is the difference between religious and cultural festivals?

21. Why do people pray during Diwali?

22. What do you think is the most exciting part of Diwali?

23. How do decorations like flowers and lights change the mood of a place?

24. Do you think festivals help people forget their worries?

25. What do you enjoy most about family gatherings?

26. How do you think festivals are celebrated differently in cities and villages?

27. Why do people travel home during big festivals?

28. What do you think makes Diwali unique compared to other festivals?

29. How do you feel when you see a place decked out with lights and colors?

30. Do you think festivals are more about tradition or fun?

November 22, 2025

MATERIAL: Daily News Article

CATEGORY: Lifestyle/Entertainment

TITLE: A mushroom farm in Kenya and fungi-based panels give hope for sustainable building

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

1. sustainable [suh–STEY-nuh-buhl]

Additional Information: Its noun form is sustainability.

2. boon [boon]

Additional Information: A related word is blessing.

3. prone [prohn]

Additional Information: It is usually followed by the preposition to.

4. deficit [DEF–uh-sit]

Additional Information: An antonym of this word is excess.

5. finish [FIN-ish]

Additional Information: Some adjectives that are often used to describe finish are fine, smooth, shiny, and natural.

SYNONYMS

1. sustainable - eco-friendly, green, renewable

2. boon - benefit, advantage, blessing

3. prone - likely, vulnerable, inclined

4. deficit - shortage, lack, gap

5. finish - surface, coating, polish

DEFINITION:

1. sustainable - relating to things that don’t harm the environment and can continue for a long time

2. boon - something that is very helpful, useful, or makes life easier

3. prone - likely to suffer from or experience something bad or unpleasant

4. deficit - an amount by which something is less than what is needed or expected

5. finish - the appearance or quality of a surface after the final work, paint, or layer is added to make it smooth, attractive, and complete

FREE CONVERSATION/DISCUSSION:

1. What does sustainable building mean to you?

2. Why is sustainability important for the environment?

3. How can mushroom farms help in construction?

4. Do you think fungi-based panels are a good idea?

5. What are some examples of sustainable products you know?

6. How can sustainability reduce waste?

7. Why do you think Kenya is trying mushroom-based building materials?

8. What other countries could benefit from sustainable building methods?

9. How does sustainability help future generations?

10. What are some eco-friendly materials used in houses today?

11. Do you think sustainable buildings cost more or less?

12. How can governments support sustainable building projects?

13. What are the challenges of using fungi-based panels?

14. Do you think people will accept mushroom-based houses?

15. How can schools teach students about sustainability?

16. What role do farmers play in sustainable living?

17. Why is innovation important in construction?

18. Can sustainable buildings help fight climate change?

19. What are some simple ways families can live sustainably?

20. How does sustainable building improve health?

21. Do you think sustainable housing can solve housing shortages?

22. What are the benefits of using natural materials in construction?

23. How can communities work together to promote sustainability?

24. What are some sustainable practices you see in your city?

25. Do you think sustainable buildings will become common in the future?

26. How can technology improve sustainable construction?

27. What are the risks of not using sustainable methods?

28. How can sustainable buildings be made affordable for everyone?

29. Do you think sustainable housing can be stylish and modern?

30. What lessons can other countries learn from Kenya’s mushroom farm project?