Category: Homework

Digital detox retreats are growing in popularity as more people seek to disconnect from technology and reconnect with nature and themselves. From minimalist off-grid cabins to luxury resorts, these getaways offer tech-free environments that promote relaxation, better sleep, and mindfulness in a world overwhelmed by digital noise.

Read the article to know more about the rise of digital detox retreats.

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250507-the-unstoppable-rise-of-digital-detox-retreats

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “stripped back” mean? “In case of emergency, every cabin has a phone, but it’s a special, stripped back version, preloaded with podcasts and music but very little else.” Make a sentence with this.
2. Define “whisk away“. “In Mexico, the luxury Grand Velas Resorts has launched a Digital Detox Program that would not be out of place on The White Lotus, complete with a ‘Detox Concierge’ to whisk away all electronic devices on arrival.” Create your own sentence.
3. What’s the meaning of “idyllic“? “An hour from Dublin in idyllic rural Ireland, Rosanna Irwin knows all about tech overload.” Use this in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think digital detox retreats are necessary in today’s tech-driven world? Why or why not?
2. In your opinion, can disconnecting from technology really improve a person’s mental health?
3. Would you personally find it difficult to give up your devices for several days? Why?
4. Do you believe people rely too much on technology? What are the consequences of this?
5. Would you recommend a digital detox retreat to someone who feels overwhelmed or burnt out? Why?

The European Commission has introduced a “resilience kit” to help citizens prepare for emergencies such as natural disasters, cyberattacks, or conflicts by being self-sufficient for 72 hours. The kit includes essentials like food, water, medicine, and important documents. While some see this as a sensible move toward preparedness, far-right critics have labeled it as fearmongering and “war hysteria.” However, many European countries—especially those near Russia—have already adopted similar initiatives, reflecting a growing emphasis on civil protection. Supporters argue that being prepared does not create panic but instead empowers people to respond confidently to crises.

Read the article to learn why the EU’s survival kits are stirring debate and be prepared to answer the questions below.

https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/04/02/the-eu-commissions-survival-kits-fearmongering-or-necessary-preparedness

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “self-sufficiency” mean? “Hadja Lahbib, the EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management recently presented a survival kit to be self-sufficient for 72 hours in case of a crisis.” Use this term in a sentence and give a synonym or similar expression.
2. What does “resilience kit” mean? “The far right accuses the European Commission of sowing fear, after its presentation of the resilience kit which aims to provide self-sufficiency in case of crisis.” Use this term in a sentence and give a synonym.
3. What does “geopolitical conflicts” mean? “But the initiative, which is one of the Commission’s 30 recommendations to better prepare the Union for natural disasters, geopolitical conflicts or cyber attacks, has also been criticised.” Use this term in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are your thoughts on emergency-preparedness?
2. Have you ever experienced a situation where you wished you had been more prepared?
3. What would you include in your own resilience kit, and why?
4. Does this news promote practical preparedness, or does it lean more toward fearmongering? Explain your answer.
5. How did the recent power outage in Spain and Portugal highlight the need for better emergency preparedness among households?
6. How can schools or local communities contribute to building a culture of preparedness without causing unnecessary alarm?

Colossal Biosciences, a biotech company, has successfully revived the extinct dire wolf, a species that vanished 12,500 years ago. By using ancient DNA and advanced cloning techniques, scientists created three dire wolf pups from the genes of a gray wolf, its closest living relative. These pups resemble the prehistoric predator, which once roamed North America and inspired the iconic dire wolves in “Game of Thrones.”

Read the article or watch the video to learn about the return of the dire wolf.

https://abcnews.go.com/US/dire-wolf-revived-biotech-companys-de-extinction-process/story

