Category: Class

Mystery Drones in USA Causing Alarm

B1 – Intermediate 

Many people all over America have reported sightings of mystery drones. It caused alarm among residents because the drones were flying over military bases and airfields, Donald Trump’s golf course, among others. 

Read more about the suspicious drone sightings in this article.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2412/241219-mystery-drones-2.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “sighting” mean? “People started telling the police about the drones last month. Most of the sightings have been in the state of New Jersey.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘sighting’ in your own sentence. 
  2. What does “spot” mean here, “One drone was spotted near one of Donald Trump’s golf courses.”? Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘spot’ in a sentence in this context.
  3. What does “a case of mistaken identity” mean? “FBI investigators said most of the drone sightings were cases of “mistaken identity.” Use the phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. What is your own conspiracy theory about those mystery drones?
  3. If you saw drones flying over your city, what would you think and do?
  4. What is your opinion on this, “FBI investigators said most of the drone sightings were cases of “mistaken identity”. It said people were “over-reacting” unnecessarily to news reports.”?
  5. Talk about any security issues that had occurred in your city/country recently.

Saving Water in the Driest Place on Earth

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Living in the driest place on Earth can be a real challenge for people who reside there. It is especially a serious problem in agriculture. Farmers rely on steady irrigation to water their crops.

Yuma, an area on the border of California and Mexico and famous for date farming, is one of the hottest places on the planet. It has been suffering the worst drought in more than five centuries.

Ole Sivertsen and his company Desert Control have come up with a solution. They have invented a liquid that converts sandy desert soil into a sponge that retains water and nutrients.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about liquid clay that helps farmers grow fruit and vegetables in the desert.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2024/ep-240919

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “kick-start” mean? “Ole makes a liquid by mixing clay and water which changes the soil composition and kick-starts the growth of his trees – the liquid makes the trees start growing more quickly.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘kick-start’ in your own sentence. 
  2. What does the idiom “down the line” mean? “Ole’s liquid clay involves manipulating soil – using and controlling it skillfully to achieve some result. Myra worries that when people do this, they could create problems down the line.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘down the line’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does “cling” mean? “But clay soil is made up of much smaller particles that cling together and naturally stop water from escaping.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘cling’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can you say about the liquid clay? Cite its advantages and disadvantages.
  2. What could be some problems associated with liquid clay down the line? 
  3. Is drought also a problem in your country? What are some initiatives to fight against water shortage? Talk about it.
  4. Share your thoughts/reaction to this, “But globally, over two billion people, around a quarter of the world’s population, live in water stressed countries, where access to water for drinking, cooking, and washing is not guaranteed.”.
  5. What might be some other problems farmers need to deal with in your country? How are they being addressed?
  6. What are the potential impacts of drought in agriculture?

Brain Rot

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The internet is a fascinating place. It has given students the ability to research topics, ideas, and concepts at the click of their fingers. However, it has also given way to an ailment known as brain rot. Brainrot happens when people consume mindless and pointless content online. This disease has proven to be very dangerous to the psyche of our future generations.

To learn more, watch the video below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Explain “brain turns into mush”. “ Have you ever felt your brain turning into mush.”. Create a sentence using this expression.
  2. What does “creep in” mean? “You know that feeling when you’ve watched so many Tiktoks that you start dreaming in 15-second clips? That’s brain rot creeping in.” Use this phrasal verb to make your own sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of “rabbit hole“? “You open Instagram and watch the reel. But then, you swipe up to see the next reel, and the next, and the next. Before you know it, you’re deep into the Instagram reel rabbit hole.” Use this term in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever felt the effects of brain rot? If yes, share your experience.
  2. If you’ve experienced your brain turning into a mush, how do you fight against it?
  3. How can we determine if we are affected by this condition? And how can we prevent it?
  4. Do you think that brain rot is a threat to the current generation? Explain your stance.

Karl Marx -An Important Thinker of the 19th Century

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Karl Marx is known for his role in founding Communism. He predicted that workers would eventually rebel against factory owners, seize control of the economy, and establish a government for the people. Marx’s ideas greatly influenced Communist governments throughout the 20th century and still impact economic discussions today.

