The samurai were known as bushi in Japan, or buke. The term samurai only began to appear in the first part of the 10th century, originally used to denote the aristocratic warriors.
The samurai used a range of weapons, however their main original weapon was the sword, known as chokuto. It was a slimmer, smaller version of the straight swords later used by medieval knights.
Unlike the clunky armour worn by European knights, the samurai armour was designed for mobility. A samurai armour had to be sturdy, yet flexible enough to allow free movement in the battlefield.

originally - первоначально
denote - обозначать, указывать
weapons - оружие
medieval knights - средневековые рыцари
clunky armour - неуклюжая броня
sturdy - крепкий
battlefield - поле битвы



#elementary

One reason why podcasts got a popularity boost, is the on-demand nature of the medium. Nowadays, people are getting more used to enjoying whatever they want, whenever they want, be it tv shows, movies, music, news, etc. They no longer need to listen to discussions on the radio they don't really care about, they can just choose something they like from the podcast candy land that is the internet.
Podcasts are in general cheaper and easier to produce than, say, videos. This is a big factor as to why the production of podcasts is this high. You just need a microphone, a computer, maybe some editorial software, and potentially a friend - as many podcasts have multiple hosts. If you compare this to the hassle video often entails, podcasting can be a much easier - and cheaper - option to bring your ideas to life.

popularity boost - рост популярности
on-demand - по требованию
production - производство
editorial software - редакционное программное обеспечение
entail - влечет за собой


#intermediate

Punishment is one of the oldest forms of discipline known to humans. It’s no surprise that parents turn to it as a form of controlling the behavior of their children and make sure they are not being unruly or disobedient. 
There are plenty of behavioral studies that demonstrate how punishment promotes obedience but does not help with moral reasoning.
The essence of disciplining your child is to get them to behave correctly in your presence or absence. However, punishment does not achieve this.
The shock of punishment eventually wears off after some time until the person being punished (your child) develops a disconnect to the consequences of their action. The child will engage in the same behavior if they know they are not being watched, or behind the back of the person who will punish them.

punishment - наказание
unruly - непослушный
disobedient - непокорный
promote obedience - способствовать повиновению
essence - сущность
eventually - в конце концов
consequences - последствия


#advanced

Fashion is not just wearing extravagant designer outfits, carrying the most precious jewelry and doing high class makeup. Rather it is a more absolute term which implies everyone has a different idea for fashion. And how you carry yourself, the grace and the sophistication involved in making you who you are play an important role in defining fashion for you. There are ample reasons to why fashion is important as it not just makes you look good but above all it is an expression or art and self in utmost exotic and mesmerizing ways. 

We all have heard,” first impression is the last impression” and despite the controversies surrounding we all tend to follow it. The way you wear outfits, accessories, jewelry and carry yourself is very important in creating a lasting impact.

extravagant - экстравагантный
outfit - наряд
precious - дорогой
sophistication - утонченность
defining - определение
ample - множество
utmost - крайне
controversies - противоречия
lasting impact - длительное впечатление


#intermediate

Freedom means many things to many people. We can view freedom politically, as having the opportunity to vote for particular ideas, people, or parties which best represent our views. Closely tied to this is the notion of freedom of speech, where one has the liberty to voice their personal opinion or perspective. Others understand freedom in a financial context, where people seek to free themselves of financial debt, outstanding credit, and burdensome loans.

For most of us today, freedom represents doing what you want, when and how you want, without anyone interfering or stopping you. Freedom means you can be you. And it means you will let me be me. With freedom comes responsibility: if we're allowed to do what we want, we're also responsible for what we do.

politically - с политической точки зрения
seek - стремиться
outstanding - непогашенный
burdensome - обременительный
interfering - вмешательство
responsibility - ответственность


#intermediate

As one of the oldest human inventions, pottery has been around since before the Neolithic period, with objects dating as far back to 29,000 BC. While in the past, the pottery industry has served marginal niches, today’s pottery companies are thriving thanks in part to a resurgence in consumer demand for unique, handmade goods over mass-produced items.

Pottery is made up of ceramic materials and encompasses major types of pottery wares such as earthenware, stoneware and porcelain. To be considered pottery, a piece must be a fired ceramic ware that contains clay when formed.

