Category: Homework

Congo Beer Factory

B1 – Intermediate

Beni is a city in Democratic Republic of the Congo. This city has endured two Ebola outbreaks and armed conflicts, but these did not stop a beer plant there from operating. 

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about a brewery in Congo and some problems it is dealing with.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/congo-beer-factory-level-3/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “impoverished” mean? It is an impoverished province that has been grappling with major fights by the M23 Rebel group. Give 2 synonyms. Use ‘impoverished’ in your own sentence. 
  2. What does the expression “to grapple with something” mean? “It is an impoverished province that has been grappling with major fights by the M23 Rebel group.” Use this expression in your own sentence.
  3. What does it mean when someone/something is your “only hope”? “Many people joined the factory, and it has become their only hope to make money.” Use this phrase in your own sentence. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some problems running a business in Beni?
  2. Is it a good idea for the beer factory to continue? Why or why not?
  3. Share your thoughts on this, ” 73% of the people live on less than 1.9 dollars a day.“.
  4. What do you think are some common problems of companies in your industry? How are they being solved?
  5. Is it possible to end poverty? Share your opinion.

Flashy New Job Titles

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The world of work has been changing a lot over the years. One of the new changes is the invention of ambiguous job titles such as ‘chief visionary officer’, ‘Wizard of Light Bulb Moments’, or ‘Problem Wrangler’. The trend is taking off because employers want to make the job titles sound beefier.

However, employees or job seekers need to be cautious because even though these fancy-sounding job titles may seem enticing, they don’t come with no downsides.

Read the article about what the problem with inventing flashy new job titles is. Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20230104-inventing-new-job-titles

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the expression “to put someone/something on the back foot” mean? “It can also put candidates on the back foot if hiring managers do reach them.” Use this idiom in your own sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does the word “succinct” mean? “They’re succinct and clear, communicating essential employee details such as job function and seniority.” Use this word in your own sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “entrenched” mean? “However, although job titles may be fairly entrenched in industries like law and finance, they are evolving in many other industries, especially creative ones.” Use it in your own sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever come across beefy job titles? Cite some examples. 
  2. Do you think this new trend makes humdrum jobs seem more appealing? Share your thoughts. 
  3. What might be reasons arbitrary job titles are being invented? What are its dangers?
  4. Do you prefer a succinct and clear or an ambiguous and bespoke job title? Explain your choice.
  5. Invent a flashy new job title for your current job.

No-Vacation Nation

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Working for approximately 260 days a year without going on vacation once a year could lead to burnout. Hence, taking days or weeks off work to relax is definitely a must for employees. However, not everyone has the privilege to go on vacation.

Read this article to learn about the no-vacation nation.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20141106-the-no-vacation-nation

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the expression “to run thin” mean? “I can definitely feel it when I need a vacation because my patience and tolerance for our guests runs thin,” said the career bartender.” Use this word in a sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of “buck” here, “”While some companies in the US do buck the no-vacation nation trend, offering more generous time off to employees, or even requiring staff to take days off, congressmen are among the few Americans granted a number of days off on par with virtually every other advanced economy.”? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “to take (on) the mantle” mean? “Every now and then, a legislator in the US will champion the cause of guaranteed paid time off. Florida Congressman Alan Grayson has taken that mantle several times.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of this certain work culture?
  2. Why are some workers becoming vacation-phobic?
  3. Do you agree that American workers should have as much vacation time as Europeans? Express your thoughts.
  4. How much vacation do you have each year from work? Do you think it’s a fair amount?
  5. What would you do if your boss asked you to take more (or less) vacation time?

Drink Water Often to Live Longer

B1 – Intermediate

Drinking water on a regular basis is the best thing we do to our bodies. Water can make us stay alert and focus. When we are properly hydrated, the circulation in our body will be good, too.

Read the article below about the benefits of staying hydrated.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2301/230105-staying-hydrated.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “more likely” mean here, “They added that adults who did not drink enough water were more likely to die at a younger age.“? Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does the word “prolong” mean? “The results suggest that proper hydration may slow down ageing and prolong a disease-free life.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does the verb “encourage” mean in this sentence, “She encouraged people to drink more fluids, like water and juice, and fruit and vegetables with a high water content.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on this, “half of people worldwide do not drink enough”?
  2. What might be some reasons people do not drink as much water as they should?
  3. What is the importance of drinking water?
  4. How does drinking water benefit our health? What are the benefits of drinking water for your mind?
  5. Do you think you drink enough water? Why or why not?

Happiness

B1 – Intermediate

Happiness is a simple word with a deep meaning behind it. When we feel positive emotions we tend to feel happy. That is what happiness is all about. It is also regarded as the mental state of a person in an optimistic manner.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript below about happiness.

https://listenaminute.com/h/happiness.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What comes to your mind when you hear the word “happiness“? Explain.
  2. What does the word “measure” mean? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “doom and gloom” mean? Give 2 synonyms. Use them in sentences.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s your idea of happiness?
  2. Do you think that happiness lies within you or does it depend upon other people and external things? Explain.
  3. What is or was the happiest time of your life?
  4. Do you feel that you have to work hard and be miserable now in order to be happy later? Elaborate.

