Category: Homework

Van Gogh – Challenging the ‘Tortured Genius’ Myth

B2 – Upper Intermediate

People often say that artistic talent and mental disorders go hand in hand. But is it really so?

Have you ever seen any of Van Gogh’s works? Have you ever thought that only a crazy man could create such paintings?

Watch the video to figure out if there is a connection between insanity and genius.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your thoughts on what’s discussed in this video.
  2. How did Van Gogh’s relocation to the town of Arles affect his inspiration?
  3. What are your thoughts on the treatments available to mental patients in the 1890s?
  4. Some people believe that Van Gogh’s paintings are brilliant because of his mental illness. What is the authors’ opinion on that? Do you share their view?
  5. What is your reaction to Van Gogh’s statement that “Work distracts me infinitely better than anything else. And if I could once really throw myself into it with all my energy, that might possibly be the best remedy.”

South Korea Influencers

B1 – Intermediate

Social media has allowed for anyone to create contents. Because of this freedom, people can impact certain information and decisions. These people are called influencers.

Influencers are now becoming celebrities. They interact with their audience through online activities. This business is booming.

South Korea has recognized this opportunity. They support this culture by providing courses and business integration.

Learn more about the influencer culture in South Korea on the link below.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/south-korea-influencers-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of influencers? Why do you think they are so popular now?
  2. What are the positive and negative effects of influencers?
  3. Do you agree that social media affects some of our decisions? Please explain and/or give examples.
  4. Do you know some popular influencers? Who are they and what made them famous?
  5. Are there famous influencers in your country? What do they do? Do you follow some of them?
  6. What professions/industries would benefit from influencers?
  7. Is getting a degree to become an influencer a good idea? Why or why not?

Turn Off Lights in Heat Wave

B1 – Intermediate

Tokyo experienced its all-time high temperature last week. Because of too much heat, everyone wants to use their air conditioner. In this case, producing electricity is very difficult. So the government asked the people to try to conserve electricity as much as possible.

Read the article about energy-saving measures during a heat wave in Tokyo, Japan.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2206/220630-tokyo-energy-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What measures are implemented in your city/country during a heat wave in order to save energy?
  2. Would you mind turning your lights off from for a few hours during the day to save energy?
  3. Do you try and use less electricity during summer? Why or why not?
  4. What is your reaction when your city/country has the highest record temperature?
  5. Do you have power outages in your city during summer? If you do, what do you do during power cuts?

Octopuses and Humans Share Intelligence Gene

B1 – Intermediate

Some animals are known to be very intelligent. Marine biologists recently discovered that an octopus has short sequences of DNA that could make it also have remarkable intelligence.

Read the article about the intelligence gene that humans and octopuses have in common.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2207/220704-octopus-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on this story?
  2. What comes to your mind when you hear the word “intelligence”?
  3. What are the similarities and differences between humans and octopuses?
  4. Talk about other facts you know about octopuses.
  5. What other things about human intelligence do you want to understand more?

Toilet Paper Made from Ancient Forests

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) says that our choice of toilet paper has an impact on climate change. One example is the use of virgin wood pulp that drives deforestation in Canada’s boreal forest, which is one of the most ecologically important forests in the world.

Read the article to know more about it and be able to answer the questions below.

https://www.treehugger.com/is-your-favorite-toilet-paper-made-from-ancient-forests-5069744

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you feel after reading the article?
  2. How important is toilet paper for you? How often do you shop for it?
  3. What qualities do you look for when purchasing toilet papers?
  4. Do you prefer to purchase one brand of toilet paper or do you try/buy different brands? Why is that?
  5. What are some ways to protect and preserve our forests?

Why Parrots Can Talk Like Humans

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There are many types of birds that exist in our world and one of them are parrots. They are some of the most famous birds to ever exist. There are many reasons as to why this is the case, but the most significant is the fact that parrots can speak the human language.

Monkeys and humans are very similar creatures with very similar physical features. However, monkeys cannot speak the human language, so why and how can a bird, more specifically, parrots speak like us?

To find out more, let us watch this video.

Discussion Questions:

  1. If other birds were to start using their tongue while speaking, do you think they would be able to speak the human language as well?
  2. Do you think that parrots could imitate other animals as well as they speak human language?
  3. In the future, do you think we could fully teach parrots our language? How about other animals?
  4. What are your thoughts on animals having the capability to perform human-like skills?
  5. Would you like to own a talking pet/animal? Why or why not?

Going to Work in the Morning

B1 – Intermediate

Getting ready for work can be quite hectic. It takes a lot of steps before you finally get to the office. Sometimes, things don’t go the usual way.

With more cars out on the streets, traffic jams add to the stress of getting to the workplace on time. Getting home is another ordeal. These take away a lot of our precious time.

One person shares what they go through each work day. Read about their experience through this link:

https://lingua.com/english/reading/going-to-work/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your morning routine like?
  2. Is it important to have a routine? Why or why not?
  3. What’s the worst morning you’ve ever had?
  4. Do you like going to work in the morning? Why or why not?
  5. How are the morning and evening rush hours in your city?
  6. What are some fun things you do while in traffic jams?
  7. How is the public transport service in your city?
  8. Do you still have time to enjoy your hobbies, even with a busy schedule? Please share.

Food for African Children is More Expensive

B1 – Intermediate

The ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia has an big effect on food prices. The higher prices of food makes it difficult for some international organizations that are helping give food to African children.  

Read the article about international organizations helping feed people in Africa’s problem with more expensive food.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/food-for-african-children-is-more-expensive-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on this news?
  2. What are the reasons it is harder for international organizations to help provide food African children?
  3. Organizations must help Ukrainian refugees but this means that they have less money for food for African children. What are your thoughts on this?
  4. What can we do to help both the Ukrainian refugees and African children at the same time?
  5. What do you do to help people in need?

Parents Face Fines in New School Rules

B1 – Intermediate

The government, parents, and teachers must work together to make sure students perform well at their schools.

With the new laws in Britain, parents could be penalized if their children do not behave properly at their schools. This is just one of the new laws that the British government wants to implement. 

Read the article about Britain’s new laws that aim to improve discipline in schools.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/0906/090630-school_rules.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Should parents pay fines or go to prison for their children’s actions at their schools? Explain your stand.
  2. What is your opinion on implementing strict laws to improve discipline in schools?
  3. What do you think about parents attending parenting courses?
  4. How should a misbehaving student be disciplined? How are they disciplined at schools in your country?
  5. What are parents’ involvement in making schools better in your country?

Paper Books Better than E-books for Bedtime Stories

B1 – Intermediate

Reading to babies and small children before they go to bed is not only a way to help them feel sleepy but also a moment to spend quality time with your children. It is also an opportunity to teach them some things from the stories that you read to them.

A study found that reading traditional books for bedtime stories are still better than using technological devices.

Read the article about how paper books are still better than e-books.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1903/190328-paper-books-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree or disagree that “Technology and digital devices can’t replace traditional, paper bedtime books.”? Explain your opinion on this.
  2. What are the benefits of reading bedtime stories to children?
  3. How was your childhood bedtimes like?
  4. Compare and contrast paper books and e-books. What are the good and bad things about the two?
  5. Do you prefer printed or e-books? Why?