Is MSG Bad for You

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Monosodium glutamate, commonly known as MSG, is a flavor enhancer often used in Asian cuisine, processed foods, and soups. It has been a topic of controversy for decades, with some claiming it causes adverse health effects, while scientific research largely indicates it is safe for consumption.

Watch the video to learn more about MSG and be able to answer the questions below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the word “hunch” mean? “Kwok’s connection between his headache and his common seasoning in American Chinese seasoning was just a hunch.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘hunch’ in your own sentence.
  2. What does “staple” mean? “By 1930’s, MSG was a kitchen staple across most of Asia.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘staple’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does the word “binge” mean? “It is possible that binging MSG produces headaches, chest pains and heart palpitation for some people.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘binge’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think MSG should be avoided to maintain a healthy diet? Why or why not?
  2. Have you ever experienced adverse effects after consuming MSG? How did it influence your view on it?
  3. Do you believe the negative reputation of MSG is justified? Why do you think it persists despite scientific evidence?
  4. Should restaurants and food manufacturers be required to disclose the use of MSG on their labels and menus? Share your thoughts.
  5. Would you choose a product labeled as “MSG-free” over one that contains MSG? Why or why not?

Cocoa Farmers Grow Rubber Trees

B1 – Intermediate 

One of the biggest cocoa producer in the world is Ivory Coast. However, many farmers do not want to grow cocoa anymore. Instead, they are planting more rubber trees.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Ivory Coast shifting from cocoa to rubber cultivation.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/cocoa-farmers-grow-rubber-level-3/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “shift” mean? “Ivory Coast, the world’s largest cocoa producer, is seeing a shift among farmers toward rubber cultivation.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘shift’ in your own sentence.
  2. What does “labor-intensive” mean? “Farmers find rubber farming cheaper and less labor-intensive.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘labor-‘intensive’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does “drive” mean in this context? “Climate change and high production costs are driving this change.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘drive” in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on the world’s largest cocoa producer shifting to rubber cultivation?
  2. What are the reasons farmers are do not want to grow cocoa anymore?
  3. What effects will this have on the cocoa industry?
  4. What can the government do to help cocoa farmers?
  5. What crops are most commonly cultivated in your country? Which ones are gaining more popularity among farmers in the recent years and why?

Reasons You Wake Up Tired

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We often find ourselves sacrificing sleep in order to complete assignments, study for exams, work, or participate in social activities. The prevailing belief is that the less hours of sleep we get, the more energetic we will feel. However, recent research has shown that this may not necessarily be the case.

Sleep plays a crucial role in maintaining our energy levels and overall well-being. It is during sleep that our bodies repair and regenerate, allowing us to wake up feeling refreshed and revitalized. Inadequate sleep can lead to feelings of fatigue, decreased cognitive function, and a weakened immune system.

Read the article and learn why sometimes we feel more tired after getting a really good night’s sleep.

https://edition.cnn.com/2022/08/10/health/waking-up-tired-reasons-solutions-wellness/index.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is “sleep inertia”? “This discrepancy is often due to a heightened state of sleep inertia, a circadian process that modulates memory, mood, reaction time and alertness upon waking.” Use this term in a sentence.
  2. What does the idiom “to toss and turn” mean? “Maybe your bed partner has a sleep disorder and snores or tosses and turns.” Use this idiom in your own sentence.
  3. What does “shift-based” mean? “Sometimes our schedules differ on weekdays versus weekends. Schedules can also fluctuate for people with shift-based jobs.” Use this adjective in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What have you learned from the article?
  2. Are you the type of person who can function with very little sleep? Why or why not?
  3. Do you think you regularly get enough sleep? If not, how can you maintain good performance throughout the day?
  4. Dr. Kashani said that “The most important sleep habit is to sleep. To sleep as much to sleep as much as your body needs and when your body needs it.” Do you agree? Elaborate on your answer.
  5. Would you consider seeing a sleep specialist or going to a sleep clinic should the need arise? Explain.
  6. What’s your sleep environment and routine like?
  7. Have you ever had any sleep problems? What did you do to fix it?

Origins of the Word “Lesbian” 

B2 – Upper Intermediate

“Etymology” is derived from the Greek word etumos which means “true”. It is the study of the origin of words and how its meaning has changed over time. There are so many fascinating histories of words. One of them is the word “lesbian”.

