Category: Class

Understanding the Gender Pay Gap

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The gender pay gap remains a widely discussed issue in modern societies, highlighting differences in earnings between men and women across various industries and roles. Despite long-standing principles of equal pay, disparities still exist, reflecting broader patterns of inequality in the workplace and beyond.

Understanding this issue requires looking beyond simple wage comparisons and examining the social, economic, and structural factors that influence employment opportunities and career progression. By exploring its causes and impacts, discussions about the gender pay gap can help promote fairer policies and more inclusive work environments.

Read the article to know the definition, facts and causes of gender pay gap.

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20200109STO69925/understanding-the-gender-pay-gap-definition-facts-and-causes

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “marginal” mean in this sentence? “The gender pay gap stubbornly persists, with only marginal improvements being achieved in recent years.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “gross hourly earning” mean? “The gender pay gap is the difference in average gross hourly earnings between women and men.” Construct a sentence featuring this phrase. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “over-representation” mean? “About a quarter of the total gender pay gap can be explained by an over-representation of women in relatively low-paying sectors, such as care, health or education.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think the gender pay gap exists in your country? Why or why not?
  2. How do career choices affect the gender pay gap?
  3. Do you think taking career breaks impacts a person’s salary? How?
  4. Should companies be required to disclose employees’ salaries? Why or why not?
  5. What changes would you suggest to reduce the gender pay gap?

Signs Your Friendship Is Over

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Friendships can change over time, and not all of them are meant to last forever. Sometimes, small problems such as poor communication, a lack of trust, or unequal effort can slowly weaken a friendship. Recognizing these signs early can help people better understand their relationships and decide whether to work on them or let them go.

Read this article to learn more about it.

10 Signs Your Friendship Is Over

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “something has run its course” mean? “Nevertheless, there are some telltale and some not-so-obvious signs that your friendship has run its course.” Make a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “to talk behind one’s back” mean? ” If you get the sense that someone is doing a lot of talking behind your back, address it.” Use this in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “patch things up” mean? “There is no right way to end a friendship; unless you wish to remain friends or patch things up, a text message should do.” Make a sentence with this. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think friendships are supposed to last forever? Why or why not?
  2. Have you ever had a friend who always made conversations about themselves? How did it feel?
  3. What are common reasons communication becomes strained between friends?
  4. When should someone try to fix a friendship, and when should they let it go?
  5. In your opinion, what makes a friendship healthy and long-lasting?

Snap Inc Blames AI as It Lays Off 1,000 Workers

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Snap, the parent company of Snapchat, plans to cut about 1,000 jobs as it tries to reduce costs and improve efficiency. The move follows pressure from an activist investor and reflects the company’s growing reliance on artificial intelligence, which it says is helping smaller teams work faster and handle more tasks.

Read this article to learn more about it.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/15/snap-inc-blames-ai-worker-layoffs

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is an “activist investor“? “Cuts by Snapchat’s parent company come in response to a declining stock price and pressure from an activist investor.” Make a sentence with this. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “mass layoff” mean? “Snap, which owns the photo- and video-sharing app Snapchat, joins a host of other tech companies that have carried out mass layoffs amid the AI boom.” Use this in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. Define “murky” “Although Spiegel’s memo stated that the company had already seen productivity benefits from AI, many experts and workers believe that the reality of receiving gains from implementing AI is murkier.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do you think companies like Snap are cutting jobs while investing more in AI?
  2. Do you think AI is truly replacing human work, or are companies using it as a reason to reduce costs? Share your insights.
  3. What are the possible benefits of running a company with smaller, AI-assisted teams?
  4. Do you think tech companies are moving too quickly toward AI-driven workplaces? Explain.
  5. If your company said that AI could now do part of your job, how would you respond?

Driverless Taxis Set to Launch in UK

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Driverless taxis are starting to appear on city streets as companies test how well this technology works in real traffic. These vehicles are designed to operate without a human driver, using sensors, cameras, and artificial intelligence to move safely and efficiently. While they offer convenience and innovation, they also raise questions about safety, trust, and the future of transportation.

Read this article to learn more about it.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czej9n578k9o

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “at the wheel” mean? “But when the service launches to paying passengers, there will be no human at the wheel.” Use this in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. Define “fleet“. “The firm, which is owned by Google-parent Alphabet, showed off a fleet of cars it brought to the UK at London’s Transport Museum on Wednesday.” Make a sentence with this. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “hail‘ mean in this context? “Passengers will be able to hail Waymo robotaxis via an app once the rules permit.” Use this in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Would you feel comfortable riding in a driverless taxi? Why or why not?
  2. What do you think are the biggest advantages of driverless taxis?
  3. What concerns might people have about using a taxi with no human driver?
  4. How might driverless taxis affect the jobs of taxi drivers and ride-hailing drivers?
  5. What kind of rules should governments create before allowing driverless taxis on public roads?
  6. Do you think people will trust self-driving cars easily, or will it take a long time?

