Voca from Articles: May 2026

June 1 , 2026

MATERIAL: Daily News Article

CATEGORY: Education/Family

TITLE: College students wary of the job market are changing course in search of ‘AI-proof’ majors

UNLOCKING WORD MEANINGS: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

1. niche [nich]

Additional Information: It can be used as a noun (ex. Repairing 100-year-old paintings is a niche that very few people possess the talent for today).

2. automate [AW-tuh-meyt]

Additional Information: Its noun form is automation (ex. The company used automation in its production process last year to increase the number of goods it could make).

3. prospect [PROS-pekt]

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

4. concentrated [KON-suhn-trey-tid]

Additional Information: This adjective may also mean “done in a way that involves a lot of effort and attention.”

5. vocational [voh-KEY-shuh-nl]

Additional Information: Some nouns used with vocational are course and education.

SYNONYMS

1. niche - specific, specialized, limited

2. automate - mechanize, computerize, systematize

3. prospect - chance, possibility, opportunity

4. concentrated - focused, gathered, clustered

5. vocational - job-related, career-focused, occupational

DEFINITION:

1. niche - very specific and intended for a small group or area rather than a general one

2. automate - to use computers, software, or machines to do a task or a process instead of people doing it

3. prospect - the chance or possibility of being successful in the future, especially regarding a career or a job

4. concentrated - gathered, happening together, or found in one specific place or group, rather than being found everywhere

5. vocational - relating to an education or training that teaches the specific skills one needs for a particular job or career

FREE CONVERSATION/DISCUSSION:

1. Why do you think students are worried about the job market today?

2. How might artificial intelligence change the kinds of jobs available in the future?

3. What does it mean for a major to be “AI-proof”?

4. Do you think choosing a niche career path is safer than a general one?

5. How can automation both help and hurt workers?

6. What kinds of jobs are most at risk of being automated?

7. Why might students prefer vocational training over traditional college degrees?

8. Do you think vocational courses should be more widely available?

9. How can students prepare themselves for careers that will not be replaced by AI?

10. What role does creativity play in making a career AI-proof?

11. Should schools teach more practical job skills instead of general subjects?

12. How important is job security when choosing a college major?

13. Do you think students should follow their passion or focus on stable careers?

14. How can concentrated industries be more vulnerable to automation?

15. What are some examples of niche skills that are valuable today?

16. Do you think AI will create new jobs as well as replace old ones?

17. How can governments help students prepare for future job markets?

18. Should parents encourage children to choose majors that are AI-proof?

19. What are the risks of choosing a very niche career path?

20. How can students balance passion and practicality in career choices?

21. Do you think vocational training should be part of high school education?

22. How might automation change the way companies hire workers?

23. What kinds of majors do you think will remain safe from automation?

24. Should students learn both technical and soft skills to stay competitive?

25. How can internships help students understand real job prospects?

26. Do you think AI-proof majors will be the most popular in the future?

27. How can students identify which careers are less likely to be automated?

28. Should universities adapt their programs to focus on AI-proof skills?

29. How can students use technology to their advantage instead of fearing it?

30. Do you think the fear of automation is exaggerated or realistic?

MATERIAL: Daily News Article
CATEGORY: Top Stories
TITLE: Australia moves to tax Meta, Google, and TikTok to fund newsrooms

UNLOCKING WORD MEANINGS: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1. strike a deal [strahyk uh deel]
Additional Information: Used in formal or business contexts when two parties reach an agreement after discussion or negotiation.

2. criticism [KRIT-uh-siz-uhm]
Additional Information: The opposite of this word is praise.

3. sustainable [suh-STEY-nuh-buhl]
Additional Information: The verb form is sustain, meaning to keep something going for a long time.

4. monetary [MON-i-ter-ee]
Additional Information: Commonly used with nouns like value and policy when talking about money or finance.

5. arbitration [ahr-bi-TREY-shuhn]
Additional Information: Often used in the phrases go to arbitration or settle by arbitration when resolving disputes.

