B2 – Upper Intermediate
A few decades ago, you could buy a house in your 20s and start a family with a simple job. But in today’s world, doing something like that seems like a dream. Everyday things like food, housing, or electricity have skyrocketed in price, leaving the middle class in constant struggle.
To find out more, watch the video below.
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “exorbitantly” mean? “But exorbitantly priced consumer goods are no longer reserved for wealthy neighborhoods.” Use this word in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
- What does “bottleneck” mean? “Additionally, tariffs imposed by the current administration have caused major logistics bottlenecks and stalled cross border trades.” Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
- What does “jack up” mean? “They jack up the baseline price of everything to cover the overhead. And when an insurance claim gets denied, they pass the massive bill straight to you.” Use this term in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
Discussion Questions:
- Do you think wages in your country are keeping up with the rising cost of living? Why or why not?
- How does expensive housing affect people’s quality of life, mental health, and future plans?
- How can governments help people without creating other economic problems?
- Is it possible for an economy to grow while many people still struggle to afford basic necessities? Explain.
- Could technology and automation help reduce the cost of living, or could they make inequality worse? Share your insights.