Category: Homework

Companies Spend in Research and Development

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The role of the Research and Development (R&D) department is to keep a business competitive by researching the market and the customer needs and developing new and improved products and services to fit these needs.

Read the article to know more about how businesses gather knowledge to create new products or discover new ways to improve their existing products.

https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/which-companies-spend-the-most-in-research-and-development-rd-2021-06-21

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “line item” here, “Amazon is among the top R&D spenders even though its financial statements do not mention R&D as a separate line item.” Use this word in your own sentence.
  2. Define “set forth” here, “The company’s R&D expenses continue to be set forth within “technology and content” in its financial statements.” Use this word in your own sentence.
  3. What does “world leader” mean here, “However, in terms of cumulative patent holdings, Samsung is the world leader with 80,577 active patent families.” Use the word withstand in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How useful is R&D for a business?
  2. Do you have an R&D department in your company? What does it do?
  3. “Our business environment changes rapidly and needs long-term investment. We will not hesitate to place major bets on promising new opportunities. We will not shy away from high-risk, high-reward projects because of short-term earnings pressure.” Do you agree with this statement? Explain.
  4. What are some examples of investment risks?
  5. In your opinion, which is the better approach: Working quickly to develop a good solution or taking more time to craft an excellent solution? Elaborate.

People Get Bad Blood

B1 – Intermediate

People who have certain medical conditions need blood transfusion. To do this, they depend on other people to donate their blood.

The government tries to supply safe blood. They motivate citizens to donate blood. In some rare cases, these blood donations are unfortunately contaminated.

Let’s listen to the audio and read the transcript to know more about this problem with infected blood donation in the UK.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/people-get-bad-blood-level-1/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the medical term “hemophilia“? “In the 1970s and 80s, thousands of hemophilia patients in the UK need new blood.” Use this word in a sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of the word “bleeding“? “It means that the body has problems stopping bleeding“. Use it in your own sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of the expression “to take responsibility for something“? “Many people want the government to take responsibility for what happens.” Use the phrase in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Does your country have problems with blood supply? If yes, what is your government’s solution to this problem?
  2. What safety measures should public health agencies take to maintain the quality of blood donations?
  3. In your country, how can a person become a blood donor?
  4. What are the benefits of blood donation for donors?
  5. Have you ever donated blood? If not yet, would you like to do it? Why/why not?

Spanish Actress’ Surrogate Baby Is Her Late Son’s

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When celebrities announce that they’ve had a baby via surrogacy, it doesn’t shock the world that much anymore.

But Spanish TV star Ana Obregón’s revelation of having a surrogate baby using his late son’s sperm did. Legally, his makes her the baby’s mother. But biologically, she is the grandmother.

Read the article about Spanish TV actress Ana Obregón’s surrogate baby who was fathered by her deceased son.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65186636

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “bear”here, “While ¡Hola! magazine’s front page carried a picture of the TV actress and the new baby, another Spanish magazine, Lecturas, featured the surrogate mother who bore Ana Sandra.” Use this word in your own sentence.
  2. What does “rule out” mean, “She refuses to rule out providing her granddaughter with a brother or sister.”? Give a similar word or phrase and use ‘rule out’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does ”to take something upon oneself” mean, “Ana Obregón has taken it upon herself to interpret her dead son’s wishes and that is going too far.”? Give a similar word or phrase and use ‘to take something upon oneself’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of Obregón’s saying she did this to fulfill his dying son’s final wish? Do you think there is an ethical issue here? Explain.
  2. Share your thoughts on this: “She (Obregón) refuses to rule out providing her granddaughter with a brother or sister.” 
  3. Legally the actress is the baby’s mother, even if she is biologically her grandmother. Any thoughts on this?
  4. What are your thoughts on surrogacy being illegal in Spain?
  5. In general, what is your opinion about surrogacy?

The Intertwined Lives of Sister Best Friends

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The connection between true friends is a precious gift that transcends time and space. This attachment is even stronger for some when it comes to sisterhood. Sister best friends have special and compelling ties that is beyond description. They grow up around each other, share experiences and secrets, and ultimately, become deeply intertwined in each other’s lives.