SYNONYMS
1. strike a deal - agree, negotiate, arrange
2. criticism - disapproval, complaint, judgment
3. sustainable - lasting, continuous, long-term
4. monetary - financial, economic, fiscal
5. arbitration - mediation, settlement, negotiation

DEFINITION:
1. strike a deal - to make an agreement with someone after discussion or negotiation
2. criticism - the act of saying what is wrong or not good about something or someone
3. sustainable - able to continue for a long time without causing harm or problems
4. monetary - relating to money or finance
5. arbitration - a process where a disagreement is solved by a neutral person

FREE CONVERSATION/DISCUSSION:
1. Why do you think Australia wants to tax big tech companies?
2. How can this tax help local newsrooms?
3. Do you think social media companies should pay for news content?
4. What challenges might arise from taxing global tech firms?
5. How do you get your daily news?
6. Do you trust news shared on social media?
7. What makes a news source reliable?
8. How can governments support journalism without controlling it?
9. Why is sustainable funding important for media companies?
10. What happens when news organizations lose funding?
11. How does technology affect the way we read news today?
12. Should online platforms share profits with journalists?
13. What role does criticism play in improving journalism?
14. How can arbitration help resolve disputes between media and tech companies?
15. What are the benefits of striking a deal between governments and tech firms?
16. Do you think people read more news online or in print now?
17. How can newsrooms stay sustainable in the digital age?
18. What are the risks of relying only on social media for news?
19. How can readers identify fake news?
20. Should news be free or paid?
21. How do monetary policies affect media businesses?
22. What makes a country’s media system strong?
23. How can young people be encouraged to read verified news?
24. What is the importance of freedom of the press?
25. How can journalism remain independent while receiving government support?
26. What are examples of sustainable practices in media production?
27. How can criticism help journalists improve their work?
28. What are the pros and cons of arbitration in business disputes?
29. How can technology companies and newsrooms work together fairly?
30. Do you think this policy will influence other countries to do the same?

May 30, 2026

MATERIAL: Daily News Article

CATEGORY: Human Interest

TITLE: In a remote German village, mail is delivered by boat during warmer months

UNLOCKING WORD MEANINGS: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

1. barge [BAHRJ]

Additional Information: A long, flat-bottomed boat used for carrying heavy goods on rivers and canals.

2. waterway [WOT-er-wey]

Additional Information: A path made of water used by boats and ships to travel from one place to another.

3. embark [em-BAHRK]

Additional Information: To go onto a ship, boat, or plane at the beginning of a journey; can also mean to begin something new.

4. designate [DEZ-ig-neyt]

Additional Information: To officially choose or name something for a special purpose or status.

5. flora and fauna [FLAWR-uh uhn FAW-nuh]

Additional Information: The plants and animals of a particular area, time, or environment.

SYNONYMS

1. barge – boat, vessel, ship

2. waterway – canal, river, route

3. embark – board, begin, start

4. designate – appoint, assign, name

5. flora and fauna – plants and animals, wildlife, ecosystem

DEFINITION:

1. barge – a large, flat-bottomed boat used for transporting goods

2. waterway – a route made of water for travel by boats or ships

3. embark – to go onto a ship or start a journey

4. designate – to officially choose or name for a purpose

5. flora and fauna – the plants and animals of a specific area

FREE CONVERSATION/DISCUSSION:

