Category: Class

Farmers Protest EU-Mercosur Deal

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Farmers took to the streets of central Madrid to demonstrate against European Union’s agricultural policies and the Mercosur deal.

Farmers believe that allowing an influx of goods from countries that have lower health and environmental guarantees will have an impact on the country’s agricultural sector.

Read the article about farmers protesting against the EU-Mercosur deal.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-11/farmers-tractors-gather-in-madrid-to-protest-eu-mercosur-deal

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “free trade agreement”. “Thousands of farmers marched into central Madrid on Wednesday to protest against European Union’s agricultural policies and a free trade agreement with a group of South American nations.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “politically charged” mean? “In Spain, farmer protests have become politically charged, with far-right nationalist party Vox having made large inroads among farmers in recent years by denouncing that the country’s largest parties – the governing Socialists and the conservative People’s Party – aren’t doing enough for the agricultural sector.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “to make inroads” mean? “In Spain, farmer protests have become politically charged, with far-right nationalist party Vox having made large inroads among farmers in recent years by denouncing that the country’s largest parties – the governing Socialists and the conservative People’s Party – aren’t doing enough for the agricultural sector.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the farmers protesting against?
  2. Share your thoughts about this protest.
  3. Share your thoughts about the Mercosur deal.
  4. Talk about everything you know about your country’s agricultural policies.
  5. What are your thoughts on this, “Farmers aren’t seeking a monopoly, but they want food products produced in other countries to be produced under the same conditions that are required of them.”

Mark Zuckerberg In Court

B1 – Intermediate 

Many young people use social media. Sometimes, a bit too much. This compulsive use of social networks could potentially have serious impact on the youths. 

In a court hearing, CEO Mark Zuckerberg spoke about how websites such as his own Meta affect young people.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about the trial about the effects of social media on young people.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/mark-zuckerberg-in-court-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “age limit”. “The lawyer also pointed to a company email about age limits.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “to face” mean in this context, “A 20-year-old woman says she began to use Instagram and YouTube at a very young age and later faced addiction, depression, and suicidal thoughts.” Use the verb in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “over time” mean? “He also said the company tried to improve its rules over time.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. “Zuckerberg said he regrets that the company didn’t act faster. He also said the company tried to improve its rules over time.” What is your opinion on Zuckerberg’s statement?
  2. The young woman believes social media platforms caused serious harm in her life. What is your opinion about this?
  3. Share your opinion about this, “Children under 13 cannot join Meta, but this rule didn’t always work.”
  4. How can social media platforms protect young people?
  5. “The result of this trial may affect future law and the way social media companies work.”  Do you believe this could happen? Share your thoughts.
  6. Talk about your social media use. How has social media affected you so far?

Making Singapore Travel Easier

B1 – Intermediate 

Even in places with very good transport systems, people still have difficulties finding their way sometimes.

Veric, a young Singaporean man has been putting up his own signs in order to help people with directions around the city. 

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about Veric, the gorilla way-finder from Singapore.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/a-young-man-makes-singapore-travel-easier-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “blind spot”. “Singapore has a very good public transport system, but one advocate says even the best systems have blind spots.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “gorilla” mean in this context, “The signs look official, but they are done by Veric, a young man who calls himself a gorilla way-finder.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What is a “commuter”? “The man’s goal is to make travel easier and clearer for commuters.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why did Veric start doing this?
  2. What is your opinion about what he is doing?
  3. What is your opinion about what Veric said about signages, “A good design is simple and easy to use, so people don’t have to think about it.”?
  4. Is it easy to find your way around your own city? Why or why not?
  5. How can going around a city be made easier and clearer for commuters?

Apple Unveils Environmental Progress

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Apple, one of the world’s leading technology companies, is taking significant steps to protect the environment. Recent reports show that the company is producing less pollution and working toward more sustainable manufacturing and energy practices. This move highlights Apple’s commitment to a cleaner and greener future.