The lives of sisters who are close often overlap, creating a strong alliance that may be their greatest significant link, though it is not without obstacles and conflicts.

For a more comprehensive understanding about the unbreakable connection between sister best friends, click on the link.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20221121-the-intertwined-lives-of-sister-best-friends

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “life in parallel” mean in the sentence, “As twin flames, we feel each other’s lives and have always experienced life in parallel.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What does “biggest cheerleaders” mean, “We are each other’s biggest cheerleaders and as the eldest, I will always be fiercely protective of Lauren.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  3. What does “cause friction” mean in the sentence, “Intense bonds can impact other friendships and cause friction in – or even end – romantic relationships.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What kind of difficult situation can arise when sisters weave their lives closely together?
  2. What advantages and drawbacks can one experience from having a strong sisterly bond?
  3. Can you give examples of how sisters maintain their own distinct identities while still being closely interconnected?
  4. Is it possible for the bond between sisters to change over time? If yes, in what ways?
  5. How significant is the bond you share with your family members? Please share.

Remote Work a Liability

B2 – Upper Intermediate

For small business owners, allowing staff to work from home offers several advantages. Among them include fostering employee satisfaction and lowering rent costs for offices. Despite the buzz around telecommuting, there are still possible risks to be aware of.

Watch the video on a discussion about how some companies think the remote working is a liability.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “preempt” mean? “I don’t want to preempt anything I would say to the team. So, he wouldn’t tell me what the timeline is.” Give 2 synonyms and use ‘preempt’ in your own sentence.
  2. What does “crank up” mean? “Come summer, if folks want to be working from home on Fridays, they really need to crank up the effort.” Give 2 synonyms and use ‘crank up’ in your own sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of “buzzword“? “The latest buzzword in international travel is “ecotourism”.” Kindly use the word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of working from home? Is remote working a liability or not? Explain.
  2. What are the pros and cons of remote working for companies?
  3. What do companies in your country think of remote work?
  4. How do you think company managers in your country would feel about workers having the flexibility to combine weeks of proper vacation and working remotely during summertime?
  5. What do you think about being able to choose to come in and out of work at time that best suits an employee during their workday? Cite the advantages and troubles with this kind of flexibility in worker schedules.

The Harmful Legacy of Poor Nutrition

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The quality of our diet is crucial to our overall health and happiness. Poor nutrition can have long-lasting negative effects on our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Unfortunately, a large number of people lack access to wholesome, nourishing food, which can have a negative impact on their physical condition in the long run.

Malnutrition is one of the most glaring consequences of poor nourishment. Poor nutrition has a lasting adverse impact that extends beyond individuals. Additionally, it might harm society as a whole more broadly. The economic system in general and healthcare industries may be hampered by the rising prevalence of diseases linked to dietary deficiencies. As a result, this warrants careful consideration.

But is addressing the issue using a multi-faceted approach sufficient?

Learn more about the negative effects of poor nutrition by watching the video.


https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0f5qzdq/the-harmful-legacy-of-poor-nutrition

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “thrifty genes” mean, “They possess what would have been dubbed as ‘thrifty genes‘, adapted to help them survive in famine conditions.”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “famine” mean in the sentence, “Between November 1943 and February 1947, 2414 children were born in a hospital in a famine-hit area to mothers who have been pregnant during the famine or some time shortly before or after.”? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “predispose” mean, “In explaining the results, the researchers hypothesized that nutritional deficiencies experienced during the critical period of brain development impaired brain formation and cognition and predispose the children to greater violence.”? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you view this matter?
  2. What are your thoughts on this: “What someone eats today can affect their children, but their grandchildren.”?
  3. What are the underlying causes of poor nutrition and how can they be addressed?
  4. What are the persistent health effects of malnutrition across one’s lifespan?
  5. What is the significance of education in reducing the damaging legacy of poor nutrition?
  6. How can society work towards addressing the harmful consequences of inadequate nutrition?

The Truth about Eating Eggs

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Eggs are a widely consumed food and has been a staple for ages. They are flexible and nutrient-dense. They can be cooked, scrambled, or fried in a variety of ways. Yet, there still exists a discussion concerning the health benefits of eating eggs.