1. Have you ever traveled by boat?

2. What do you think about delivering mail by boat?

3. Why might a village use boats instead of trucks for delivery?

4. How do waterways help people in remote areas?

5. What challenges might mail carriers face when delivering by boat?

6. Would you enjoy living in a village surrounded by rivers?

7. How can boats be useful for transportation in small towns?

8. What are some advantages of using waterways for travel?

9. Do you think delivering mail by boat is faster or slower than by land?

10. How might weather affect mail delivery by boat?

11. What other goods could be delivered by barge?

12. How do you think technology could improve waterway deliveries?

13. What safety measures should boat mail carriers follow?

14. Would you like to work as a mail carrier in this village?

15. How does this story show the importance of adaptation?

16. What makes this village unique compared to others?

17. How do rivers and canals help connect communities?

18. What environmental benefits come from using boats instead of cars?

19. How might tourism grow in a village with waterways?

20. What do flora and fauna tell us about a place’s environment?

21. How can protecting waterways help local wildlife?

22. What other countries use boats for daily transportation?

23. How might climate change affect waterway travel?

24. What would happen if the river became too shallow for boats?

25. How do people in your area receive mail?

26. Would you like to visit this German village?

27. What modern inventions could make boat delivery easier?

28. How do waterways influence local culture and traditions?

29. What lessons can we learn from this village’s way of life?

30. How does this story show creativity in solving problems?

May 29, 2026

MATERIAL: Daily News Article
CATEGORY: Business/Technology
TITLE: Uber moves toward becoming an everything app with hotel bookings powered by Expedia

UNLOCKING WORD MEANINGS: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1. listing [LIS-ting]

Additional Information: Another noun is usually added before this word to specify its kind (ex. hotel listing, job listing).

2. perk [purk]

Additional Information: A related word is advantage.

3. evaluate [ih-VAL-yoo-eyt]

Additional Information: A related verb is check.

4. mutually [MYOO-choo-uh-lee]

Additional Information: The adjective form of the word is mutual (ex. The agreement to help each other was mutual).

5. beneficial [ben-uh-FISH-uhl]

Additional Information: The verb form of the word is benefit (ex. Your body benefits from regular exercise).

SYNONYMS
1. listing - record, catalog, register
2. perk - bonus, benefit, advantage
3. evaluate - assess, judge, examine
4. mutually - together, jointly, collectively
5. beneficial - helpful, useful, favorable

DEFINITION:
1. listing - a list of items, services, or information shown in an organized way.
2. perk - an extra benefit you get in a job or situation.
3. evaluate - to carefully think about something to judge its value, quality, or success.
4. mutually - in a way that is shared by two or more people or groups.
5. beneficial - helpful or good for someone or something.

FREE CONVERSATION/DISCUSSION:
1. What kinds of listings do you often check online?
2. What perks do you enjoy in your job?
3. How do you evaluate your own performance at work?
4. Why is mutual understanding important in teamwork?
5. What activities are beneficial for your health?
6. How do listings help people find what they need?
7. What perk would you like to have in your workplace?
8. How can evaluation improve learning or work quality?
9. Can mutual respect strengthen relationships?
10. What beneficial habits do you practice daily?
11. How do online listings make shopping easier?
12. What perks do companies offer to attract employees?
13. How do you evaluate whether a decision is good or bad?
14. Why is mutual cooperation important in communities?
15. What beneficial effects does exercise have on your body?
16. How do listings help travelers plan trips?
17. What perk would make a job more enjoyable for you?
18. How do teachers evaluate students fairly?
19. How can mutual trust be built between friends?
20. What beneficial foods do you eat regularly?
21. How do listings affect business visibility online?
22. What perks do you think motivate employees most?
23. How do you evaluate success in your life?
24. Why is mutual support important in families?
25. What beneficial changes have you made recently?
26. How do listings help people find apartments or jobs?
27. What perks do you think Uber offers its drivers?
28. How do companies evaluate customer satisfaction?
29. How can mutual goals help teams succeed?
30. What beneficial advice would you give to new workers?

May 28, 2026

MATERIAL: Daily News Article
CATEGORY: Top Stories
TITLE: Do you prefer to pay income taxes or sales taxes? Missouri voters will get to choose

UNLOCKING WORD MEANINGS: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1. abate [uh–BEYT]

Additional Information: It is used in a formal context.

2. levy [LEV-ee]

Additional Information: It can also be used as a noun.

3. implicitly [im-PLIS-it-lee]

Additional Information: An antonym of this word is explicitly.

