Category: Homework

Fridges in French Supermarkets Hit by Cyber Attack

B2 — Upper Intermediate 

Hundreds of French supermarkets were hit by a cyberattack, when hackers took control of internet-connected refrigerators and freezers, raising their temperatures to as high as 50°C. 

The incident affected major chains, including Intermarché, Carrefour, and Coopérative U, forcing stores to throw away large amounts of spoiled food. Some locations also reported fires.

French authorities have launched an investigation, while cybersecurity experts have highlighted the risks of using outdated software in connected equipment.

The incident shows that cyberattacks can cause not only digital damage but also serious financial losses and food safety concerns.

Read the article about French supermarkets getting hit by cyber attack.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crq5nzxv9q4yo

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to ward off something” mean? “Danfoss said the affected cold units were older models whose security software could not be updated to ward off a risk they had identified.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “to keep something up to date” mean? “The firm added in a statement that it had “long advised” businesses to keep supported systems up to date.” Use the expression in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “full scale of something“ mean? “The full scale of the attack is unclear, but figures supplied by individual chains suggest about 400 stores were affected out of 15,000 or so overall in France.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What was your reaction upon reading this news? Would you still feel safe shopping at a supermarket after an incident like this? Why or why not?
  2. Why might hackers target supermarket equipment instead of computers or personal data?
  3. What are your thoughts on this, “100 shops were urgently disconnected from the internet to prevent the same thing happening to them.”?
  4. What steps can supermarkets take to protect their connected devices from hackers?
  5. How could this kind of cyberattack affect food prices and food waste?
  6. Share your thoughts on this, “Food security requires more attention at all levels. Because the weaponisation of food has become a reality.”
  7. What lessons can businesses around the world learn from this incident?

Which Is Better: Buying or Renting a Home?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

For years, we have been led to believe that buying a home is preferable to renting. Recently, this issue has ignited demonstrations in Spain and prompted individuals to reevaluate their choices regarding homeownership versus renting a place to live.

Watch the video to see if is it better to buy or rent a house?

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “conventional wisdom” mean? “For generations, conventional wisdom has been that home ownership is financially better than renting. ” Use this term in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “upfront cost” mean? “As Morgan and Lisa move in to their 2-bedroom houses, their upfront costs look a little different.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “closing cost” mean? “Including all of Morgan’s closing costs, she spends a total of $50,000.” Use this term in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. After watching the video, which option do you think is better: owning or renting? Please explain your reasoning.
  2. Is it a common belief in your country that owning a home is better than renting? If so, why is that?
  3. Do you prefer owning or renting a home? Please explain your stance.
  4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of renting and owning a house?
  5. What are the factors one should consider before deciding to either rent or own a house?

Toys R Us to Open New Stores

B1 — Intermediate 

Toys R Us has announced that it will open about 40 to 160 new stores in the United States. The new stores will sell popular toys, gifts, and collectibles. Some will also have candy shops and cafes. 

This expansion is part of the company’s comeback after closing its U.S. stores in 2018. 

Toys are also becoming more popular among adults, who buy them for hobbies and personal interests.

Read the article about Toys R Us opening new stores in USA.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2609/260924-toys-r-us-2.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “fandom ecosystem” mean? “A vice-president at Circana said toys are becoming “hobbies, fandom ecosystems, and social experiences” for adults rather than just toys for children.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “comeback” mean? “The new stores are part of the company’s comeback in America.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “a major moment for someone“ mean? “The company said: “This is a major moment for Toys R Us.”” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How is Toys R Us trying to attract more customers?
  2. Do you think opening more physical stores is a good business strategy today? Why or why not?
  3. Why is it important for businesses to understand changing customer interests?
  4. Why do you think toys are becoming popular among adults, not just children?
  5. Do you think collecting toys is a hobby worth spending money on? Why?

Death of Worker at Plague Lab Raises Concerns

B1 — Intermediate 

Pneumonic plague is a serious bacterial disease that affects the lungs and can spread through coughing and sneezing. It is very contagious and can spread quickly. 

This is why the death of a 28-year-old worker at a plague research lab in Siberia from severe pneumonia, raised concerns that she may have been exposed to plague bacteria. Several hospital workers have been quarantined, but Russia says the cause of death is still unknown.