Read the article to learn more about Apple hitting its new milestones in emissions reductions, clean energy, and recycled materials.

https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/04/apple-surpasses-60-percent-reduction-in-global-greenhouse-gas-emissions/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “ripple” mean? “Many of these facilities also serve additional customers, helping this progress ripple beyond Apple.” Make a sentence with this. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “abate” mean? “In 2024, display and semiconductor suppliers abated 8.4 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, and the new commitments will accelerate that progress in the coming years.” Create a sentence with this. Give a synonym.
  3. Define “footprint“in this context. “Apple today announced that the company has surpassed a 60 percent reduction in its global greenhouse gas emissions compared to 2015 levels, as part of its Apple 2030 goal to become carbon neutral across its entire footprint in the next five years.” Use this in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How might Apple’s efforts to reduce pollution affect its reputation and sales globally?
  2. How can large technology companies balance innovation, profit, and environmental responsibility?
  3. How does corporate environmental responsibility impact global climate change, and can individual actions make a difference?
  4. Can a company truly be environmentally responsible if it continues to produce millions of electronic devices every year? Discuss.

Is Human Connection the New Job Security

B2 – Upper Intermediate

What looks radical today may be necessary in the future because it’s difficult to see how human professionals could survive in an era focused on AI. Similar to Jane Wurwand, the creator of the multimillion-dollar skincare brand Dermalogica, she views “high touch,” or human connection, as the counterpart to the evolving technology of today.

To find out more about the jobs that AI can’t replace, watch the video below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to keep spinning something out” mean?  “Numbers. Checking. Organizing. You keep spinning that out.” Use this idiom in a sentence and give a synonym.
  2. What does “to take the strength” mean?  “So we have to take the strength and move with it.” Use this term in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What is the meaning of “t0 box someone/something”? “As do many jobs. And even if and-it’s so-we shouldn’t to box things into that’s tech and this is human.” Use this idiom to make your own sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to Jane’s idea of high touch as the counterpart of high-tech?
  2. Why do you think human connection is the “new” job security?
  3. Do you think that soft skills are becoming more important than hard skills? Share your thoughts.

Biohacking

B1 – Intermediate 

The job of a biohacker is to make small, intentional changes to people’s lifestyle, diet, or environment. It aims to improve and optimize the functions of the body and the mind.

Biohackers are able to hack a person’s biology with the help of science and technology and self-experimentation.

Can biohacking really help provide people better health and a longer life?

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about biohacking.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/what-biohackers-do-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “biohacking”. “One family promotes biohacking online and says it began as a way to survive serious health problems.” Use the term in a sentence. 
  2. What does “to survive” mean? “One family promotes biohacking online and says it began as a way to survive serious health problems.” Use the verb in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “to feel concerned” mean? “However, some experts feel concerned because many methods lack strong scientific proof.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about biohacking?
  2. Why do we need it?
  3. Talk about other things you know about biohacking.
  4. “One family promotes biohacking online and says it began as a way to survive serious health problems.” Do you agree with this family? Why or why not?
  5. Customers hope these biohacking services can give them better health and a longer life. Share your opinion about this.
  6. Are you interested to use biohacking services? Why or why not?

Too Much Electronic Waste

B1 – Intermediate 

According to a report from the recycling advocacy group Metal Focus, we are producing more and more electronic waste. 

Electronic waste means devices or gadgets that are thrown away, broken, or obsolete. Examples of e-waste are batteries, plugs, computers, phones, appliances, and many more.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about problem with the increasing amount of electronic waste.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/too-much-electronic-waste-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is “spring cleaning”? “Spring cleaning offers a chance to responsibly declutter; however, electronic waste is increasing much faster than recycling efforts.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “to declutter” mean? “Spring cleaning offers a chance to responsibly declutter; however, electronic waste is increasing much faster than recycling efforts.” Use the verb in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “to outpace” mean? “The UN warns that global electronic waste is outpacing recycling, and emphasizes the need to save valuable resources.” Use the verb in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What comes to your mind when you hear “electronic waste”?
  2. Share your opinion about this news that people accumulate more unused electronics and broken devices.
  3. Do you think the same problem exist in your country? Why or why not?
  4. What is your opinion about this, “Global electronic waste is outpacing recycling.”?
  5. How can we reduce electronic waste?
  6. How do you dispose of your own e-waste?

