Category: Homework

The Case for Job Hopping

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Thinking a bit more traditionally, it is believed that one should stay at a company for  at least a few years or even better, for years on end. 

In the more recent years, many employees who keep hopping to different companies are benefiting from career leverage. 

Read the article about the advantages of job hopping and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220720-the-case-for-job-hopping

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “buoyant job market” mean? “With each move, she’s worked with higher-profile clients, gained greater experience and acquired deeper skills that now give her leverage in a buoyant job market.” Use this term in your own sentence.
  2. What does “pay-off” mean? “There has also been another significant pay-off: Anna’s successive job moves have meant her salary has grown by 30% in a short space of time.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘pay-off’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does “to work one’s way up” mean? “I started at a small start-up, and have quickly worked my way up.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘to work one’s way up’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your thoughts on job vagrancy or the “Hobo Syndrome”.
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of staying in the same company for a long time?
  3. In your opinion, what is the most ideal number of years of tenure to stay in a company, and why?
  4. In the past, people worked only one job in their whole professional life. Can you imagine that for yourself?
  5. What’s the longest time you’ve worked for a company? What made you stay there for that long?
  6. Should the years you’ve stayed at a company should matter? Explain.

Eiffel Tower in Need of Repair

B1 – Intermediate

Paris is a very famous touristic city. The Eiffel Tower is an equally famous sight in it. Millions of people visit this important tourist spot.

The Eiffel Tower was built for the World’s Fair in 1889. After more than a hundred years, this iconic structure needs some repairs.

Read the article about the Eiffel Tower’s state and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2207/220707-eiffel-tower-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you seen the Eiffel Tower? What do you think of it?
  2. How do you feel about the state it is in?
  3. Should historical structures like this be taken down when they are too old, damaged, or broken down? Why or why not?
  4. What is the most important structure in your city? Talk about it. How is it being maintained?

The Great Barrier Reef

B1 – Intermediate

A lot of places in the world are amazing and they need to be protected. One of them is the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Tourists go here to the see incredible coral reefs.

However, the UN claims that the reef is dying. Australia disagrees with what the UN is saying. This statement is not good for their country’s tourism industry.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript to know about the UN and Australia and their position on the Great Barrier Reef’s state.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/the-great-barrier-reef-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think the UN was right in saying the reef is dying? Explain.
  2. What can you say about Australia’s reaction to this statement?
  3. What do you think is the best thing to do in this situation?
  4. What do you think about the GBR? Would you like to visit it someday? Why or why not?
  5. What are some UNESCO World Heritage Sites in your city/country? Do you think they are properly protected? Why or why not?
  6. Which is more important, protecting places like the Great Barrier Reef or the tourism industry in a country? Explain.

Napalm Girl

B1 – Intermediate

The Vietnam war was was a dark period in history. During that time, many attacks were launched. In one of them, South Vietnamese planes dropped napalm bombs on a village. Direct contact with flaming napalm can cause burns all over the body. 

One of the victims of this attack is Kim Phuc Phan Thi who was 9 years old at the time. While she was burning, she had to take her clothes off. She will later be known as “Napalm Girl”.

Photographer Nick Ut took a photo of her while running for her life without clothes on. This photograph will then become one of the most iconic photos of the 20th century.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript to know about napalm girl’s photograph.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/napalm-girl-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you feel about this story?
  2. Look for napalm girl’s photo on the internet. Talk about what you think of this photo.
  3. What do you think about ‘napalm girl’ and the photographer staying friends after all this time?
  4. Talk about a photo that you would remember forever. What makes this photo unforgettable?
  5. How important are photographs in telling our history?

Children and Screens

B1 – Intermediate

Everyone depends on technological devices nowadays. Some parents even use gadgets such as mobile phones and tablets to help them with their children. They let their young kids use these devices for many hours daily.

There have been many studies on the effects of screens on children. Perhaps it’s time we pay attention to the dangers of letting children be on their gadgets for long periods of time.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the WHO’s new guidelines for parents and their children’s screen time.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/children-and-screens-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of this new guidelines?
  2. What are the bad effects of using devices for many hours on children?
  3. Do you think children use gadgets too much and way too young? Explain.
  4. What are alternative activities for children instead of using mobile phones and tablets?
  5. If you have children, what are your guidelines on their screen time?

Investments

B1 – Intermediate

Everyone of us wants to live a comfortable life and be financially stable. Having a stable income gives you peace of mind, but some people also choose to take the risk and invest their money.

Nowadays, people have become more curious about investments. Many are looking for ways to grow their money and achieve their financial goals. Are you one of those people?

Listen to the thoughts of one person about investments on this link.

https://listenaminute.com/i/investments.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is an effective way to handle one’s money?
  2. Have you ever thought of investing your money? Please elaborate.
  3. Where is it best to invest? Where is it risky?
  4. What are some common forms of investment in your country?
  5. Do you know someone who invested their money? How was their experience?
  6. Do banks offer a good opportunity for money to grow? Why or why not?
  7. Should courses on investments be more available? Please explain.
  8. What are some other forms of investment not related to money?

Risk of Being Killed by Falling Space Rocket

B1 – Intermediate

Scientists have revealed that in the near future, rocket parts could fall from space and hit someone and possibly kill them. The problem is that space has more and more junk.

Read the article about increasing space junk and the growing probability of being hit by falling rocket parts. Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2207/220718-feeling-hangry-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. Have you ever worried about something from the sky/space hitting you on the head or falling onto your roof?
  3. Should rocket companies be more responsible for their space wastes?
  4. What is your opinion about how companies are “exporting risk” to poorer nations?

Feeling Hangry

B1 – Intermediate

Hanger is a diagnosable feeling of anger when you get hungry. Based on a study done on 64 participants, people tend to be bad-tempered because they are hungry.

Read the article about feeling angry when you get hungry and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2207/220718-feeling-hangry-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on this, “Hangriness” could be a real medical condition.”?
  2. What happens to you when you’re hungry and you can’t eat right away? How do you manage this situation?
  3. Have you ever been hangry before? Talk about that moment.
  4. Is it logical to be hangry? Why or why not?
  5. Do you agree or disagree that there is  a strong link between hunger and emotions? Why?
  6. Do you agree or disagree that if people know they are hangry, they could control their anger? Why?

Strongest Robot in the World

B1 – Intermediate

A Japanese company has created the world’s strongest robot. It is supposed to be able to lift 2 small cars. It’s made so strong that it is almost impossible to destroy it.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the strongest robot in the whole world.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/strongest-robot-in-the-world-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Describe the M-20001A/1700L. What do you think of this machine?
  2. How will this machine change everything in factory automation?
  3. What are the advantage and disadvantages of automation?
  4. What kind of robot or machine would you like to be invented? Why?
  5. How advanced is robotics in your country in comparison to Japan/to other European countries?

Hobbies Are Great

B1 – Intermediate

How we spend our free time is important for our well-being. In fact, there are a lot of benefits to having hobbies. 

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about why hobbies are good for us.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/hobbies-are-great-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the good things about hobbies?
  2. Are there any disadvantages to hobbies?
  3. What hobbies do you have and why do you enjoy doing them so much?
  4. How do your hobbies help you in your life?
  5. What hobbies do you want to take up next and why?