Category: Class

Ransomware Attacks in Europe

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In Italy, the recent ransomware attacks coincided with the widespread internet outage. At this point, it is difficult to say whether the two incidents are related. However, cybersecurity groups have warned of ransomware attacks that involve systems that are already in circulation.

Read the article to know more about the ransomware attacks in Europe.

https://www.voanews.com/a/ransomware-attacks-in-europe-target-old-vmware-agencies-say/6949349.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is ”ransomware”? “Cybersecurity agencies in Europe are warning of ransomware attacks exploiting a two-year-old computer bug as Italy experienced widespread internet outages.” Use this word in your own sentence.
  2. What is “hypervisor”? “A Friday technical bulletin from a French cybersecurity agency said the attack campaigns target VMware ESXi hypervisors, which are used to monitor virtual machines.” Use this word in your own sentence.
  3. What does “interfere with” mean, “The problem attracted particular public attention in Italy on Sunday because it coincided with a nationwide internet outage affecting telecommunications operator Telecom Italia, which interfered with streaming the Spezia v. Napoli soccer match …”? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How can ransomware attacks be prevented?
  2. In case of a ransomware attack, should an individual or company pay a ransom to get their data back? Explain.
  3. How would you feel and would you know what to do in case you fall victim to a ransomware attack?
  4. Has there ever been a nationwide internet outage in your country? What caused it and how was it resolved?
  5. How do you feel when an internet outage occurs/would occur in your area?

Goosebumps

B1 – Intermediate

Goosebumps are a physical sensation of small bumps or shivers on the skin, often caused by very strong emotions like cold, fear, or excitement. The term is commonly used to describe a reaction to a scary or suspenseful situation. Goosebumps in animals serve as an adaptive mechanism for survival, helping them regulate their body temperature, and defend themselves.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about goosebumps:

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/goosebumps-level-3/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “involuntary” mean, “These bumps are an involuntary response to intense emotions.”? Use the word in a sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of the word “spark“, “They are the result of an adrenaline rush sparked by an extreme emotion.”? Make one sentence using this word.
  3. What is “adrenaline rush“, “They are the result of an adrenaline rush sparked by an extreme emotion.”? Use the phrase in one sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. When do you usually get goosebumps and why?
  2. What are the several purposes of goosebumps to animals?
  3. Have you seen animals that got goosebumps? What happened?
  4. Share an experience when you suddenly had goosebumps and why it happened.
  5. What are other humans’ reactions to intense emotions?

Gen Z Make Friends in the Pandemic Era

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Building a relationship early in your career is vital, especially for those who are migrating to a foreign city and have no existing connections. These friends focus on providing assistance during both personal and professional shocks, and in some cases, they even become lifelong friends.

While work has traditionally been a place to make connections, many of these young people have lacked chances as businesses shifted to hybrid, distributed, or remote-working concepts. While making friends as an adult can be tough in and of itself, hurdles have never been significantly greater, particularly for Gen Z.

According to experts, social circles have downsized generally speaking after a desolate period of time during the global epidemic  and in some cases, they were never established at all. This indicates that some young adults are searching for fresh ways to form relationships.

Generation Z, in particular, is using mobile innovations to build long-term strong ties in different manners that earlier generations did not. Put bluntly, young employees are increasingly becoming innovative in their approaches of making new acquaintances.

Read the article to know more about how Gen Z or zoomers make meaningful connections in the pandemic era.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20230201-can-gen-z-make-friends-in-the-pandemic-era

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “top of mind” mean, “For many, limited social networks have been top of mind, and they’re working on innovative ways to build the kinds of friendships older generations found more readily at places like offices.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What does “all walks of life” mean, “The 24-year-old grew up in Ireland, and was eager to “meet people of all walks of life.” Use this idiom in your own sentence.
  3. What does the idiom “to put one’s self out there” mean, “During the pandemic, I was shocked with how anti-social I’d gotten, how nervous I was to talk to new people and put myself out there”? Use this expression in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How did the pandemic take a toll on your friendships? Please share.
  2. During the lockdown, how did you maintain contact with your friends?
  3. How did friendship help us cope with the isolation during the lockdowns? Talk about it.
  4. Are you comfortable extending your social circle online? Why or why not?
  5. How has your way of meeting new people or making new connections changed over the years?
  6. What are the advantages and pitfalls of online friendships?