To create a piece of pottery, the potter must form a ceramic/clay body into a specific object, whether by hand built or wheel thrown techniques, and then heat it at a high temperature in a kiln to remove water from the clay.

marginal - маргинальные
thriving - процветающий
resurgence - возрождение
demand - спрос
encompass - охватывать
earthenware - глиняная посуда
stoneware - керамика
porcelain - фарфор
kiln - печь



#advanced

A symbol is used to tell or represent something else as it has relationship or resemblance with it. Symbol is something that can give deeper meaning or it will extend the meaning of actual word or imparts a specialty to a written word by transforming it into powerful instrument. Symbolism is important in representing significant aspects like religion, mathematics, politics, color, architecture, advertising, and so on.
Symbol provides more information than what is written about the object as its description. Symbolism of some objects in the story at another level will enhance the main line of the story. For example, a strong conflict or high emotions can be symbolized as a storm or the transition from day to night, spring to winter can be symbolized using conversion of good to evil. Flowers stand as symbolic to beauty.

resemblance - сходство
impart - придавать
significant - значительный
enhance - усиливать
transition - переход
conversion - преобразование



#advanced

Taxis are found in every country. Some you have to pre-book, some you can wave down off the street and state your destination when you get in. Depending on where you are why will either quote a price before you start the journey, or they will go off of a metre which charges you either by distance or time. There are also different tariffs. In some countries a tourist will be put on a different tariff to a local person making them pay more for the same amount of time/distance. 
In some places you are able to negotiate a price before getting into a taxi. It is difficult to know what a good price to pay is when you first arrive in a destination. Make sure you look for other modes of transport that may be available as a taxi is usually the most expensive way to travel around.

pre-book - предварительно забронировать
state - указывать
quote a price - назвать цену
charge - запрашивать цену
negotiate - вести переговоры
destination - пункт назначения
available - доступный



#elementary

There are many reasons why dogs are known as man's best friend. They entertain us with their antics, greet us with an exuberant wag of the tail every day, and offer endless photo ops to fill our social feeds. But these aren't the only reasons why dogs are the best. In fact, science can back up the claims that our canine companions are the superior species, too! 

It's a wonderful feeling to have a fur-ever friend who greets you at the door with a wagging tail each day. Research has shown that being around a canine companion can have a calming effect on humans, and help us control stress two ways. First, by increasing levels of oxytocin. Second, by reducing levels of cortisol in the body. So if you're looking for a reason to add a dog to the family, chalk it up to putting you in a better mood. 

antics - выходки
exuberant - буйный
endless photo ops - бесконечные фотосессии
social feed - социальная лента
canine - собачий
calming - успокаивающий
reducing - сокращение
chalk it up - списывать на



#intermediate

A submarine is a vessel, or ship, that can go underwater. Submarines are called subs for short. Militaries and scientists use submarines to travel deep under the ocean.
Militaries use submarines to patrol ocean waters and to attack enemy ships during wartime. Military submarines are usually very large. They may carry more than 100 people. They also carry such weapons as missiles and torpedoes.
Scientific researchers and explorers usually use smaller submarines. These submarines may have mechanical arms, cameras, and other tools to help scientists study the underwater world.

submarine - подводная лодка
vessel - судно
militaries - военные
patrol - патрулирование
wartime - военное время
carry - нести/носить
weapons - оружие
missiles - ракеты
researchers - исследователи
mechanical arms - механические руки
tools - инструменты


#elementary

People all over the world are obsessed with the British royal family. Most fans know all the royal names and faces, the line of succession to the throne, and even the family's rarely-used last name.
But - despite the constant flood of royal paparazzi photos and press releases - it can be tough to discern what it is the family members actually do.
The royals don't need to worry about money, since they're supported by both taxpayers and a massive family fortune. However, every member of the royal family has their own responsibilities.

The Queen's calendar was filled with various activities known by the catch-all term "engagements."
Engagements include hosting heads of state, taking diplomatic trips, throwing parties at palaces, opening new sessions of Parliament, presenting citizens with awards, and a whole bunch more.

obsessed - одержимый
line of succession to the throne - порядок престолонаследия
discern - различать
taxpayers - налогоплательщики
engagement - обязательство



#intermediate