Qatar National Sports Day

B1 – Intermediate 

The National Sports Day is celebrated in Qatar every second Tuesday of February.

They believe that “an active life is important for public health”.

The government hopes that the citizens take care of their health more. The holiday is so they not only watch sports, but actually practice them.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about Qatar National Sports Day.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/qatar-national-sports-day-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “major center for (something)”? “In recent years, Qatar has become a major center for international sport and has hosted large events such as the football World Cup.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “to take part in (something)” mean? “The government wants people to focus on health and take part in sports instead of just watching them.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “to host” mean in this sentence, “In recent years, Qatar has become a major center for international sport and has hosted large events such as the football World Cup.”? Use the verb in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about a public holiday for sports?
  2. Would you like to have the same holiday in your country? Why or why not?
  3. Do you think the government should decide whether people take part in sports instead of just watching them? Share your opinion.
  4. What is your opinion on this, “An active life is important for public health.”?
  5. How much is your country and the people involved and invested in sports?
  6. What sports do you enjoy? What are those that you would like to try?

Humanoid Robots at Hyundai Factories  

B1 – Intermediate 

Hyundai, a South Korean automotive manufacturer, prepares to gradually employ 30,000 humanoid robots in its car factories in the next decade. 

It’s true that many people will lose their jobs, but Hyundai said they will still need people who will train the humanoid robots.

Read the article about humanoid robots at Hyundai car factories.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2601/260112-hyundai-humanoid-robots-4.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “subsidiary”? “The humanoids called Atlas are being made by a Hyundai subsidiary.” Use the term in a sentence.
  2. What does “amplify” mean? “Hyundai said Atlas would advance human-robot collaboration, and assist in “evolving hardware-driven robotics designed to amplify human potential”.” Use the word in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What does “convergence” mean? “The robot’s maker said: “The convergence of robotics and AI will make human life safer and more enriching.” Use the word in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your reaction to this news.
  2. What comes to your mind when you hear “humanoid” and why?
  3. What are the pros and cons of using humanoids at factories?
  4. Are factories in your country using robots more these days? Talk about it.
  5. What is your opinion about this, “The convergence of robotics and AI will make human life safer and more enriching.”
  6. What do you think about this, “Hyundai acknowledged that people could lose their jobs to Atlas, but some people would be needed to train it.”?

Grit: Traits that Matter for School, Work, and Life

B2 – Upper Intermediate

“Success is not only about talent or intelligence — it’s also about grit.”

Grit is the ability to stay committed, work hard, and keep going even when things become difficult. In school, at work, and in everyday life, people with grit learn from failures, stay motivated, and continue striving toward their goals.

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


Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define ‘willpower‘. “Strong willpower helps students and professionals stay focused on their goals, making it an important part of developing grit in school, work, and life.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does the word ‘internalize’ mean here: “Once we internalize that we can improve our skills, we might realize that we can also practice willpower.”? Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What is the meaning of ‘for something to present itself”?“In school and work, challenges will often present themselves, and grit helps us face them with determination instead of giving up.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think grit (self-control, passion, and perseverance) is more important than high IQ scores or fine genes when it comes to achieving success? Why or why not?
  2. How has grit helped you navigate through life?
  3. In your opinion, can grit be learned, or is it something people are born with?
  4. How can schools and workplaces encourage the development of grit in students and employees?
  5. Can focusing too much on grit ever be harmful? How might balance play a role in achieving goals?