In ancient Greece, Sappho was a revered singer and erotic poets. She often wrote songs about love, passion, and longing. Coincidentally, Sappho was from Lesbos and people from there were called “Lesbian”.

Watch the video and know more about the surprising origins of the word “lesbian”.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the verb “enrapture” mean? “More than 2,500 years ago, one of ancient Greece’s most celebrated pop stars and erotic poets enraptured listeners.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘enrapture’ in your own sentence.
  2. Define the word “licentiousness“. “One 2nd century Christian leader called Sappho ‘a whore who sang about her own licentiousness.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘licentiousness’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does the idiom “to reach across time” mean? “Sappho’s words reach across time and resonate today.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘to reach across time’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your thoughts on Sappho’s story.
  2. Share your opinion about how only fragments of Sappho’s works survived.
  3. What were the gender and social inequalities in ancient Greece? And how does this compare to modern times?
  4. Talk about a famous person from your country and their works that have endured the test of time.
  5. Talk about an etymology of a word or phrase that you find rather interesting and explain why you thought this was amusing.

Transplanting a Head to Another Body

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As time moves forward, so as our technology. However, how far can this development go before we stray too far? We have been constantly finding new ways to extend the lives of those around us, and Robert White’s idea to do this is a head transplant.

Finding a way to perform a head transplant is one of the most controversial ideas in all of medicine. Provoking questions of possibility and feasibility, even if it were possible, is this transplant worth pursuing?

To find out more, watch this video:

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Explain “brain cooling”. Brain cooling revolutionized the field of neurosurgery and put White one step closer to his body transplant goal.”  Create a sentence using this term.
  2. What does “fraught with something” mean? “But this vision was fraught with serious ethical concerns.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘fraught with something’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does “immune rejection” mean? “The brain appeared to survive a head transplant, and with high doses of drugs, could live without immune rejection.” Use this term to make your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your stance on the idea of a head transplant? Elaborate on your answer.
  2. What are the possible benefits of head transplantation?
  3. What are the problems with the idea of a head transplant?
  4. Do you think that a head transplant is possible? Explain your insight.
  5. Do you think scientists should pick up where Dr. White left off? Explain your thoughts.
  6. Do you believe that “part of the ‘self’ reside outside the mind”? Elaborate on your belief.

Doctor Wants Social Media Health Warnings

B1 – Intermediate 

A survey in 2022 revealed that young people between the ages of 13 to 17 use at least one out of five social media platforms more than several times every day. There are several effects of massive social media use on teenagers. The most alarming effect is the negative impact on their mental health.

Read the article and know more about the proposal by a top US doctor for social media platforms to put mental health warnings on their websites.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2406/240620-social-media-health-warnings.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the verb “address” in this context? “This is something the USA’s top doctor wants to address.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
  2. Define the word “youngster“.”He said algorithms lead youngsters to extreme sexual and violent content.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of the word “profound“? In 2023, he warned that social media presented, “a profound risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents”. Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about Dr. Murthy’s idea?
  2. What are the long-term and short-term negative effects of social media on teens?
  3. What are the positive effects of social media on teens?
  4. How does a display of mental health warnings on social media platform help reduce these negative effects?
  5. Do you think ‘healthy social media’ exists? If yes, how can we have it?

Electric Salt Spoon

B1 – Intermediate 

According to the World Health Organization, a person should only consume less than 5 grams of salt per day. Very high amounts of salts can cause health issues like heart problems, high blood pressure, and stroke.

Now, if you are trying to be healthy, salt is probably one thing that you need to cut down on. How can we do it if food taste like nothing without it?

A new invention in Japan could be the solution. 

Read this article to know more about the Electric Salt Spoon.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2406/240613-electric-salt-spoon-1.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to cut down on something” mean? “They hope their spoon will help people to cut down on the amount of salt they eat.” Use this expression in a sentence.
  2. What does “to tend to favour someone/something” mean? “Japan has a food culture that tends to favour salty tastes.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  3. What does “intake” mean? “The World Health Organization recommends a daily salt intake of less than 5 grams.” Use this word in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What could be the good and bad things about the Electric Salt Spoon?
  2. Would you be interested to buy and use it? Why or why not?
  3. This electric salt spoon costs about $99. What do you think of this price? 
  4. Do you think this electric spoon will sell well in the future? Why or why not?
  5. How can we reduce our salt intake?

