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Part 1. Vocabulary curb / kərb/ v. - restrain or keep in check: "She promised she would curb her temper" despite / dəˈspīt/ prep. - without being affected by; in spite of: "he remains a great leader despite age and infirmity" detect / dəˈtekt/ v. - discover or identify the presence or existence of: "cancer may soon be detected in its earliest stages" stringent / Strinjənt/ adj. - demanding strict attention to rules and procedures; "rigorous discipline"; slack / slak/ adj. - characterized by a lack of work or activity; quiet: "business was rather slack"   Part 2. Comprehension Questions What is China reimposing recently? How many of China's population have been vaccinated? When was the outbreak detected? What has the Chinese capital required for travelers? Why does the director of the local heal...

Part 1. Vocabulary   torrential /təˈren(t)SHəl/ adj - falling or falling rapidly and in copious quantities and with force A storm is coming that’s why there is a torrential downpour.   decimate /ˈdesəˌmāt/ v - kill, destroy, or remove a large percentage or part of The project of housing would decimate the fragile wetland wilderness.   dynasty /ˈdīnəstē/ n - a succession of people from the same family who play a prominent role in business, politics, or another field The most famous dynasty in the name of the business is the Ford family.   premium /ˈprēmēəm/ modifier noun - relating to or denoting a commodity or product of superior quality and therefore a higher price The very best of all ingredients make their beer a premium drink.   accumulate /əˈkyo͞om(y)əˌlāt/ v - gather together or ...

Part 1. Vocabulary emphasize /ˈemfəˌsīz/ v - make (something) more clearly defined Her fitted dress t emphasized her body.   sedentary /ˈsednˌterē/ adj - work or a way of life characterized by much sitting and little physical exercise A sedentary lifestyle spells bad news for hips and thighs.   obese /ōˈbēs/ adj - grossly fat or overweight. I met a hugely obese young man.   boost     /bo͞ost/ v - help or encourage (something) to increase or improve A range of measures has to be done to boost tourism during pandemics.     vigorous /ˈviɡ(ə)rəs/ adj - characterized by or involving physical strength, effort, or energy I am so tired after vigorous aerobic exercise.     Part 2. Comprehension Questions 1.       Why is a sitting...

Part 1. Vocabulary virtual /ˈvərCH(o͞o)əl/ adj - not physically existing as such but made by software to appear to do so The internet created many virtual friends and social groups.   augmented /ˌôɡˈmentəd/ adj - having been made greater in size or value There will be an augmented pension for those retiring at 65.   revamp /rēˈvamp/ n - a new and improved version. The show was a revamp of an old idea and format.   tarnished /ˈtärniSH/ v - make or become less valuable or respected His regime had not been tarnished by human rights abuses.   scrutiny /ˈskro͞otnē/ n - critical observation or examination All applicants will be under scrutiny before being hired.   Part 2. Comprehension Questions What is Facebook Inc. planning after being under fire from regulators and lawmakers? What...

 Part 1. Vocabulary   severe /səˈvir/ adj - (of something bad or undesirable) very great; intense She had a severe skin allergy.   inarguable /ˌinˈärɡyo͞oəbəl/ adj - not open to disagreement The video is inarguable proof that he is the suspect of the crime.   susceptibility /səˌseptəˈbilədē/ n - state of being likely or liable to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing Lack of exercise increases susceptibility to diseases.   exaggerated /iɡˈzajəreədəd/ adj - regarded or represented as larger, better, or worse than in reality She exaggerated her account of her adventures in the forest.   comprehensive  /ˌkämprəˈhensiv/ adj - complete; including all or nearly all elements or aspects of something She gave a comprehensive list of all the materials for the campaign.   ...

Part 1. Vocabulary dish /diSH/ n - the food served or contained in a dish: The meal consisted of several dishes. refer /rəˈfər/ v. - to direct the attention or thoughts of: The asterisk refers the reader to a footnote. iconic /īˈkänik / adj. - widely known and acknowledged. He portrayed an iconic personality. genre /ˈZHänrə/ n. - a category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter. “the genre of symphonic music.” undertake /ˌəndərˈtāk/ v. - commit oneself to and begin (an enterprise or responsibility); take on: "a firm of builders undertook the construction work"   Part 2. Comprehension questions                How many Korean words and phrases are featured in Oxfor...

How growing economic inequality inspired the season's hottest series. Part 1. Vocabulary fictional / ˈFikSH (ə) n (ə) l/ adj. - formed or conceived by the imagination; Squid game is a fictional South Korean Netflix series. titular / ˈTiCHələr/ adj. - denoting a person or thing from whom or which the name of an artistic work or similar is taken: "… The titular hero of the play." rat race / Rat ˌrās/ n. ” - a way of life in which people are caught up in a fiercely competitive struggle for wealth or power: A rat race is an endless, self-defeating, or pointless pursuit.  impetus / ˈImpədəs/ n. - the force or energy with which a body moves: The grant for building the opera house gave impetus to the city's cultural life. wager / ˈWājər/ n. an act of betting a sum of money on the outcome of an unpredictable event: "… They have made a...

Part 1. Vocabulary   identical /ˌīˈden(t)ək(ə)l/ adj - similar in every detail; exactly alike The four girls in identical green outfits are dancing on the stage.   pilgrimages /ˈpilɡrəmij/ n - a trip, journey, or a holy mission Many Christians go to Vatican City for a pilgrimage. speculate /ˈspekyəˌlāt/ v - form a theory or conjecture about a subject without firm evidence  My colleagues speculate about my private life.   spans /span/ n - the length of time for which something lasts  Students do have a short concentration span.   ward off /wôrd/ /ôf,äf/ phrasal verb - prevent someone or something from harming or affecting one  She put up a hand to the man as if to ward him off.   Part 2. Comprehensive Questions How old are the oldest identical twins in the world? W...

Part 1. Vocabulary     consequence /ˈkänsikwəns/ n - a result or effect of an action or condition Many have been laid off from work as a consequence of the pandemic.   devastating     /ˈdevəˌstādiNG/ adj - highly destructive or damaging A devastating earthquake struck some countries in Asia.   uninhabitable /ˌənənˈhabədəb(ə)l/ adj - of a place not suitable or not good for living in The house had been declared uninhabitable because it is very old.   endure /inˈd(y)o͝or,enˈd(y)o͝or/ v - suffer (something painful or difficult) patiently Many people must endure the difficult times right now.   vulnerable /ˈvəln(ə)rəb(ə)l/ adj - susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm We are all in a vulnerable position because of different illnesses.     Part 2. Comprehen...