Library

B1 – Intermediate

A library is the place where books regarding every type are held. Many people love to spend their time inside the library. They gain wisdom, knowledge and joy of the vast period of history, science, fiction, art and architecture.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript below about libraries.

https://listenaminute.com/l/libraries.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘library’? Explain.
  2. What does “atmosphere” mean here, “They all have a special atmosphere.”? Give 2 synonyms.
  3. What does it mean when “something/someone does things to something/someone” mean? “A room with a large collection of books does things to people.” Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree or disagree that “Every library I’ve been to in the world is the same.” Explain your point.
  2. When have you spent the most time in a library and why?
  3. What does a room with a large collection of books do to you?
  4. Do you think libraries have changed over the years? Elaborate.
  5. What do you think libraries will be like 50 years from now?

Disability

B1 – Intermediate

Disability refers at physical, mental or other inability of a person that one is incapable of completing a task that would require typically normal efforts. Each type of disability needs different kind of support and assistance.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about disability.

https://listenaminute.com/d/disability.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘disability’? Explain.
  2. What does “human spirit” mean? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “to excel” mean? Give 2 synonyms.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Some people prefer to use the term ‘physically challenged’ instead of ‘disabled’. What do you think about this?
  2. What problems do people with disabilities face in your country?
  3. Do you always try to help people who are disabled? In what way?

Credit Cards

B1 – Intermediate

Credit cards are plastic cards that lets you pay for goods or services and can be paid for either at the end of a set period which is normally a month. They are also known as plastic money and even more secure than cash.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about credit cards.

https://listenaminute.com/c/credit_cards.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the expression “to be the thing of the future” mean? “Many years ago I read that credit cards were the thing of the future.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does the word “note” mean here, “People are still using notes and coins.“? Use this word in a sentence.
  3. What does the word “mile” mean in this sentence, “When you use your card, you get air miles and every six months you can cash them in for presents.“? Use this word in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you like most about credit cards?
  2. In what ways are credit cards better than cash?
  3. What do you usually use your credit card for?
  4. Do you think we’ll still be using credit cards twenty years from now? Explain.
  5. Would people be in a better financial situation without credit cards? Explain.

Companies Churn Through Young Workers

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Many employers, according to researchers, particularly recruit competent degree holders seeking to pursue their aspirations, almost always marketable, sometimes ‘picture – perfect’ career choices. This can be advantageous in certain situations for these employees who are trying to find their way into their desired field. However, because companies know that career opportunities are always in high demand, young professionals can get buried in low-paying, demanding jobs. These circumstances can leave early-career employees holding out hope to establish themselves susceptible to exhaustion or discontentment at the beginning of their careers.

Read the article about how companies churn through young workers and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20230111-the-companies-that-churn-through-young-workers

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “ to grind out ” mean? “Of course, young employees are often expected to grind out the early years of their careers by showing ambition, persistence and resilience in the workplace – in some sense, ‘paying their dues’.” Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “ to get ground down ” mean? “Sometimes, however, young employees can get ground down in low-paying, demanding roles, as employers know that vacancies will always be hotly desired.” Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does it mean “to have the thickest skin“? “There was just a steady churn of young, impressionable workers and nothing was ever done about it – it just became a test of who had the thickest skin.” Use this idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What factors contribute to employees feeling valued and appreciated in the workplace?
  2. How do companies in your country make employees feel valued?
  3. What are the advantage and disadvantage of hiring fresh graduates?
  4. How are new graduates treated in your workplace? Please share.
  5. How was it like for your when you were starting out your career?
  6. What advice can you give to a young employee?

Mindset Brings Unlimited Willpower

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Our ability to maintain self-control and avoid acting on impulses is referred to as willpower. It has to do with our capacity to exercise self-control and manage our behavior. Willpower basically refers to our ability to withstand momentary temptations in order to accomplish our long-term objectives.But, how do we intensify our willpower?

Like your muscles when you exercise, your willpower can be strengthened over time even though it may temporarily become weaker. Some professionals as well claim that pursuing your own targets is likely to boost willpower. For others, willpower is frequently perceived as being fixed and limited. But an increasing number of experts demonstrate that there are numerous efficient and tried-and-true techniques that can maximize ones willpower.

Read the article and learn how to strengthen one’s willpower.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20230103-how-to-strengthen-willpower

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “override” mean? Use this word in a sentence.
  2. What does “iron grip” mean in this sentence, “And some people seem to have much greater reserves of it than others: they find it easier to control their emotions, avoid procrastination and stick to their goals, without ever seeming to lose their iron grip on their behaviour.”? Use this word in a sentence.
  3. What does “taxing” mean here, “ The people with the non-limited view, however, did not show any signs of ego depletion, however: they showed no decline in their mental focus after performing a mentally taxing activity.”? Use this word in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why is willpower so essential in our lives?
  2. How can strengthening your willpower help you accomplish your priorities?
  3. Is willpower enough in trying to reach a long-term objective? Explain your thoughts.
  4. What causes lack of willpower?
  5. What challenges can prevent you from gaining the ability to strengthen your willpower?