Category: Homework

Dangerous Slimming Pills

B1 – Intermediate

Most people wish to be slimmer. Some take slimming pills to help them lose weight.

But it had been a disaster for some people in the UK. 33 people died after taking a dangerous pill that they thought could help them make their weight go down.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about dangerous slimming pills.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/a-dangerous-pill-level-2/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “supplement”? “DNP isn’t a medication or a nutritional supplement.” Use it in your own sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “consume” mean here: “At least 33 people died in the UK after they consumed a pill to lose weight called DNP.”? Use it in your own sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “battle” mean here, “People died after taking DNP; their families won a long battle with authorities to change the chemical’s classification.”? Use it in your own sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. What are your thoughts on slimming pills?
  3. What are the pros and cons of taking slimming pills?
  4. Do you think there are more negatives than positives about such pills? Share your opinion.
  5. What are some healthy ways to lose weight?

Have A Calmer Sunday Night

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Weekends are a joy for employees after going through a tough week of work. As much as everyone loves the weekend, when the end of the weekend comes, most of us get the “Sunday Scaries”.

If you’re one of those who loathe Sundays, there are things you can do to make your Sunday evening and the rest of the week better and calmer.

Read the article to know more.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/sunday-night-routine-monday_l_63c99561e4b01a4363856a1b

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “hustle and bustle” mean, “For most people, the end of the weekend isn’t a welcome time; it marks the return to the hustle and bustle of the workweek and all of the tasks therein.”? Use this word in your own sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of “frenzy“? Give at least 2 synonyms.
  3. What does “start (something) off on the right foot” mean in the sentence, “Putting things in place to start your Monday on the right foot is a good way to ease some of your Sunday scaries.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you usually experience the “Sunday Scaries”? Talk about it.
  2. What do you think of the ways mentioned in the article?
  3. Which ones do you practice to lessen the “Sunday Scaries”?
  4. What are other ways to have a more relaxed Sunday evening?
  5. What activities do you usually do to have a relaxing weekend?

Milk from Lab

B1 – Intermediate

Lab-grown milk, is a type of milk that is produced using cells harvested from cows instead of being obtained directly from cows. The cells are grown in a controlled environment, such as a lab, and are then combined with nutrients to create a milk-like substance.

The goal of lab-grown milk is to provide a more sustainable and ethical alternative to traditional dairy farming, which can have negative impacts on the environment and animal welfare.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about laboratory-produced dairy products.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/milk-from-lab-level-3/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the word, “alternative“? Use the word in a sentence.
  2. What does “plant-based” mean? Make one sentence using this word.
  3. What does “genetically modified microbes” mean? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the pros and cons of lab-produced milk?
  2. Do you drink milk? If so, what kind of milk do you consume and why?
  3. How do you feel about Lab Milk? Would you be willing to try or consume it? Why or why not?
  4. Do you think it could replace traditional dairy and become the milk of the future? Share your opinion about this.

Artificial Womb Facility

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Science has made it possible for humanity to advance significantly, as evidenced by the developments in delivery technology.

The first concept for artificial wombs has just been unveiled, showing an unthinkable way for humans to give birth in these pods.

However, this recent breakthrough has sparked much controversy, making many people afraid of its ramifications for the future.

To find out more about artificial wombs, let us watch this video.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is meant by “comfort of your zone“? “You can track your baby’s health from the comfort of your zone.” Use it in your own sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of “haptic“? “Using a wireless haptic suit connected to your baby’s growth pod, you will be able to sense their kicks in the womb.” Use it in your own sentence.
  3. What exactly is a “bioreactor“? “The second bioreactor is designed to eliminate any waste products created by the babies.” Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your initial thoughts about such growth pods?
  2. Do you believe that science has gone too far with this kind of tech? Explain your thoughts.
  3. In your opinion, what are the worst and best parts of an artificial womb facility?

Run Away and Join the Circus

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Have you ever considered drastically changing your career? Do you know anyone who has done it? Modern life requires constant change and flexibility. That is true for one’s career and any other aspect of life. 

Watch the video and hear an incredible story from a woman who has dared to make significant changes in her life.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the phrase “to be on the road“, “I never looked back and I’ve been on the road ever since.“? Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.
  2. What is the meaning “on one‘s toes“? “You have to be ready for anything. You have to live on your toes because you never know what’s going to happen.” Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What does “in one’s wildest dream” mean? “Whatever you want to do in your wildest dreams, do it. Anything is possible.” Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your thoughts on her story on how she became a trapeze artist.
  2. Do you know any stories of people who have given up their careers or profession and started something new? What do you think made them do that?
  3. Would you do the same? What career would you change your present one for?
  4. What do you think of this statement: “Whatever you want to do in your wildest dreams, do it!“?

Adidas Loses Three-Stripe Trademark Battle

B1 – Intermediate

Trademarks help consumers distinguish one brand from another. 

Adidas’ three stripes is their trademark. They will fight against any other companies who will try to use or have something similar to their logo.

Recently, they were in a legal dispute with U.S. fashion brand Thom Browne for using a four-stripe logo, which looks a lot like that of Adidas’ three stripes.