4. ratification [rat-uh-fi-KEY-shuhn]

Additional Information: Its verb form is ratify.

5. sidestep [SAHYD-step]

Additional Information: This verb literally means “to avoid walking into or being hit by someone or something by stepping to the right or left.”

SYNONYMS
1. abate - lessen, reduce, weaken
2. levy - impose, charge, collect
3. implicitly - indirectly, silently, quietly
4. ratification - approval, confirmation, validation
5. sidestep - avoid, dodge, bypass

DEFINITION:
1. abate - to decrease or become weaker
2. levy - to officially demand and collect money such as a tax, fee, or fine
3. implicitly - in a way that is understood, even though not said or written clearly
4. ratification - the act or process of making a deal or agreement final so that everyone must follow it
5. sidestep - to avoid a difficult job, problem, or rule

FREE CONVERSATION/DISCUSSION:
1. Do you think taxes should be simple or detailed?
2. Would you prefer paying income tax or sales tax?
3. How do taxes affect everyday life?
4. Why do governments need to collect taxes?
5. Should tax rates be the same for everyone?
6. How do you feel when taxes abate or decrease?
7. What kinds of things should taxes be used for?
8. Do you think sales taxes are fairer than income taxes?
9. How would you explain levy to a child?
10. Should governments levy taxes on luxury goods?
11. How do you know when someone implicitly agrees with you?
12. Is it better to say things explicitly or implicitly?
13. Why is ratification important in agreements?
14. Can you think of a time when ratification changed history?
15. How do companies sidestep rules in business?
16. Is sidestepping rules always wrong?
17. What would happen if taxes were abated for a year?
18. Do you think people understand how taxes work?
19. Should tax laws be explained more simply?
20. How do taxes affect the economy of a country?
21. Would you prefer higher sales tax but no income tax?
22. How do you feel about paying taxes on food?
23. Should education be funded by taxes?
24. How do you think ratification affects international trade?
25. Can you give an example of sidestepping a problem in daily life?
26. Do you think taxes should be used to protect the environment?
27. How do you feel when governments levy new taxes?
28. Should taxes be abated during emergencies?
29. Do you think people implicitly trust the government about taxes?
30. How would you improve the tax system in your country?

May 27, 2026

MATERIAL: Daily News Article

CATEGORY: Lifestyle/Entertainment
TITLE: How luxury watchmaking has become a fabric of Switzerland’s heritage

UNLOCKING WORD MEANINGS: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1. painstaking [PEYNZ-tey-king]

Additional Information: It is often followed by the nouns process and research.

2. craftsmanship [KRAFTS-muhn-ship]

Additional Information: Some adjectives often used with craftsmanship are high-quality and traditional.

3. high-end [HAHY-END]

Additional Information: An antonym of this word is low-end.

4. perpetual [per-PECH-oo-uhl]

Additional Information: Some related words are endless and continuous.

5. date back [deyt bak]

Additional Information: This phrasal verb is often followed by the preposition to.

SYNONYMS
1. painstaking - careful, thorough
2. craftsmanship - skill, artistry
3. high-end - luxurious, expensive
4. perpetual - continuous, endless
5. date back - originate, begin

DEFINITION:
1. painstaking - referring to something done very carefully, slowly, and with great attention to detail to avoid mistakes
2. craftsmanship - the skill and quality shown when someone makes something by hand
3. high-end - describing products or services that are very good quality, expensive, and often luxurious
4. perpetual - continuing for a very long time or forever, without stopping
5. date back - to have existed since a particular time in the past

