B2 – Upper Intermediate
Although it is no surprise that bad news can cause some mental issues such as distress, anxiety, and depression, they still are what catch people’s attention. Despite their negative effects on our wellbeing, they still get consumed way more than positive or neutral, developmental news.
Generally, people around the globe like doomscrolling. This is when someone uses a lot of their time consuming negative news stories on the internet.
Listen to this audio and read the transcript about doomscrolling.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2023/ep-230209
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “to feel ick” mean, “We go searching out for bad news, looking for things that will make us feel ick inside.”? Use this phrase in your own sentence.
- What does “on tap” mean, “Is it a result of 24/7 doom on tap on our phones?”? Use this phrase in your own sentence.
- What does the expression “to make up for something” mean, “The little good news we do hear doesn’t make up for the depressing news.”? Use this phrase in your own sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- Do you tend to doomscroll? Why/why not? What type of news stories are you usually more drawn to? And why?
- What might be the reasons people are attracted to bad news?
- What are some effects bad news might have on an individual?
- How can one protect oneself against bad news?
- What is your opinion on this statement: “We’re conditioned to believe that negative experiences shape us more than joyous ones.”?
- Share your thoughts on this statement: “The modern world has become one in which the media are ubiquitous, pervasive, and cannot be switched off.”.