Category: Class

Companies Take People’s Land to Build Data Centers

B1 — Intermediate 

The fast expansion of AI data centers in Georgia has led to a big rise in electricity demand. To support this growing need, the state’s primary utility company is significantly increasing its network of high-voltage transmission lines.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about companies acquiring private lands to build data centers in Georgia.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/companies-take-peoples-land-to-build-data-centers-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “utility company”? ”To meet this need, the state’s main utility company is rapidly expanding its high-voltage power lines.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “eminent domain” mean? “While Georgia Power claims it offers fair compensation, many families feel forced into settlements because the company can use eminent domain to seize private land without the owners’ consent.” Use the expression in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “to seize” mean? ”While Georgia Power claims it offers fair compensation, many families feel forced into settlements because the company can use eminent domain to seize private land without the owners’ consent.” Use the verb in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is it ethical to use eminent domain to build infrastructure that largely benefits the private companies, such as AI data centers? Share your opinion.
  2. What good things can happen when we build more energy infrastructure for AI?
  3. How would you react if transmission lines were planned to pass through your property?
  4. Should companies continue developing new technology even if it causes problems for local communities? Why or why not?
  5. If you were in the government, how would you balance economic growth and people’s rights?

Strength Training Helps to Live Longer

B1 — Intermediate 

Researchers say that regular strength training may help people live longer. They found that this type of exercise may lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, and mental health problems.

Read the article about how regular strength training may help us live longer.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2606/260625-strength-training.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is “strength training”? ”The study found that people who did moderate amounts of strength training on a regular basis had a lower risk of dying at a younger age.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “resistance work” mean? “Keep walking, cycling, swimming, or doing whatever gets your heart rate up. But add some resistance work too.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “to burn up” mean here: ”If we do not keep our muscles active, they do not burn up so much sugar and fat.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think strength training is important? Why or why not?
  2. Why do many people avoid strength training?
  3. Which do you think is better: strength training or aerobic exercise? Explain your answer.
  4. Should schools encourage students to do strength training? Why?
  5. Do you do any strength training? If yes, what kind?
  6. If you wanted to live a longer and healthier life, what lifestyle changes would you make besides exercising?

Rising Memory Chip Prices to Push Up Tech Costs

B1 — Intermediate 

Gadgets such as mobile phones, laptops, and others are such an essential part of our day-to-day lives. 

Nowadays, the demand for servers in AI data centers has increased very quickly. Because of this, AI systems need to store big amounts of data and process it much faster than regular computers. As a result, catching up with new technology is likely to be more expensive.

Read the article about rising tech products prices.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2606/260629-memory-chip-price-hikes.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is “components crisis”? ”The entire consumer electronics industry is struggling with the current components crisis.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “to be insulated from something” mean here: “However, Apple said its iPhone would be insulated from the price hikes.” Use the expression in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “to affect one’s pocket” mean? ”People are now worrying about rising tech prices affecting their pockets.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the impact of the growth of AI on the technology industry?
  2. Do you think AI is worth the higher cost of technology? Explain your answer.
  3. How might higher technology prices affect the consumers and businesses?
  4. If technology becomes more expensive, how will it affect you?
  5. In your opinion, is it better to repair old devices or buy new ones? Explain.

Taking a 5-Minute Walk Every Hour May Help Offset the Effects of Sitting

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A recent study suggests that taking a 5-minute walk every hour may help reduce the harmful effects of sitting for long periods. Participants who took regular walking breaks reported feeling less tired, having a better mood, and experiencing improved blood circulation.