FREE CONVERSATION/DISCUSSION:
1. Why do you think Switzerland is famous for luxury watchmaking?
2. What qualities make a product high-end in your opinion?
3. Do you prefer handmade items or machine-made items? Why?
4. How important is craftsmanship in products you buy?
5. Can you think of other industries where painstaking work is required?
6. Why do people value luxury watches even though they are expensive?
7. What does perpetual mean in daily life situations?
8. Do you own anything that you consider high-end?
9. How do traditions date back to earlier times in your country?
10. Why do you think people are willing to pay more for luxury items?
11. What role does heritage play in making products valuable?
12. How do you define luxury in your own words?
13. Do you think craftsmanship is disappearing in modern times?
14. What are examples of perpetual things in nature?
15. How do you feel when you see something made with great skill?
16. Why do you think Swiss watches are considered symbols of status?
17. What other products can represent a country’s heritage?
18. Do you think high-end products are always worth the price?
19. How can painstaking effort lead to success?
20. What traditions in your culture date back hundreds of years?
21. Do you think luxury watchmaking will continue to be popular in the future?
22. How does craftsmanship affect the durability of a product?
23. What is the difference between high-end and low-end products?
24. Why do people admire perpetual motion machines even though they are impossible?
25. How do you think technology affects traditional craftsmanship?
26. Do you think luxury items are more about quality or image?
27. What makes Swiss watchmaking unique compared to other countries?
28. How do you feel about products that date back to ancient times?
29. Do you think painstaking work is always necessary?
30. What lessons can we learn from Switzerland’s watchmaking heritage?

May 26, 2026

MATERIAL: Daily News Article
CATEGORY: Science/Environment
TITLE: Solar growth in China and India powers clean energy surge by 2025

UNLOCKING WORD MEANINGS: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1. factor [FAK-ter]

Additional Information: A related noun is aspect.

2. embattled [em-BAT-ld]

Additional Information: This word is often used to describe people, groups, or organizations under pressure or attack.

3. fossil fuel [FOS-uhl FYOO-uhl]

Additional Information: Some examples of fossil fuels are coal, oil, and gas.

4. electrification [ih lek truh fuh KAY shuhn]

Additional Information: The verb form of this word is electrify (ex. The government electrified the rural areas to improve people’s daily lives).

5. handful [HAND-fool]

Additional Information: This word is usually followed by the preposition of.

SYNONYMS
1. factor - cause, reason, aspect
2. embattled - troubled, struggling, pressured
3. fossil fuel - coal, oil, gas
4. electrification - powering, supplying electricity, energizing
5. handful - few, small group, couple

DEFINITION:
1. factor - something that helps cause a result or situation
2. embattled - facing many problems, criticism, or difficulties
3. fossil fuel - a type of natural energy source that comes from ancient plant and animal remains and is used to produce power
4. electrification - the process of providing electricity to a place or system
5. handful - a small number of people or things that can be considered together as a small group

FREE CONVERSATION/DISCUSSION:
1. Why do you think solar power is growing quickly in China and India?
2. What factors make renewable energy important for the future?
3. How does electrification improve people’s daily lives?
4. Why are fossil fuels still widely used even though they harm the environment?
5. What challenges do embattled companies face when switching to clean energy?
6. How can governments encourage more use of solar power?
7. Do you think electrification in rural areas changes education opportunities?
8. Why is it difficult for some countries to reduce fossil fuel use?
9. What role does technology play in clean energy growth?
10. How can individuals help reduce dependence on fossil fuels?
11. Why is solar energy considered a sustainable option?
12. What are the benefits of reducing carbon emissions?
13. How does clean energy affect global climate change?
14. Why might some industries resist electrification?
15. How can international cooperation support renewable energy projects?
16. What are some examples of renewable energy besides solar?
17. Why is it important to invest in clean energy now?
18. How does electrification affect transportation systems?
19. What are the risks of relying too much on fossil fuels?
20. How can education raise awareness about clean energy?
21. Why is solar energy cheaper in some countries than others?
22. How does electrification help healthcare facilities in rural areas?
23. What are the long-term benefits of clean energy for economies?
24. Why is it difficult to replace fossil fuels completely?
25. How can young people contribute to clean energy growth?
26. What role do businesses play in promoting renewable energy?
27. Why is electrification important for modern communication systems?
28. How do cultural attitudes affect clean energy adoption?
29. What are the environmental costs of fossil fuel use?
30. How can communities work together to support solar projects?

