Category: Class

Unpunished Crimes at UK Royal Palaces

B1 – Intermediate

There are a lot of Royal Palaces in United Kingdom, Buckingham Palace is the most well-known and visited of all the royal residences since it is located in the heart of the capital.

A shocking news has been revealed that even though the London’s royal palaces has the highest of security measures, there were still plenty of crimes that were committed in these palaces and loads of those culprits were not unpunished.

As of today, Elizabeth II is the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Next to the throne would be Charles, Prince of Wales.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about how many crimes committed at the Royal Palaces have been left unpunished.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2204/220425-royal-palaces-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What kind of crimes happened in UK Royal Palaces?
  2. Why did these crimes happen there even though these places are supposed to have the highest security measures in London?
  3. Why are majority of those people who committed the crime left unpunished?
  4. Are there some reports of any crime near or at the Royal Palace of Madrid or any Royal Palace in Spain? Name some.
  5. What are the usual crimes in Spain and how are they punished? Are most of the guilty people punished?

What Fans Want These Days

B1 – Intermediate

Fans love and suppor their celebrity idols so much. They would do anything for them, even to buy or pay for things that would remind them of their favorite stars.

Cameo, a US company founded a website where a fan can message a celebrity and get selfies and videos from them directly.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the website Cameo.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/what-fans-want-these-days-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about the website ‘Cameo’? Talk about the good and bad things about it.
  2. How is this website helpful to celebrities and their fans?
  3. Would you like to be a member of this platform? Which celebrity/celebrities would you like to a get a selfie or personalized videos from?
  4. How would you feel about getting a personalized greeting from your idol say, on your birthday or Christmas?
  5. If there is something your idol owns and could give to you, what would would it be and why?
  6. Why do you think fans spend so much time, money, and efforts for their favorite celebrities?

Relieving Stress in Broom Room

C1 – Advanced

Stress is our body’s response to pressure from a certain situation or event. Small daily nuisances and major life changes can trigger stress. At times, it serves a useful purpose. It enables us to respond quickly when something potentially threatening happens and helps us avoid danger.

Let’s watch the video below about a unique way to release stress.

https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0b8fd4f/relieving-stress-in-shanghai-s-boom-room-

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s your opinion about de-stressing with destruction?
  2. Would you try this kind of method to ease your stress? Why or why not?
  3. What causes you the most stress?
  4. Is modern technology stressful or does it help to unwind? Explain.
  5. Do you agree that a little bit of stress is good for us? In what ways?
  6. What are other healthy ways to reduce stress? What works best for you?

Brains Do Not Slow Down Until After 60

B1 – Intermediate

The brain is the most important organ in the human body. It controls our movement and everything that we do. It helps us think, makes us well focused and also helps us analyze problems.

But as we grow older, our brain processing starts slowing down.

Let’s read the article below and learn more about human brain processing speed and age.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2202/220221-mental-processing-speed-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Does it take you a long time to make decisions? Why?
  2. When is the most active your brain has ever been?
  3. How would you likely feel when your brain starts deteriorating?
  4. What do you do to take care of your brain?
  5. How forgetful are you? Cite situations when you suffer forgetting things.
  6. How impulsive are you? Cite situations when you became impulsive in your decisions.

Posting Selfies on Social Media and Narcissism

B1 – Intermediate

Social media is a form of electronic communication where one can exchange messages, upload and download photos and/or videos, and also share information and ideas with other users. However, posting too many pictures and too much personal information about yourself can lead to narcissism.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about how posting too many selfies can result to narcissism.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1811/181113-social-media-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree that posting selfies on social media can increase narcissism? Explain.
  2. What are the good things and bad things about social media?
  3. How could social media sites be beneficial for people?
  4. Does your personality change when you are on social media? Elaborate.
  5. People who post their selfies want attention and likes from other people. What is your opinion on this statement?

Flying Taxis

B1 – Intermediate

A taxi is a reliable source of transportation. All you need to do is tell the driver the destination you are headed to and he’ll take you there. What if taxis nowadays are also upgraded and can fly? What do you think will happen?

Let’s read the article below to learn more about flying taxis.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2202/220217-flying-taxis-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of flying taxis?
  2. How could flying taxis be good for the environment?
  3. What traffic rules would flying taxis need to follow?
  4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of flying taxis?
  5. Would you like your town to have flying taxis? Why or why not?

104-Year-Old Woman Learns to Read and Write

B1 – Intermediate

Reading and writing helps us analyze, understand, and communicate well with others. These skills are useful for school, work, and in our daily lives. Literacy is important. No matter what your age is, it’s never too late to learn to read and write.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about the old woman who learns to read and write at the age of 104.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2112/211206-learning-to-read-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about Kuttiyamma and her achievement?
  2. How important is literacy?
  3. What advice do you have to improve your reading and writing skills?
  4. We can do anything if we put our minds to it. Do you agree or disagree? Explain.
  5. Do you think you would start learning something you do not know about when you are very very old? Why or why not?

TikTok Videos to be 10 Minutes Long

B1 – Intermediate

TikTok is a social media platform where one can create, share, discover new and short videos. This app is used to express ones thoughts and opinions, knowledge and facts, and even get entertained by others singing, dancing, and also lip-syncing.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about it.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2203/220303-10-minute-tiktok-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about this change on TikTok?
  2. Which is better – TikTok or YouTube? Why?
  3. Which are better – movies or social media videos? Why?
  4. What social media platforms do you like and dislike?
  5. What do you use social media for?
  6. Why are longer videos more popular with older people? Explain.

World’s Largest Cruise Ship

B1 – Intermediate

A cruise ship is a large ship that stops at different ports and takes people to different destinations for means of travel and leisure.

The Royal Caribbean’s “Wonder of the Seas” is the largest cruise ship ever and it had set sail.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about the largest cruise ship ever.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2203/220317-cruise-ship-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about the Wonder of the Seas? Would you like to go on a cruise on this ship? Why or why not?
  2. Have you ever gone on a cruise? Talk about your experience. If not, would you like to and where would you like to go?
  3. What do you think of the movie ‘Titanic’?
  4. What are the good and bad things about cruises?
  5. How environmentally-friendly are cruise ships? Explain.

Smartphone You Can Repair

B1 – Intermediate

Smartphones are now part of our young generation’s lives. By using it most of the time, it can easily get drained and damaged. Getting them fixed by repairing experts may cost so much money that’s why others prefer to fix it themselves. Luckily, there’s a company who lets us do this.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about smartphones that you can repair yourself.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2203/220321-smartphone-repairs-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you feel when your smartphone gets broken/damaged?
  2. Do you think it’s a good idea to repair your own mobile phone? Explain.
  3. How can the electronics industry reduce its waste?
  4. How can we reduce our e-wastes?
  5. How durable and long-lasting should smartphones be? Why?