How Where You Grow Up Affects Your Personality

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The place where a person grows up can have a strong influence on their personality. Their home environment, the people around them, their culture, and the experiences they have while growing up can all shape the way they think, feel, and interact with others. For example, someone raised in a quiet rural area may develop different habits and values than someone who grows up in a busy city. These differences can affect communication style, confidence, interests, and even the way a person handles problems and relationships.

Read this article to learn about it.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20260206-is-our-identity-affected-by-where-we-live/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to take with a grain of salt” mean? “These results are always to be taken with a grain of salt, though, says Vignoles, as it is extremely difficult to disentangle behaviour, personality, culture and many other influences that come into play in this realm – and there is still so much more research to be done in the field.” Use this in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “how someone sees themselves” mean? “While the basic idea that culture shapes how people see themselves is now well supported in psychology, it did come as a surprise to some psychologists in the mid-20th Century, Vignoles says.” Use this in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. Define “encapsulate“. “Similarly, about 14% supported theories suggesting the self isn’t biological but rather encapsulated in something like a soul, and that that is what makes us who we are, no matter where we’ve grown up. “ Use this in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think the place where you grew up strongly affects your personality? Why or why not?
  2. If you had grown up in a different country or city, how do you think you would be different today?
  3. Which shapes a person more: genes, family, culture, or the environment? Explain.
  4. Do people from big cities and small towns usually have different personalities? In what ways?
  5. Have you ever noticed changes in your own personality after moving, traveling, or meeting people from different backgrounds?
  6. Which part of your personality do you think comes most from where you grew up?

Australia EV Sales Surge

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Electric vehicle sales in Australia increased sharply in March as more people looked for alternatives to petrol cars. With fuel prices rising and concerns about fuel shortages growing, many buyers are turning to EVs, although challenges such as charging access and affordability still remain.

Read this article to learn more about it.

http://abc.net.au/news/2026-04-07/australia-ev-sales-spike-amid-fuel-fears-rising-petrol-prices/106516598

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “iron out” mean? “But as fuel supply disruptions ripple through global markets and households look to lower their costs, experts are warning that now is the time to iron out existing roadblocks to that transition.” Use this in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “ripple through” mean? “But as fuel supply disruptions ripple through global markets and households look to lower their costs, experts are warning that now is the time to iron out existing roadblocks to that transition.“ Use this in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “bring something to the fore” mean? “But since the conflict in the Middle East brought global fuel vulnerability to the fore, consumer interest has spiked.” Use this in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do you think more Australians are buying electric vehicles now? Is it the same in your country?
  2. Do you think people are buying EVs mainly to save money or to help the environment? Explain your answer.
  3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of owning an electric vehicle?
  4. Do you think fuel shortages can change the way people buy cars? Why or why not?
  5. If you were planning to buy a car this year, would you choose an electric vehicle, a hybrid, or a petrol car? Why?

The Science and Myth of Sleepwalking

B2 – Upper Intermediate

People have long been curious about the strange experience of moving around while asleep. Many old beliefs about it, such as the idea that waking someone in this state is dangerous, are myths. Today, science shows that stress, genetics, and poor sleep habits often play a role in these nighttime episodes.

Let’s read the article and see how science clears up the myths about sleepwalking.

https://interestingengineering.com/culture/body-wanders-brain-naps-science-myth-sleepwalking

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to hover on” mean? “Sleepwalking, or somnambulism, belongs to a family of sleep disorders called parasomnias, behaviors that hover on the boundary between sleeping and waking.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. Define the phrase “to ripple through“.”Deep in stage 3 of NREM, a surge of activity ripples through the motor networks while regions needed for self-awareness and decision-making stay largely offline.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
  3. What does the adjective “garbled” mean? “Passers-by may receive a blank stare or garbled replies.” Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do you think people have created so many myths about sleepwalking?
  2. What everyday factors do you think can trigger sleepwalking episodes?
  3. What risks might sleepwalkers face if they are not guided or protected?
  4. Can you think of a time when stress or tiredness affected your sleep in unusual ways?
  5. How do you think sleep science has changed the way people understand sleepwalking today?

Gen Z Divided Over Reproductive Rights

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The question of whether reproductive rights should be exercised at all costs has been the subject of a protracted and contentious debate.

Nonetheless, there is a gender disparity among Gen Z regarding these rights, which helps explain how this generation approaches life.

To find out more, watch the video below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to click for someone” mean? “That’s when it clicked for me and realized how important this issue is.” Use this term in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “psychic shock” mean? “Dobbs was such a psychic shock for a lot of women because it took a right away that they’d had for a long time.”  Use this expression in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “to dig one’s heels in” mean? “They feel like their the last generation of men who run the show, and they’re digging their heels in and trying to get as much as they can.” Use this idiom in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What causes the gap between Gen Z men and women regarding reproductive rights?
  2. Do you think the views and opinions of men and women on reproductive rights have significantly widened over time? Why do you think so?
  3. Does restricting abortion harm the right to life? Explain your stance.
  4. Are there similar restrictions in your country, and how do Gen Z men and women react to them?
  5. How do social media and online discussions influence Gen Z’s views on reproductive rights?

