B1-Intermediate | ReadOasis

Culture as a Way of Life

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ReadOasis Step 2 The last thing I remember before the car accident was music. My favorite song played on the radio. Michael Jackson’s “Black or White” exploded as an instant hit. He released the song in December 1991. And I fell in love with it immediately. Three weeks after... Read more

Communication, Culture, and Conflict

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ReadOasis Step 2 The following story uses very strong language -- not appropriate for children. In his work team, only Hiro can speak English. As a result, the team chose him to go to Chicago on an important business trip. The team leader offered to get Hiro a guide.... Read more

Become a Barefoot Bilingual

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ReadOasis Step 3 Bruce looked down at the blue ocean below. In the distance, he saw the green hills and snow covered mountains behind the city of Santa Marta, Colombia. “I arrive in Argentina in 7 hours,” he thought. “Time to get some sleep.” Bruce fell asleep and dreamt.... Read more

Update Your Mental and Cultural Software

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ReadOasis Step 2 Neo looked at the chair. On the backrest, he saw wires connected to a sharp object. “It looks like an old electric chair,” he said. Morpheus answered in his deep voice. “We use the adapter to connect your brain to the mainframe computer. Then we can... Read more

Six Culture Conflicts (Part 1)

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ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 1) Joel held the warm, brown cup in both his hands. With his eyes, he smiled at Matt and drank his hot chocolate. "Ready to go?" asked Matt. "Yeah," said Joel. "Let’s go home." They stood up at the same time, put on their coats,... Read more

Six Culture Conflicts (Part 2)

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ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 2) Question 1: Who Are You? Here we ask about relationships. How do you relate to the group? How do you relate to the individual? Do you make your own decisions? Do you make decisions with a group? In some cultures, people tend to value... Read more

Six Culture Conflicts (Part 3)

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ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 3) Question 5: What Is Good? Here we face the problem of choosing "the good." Do we choose the good of the future or the present? In China or Japan, culture may value the good of the future. But in American countries, cultures may value... Read more

The Blues: Music of Survival

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ReadOasis Step 2 Painting by John Rose Four men were walking across a field. They were carrying a body wrapped up in white cloth. Their strong, black hands and arms supported the body as they walked on. Other men, women, and children walked behind. And the tall green trees... Read more

Watch Out for Dragons

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ReadOasis Step 3 (Part 1) “It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit The floor, wall, and windows began to shake violently. “What in the world?” said John as he looked out the second... Read more

Practice Makes Genius (Step 3)

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ReadOasis Step 3 Creative Commons Photo by Ludovic Peron Tiger Woods started playing golf when he was two years old. Basically from birth, Tiger was trained by his father to become a great golfer. As a boy, baseball marvel Ichiro Suzuki practiced with his father every day. The practice... Read more

The Future on Your Wrist (Step 2)

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By Tek Smith ReadOasis Step 2 The world was waiting with excitement. Three years earlier, Steve Jobs had died. Jobs was the head of Apple Computer. Under his leadership, Apple released many original products. These products included the iPod, the iPhone, iTunes, and the iPad. These Apple products caused... Read more

A Library with No Books

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ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 1) It was dark outside and freezing. Ice and snow shined gray and white under the light of the moon and the lights on the streets. In the surrounding valley, an icy breeze blew through the trees and over the cold waters of the Susquehanna... Read more

Songs of Survival

Arts B1-Intermediate BNC Levels CEFR Levels Courses Music Step 3A Protected Step 3 Stories

ReadOasis Step 3 It was my twentieth birthday. I was sitting in the family piano room when my father opened the door. He had a big smile on his face, and he said, "Happy Birthday!" Then he handed me a big box. Inside was a new guitar. It was... Read more

The Way to Wealth

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By Benjamin Franklin ReadOasis Step 3 (Part 1) Benjamin Franklin By David Martin "The Way to Wealth" is an essay written by Benjamin Franklin in 1758. In it, Franklin focuses on two main ideas. The first is hard work, which he often calls “industry.” For example, an industrious person... Read more

Learn to Be Lucky (Step 3)

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ReadOasis Step 3 Devin woke up late. He skipped breakfast and got in his car and drove off in a hurry. But the traffic was dreadful. "Another bad day," he said to himself. "Maybe I will have another accident." But he didn't have one more accident. He had two... Read more

Black Beauty

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ReadOasis Step 2 Anna Mary Sewell (March 30, 1820 - April 25, 1878) was an English novelist. She wrote the classic novel Black Beauty. Her mother taught her at home until the age of twelve. Then Anna started attending school. Two years later, Anna slipped while walking home from... Read more

Get Down to Business in English

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ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 1) A Big Decision As usual, the boss spoke clearly and in short sentences. “Okay, it’s decided. This meeting is over. You all know what to do.” One by one, the managers closed their notebooks and stood up. There were no jokes and no laughter.... Read more

The Artful Geisha (Step 2)

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ReadOasis Step 2 Geisha are traditional female entertainers from Japan. They are skilled at various Japanese arts, such as traditional music, dancing, and poetry. The word "geisha" comes from (GEI) meaning "art" and (SHA) meaning "person." In this sense, a geisha is an artist. In the 1920's, about 80,000... Read more

Culture of Innovation (Step 2)

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ReadOasis Step 2 (Part 1) It was a warm summer evening. The sun had already set, and the city lights were shining. In a busy part of Tokyo, people were leaving work. Some were going home. Others were going out to enjoy the evening. It was an ordinary night.... Read more

MIT Cheetah Robot

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ReadOasis Step 5 Scientists have been experimenting with four-legged robots for years. They want robots to carry heavy loads over difficult areas of land and do other difficult jobs. Creative Commons photo by Jiuguang-Wang But one problem is power. Now that has changed. Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of... Read more