Brexit Causes Collapse in European Research Funding 

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Research grants guarantee ample financial support to reach the completion of a study. Without the proper funding, it is highly unlikely for major research to reach its conclusion or to even get started. Universities are one of the institutions where research studies are usually done. In order to do so, they need to receive research grants from their government or other external funding sources.

Let’s read the article to know more about the effects of Brexit on UK’s university research and development.

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/feb/04/brexit-causes-collapse-in-european-research-funding-for-oxbridge-universities

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define the word “high-catchet”, “He has taken his high-cachet European Research Council (ERC) advanced grant with him.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does the word “woo” mean in this sentence, “Although she was wooed to the US by what she calls “the best job in my field”, she says Brexit uncertainty was a big factor.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “wrangling” mean in this sentence? “The government has guaranteed it will cover all successful Horizon Europe grants applied for by the end of March, but after watching the political wranglings for more than two years, many academics are now leaving the UK, saying they no longer believe their vital European research partnerships will be protected.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How did Brexit affect higher education and research in the UK?
  2. What option is available to those who have received the grant in the UK?
  3. Does your government promote and invest in research and development? How?
  4. How did Brexit affect R&D in your country?
  5. Why should we invest in R&D?

Dubai Luxury Hotel

B1 – Intermediate

Dubai is one of the most expensive countries. People there often live in luxury with their clothes, bags, shoes, cars, and overall lifestyle. 

There are countless luxury hotels in Dubai. One of them is the hotel chain Atlantis. They have a new luxury hotel called Atlantis The Royal which opened in February 2023.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Atlantis Hotels.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/dubai-luxury-hotel-level-2/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does ”perform” mean here, “Beyonce performed to a VIP audience for 24 million dollars, and fireworks lit up the sky above the city’s famous artificial island of Palm Jumeirah.”? Use this word in your own sentence.
  2. Give 2 synonyms of “extravagance”. Use them in sentences.
  3. What is “amenity”, “ It has seven bars and restaurants, 90 pools, gyms, spas, and many other amenities to bring in wealthy vacationers.”? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of Atlantis The Royal? Given a chance, would you like to stay in this hotel? Why or why not?
  2. What is the most famous luxury hotel in your country?
  3. What are the good things about staying at luxury hotels?
  4. Talk about the most memorable hotel stay you’ve had? Why was this hotel very good?
  5. What amenities are important to you when booking a hotel?

Apple’s VR Headset

B1 – Intermediate

Apple has been one of the top technology companies in the whole world. They are known for very innovative products. But the last time they came out with a new product was in 2015. They introduced the smartwatch.

Seven years later, Apple’s new product which is a VR headset will be sold by the end of 2023.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Apple’s mixed-reality headset.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/apples-new-product-level-2/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does ”introduce” mean here, “Company Apple last introduced a new product in 2015 when it introduced its smartwatch.”? Use this word in your own sentence.
  2. Give 2 synonyms of “rival”. “Currently, company Meta dominates the VR market, and Apple hopes that its product will bring a different experience than its rival.” Use them in sentences.
  3. What does “mixed-reality” mean, “The new product is a mixed-reality headset, and users will control it by eye and hand.”? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you impressed by this headset? Why or why not?
  2. Do you think the price of this headset is fair? Why or why not?
  3. “Apple hopes that its product will bring a different experience than its rival.” Do you think they will be able to do this? Why or why not?
  4. Talk about the last product/service your company introduced.
  5. How can companies keep innovating?