Read the article about Adidas losing a legal battle for their iconic three-stripes trademark.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2301/230116-adidas-three-stripes-4.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “jury”? Use this word in your own sentence. “However, a jury decided in Thom Browne’s favour.”
  2. Give 2 synonyms of “dispute”, “The dispute with Adidas goes back to 2007, when Browne used a three-stripe design on a jacket.“. Use them in your own sentences.
  3. What does the word “market” mean here, “Browne said its design was not a problem because the companies are in different markets and their products are priced differently.”? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on Adidas losing against Thom Browne over trademark legal battle?
  2. Personally, what do you think about Thom Browne using a trademark that looks very similar to Adidas?
  3. Do you agree that consumers are unlikely to confuse the two brands? Explain your answer.
  4. Why are trademarks important?
  5. Talk about your company’s trademark.

Woman Runs Record 150 Marathons

B1 – Intermediate

A marathon is a 42-kilometer run. Running a marathon is quite very physically challenging. So not everyone can do it. You have to train intensively for many months in order to do so.

However, for Australian runner Erchana Murray-Bartlett, running a marathon is like a walk in the park. 

Read the article about a woman who ran a marathon daily for 150 days.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2301/230119-record-marathon-runner-2.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “in shape” mean, “They would need to train for months to be in shape for the 42-km run.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What does “smash” mean here, “She smashed the previous record of 106.”? Give a synonym and use this word in your own sentence. 
  3. What does the expression “to string together” mean, “If you keep stringing together little tiny goals, you can make it.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of  Erchana Murray-Bartlett’s achievement?
  2. What do you think about marathons/long-distance running?
  3. What are the benefits from running marathons? What are the hard things about it?
  4. What is your opinion on Ms. Murray-Barlett’s mantra, “If you keep stringing together little tiny goals, you can make it.”
  5. What do you do to help yourself continue when you are doing something that is very difficult?

Artificial Intelligence in University Assessments

B1 – Intermediate

A lot of things in our society and how we do things have changed with the help of artificial intelligence or AI. A new way to use AI is to let students use AI text generators in their exams. This is very much like using calculators in math tests.

Read the article about allowing the use of artificial intelligence in students’ tests at universities.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2301/230123-a-i-in-assignments-4.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the expression “to go pen and paper” mean, “You cannot stop it. The alternative is the Middle Ages – going to pen and paper.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What does “landmark” mean here, “Three universities have adopted a new, landmark policy – to allow students to use AI in assessments.”? Use this word in your own sentence. 
  3. Give 2 synonyms of “assessment”. Three universities have adopted a new, landmark policy – to allow students to use AI in assessments. Use them in your own sentences.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on this ‘new, landmark policy’?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using AI text generators/language-processing tools in exams?
  3. Do you agree or disagree that “Artificial Intelligence could affect exam fairness.”? Explain your point.
  4. Have you ever tried using any AI text generators/language-processing tools? Talk about your experience.
  5. Talk about your experience ‘going pen and paper’.

France to Increase Price of Baguettes

B1 – Intermediate

Baguette is an essential food for French people. However, as a result of the increasing energy cost, the price of this French bread also had to be raised. The conflict in Ukraine has caused the cost of electricity and gas to go up on the international market. As a consequence, bakers were affected.

Read the article to know more about it baguette’s price increase.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2301/230109-baguette-prices-4.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of “woe“? “Wheat supply issues caused by the Ukraine War are adding to bakers’ woes.” Use the word in a sentence.
  2. What does the word “treble” mean? “One baker is worried about his future. He may have to treble his baguette prices.” Make one sentence using the word.
  3. What does the word “damper” mean in this sentence, “France introduced an “electricity damper” to limit how much bakers’ electricity bills can rise by.”? Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What popular food is essential in your country? Share something about it and tell why it is essential.
  2. What do you think about the bakers’ decision to increase the cost of baguettes?
  3. If there was a price increase of the product you like, would you be willing to continue buying it or would you rather find an alternative? Why or why not?

Lazy People Are More Likely to Succeed

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It might surprise you to find out that a person can be more productive if they are lazy. Bill Gates has often been quoted as saying, “I always choose a lazy person to do a hard job because a lazy person will find an easy way to do it.”

Read the article to learn about the benefits of doing nothing and how to take advantage of it.

https://tipsmake.com/7-reasons-why-lazy-people-are-more-likely-to-succeed

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the word “paradoxical“, “This may sound paradoxical in this age and lifestyle today.”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of the word “crammed” in this sentence, “They have many ideas because their minds are not crammed with common thoughts and responsibilities.”? Use it in a sentence.
  3. Give 2 synonyms of “to some extent“? Use this phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the benefits of a lazy employee according to the author?
  2. What are your thoughts on this, “Lazy people can really do a lot of work and being lazy is sometimes an advantage.”?
  3. Share your thoughts on this statement: “In order to  achieve great success in life, besides the natural talent, you have to know how to spend time wisely.”
  4. How can working with lazy co-workers impact your work?
  5. What are some technologies or tools you use that let you relax a little at work?