Read the article to know how short walks can help people stay active. They also recommend getting at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week for overall health.

https://www.health.com/five-minute-walk-every-hour-offsets-effects-of-sitting-12005804

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “cardiometabolic” mean? “They tested five-minute walks because previous studies have found that this time frame yields better cardiometabolic, mood, and fatigue outcomes than shorter intervals, while still being a realistic goal.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “reset button” mean here: “
    Walking breaks serve as physiological reset buttons—they reactivate the muscles in your legs, improve circulation, and give your brain a much-needed break.”     Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “hidden cost” mean? “There is a hidden cost to our sedentary lifestyles.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the benefits of taking a 5-minute walk every hour?
  2. Why can sitting for long periods be harmful to our health?
  3. Do you usually take breaks while working or studying? Why or why not?
  4. What are some easy ways to stay active during a busy day?
  5. Do you think you could make this habit part of your daily routine? Why or why not?

World Cup Fans Struggle with Tipping Culture

B1 — Intermediate 

Football fans at the World Cup are finding it hard to understand tipping in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. In these World Cup host nations, tips of up to 20 per cent are expected.

Many fans say tipping is making their trip more expensive given that it is already too costly to attend the World Cup.

Read the article about World Cup fans struggling with the tipping culture.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2607/260702-tipping-world-cup.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is “tipping fatigue”? ”They add that leaving tips makes already expensive food even costlier. Some fans have complained about “tipping fatigue“.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “budget is being stretched” mean? “Travelling fans say their budgets are being stretched.” Use the expression in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “hospitality sector” mean? ”A lot of staff say it is impossible to survive in the hospitality sector without tips.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about tipping fatigue that some World Cup fans are struggling with in the USA, Canada, and Mexico? 
  2. How would you feel if you were asked to tip for buying a bottle of water?
  3. If you traveled to another country, would you follow its tipping customs? Why?
  4. Which is better: paying higher menu prices with no tips or lower prices with expected tips?
  5. Share your thoughts on this, “Workers at restaurants in the US can earn as little as $2.13 per hour. They rely on diners to tip. Without tips, staff may not earn enough money to live on.”

Hydration Breaks at the World Cup 

B2 — Upper Intermediate 

A hydration break is a short pause during a World Cup match when play is temporarily stopped. During this time, players drink water and rest. This helps them maintain body temperature and prevent fatigue, especially in hot conditions.

However, many people have expressed dissatisfaction with the said water breaks.

Read the article about the controversial hydration breaks at the World Cup.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2606/260622-hydration-breaks-world-cup.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “hydration break”? ”Football fans worldwide are not happy about the introduction of hydration breaks at the World Cup.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “jeering” mean? “Spectators in the stadiums have been expressing their dissatisfaction with the breaks in play by booing and jeering.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “consternation” mean? ”They are not the only ones to express their consternation.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the good and bad things about hydration breaks during a sports event such as football?
  2. Personally, what is your opinion about the hydration breaks at the World Cup?
  3. Do you agree or disagree, “The breaks disrupting the free-flowing nature and momentum of games.”?
  4. Share your opinion, “The breaks are mainly for commercial reasons.”
  5. What is your opinion on this, “Given the financial benefits, it is highly likely that the breaks will remain a long-term feature.”?

AI Uses Our Drinking Water

B2 — Upper Intermediate 

Over one billion messages are sent to AI chatbots every day, and every interaction requires water to support the data centers that power these systems.

As AI use continues to grow, experts are raising concerns about its increasing demand for freshwater resources.

Watch the video to learn why AI uses water and why its water consumption is expected to increase in the future.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to chuck in” mean? “ChatGPT is just one AI bot. Chuck in Gemini, DeepSeek, Claude, and others.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “striking though it is” mean? ”Striking though it is, some experts are more than a little skeptical of Sam Altman’s estimate on water usage.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What do the terms “oriented task” and “backup-oriented task” mean in AI? ”Can we launch satellites that can at least do some more backup-oriented or other oriented tasks? ” Use the terms in sentences. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the potential environmental consequences of AI’s water consumption?
  2. Should tech companies be required to disclose how much water their AI systems use? Why or why not?
  3. What solutions could help reduce the water usage of AI technologies?
  4. How can governments balance technological innovation with environmental sustainability?
  5. Do you think the benefits of AI outweigh its environmental costs? Explain your reasoning. 