May 25, 2026

MATERIAL: Daily News Article
CATEGORY: Top Stories
TITLE: Residents in rural Sudan say the Iran war has made it harder to get medicines

UNLOCKING WORD MEANINGS: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1. spike [spahyk]

Additional Information: An antonym of this word is drop.

2. space [speys]
Additional Information: It is often followed by the preposition out.

3. shipment [SHIP-muhnt]
Additional Information: This noun may also mean “the act of sending something to a customer, store, etc.”

4. reroute [ree-RAUT]
Additional Information: Its root word is the noun route, which means “a road or path that one follows to get from one place to another.”

5. stethoscope [STETH-uh-skohp]
Additional Information: An image of a stethoscope: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9e/2023_Stetoskop.jpg

SYNONYMS
1. spike - rise, surge, jump
2. space - separate, spread, arrange
3. shipment - delivery, cargo, consignment
4. reroute - redirect, divert, change
5. stethoscope - medical instrument, listening device, diagnostic tool

DEFINITION:
1. spike - to increase or rise very quickly and suddenly to a high level
2. space - to increase the amount of time or the distance between things so they are not too close together
3. shipment - a large amount of goods or products that are sent together from one place to another
4. reroute - to send someone or something by a different road or path than the one planned at first
5. stethoscope - a medical instrument that a doctor uses to listen to someone's heart or lungs

FREE CONVERSATION/DISCUSSION:
1. Why do you think wars affect access to medicines?
2. How can rising conflicts impact healthcare in rural areas?
3. What happens when medicine shipments are delayed?
4. How might rerouting supplies affect delivery times?
5. Why is a stethoscope important for doctors?
6. What challenges do rural communities face in getting medical supplies?
7. How can international organizations help with medicine shortages?
8. What are the dangers of a spike in medicine prices?
9. How do families cope when medicines are not available?
10. Why might spacing out resources be necessary during shortages?
11. How can governments ensure shipments reach rural areas?
12. What role does transportation play in medicine delivery?
13. How does rerouting affect the cost of goods?
14. Why is medical equipment like stethoscopes vital in rural clinics?
15. What can communities do to prepare for medicine shortages?
16. How does war affect hospitals and clinics?
17. What are the risks of counterfeit medicines during shortages?
18. How can technology help track shipments of medicines?
19. Why is it important to have reliable routes for deliveries?
20. How do spikes in demand affect supply chains?
21. What can be done to protect medical shipments during conflicts?
22. How does rerouting affect patients waiting for treatment?
23. Why is international cooperation important in times of war?
24. How can rural doctors manage with limited equipment?
25. What lessons can be learned from past medicine shortages?
26. How do families prioritize medicines when supplies are low?
27. What role do volunteers play in delivering medical aid?
28. How does spacing out resources affect community survival?
29. Why is it important to monitor spikes in health issues during war?
30. How can rural communities advocate for better healthcare access?

May 24, 2026

MATERIAL: Daily News Article
CATEGORY: Technology/Innovations
TITLE: The science in a bag of potato chips—why researchers are seeking potato perfection

UNLOCKING WORD MEANINGS: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1. staple [STEY-puhl]

Additional Information: It often follows the form a staple of (something).

2. tolerate [TOL-uh-reyt]

Additional Information: A related word is endure.

3. profitable [PROF-i-tuh-buhl]

Additional Information: This word is often used with the adverbs very and highly.

4. cooperative [koh-OP-er-uh-tiv]

Additional Information: It is also commonly known as co-op.

5. breakthrough [BREYK-throo]

Additional Information: Some adjectives often used with breakthrough are major and scientific.