Read more about his life and theories in the link below.

https://www.english-online.at/history/karl-marx/marx-thinker.htm

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “radical” mean in the sentence “He turned to journalism and became an editor of a radical newspaper.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “vassal” mean in the sentence “He argued that this conflict of classes happened throughout history. In the ancient world there were masters and slaves, in the Middle Ages lords and vassals, in the industrial world of the 19th century there were middle class owners and workers.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “crack down” mean in the sentence “When France became one of Prussia’s allies, the French government cracked down on people who criticized them.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you think Marx’s ideas about workers’ revolutions reflect the struggles of the working class during his time?
  2. Do you agree with Marx’s view that capitalism leads to inequality? Why or why not?
  3. How did Marx’s personal experiences, such as his time in Paris and London, shape his beliefs about workers and the economy?
  4. How do you think Marx’s theories influenced the development of Communist governments in the 20th century?
  5. Do you think Marx’s ideas are still relevant in today’s society? Why or why not?

Chinatown – How Chinese Live in the World’s Cities

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Chinatowns are vibrant neighborhoods filled with history, culture, and community. These areas grew as Chinese immigrants built homes, opened businesses, and kept their traditions alive while adapting to life in a new country. From the food stalls to the street festivals, everything in a Chinatown reflects the journey and resilience of its people.

Read more about these neighborhoods through the link below.

https://www.english-online.at/places/chinatown/chinatowns-around-the-world.htm

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “harbour worker” mean? “They had jobs in farming, as cooks on ships or as harbour workers.” Use it in a sentence.

2. What does “façade” mean in this context, “Houses and buildings show typical façades that you would see in China.“? Use it in a sentence.

3. What does “date back” mean? “It dates back to the 1840s when many people rushed to the west coast in search of gold.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you think Chinatowns reflect the experiences of Chinese immigrants?
  2. Is there a Chinatown in your city? How do you think it might influence the local culture?
  3. What challenges do immigrants face, and how do you think Chinatowns help?
  4. How do you think festivals and traditions in Chinatowns help preserve cultural identity?
  5. How do Chinatowns help bridge cultural gaps between communities?

Spot a Fake Louis Vuitton Bag

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Louis Vuitton is one of the most important brands in the fashion industry, and perhaps the world. Many can only dream about owning a bag or any item from the very expensive designer label.

So many are trying to imitate, make, and sell fake Louis Vuitton products.

The problem is that it is getting more and more difficult to know if they are authentic or not.

Watch the video how to difficult it is to tell an original Louis Vuitton bag from a fake one.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the word “sought-after” mean? “She sells Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and other sought-after brands.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘sought-after’ in your own sentence. 
  2. What does the phrase “telltale sign” mean? “Do they have items that no one else has, but all of a sudden, this website has them? Those are definite telltale signs.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘telltale sign’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does “run-of-the mill” mean? “This is your run-of-the-mill counterfeited piece with the Gucci.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘run-of-the mill’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How can the difficulty of spotting fake products affect the original brands?
  2. How can brands fight against counterfeiting?
  3. How can you tell if an item sold online is fake or not?
  4. Share your experience unintentionally buying a fake product on the internet.

Crackdown on Electric Rideable Suitcases

B1 – Intermediate 

The latest technology in suitcases is the electric rideable luggage. While it might seem like a cool piece of device, it could cause problems too.

In Japan, mobile luggage is considered a motor vehicle which means the rider should follow the same rules when operating any motorized form of transportation.

Read the article about the crackdown on electric rideable suitcases in Japan.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2408/240801-rideable-suitcases.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the word “nuisance” mean? “However, it is becoming a nuisance in some parts of Japan.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘nuisance’ in your own sentence. 
  2. What does the phrase “a way of getting around” mean here, “Companies are also trying to make rules for the new way of getting around.” Give one synonym and use this phrase in a sentence in this context.
  3. What does “emerge” mean? “Unexpected new forms of transport will continue to emerge.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘emerge’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on mobile suitcases and their popularity these days?
  2. What is your opinion on Japan’s crackdown on rideable suitcases?
  3. What are the pros and cons of a electric luggage?
  4. Should they be considered a motor vehicle? Explain.
  5. Share your thoughts on this, “Unexpected new forms of transport will continue to emerge.”.