US Supreme Court Rejects End to Birthright Citizenship

B2 — Upper Intermediate 

Birthright citizenship in the United States means that most people born on U.S. soil automatically become U.S. citizens, regardless of their parents’ citizenship. It is based on the Fourteenth Amendment and has been a key part of American law, though it remains the subject of ongoing legal and political debate.

President Donald Trump has sought to end or limit birthright citizenship through executive action, arguing that the Constitution should not automatically grant citizenship to every child born in the United States. His efforts have faced legal challenges, with opponents arguing that the Fourteenth Amendment protects birthright citizenship and that changing it would require a constitutional amendment or a different interpretation by the courts.

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected former President Donald Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship, ruling that his executive order violated the Fourteenth Amendment. The decision reaffirmed that nearly all children born on U.S. soil are automatically U.S. citizens, preserving a constitutional principle that has been in place for more than 150 years.

Watch the video about US Supreme Court rejects one of Trump’s signature anti-immigration policies which is to end to birthright citizenship.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “birthright citizenship” mean? “It was on his very first day when Donald Trump returned to the White House that he signed an executive order trying to end birthright citizenship.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “enshrine” mean? ”This is a right enshrined in the Constitution, it’s difficult to see how he can overturn the US Supreme Court’s ruling.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “ruling” mean? ”After the ruling today, it can never be enforced.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the main arguments for and against birthright citizenship?
  2. What is your opinion about Trump trying to abolish birthright citizenship and the U.S. Supreme Court deciding to uphold it? 
  3. Should birthright citizenship apply to all children born in a country? Why or why not? What are the rules in your country regarding this?
  4. Do you think birthright citizenship reflects a country’s values? Explain how so.
  5.   How could changing birthright citizenship affect immigrants and their families?

MIT Predicts Societal Collapse

B2 — Upper Intermediate 

The general quality of life for the average person has become equal to or better than that of the rulers of history’s greatest empires.

However, the sustainability of our modern society is fragile, and the future remains uncertain.

According to one of MIT’s most influential prediction models, if current global trends continue, our society could collapse within the next 14 years.

Watch the video

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “too much weight given to something” mean? “Is the fact that this report is ahead of schedule actually something to be worried about or is this all just a case of too much weight being given to statistical correlations?” Use this expression in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “to hedge one’s bets” mean? “Like good economists, the researchers hedged their bets.”  Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “a fool’s errand” mean? “Predicting the future exactly is a fool’s errand.” Use this idiom in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What factors does the MIT model identify as contributing to a possible societal collapse?
  2. Do you think the prediction is realistic? Why or why not?
  3. What actions could governments, businesses, and individuals take to help prevent such an outcome?
  4. How important is sustainable development in ensuring the long-term stability of society?
  5. What are the potential consequences if current global trends continue unchanged?
  6. How should scientific predictions like this influence public policy and personal decision-making?

Tips to Budget, Invest, and Retire Early

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Financial experts recommend starting to invest as early as possible, even with small amounts. They also encourage creating a realistic budget, avoiding unnecessary debt, and planning for retirement based on personal goals rather than following traditional expectations.

Read the article to know why consistent financial habits are more important than trying to get rich quickly.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/28/expert-personal-finance-money-tips?

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “index fund” mean? ” Letting go of that belief and investing in low-cost index funds instead allowed her to pay off loans and retire early.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “financial freedom” mean? “Money coach Bernadette Joy emphasizes creating a personalized vision for financial freedom, noting that most people have never defined what “enough” means to them.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “nest egg” mean? “Ask family to help build your kids’ nest egg.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you usually make a budget? Why or why not?
  2. What is one money habit you would like to improve?
  3. Do you think it’s important to start investing at a young age? Why?
  4. Have you ever saved money for a big goal? What was it?
  5. What is the best financial advice you have ever received?