SYNONYMS
1. staple - basic, essential, main
2. tolerate - endure, accept, handle
3. profitable - beneficial, helpful, rewarding
4. cooperative - group, association, partnership
5. breakthrough - discovery, advance, progress

DEFINITION:
1. staple - a basic and important product that people use or eat regularly and in large amounts
2. tolerate - to be able to survive or handle difficult conditions like heat, cold, or lack of food
3. profitable - useful or beneficial; describing something that is helpful or brings a good result
4. cooperative - a type of business or organization that is owned by a group of people working together for shared benefits, especially in farming, housing, or finance
5. breakthrough - a big and important development that helps solve a problem or improve something

FREE CONVERSATION/DISCUSSION:
1. Why do you think potato chips are considered a staple snack in many countries?
2. What other foods can be called a staple in your daily diet?
3. How do you think farmers tolerate challenges like weather changes?
4. Can you share an example of a time when you had to tolerate a difficult situation?
5. Why is it important for farming to be profitable?
6. What are some ways farmers can make their work more profitable?
7. Have you ever joined a cooperative or group project? How was the experience?
8. Why do you think cooperatives are common in farming communities?
9. What kind of breakthrough would you like to see in food technology?
10. How do breakthroughs in science affect our everyday lives?
11. Do you think potato chips can ever be made healthier? How?
12. What food innovation has impressed you the most?
13. Why do you think researchers are interested in improving potatoes?
14. How do you think staple foods differ across cultures?
15. What staple food do you think will always remain popular?
16. How do you feel when you tolerate something you don’t like?
17. Why is tolerance important in both science and daily life?
18. What makes a business profitable in your opinion?
19. Can you think of a profitable idea related to food?
20. How do cooperatives help small farmers succeed?
21. What are some challenges cooperatives face today?
22. Why do scientists celebrate breakthroughs?
23. What breakthrough in technology has changed your life the most?
24. Do you think potato chips can be part of a healthy diet? Why or why not?
25. How do you think food companies decide which products will be profitable?
26. What staple food do you think will change in the future?
27. How do breakthroughs in farming help solve food shortages?
28. Why do you think tolerance is important in teamwork?
29. What kind of cooperative would you like to join?
30. How do you think breakthroughs in food science will affect future generations?

May 23, 2026

MATERIAL: Daily News Article
CATEGORY: Human Interest
TITLE: How 2 men claimed an absurd record by driving an old 3-wheel car the length of Africa

UNLOCKING WORD MEANINGS: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1. pitch [pich]
Additional Information: It usually follows the form pitch (something) to (someone).

2. battered [BAT-erd]
Additional Information: A related word is damaged.

3. sitcom [SIT-kom]
Additional Information: Sitcom is the short form of situation comedy.

4. absurd [uhb-SURD]
Additional Information: A related word is ridiculous.

5. crowdfunding [KROUD-fuhn-ding]
Additional Information: Some examples of crowdfunding websites are GoFundMe and GoGetFunding.

SYNONYMS
1. pitch - present, propose, suggest
2. battered - worn, damaged, old
3. sitcom - comedy show, TV series, program
4. absurd - silly, foolish, unreasonable
5. crowdfunding - fundraising, donation, support

DEFINITION:
1. pitch - to talk about or describe an idea or plan to persuade someone to accept or support it
2. battered - old and in poor condition because it has been used a lot and not cared for
3. sitcom - a funny television series that follows the same group of characters in every episode
4. absurd - foolish, silly, or makes no sense because it is not reasonable
5. crowdfunding - raising money for a project or idea by asking many people to give small amounts, usually online