War in Middle East Creating Fertilizer Shortage

B1 –  Intermediate 

The war in Iran has raised fertilizer prices. Shipping in the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted. About 30–40% of fertilizer trade is affected. Farmers now pay more and may grow fewer crops. The United Nations warns of higher food prices and possible shortages.

Read the article about how the war in Middle East is creating fertilizer shortage.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2603/260330-fertilizer-shortages-5.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “yield” mean here, “In the worst case, this means lower yields and crop failures next season.”? Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What is “input cost”? “In the best case, higher input costs will be included in food prices next year.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “dual cost shock” mean? “Farmers are facing a dual cost shock.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Explain how the conflict in the Middle East affect global food prices.
  2. What could the United Nations or governments do to reduce the impact of this crisis?
  3. How can countries reduce their dependence on imported fertilizers?
  4. How could rising fertilizer prices affect farming in your country? 
  5. Do you think food prices will continue to rise in the future? Why or why not?
  6. Do you think consumers in your country would change their eating habits if food prices increase? Why or why not?

Intensifiers with Particular Adjectives 

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Not all intensifiers combine freely with all adjectives. The choice depends on:

  • whether the adjective is gradable or non-gradable
  • collocational restrictions (what sounds natural)
  • semantic precision and nuance

Gradable vs Non-Gradable Adjectives

Gradable adjectives

These allow degrees (very, quite, slightly, etc.)

  • very tired
  • slightly cold
  • extremely happy

Non-gradable (absolute/extreme) adjectives

These already express a maximum or absolute state:

  • freezing (not very freezing)
  • exhausted (not very exhausted)
  • perfect (not very perfect)

Instead, use maximizing intensifiers:

  • absolutely freezing
  • completely exhausted
  • totally perfect

Key Intensifier Types

a. Amplifiers (increase intensity)

Maximizers (100% scale)

  • absolutely, completely, totally, utterly

Examples:

  • absolutely certain
  • completely wrong
  • utterly ridiculous

Boosters (high degree, but not absolute)

  • very, really, so, extremely, highly

Examples:

  • very tired
  • extremely important
  • highly unlikely

b. Downtoners (reduce intensity)

  • slightly, somewhat, rather, fairly, a bit

Examples:

  • slightly awkward
  • fairly interesting
  • rather confusing

Strong Collocational Pairings

Some intensifiers strongly prefer specific adjectives:

“Highly” + evaluative adjectives

  • highly effective
  • highly successful
  • highly unlikely

Not: highly big

“Deeply” + emotional states

  • deeply concerned
  • deeply offended
  • deeply disappointed

“Bitterly” + negative emotions

  • bitterly disappointed
  • bitterly cold
  • bitterly opposed

“Utterly” + negative/extreme adjectives

  • utterly absurd
  • utterly useless
  • utterly devastated

“Closely” + analytical/relational adjectives

  • closely related
  • closely connected
  • closely aligned

Subtle Meaning Differences

Compare:

  • very big → neutral
  • absolutely enormous → emphatic, dramatic

  • quite good → moderate (BrE often = “fairly”)
  • quite amazing → strong (with non-gradable adjectives)

“Quite” is not stable in meaning—depends on adjective type.

Register and Formality

Some intensifiers signal formal style:

  • highly significant (formal)
  • deeply regrettable (formal)

Others are more informal:

  • really tired
  • super weird
  • so good

Adjectives That Resist “Very”

Many advanced learners overuse very.

Replace “very” with stronger adjectives:

  • very big → enormous
  • very tired → exhausted
  • very good → excellent

Or:

  • very important → extremely important / crucial

Gradability Shifts

Some adjectives can be both gradable and non-gradable depending on meaning:

  • The solution is quite simple. (gradable: moderately simple)
  • The answer is quite correct. (non-gradable: completely correct)

Intensifier Stacking (Marked Usage)

  • really very tired (possible, but marked)
  • so incredibly beautiful (emphatic, expressive)

Stacking is common in speech, but less common in formal writing.

Precision Through Collocation

Compare:

  • Correct: strongly recommend 
  • Correct: highly recommend 
  • Incorrect: very recommend

Some verbs/adjectives require specific intensifiers due to convention.

Key Insight

At an advanced level, intensifiers are less about grammar rules and more about:

  • collocation (what sounds natural)
  • semantics (degree and scale)
  • register (formal vs informal tone)

Mastery comes from noticing patterns—not memorizing isolated rules.

Common Errors

incorrect: very freezing
correct: absolutely freezing

incorrect: completely very good
correct: extremely good / really good

incorrect: highly happy
correct: very happy

incorrect: deeply big
correct: very big