Read the article about concerns after a worker at a plague research laboratory in Siberia died.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2610/261008-suspected-pneumonic-plague.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to keep an eye on something” mean? “US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there was no “cause for alarm”. He said officials should “keep an eye on it“.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “to raise concerns” mean? “The USA has raised concerns after a worker at a plague research laboratory in Siberia died.” Use the expression in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “to come into contact with something“ mean? “Some newspapers suspect that she died after coming into contact with plague bacteria.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why is it important to identify the cause of the worker’s death?
  2. What lessons can we learn from this incident about laboratory safety and public health?
  3. How can laboratories prevent accidents involving dangerous bacteria or viruses?
  4. How can health officials prevent a possible disease outbreak?
  5. Who should be responsible if a laboratory accident puts workers and the public at risk? Share your thoughts.

Oil Rises on Revived Middle East Worries, Hurricane Isaias Supply Disruption

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Oil prices increased amid concerns about geopolitical tensions and possible supply disruptions. Higher oil prices can raise transportation and production costs, potentially contributing to inflation and affecting stock markets.

Read the article to know more about the effects of rising oil prices.

https://wealthinsights.metrobank.com.ph/news/update-6-oil-rises-4percent-on-revived-middle-east-worries-hurricane-isaias-supply-disruption

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to grapple with” mean? “On Wednesday, oil prices settled lower after the International Energy Agency agreed to accelerate the release of oil stocks and prioritize diesel supplies as governments grapple with record fuel prices and war-related supply disruptions.” Use it in a sentence.
    Give a synonym or a similar expression.
  2. What does “to curtail” mean? “On Wednesday, Shell and Chevron said they were curtailing Gulf offshore operations, while BP BP.L said it has removed all personnel and shut production at its Na Kika and Thunder Horse platforms.” Use it in a sentence.
    Give a synonym or a similar expression.
  3. What does “to shut in” mean? “US Gulf of Mexico oil and gas producers have shut in about 1.3 million barrels per day, or 62.9%, of current oil production as of Thursday, according to the US Marine Minerals Administration.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym or a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. . What are the main factors that can cause oil prices to increase in the global market?
  2. How do rising oil prices affect the cost of transportation, food, and other basic goods?
  3. Why can geopolitical conflicts and tensions cause uncertainty in global financial markets?
  4. What measures can governments and individuals take to reduce the negative effects of rising oil prices?
  5. Do you think the world can eventually reduce its dependence on oil? What challenges might prevent this transition?

Wall Street Finishes Its Record-Setting Week with Gains

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The US stock market rose slightly as the trading week ended. The S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq each gained 0.3%. However, investors remained cautious because of fluctuating oil prices, inflation, and rising interest rates.

Read the article to know more about US markets closing out the week with strong gains.

https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-oil-ai-bonds-5d0f953dbf96febb0690c1aef23fa8a9

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to yo-yo” mean here: “The strength came as oil prices continued to yo-yo because of uncertainty about when the war with Iran will allow the global energy industry to return to normal.”? Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym or a similar expression.
    Give a synonym or a similar expression.
  2. What does “to eke out” mean? “Delta Air Lines erased an early loss and eked out a tiny gain of less than 0.1% after reporting profit and revenue for the summer that was slightly weaker than analysts expected.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym or a similar expression.
  3. What does “swing” mean here: “On Wall Street, Humana rallied 11.6% and helped lift the U.S. stock market despite the swings in the oil and bond markets.”? Use it in a sentence in this context. Give a synonym or a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Does a record-setting stock market mean that ordinary citizens are becoming wealthier? Why or why not?
  2. Why do you think the U.S. stock market can continue to rise even when other financial markets remain uncertain?
  3. 3How can changes in the U.S. stock market affect your country’s economy and the daily lives of the citizens?
  4. Do you think investing in stocks during a market rally is a smart decision or a risky one? Why?
  5. How important is it for ordinary people to understand financial news and stock market trends?

The Affordability Crisis

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A few decades ago, you could buy a house in your 20s and start a family with a simple job. But in today’s world, doing something like that seems like a dream. Everyday things like food, housing, or electricity have skyrocketed in price, leaving the middle class in constant struggle.

To find out more, watch the video below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “exorbitantly” mean? “But exorbitantly priced consumer goods are no longer reserved for wealthy neighborhoods.” Use this word in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “bottleneck” mean? “Additionally, tariffs imposed by the current administration have caused major logistics bottlenecks and stalled cross border trades.”  Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “jack up” mean? “They jack up the baseline price of everything to cover the overhead. And when an insurance claim gets denied, they pass the massive bill straight to you.”  Use this term in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think wages in your country are keeping up with the rising cost of living? Why or why not?
  2. How does expensive housing affect people’s quality of life, mental health, and future plans?
  3. How can governments help people without creating other economic problems?
  4. Is it possible for an economy to grow while many people still struggle to afford basic necessities? Explain.
  5. Could technology and automation help reduce the cost of living, or could they make inequality worse? Share your insights.