FREE CONVERSATION/DISCUSSION:
1. What do you think motivates people to attempt unusual records?
2. Would you ever try to break a world record? Why or why not?
3. How do you think driving across Africa could change someone’s perspective?
4. What challenges might travelers face on such a long journey?
5. Why do you think people enjoy reading about adventurous stories?
6. How can social media help promote record-breaking attempts?
7. What qualities do you think are needed to complete a difficult journey?
8. How does teamwork affect success in long-distance travel?
9. What role does creativity play in achieving unique goals?
10. Do you think crowdfunding is a good way to support personal projects?
11. How can crowdfunding help people achieve their dreams?
12. What risks do you see in using crowdfunding for travel adventures?
13. Why do people find absurd or funny challenges entertaining?
14. How does humor help people deal with difficult situations?
15. What makes a story memorable to readers?
16. How can a simple idea turn into a big achievement?
17. What lessons can be learned from people who take bold risks?
18. How do you think technology helps travelers today?
19. What kind of vehicle would you choose for a long trip?
20. How can people prepare for extreme travel conditions?
21. What do you think makes Africa an interesting place for adventure?
22. How can travel experiences inspire others to take action?
23. Why do you think some people enjoy doing absurd things for fun?
24. How can humor and adventure be combined in storytelling?
25. What makes a journey meaningful beyond just reaching the destination?
26. How can people use their experiences to motivate others?
27. What do you think is the hardest part of driving across a continent?
28. How can teamwork help overcome unexpected problems?
29. What kind of record would you like to set if given the chance?
30. How can sharing stories of adventure encourage creativity in others?

May 22, 2026

MATERIAL: Daily News Article
CATEGORY: Health
TITLE: U.K. passes bill that will eventually ban cigarette purchases

UNLOCKING WORD MEANINGS: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1. a breath of fresh air [uh-breth-uhv-fresh-air]
Additional Information: This should not be confused with the phrase a breath of air, which means “a short period of time spent outside.”

2. campaign [kam-PEYN]
Additional Information: An adjective can be added to this word to specify its kind (ex. educational campaign, environmental campaign).

3. vape [veyp]
Additional Information: A vape is also called an electronic cigarette.

4. legislation [lej-is-LEY-shuhn]
Additional Information: Some related words are law and policy.

5. formality [fawr-MAL-i-tee]
Additional Information: Some actions that may be done for formality are shaking hands and signing documents.

SYNONYMS
1. a breath of fresh air - relief, change, improvement
2. campaign - effort, movement, drive
3. vape - e-cigarette, vaporizer, device
4. legislation - law, rule, policy
5. formality - custom, tradition, procedure

DEFINITION:
1. a breath of fresh air - something or someone that is new, different, and pleasant compared to what is usual or expected
2. campaign - a planned series of actions to achieve a goal, often to change something in society or to promote something
3. vape - a device that heats a liquid and produces vapor that the user breathes in
4. legislation - a set of written rules made by a government that people must follow
5. formality - a rule or behavior that is official or follows traditional polite customs

FREE CONVERSATION/DISCUSSION:
1. Why do you think the U.K. decided to pass a bill banning cigarette purchases?
2. How might this legislation affect young people in the future?
3. Do you think banning cigarettes will improve public health?
4. What challenges might the government face in enforcing this law?
5. How do you think smokers will react to this ban?
6. Should vaping also be banned along with cigarettes?
7. What are some alternatives people can use to quit smoking?
8. How does smoking affect the economy of a country?
9. Do you think other countries will follow the U.K.’s example?
10. How might cigarette companies respond to this legislation?
11. What role do campaigns play in changing public behavior?
12. Do you think education is more effective than banning products?
13. How can schools help prevent students from smoking?
14. What are the health risks of smoking cigarettes?
15. How is vaping different from smoking traditional cigarettes?
16. Should vaping be considered safer than smoking?
17. How do cultural traditions influence smoking habits?
18. What formalities are often seen in government decision-making?
19. How important is legislation in shaping public health policies?
20. Do you think banning cigarettes will reduce hospital costs?
21. How might this law affect social gatherings where smoking is common?
22. What are some positive changes that could come from this ban?
23. How can families support members who want to quit smoking?
24. Do you think smoking bans will change the image of public places?
25. How might cigarette bans affect tourism in the U.K.?
26. What personal stories have you heard about people quitting smoking?
27. Should governments also ban alcohol to protect public health?
28. How can technology help people quit smoking?
29. Do you think cigarette bans will reduce pollution?
30. What message does this legislation send to future generations?