Watch the video to explore the truth about eating eggs.

https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p08ngz2r/the-truth-about-eating-eggs

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “be cracked up to be” mean, “Are they really all they’re cracked up to be?”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What does “out of hot water” mean, “Is one of the world’s favorite breakfast foods finally out of hot water?”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  3. What does “tease out” mean, “It’s impossible to tease out cause and effect.”? Use this phrase in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s your perspective on this issue?
  2. What are the merits of consuming more eggs?
  3. Are organic or free-range eggs healthier than conventional eggs? Please explain.
  4. What’s the best way to prepare eggs to maximize their nutritional benefits?
  5. Can you tell me about the dietary habits of people in your country?

Get Rid of Standardized Testing

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When it was first administered, standardized testing was done to evaluate government jobs applicants and help them get into the institutions they wished to get employment in.

Required examinations are given in order to predict academic progress. Standardized testing determines both teachers and students’ potential future success or failure.

Have you ever studied excessively in order to ace this kind of test? In what manner are you retaining it? Please watch the video below to understand more about this topic.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “aptitude” mean? “Chinese officials used them to determine aptitude for various government posts.” Construct your own sentence using this word.
  2. How about “predetermined criteria“? ” Others measure performances on how well test takers meet predetermined criteria.” Use this in your own sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of “percentile“? “If a diplomat is in the 70th percentile, 70% of test takers scored below her.” Kindly use the word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of standardized tests?
  2. Do you think it accurately measures performance at school or at work? Explain your stance.
  3. What do you think of this statement? “Reliability and validity are two critical ideas for understanding standardized tests.” Share your thoughts.
  4. Share about a test you’ve taken in order to land a job. Do you think it was a reliable and valid test? Why/why not?
  5. What are some controversies you know of when it comes to standardized testing?

Pollution Causes Male Fertility Crisis

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Pollution is one of the most significant challenges that the world is facing today. Its negative impact is not limited to the environment but also affects human health. Among the many health concerns related to pollution, male fertility crisis has emerged as a pressing issue.

Follow the link to learn more about how male fertility is declining as a result of pollution.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230327-how-pollution-is-causing-a-male-fertility-crisis

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “chime (in) with something” mean, “The findings chime with other research showing the damage to fertility caused by chemicals found in plastics, household medications, in the food chain and in the air.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What does “to hit record low” mean, “Birth rates worldwide are hitting record low levels.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  3. What does “fecundity” mean, “At the same time, there may also be a decline in a different kind of fertility, known as fecundity – meaning, a person’s physical ability to produce offspring.”? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. From your perspective, what are the key factors contributing to the decline in male fertility related to pollution?
  2. What steps can individuals and governments take to reduce exposure to pollutants that can cause male fertility issues?
  3. Can changes in environmental policies and regulations help reduce the impact of pollution on male fertility?
  4. How does lifestyle, such as diet and exercise, play a role in male fertility and the impact of pollution? Please explain.
  5. Is pollution a significant concern in your community? Please share.

Should I Follow my Dreams

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Following our passions can be exciting and fulfilling, while duty may seem like the responsible choice for stability and security. But how do we strike the right balance?

Here’s an article that offers a fresh perspective on this topic and challenges traditional notions of safety.

https://theschooloflife.com/should-I-follow-my-dreams

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the word “high-wire” in the sentence, “Meanwhile, passion is a high-wire act.”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. Explain the meaning of “penury” in the sentence, “We constantly fear penury and humiliation.”. Use it in a sentence.
  3. What is meant by “onerous” here, “A decade of mixed results on a passion project is inherently less onerous than unspectacular returns for a whole career in a hateful field.”? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What aspects of the article caught your attention the most?
  2. How do you reconcile between practicality and passion?
  3. How do you define safety in the context of career choices? Is it solely based on financial stability, or does it involve other factors such as job security, fulfillment, and personal satisfaction?
  4. What are your thoughts on the idea that pursuing what we love, even if it may involve risks and failures, can ultimately lead to mastery and success?
  5. Have you seen someone choose a safe career path but end up feeling unfulfilled? How did that experience shape your perspective on safety when making career choices?