Fine for Playing Loud Music on Public Transport

B1 — Intermediate 

Loud music can be especially annoying during a bus or train ride. In Singapore, passengers who play loud music will be fined because it can disturb other commuters and make the bus uncomfortable. Some people just want to use this time to rest, read, work, or simply enjoy a quiet journey.

Fines could encourage passengers to use headphones or keep the volume at a reasonable level. However, the rules should be clearly explained and applied fairly to everyone. By respecting other passengers, everyone can have a more peaceful and pleasant bus ride.

Read the article about Singapore’s fines for playing loud music on public transport.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2609/260928-loud-music-public-transport.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “peeve” mean? “The loud music from other passengers on public transport has become a peeve for many people who want to travel in quiet.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “to blare out” mean? “Singapore has introduced new fines of up to S$500 for blaring out music on buses that annoys other passengers.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “littering“ mean? “The new penalties will also be applied to other anti-social behaviour, such as putting feet on seats, littering, and eating or drinking on buses.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think people who play loud music on public transport should be fined? Why or why not?
  2. Have you ever experienced someone playing loud music on public transport? How did you feel? What did you do?
  3. How can we balance personal freedom with the comfort of other passengers?
  4. What other behaviors should be prohibited on public transport to make the trip more comfortable for everyone?
  5. Could strict rules about loud music create problems for some passengers? Share your point of view.

The Entire Map of Personal Finance

B2 — Upper Intermediate 

Personal finance is about how people manage their income, spending, savings, and investments to achieve their financial goals. Good financial habits, such as budgeting, avoiding unnecessary debt, and saving regularly, can help people build financial security and work toward financial freedom. 

Financial freedom means having enough financial stability and control to make life choices without being constantly worried about money. However, it is not necessarily about becoming wealthy; for many people, it means having the freedom to live comfortably, handle unexpected expenses, and pursue the things that matter most to them.

Watch the video about personal finance and financial freedom.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “house hacking” mean? “When I first heard about house hacking, my immediate reaction was, “It’s not for me. I have a family. I live in the city where this seems impossible.”.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “financial suicide” mean? “When I started my YouTube channel, I didn’t just quit my job to go all in. That’s financial suicide.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “angel investor“ mean? “Instead, I decided to look at my day job differently. My day job became the angel investor that paid for my life while I built my dream.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts about Rule # 1, “You don’t deserve the best, you deserve freedom. Good enough and the best usually give you the same experience, but the price difference is huge.”?
  2. Share your thoughts on Rule # 2, “A dollar saved is worth more than a dollar earned.”
  3. Rule # 3 states, “Change the big things, not the small ones.” Share your insights on this.
  4. What are your thoughts on “killing the bad debts first”?
  5. What do you think about house hacking? Would you consider doing it? Why?

Imagining Your Life in the Year 2100 Cared for by Robots

B2 — Upper Intermediate 

Robot carers are being developed to support people in care homes by providing companionship, reminders, monitoring, and basic assistance with daily activities. They could help reduce the workload of understaffed care facilities and give carers more time to focus on patients’ needs. 

However, robots cannot easily replace the empathy, emotional connection, and personal attention provided by human carers.

As intelligent robots become increasingly capable of providing companionship and medical support. Intelligent robots could help tackle staff shortages in care homes, but can they ever replace human caregivers?

Watch the video about intelligent robot carers of the future.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to be at one’s most vulnerable” mean? “Empathy, emotional support, and human contact are essential for all of us, particularly when we are at our most vulnerable.”  Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “to relieve pressure in something” mean? “Assistive intelligent robots could relieve pressure in understaffed care homes.” Use the expression in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “manicured“ mean here: “Along the way, you see robots maintaining beautifully manicured grounds.”? Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your thoughts about that future imagined in the video about the way we will be cared for in 2100.
  2. Should robots replace human caregivers or simply assist them? Share your opinion.
  3. How might elderly people feel about receiving care from robots? Should they have the right to refuse care from robots? Share your thoughts.
  4. What do you want your future care to look like? Would you feel comfortable having a robot care for you? Why or why not?
  5. Who should be responsible if a robot makes a serious mistake while caring for someone? Explain.
  6. Could depending too heavily on robot carers make society less willing to care for elderly people ourselves? Share your point of view.