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “think tank” mean? “We’re not a foundation, we’re not a nonprofit, we are not an academic think tank.” Make a sentence with this.
2. Define “suckled“. “The older pair are named Romulus and Remus after the mythological founders of Rome, who are traditionally depicted as being suckled by a she-wolf.” Use this in a sentence.
3. Explain the idiom, “full steam ahead“. “Colossal continues full steam ahead to its goal of reviving the woolly mammoth in 3 years, with chief scientist Shapiro saying it is just as risky to not use their technological breakthroughs.” Make a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are your thoughts on using cloning and gene-editing to bring back extinct animals like the dire wolf? Do you think there are potential benefits or risks?
2. What ethical considerations should be taken into account when deciding whether to resurrect extinct species?
3. Should scientists focus on resurrecting extinct species like the mammoth or dire wolf, or should they prioritize conserving endangered species?
4. Regarding Meachen’s statement, “I don’t think they are actually dire wolves. I don’t think what we have is dire wolves. What we had is something new — a mostly gray wolf that looks like a dire wolf,” do you agree or disagree? Why?
5. Could bringing extinct animals back to life contribute to biodiversity, or might it disrupt the balance of ecosystems? Share your opinion.

Researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine have developed the Health Octo Tool, a novel method to estimate an individual’s biological age and predict health outcomes. By analyzing eight clinical and bloodwork metrics, the tool assesses aging more comprehensively than traditional methods. It introduces concepts like “health entropy” and assigns a “body organ disease number” to evaluate the condition and aging rate of individual organs.

Read the article to know why the researchers aim to develop a digital application to help individuals track their aging metrics and the effects of lifestyle changes.

https://nypost.com/2025/05/08/health/university-of-washington-school-of-medicine-body-clock-tool-calculates-peoples-biological-age

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “comprehensive” mean? “The researchers see this method as more comprehensive than current health assessments, which typically focus on individual diseases rather than overall wellness, according to the report’s first author, Dr. Shabnam Salimi, a physician-scientist and acting instructor in the Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine” Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “myriad” mean? ““Aging is not a linear or wholly quantifiable process — it is influenced by myriad known and unknown genetic, molecular, environmental and psychosocial factors,” the doctor said.” Use it in a sentence.
3. What does “influence” mean? “UW’s tool doesn’t take into account certain genetic and DNA processes that influence biological aging, Osborn noted.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is the name of the new tool developed by researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine?
2. What types of data does the Health Octo Tool use to determine a person’s biological age?
3. How does the tool evaluate the aging process of individual organs?
4. What is the reported accuracy of the tool in predicting age-related outcomes like mortality and functional decline?
5. Why do some experts advise caution despite the tool’s high accuracy and potential benefits?

In light of pressing global issues, scientists emphasize the indispensable role of science in safeguarding our planet’s future. Historical successes, like the Montreal Protocol’s role in curbing ozone layer depletion, showcase science’s potential in preventing disasters. However, recent assessments indicate that six out of nine Planetary Boundaries essential for Earth’s stability have been breached.

Read the article to know the urgent need for evidence-based approaches, increased investment in scientific research, and global collaboration to address environmental and health challenges

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/why-we-need-scientists-now-more-than-ever-2025-05-07/?

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “precipice” mean? “Science has saved us many times from the precipice of disaster and given us breakthroughs that have saved millions of lives and opened new frontiers of possibility.” Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “undermine” mean? ” If we want to leave a flourishing future for generations to come, science should consistently be nurtured, celebrated and invested in, not dismissed, undermined and attacked.” Use it in a sentence.
3. What does “abruptly” mean? “Recent political moves in the United States and in other nations have severely reduced science budgets and abruptly halted critical research; threatening lives, halting innovation, undermining economies and risking planetary stability. “ Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What historical example shows how science successfully helped prevent an environmental crisis?
2. What are the “Planetary Boundaries,” and how many of them have been exceeded according to recent assessments?
3. Why is it important to use evidence-based approaches when dealing with global issues like climate change or public health?
4. How can increased investment in scientific research help protect the planet and future generations?
5. What role should international cooperation play in solving large-scale scientific and environmental problems?

An alarming trend has emerged: a significant increase in cancer diagnoses among young adults. For instance, one in five new colorectal cancer patients in the U.S. is now under 55, nearly double the rate from 1995. Researchers attribute this rise to factors like increasing obesity rates, consumption of ultra-processed foods, higher alcohol intake, sleep disruptions, and exposure to environmental toxins such as microplastics.

Read the article to know why these lifestyle and environmental changes may be altering cancer risks for younger populations.

https://www.vox.com/explain-it-to-me/389508/cancer-early-young-adults-colon-breast-explained?