Global Treaty to End Plastic Pollution

B1 – Intermediate 

Countries are meeting in South Korea in hopes of coming up with a treaty that could end plastic pollution all over the world and help protect the planet and our future. The South Korean president urges governments to finalize a treaty to address the problem with plastic pollution.

Read the article about the new zero plastic pollution treaty among countries.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2411/241128-plastic-pollution.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “insurance policy” mean in this context, “The U.N. said a treaty is, ‘an insurance policy for this generation and future ones, so they may live with plastic and not be doomed by it.’”?Use this phrase in a sentence in the same context.
  2. What does “drown” mean here, “Our world is drowning in plastic pollution.” Use this word in a sentence in this context.
  3. What does “to open a new chapter” mean? “He asked governments, ‘to open a new historic chapter by finalizing a treaty on plastic pollution.’” Use this expression in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on this treaty among nations to reduce plastic pollution?
  2. What are some problems related to plastic pollution?
  3. Share your opinion on this, “Our world is drowning in plastic pollution.”.
  4. A path to zero plastic pollution, is it possible? Why or why not? If so, how?
  5. Share your thoughts on this, “We must stop thinking of plastic as being convenient.”.

Digital Twins Speed Up Drug Discovery

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Digital twins, which are virtual replicas of real-world systems, are being explored for their potential to transform drug discovery. This innovative technology could improve the efficiency of research and accelerate the process of developing new treatments, offering a promising approach to the pharmaceutical industry. By simulating biological systems, digital twins have the potential to change how drugs are developed, making the process more effective and streamlined.

Read this article to learn more about how digital twins can help reduce the number of injuries and deaths caused by medical devices.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq8v73dkne3o

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “intersperse” mean? “Using biological data from real people, Sanofi creates AI-based simulated patients – not actual clones of specific individuals – that can be interspersed across the control and placebo groups within the trial.” Make a sentence and give a synonym.
  2. Define “next frontier“. “Powering the next generation of digital twins with accurate AI models of complex human biology is the next frontier.” Use this in a sentence.
  3. What does “a fraction of something” mean? “Even a fraction of those deaths – and the associated lawsuits – could have been avoided with more thorough testing.” Create a sentence with this.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s your opinion on digital twins?
  2. How do you feel about the idea of using digital twins to replace animal testing in drug development?
  3. What are the potential risks or limitations of using digital twins in drug development?
  4. In your opinion, what impact will digital twins have on patient safety and drug effectiveness?
  5. Do you think digital twins could eventually make clinical trials faster and more efficient, or do you believe traditional trials will always be needed in drug development?

Airships: The Future of Sustainable Travel

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Could airships be the key to sustainable air travel? With concerns over aviation’s environmental impact rising, these eco-friendly vehicles are being revisited as a possible solution. While they offer the promise of lower carbon emissions, questions about their practicality and cost-effectiveness remain.

Read the article to discover whether airships can provide a viable, greener alternative to modern air travel, or if they’re just a nostalgic dream.

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20241204-could-the-airship-be-the-answer-to-sustainable-air-travel

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “at the height of luxury” mean? “The journey is expected to take two days and will be conducted at the height of luxury in an airship gondola decked out with panoramic windows, fine dining areas and opulent cabins containing eco-luxury beds that take in the views of the icebergs as you go.” Make a sentence with this.
  2. What is “a niche role”? “In my view, airships cannot replace aircraft but might have a niche role to play, like cruise ships, on slower journeys.” Create a sentence with this phrase.
  3. Define the expression, “poised to enter something”. “LTA – which stands for “Lighter Than Air” – is one of a handful of airship manufacturers around the world currently poised to enter the aviation market.” Use this in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What makes airships a potential solution for sustainable air travel?
  2. Do you believe airships could become a viable alternative to airplanes for long-distance travel?
  3. Should governments and industries invest more in the development of airships for sustainable travel?
  4. Would you consider traveling by airship if it were available as a sustainable option?
  5. Do you think the cost of building and operating airships would be justified by their environmental benefits?