B1 – Intermediate
There have been more than 15,000 structures destroyed and hundreds of thousands of people affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles recently.
Those residents that lost their homes need to find a place to live in after this devastating incident.
Unfortunately, some landlords seem to be taking advantage of this situation to increase their profits by raising the rents.
Read more about the high rents in Los Angeles after the wildfires.
https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2501/250116-los-angeles-fires-2.html
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “price gouging” mean? “The California governor introduced a price gouging law on January the 7th.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
- What does “upmarket” mean? “Actress Paris Hilton lost her house in upmarket Malibu.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘upmarket’ in your own sentence.
- What does “to break/shatter one’s heart into pieces” mean? “Actress Paris Hilton lost her house in upmarket Malibu. She wrote on social media: It feels like my heart has shattered into a million pieces.” Use this idiom in a sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- What is your opinion about some landlords increasing the rents by thousands of dollars in the middle of the wildfires in LA?
- “Many people are blaming climate change for the fires. Little rain left Los Angeles very dry. The risk of wildfires is high.” Share your opinion about this statement.
- Is price gouging ever justifiable or fair? Explain your thoughts.
- Talk about another incident of price gouging that you know of.
- Has your country ever been affected by wildfires? Talk about this instance.