Dangerous Slimming Pills

B1 – Intermediate

Most people wish to be slimmer. Some take slimming pills to help them lose weight.

But it had been a disaster for some people in the UK. 33 people died after taking a dangerous pill that they thought could help them make their weight go down.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about dangerous slimming pills.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/a-dangerous-pill-level-2/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “supplement”? “DNP isn’t a medication or a nutritional supplement.” Use it in your own sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “consume” mean here: “At least 33 people died in the UK after they consumed a pill to lose weight called DNP.”? Use it in your own sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “battle” mean here, “People died after taking DNP; their families won a long battle with authorities to change the chemical’s classification.”? Use it in your own sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. What are your thoughts on slimming pills?
  3. What are the pros and cons of taking slimming pills?
  4. Do you think there are more negatives than positives about such pills? Share your opinion.
  5. What are some healthy ways to lose weight?

Have A Calmer Sunday Night

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Weekends are a joy for employees after going through a tough week of work. As much as everyone loves the weekend, when the end of the weekend comes, most of us get the “Sunday Scaries”.

If you’re one of those who loathe Sundays, there are things you can do to make your Sunday evening and the rest of the week better and calmer.

Read the article to know more.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/sunday-night-routine-monday_l_63c99561e4b01a4363856a1b

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “hustle and bustle” mean, “For most people, the end of the weekend isn’t a welcome time; it marks the return to the hustle and bustle of the workweek and all of the tasks therein.”? Use this word in your own sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of “frenzy“? Give at least 2 synonyms.
  3. What does “start (something) off on the right foot” mean in the sentence, “Putting things in place to start your Monday on the right foot is a good way to ease some of your Sunday scaries.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you usually experience the “Sunday Scaries”? Talk about it.
  2. What do you think of the ways mentioned in the article?
  3. Which ones do you practice to lessen the “Sunday Scaries”?
  4. What are other ways to have a more relaxed Sunday evening?
  5. What activities do you usually do to have a relaxing weekend?

Milk from Lab

B1 – Intermediate

Lab-grown milk, is a type of milk that is produced using cells harvested from cows instead of being obtained directly from cows. The cells are grown in a controlled environment, such as a lab, and are then combined with nutrients to create a milk-like substance.

The goal of lab-grown milk is to provide a more sustainable and ethical alternative to traditional dairy farming, which can have negative impacts on the environment and animal welfare.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about laboratory-produced dairy products.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/milk-from-lab-level-3/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the word, “alternative“? Use the word in a sentence.
  2. What does “plant-based” mean? Make one sentence using this word.
  3. What does “genetically modified microbes” mean? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the pros and cons of lab-produced milk?
  2. Do you drink milk? If so, what kind of milk do you consume and why?
  3. How do you feel about Lab Milk? Would you be willing to try or consume it? Why or why not?
  4. Do you think it could replace traditional dairy and become the milk of the future? Share your opinion about this.

Artificial Womb Facility

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Science has made it possible for humanity to advance significantly, as evidenced by the developments in delivery technology.

The first concept for artificial wombs has just been unveiled, showing an unthinkable way for humans to give birth in these pods.

However, this recent breakthrough has sparked much controversy, making many people afraid of its ramifications for the future.

To find out more about artificial wombs, let us watch this video.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is meant by “comfort of your zone“? “You can track your baby’s health from the comfort of your zone.” Use it in your own sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of “haptic“? “Using a wireless haptic suit connected to your baby’s growth pod, you will be able to sense their kicks in the womb.” Use it in your own sentence.
  3. What exactly is a “bioreactor“? “The second bioreactor is designed to eliminate any waste products created by the babies.” Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your initial thoughts about such growth pods?
  2. Do you believe that science has gone too far with this kind of tech? Explain your thoughts.
  3. In your opinion, what are the worst and best parts of an artificial womb facility?