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “recap” mean? “You’ve surely seen the headlines, but let’s recap the most pertinent data: One in five new colorectal cancer patients in the United States is under 55, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of data from the National Cancer Institute. “ Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “declining” mean? “Some of them had previously been declining but are now on the upswing again.” Use it in a sentence.
3. What does “catch up” mean? “These risk factors are not as well understood as obesity or lack of exercise, but scientists are now racing to catch up.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What types of cancer are increasingly being diagnosed in younger adults, particularly under age 55?
2. How has the rate of colorectal cancer in young adults changed since 1995?
3. What lifestyle factors are believed to contribute to the rising cancer rates among younger populations?
4. In what ways might environmental exposures like microplastics and pollutants influence cancer development?
5. Why is it important to address cancer risks early in life rather than waiting until later adulthood?

A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine reveals that engaging in just 75 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week about 11 minutes daily can significantly reduce health risks. Activities like brisk walking, gardening, or yoga were associated with a 17% reduction in cardiovascular disease risk, a 7% decrease in cancer risk, and a 23% lower risk of early death.

Read the article to know why even short bursts of daily activity can yield meaningful health benefits.

https://nypost.com/2025/05/05/health/11-minutes-of-these-activities-lower-risk-of-heart-disease-cancer-and-death

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “optimal” mean? “Experts generally recommend aiming for 5,000 steps a day for optimal health — although anything is still better than nothing.” Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “substantial” mean? “But what we’ve found is there are substantial benefits to heart health and reducing your risk of cancer even if you can only manage 10 minutes every day.” Use it in a sentence.
3. What does “whopping” mean? “The findings align with previous research, including a recent study that found taking a brisk walk for only 2.5 hours a week could reduce the risk of premature death by a whopping 31%.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What types of physical activities qualify as moderate-intensity exercise according to the study?
2. How does just 11 minutes of daily activity impact the risks of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and early death?
3. Why is this research significant for people with busy lifestyles or limited access to fitness resources?
4. What might be the long-term public health benefits if more people adopted this minimal exercise routine?
5. How could governments or workplaces encourage more people to incorporate short bursts of physical activity into their daily routines?

In early April 2025, consumer spending in the U.S. surged as Americans rushed to make purchases ahead of President Donald Trump’s planned tariffs, according to data from JPMorgan. While discretionary spending saw the biggest jump, economists warn this spike doesn’t signal long-term economic growth. Instead, it reflects a short-term reaction to anticipated price hikes, with many consumers and businesses accelerating purchases to avoid future costs. Experts, including Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee, suggest this “pull-forward” effect could lead to a spending drop-off later in the year, raising questions about the broader economic impact of the tariff strategy.

Read the article to know more about how Trump’s tariff plans are influencing consumer behavior and be prepared to answer the questions below.

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/consumer/consumer-spending-big-early-april-people-buy-anticipation-tariffs-rcna202668

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “preemptive purchasing” mean? “Goolsbee also cited evidence of businesses stockpiling inventory to last two to three months and said so-called preemptive purchasing appeared more common among companies than consumers.” Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.
2. What does “discretionary spending” mean? “Much of the April gain came from discretionary spending, which rose by 4.3% in the first 15 days year-over-year, versus 2.9% growth in non-discretionary spending.“ Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.
3. What does “seismic shift” mean? “Anecdotal reports show Main Street consumers bracing for what many view as a seismic shift in global trade.” Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions

1. What are your thoughts on the surge in consumer spending ahead of Trump’s tariff implementation?
2. Have you ever rushed to buy something because you heard the price might go up soon? What made you act quickly, and how did it feel afterward? How might that experience relate to how people are reacting to the tariff news?
3. How do consumer expectations about future economic policies, like tariffs, influence their current spending behaviors? Can you think of examples where fear or uncertainty has affected how people shop?
4. If you knew your favorite items—like clothes, electronics, or snacks—were about to get more expensive, what would you do? Would you change your spending habits? Why or why not?
5. If people and businesses are spending more now to avoid higher prices later, do you think this is a smart strategy or could it create bigger problems down the line Why do you think so?