Elon Musk Wins Record Pay Deal 

B1 – Intermediate 

Elon Musk has received the biggest pay deal in history amounting to $56 billion. This pay is 3,000 times the normal salary for CEOs in America. As a point of reference, the average income in US is $59,384.

Earlier this year, Musk’s pay deal was blocked by a court. According to the judge, that amount was not fair. However, Tesla shareholders thought the opposite and said Musk has shown incredible business expertise. They believe this is for the good of the company. They also considered that this pay deal is fair considering what Musk has done for the business.

Read this article about Elon Musk’s record-breaking pay deal.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2406/240617-record-breaking-pay-deal-5.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “shareholder” mean? “The judge said the size was unfair. However, over 70 per cent of shareholders said it was in Tesla’s best interests.” Use this term in a sentence.
  2. What does “base” mean in this context? “We have the most awesome shareholder base.” Use this word in a sentence with the same meaning.
  3. What does “a ringing endorsement” mean? “He said the vote was “a pretty ringing endorsement.” Use this term in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your opinion about Elon Musk’s huge pay deal.
  2. Do you think CEO’s and higher management should be paid an incredibly huge amount of money? Why or why not?
  3. Do you agree with the court when they tried to block his pay deal saying it was unfair? Share your opinion.
  4. How can a huge pay deal of the CEO impact a company? 

Florida’s Free Prison Labor

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In the Sunshine State, Florida, the issue of prison labor raises significant ethical and economic questions, as a majority of incarcerated individuals are compelled to work without compensation. This practice, deeply ingrained in the state’s penal system, sparks debate over labor rights, rehabilitation, and the broader implications for justice and society.

Learn more about this issue by reading this article.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jun/21/florida-unpaid-prison-labor

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to turn a blind eye” mean? ““Is it shocking that Florida is seeming to turn a blind eye to prison slavery? No, not at all,” said Bianca Tylek.” Make a sentence with this.
  2. Define “in the wake of something”. “No criminal charges were filed against the officers involved and no reforms were enacted in the wake of the incident.” Use this in a sentence.
  3. What does “unabated” mean? “Kimber Tough, an organizer with Florida Prisoner Solidarity based in Gainesville, Florida, helped with efforts to get Alachua county, Florida, in 2019 and the University of Florida in 2020 to stop using prison labor, which included numerous protests and advocacy efforts. But across the state, the practice still continues unabated.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘unabated’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you personally feel about the practice of unpaid labor by incarcerated individuals in Florida’s prisons?
  2. In your opinion, should inmates be properly compensated for their labor while incarcerated? Why or why not?
  3. How can individuals and communities advocate for changes in the treatment and compensation of incarcerated workers in Florida?
  4. State your insights on this statement, “Florida charges prisoners debt, with prisoners levied $50 a day for their incarceration, which can often leave people trapped in debt once they are released.“.
  5. Talk about the prison labor system in your country.

Brazilian Women Protest Bill Equating Late Abortions with Homicide

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Hundreds of demonstrators assembled outside Brazil’s National Congress in Brasilia on Wednesday to protest against a bill aimed at further criminalizing abortions. This proposed legislation has sparked outrage and mobilized activists across the country, highlighting deep divisions over women’s reproductive rights.

Learn more about this protest by reading this article.

https://apnews.com/article/brazil-abortion-bill-protests-rape-21ee9a590cafdaa11108b54029660ba8

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of “to take to the streets”? “Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Sao Paulo on Saturday as protests sweep across Brazil in opposition to a bill that would further criminalize abortions.” Use this in a sentence.
  2. Define “to be whipped from all sides” in this context. “We are being whipped from all sides, us women. It’s past time we do something.” Use this in a sentence in this context.
  3. What does “emblazoned” mean? “Placards, stickers and banners emblazoned with the slogan have abounded during demonstrations.” Make a sentence with this expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you feel about equating late abortions with homicide?
  2. In your opinion, how should the government respond to the concerns raised by the protesters?
  3. How do you think international attention could impact the debate over this bill in Brazil?
  4. How does the abortion law in your country compare to the proposed legislation in Brazil?
  5. What is your insight on this, “Late access to abortion reflects inequalities in health care.“?