Category: Homework

Male Postnatal Depression

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We live in a male supremacy and authoritarian society, for sure. As a result, some believe that men are incapable of suffering. Unfortunately, males have been defeated by their own vulnerabilities numerous times, leading to a variety of mental health issues or worst-case scenario, suicide. Consider the new fathers who have fallen victim to this chasm.

Fathers can also battle from postnatal depression but are not given the opportunities, supports, or the encouragements they need to cope.

To find out more about postnatal depression among men, let’s take a moment to read the full article.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220601-male-postnatal-depression-why-men-struggle-in-silence

Discussion Questions:

  1. How can sufferers (both men and women) of postnatal depression be supported?
  2. What are some factors that can contribute to depression in new fathers?
  3. Why do postnatal depression in men often goes undiagnosed?
  4. When do you believe fathers get depressed?
  5. What are some strategies for reducing the chances of paternal postnatal depression?

Seven Wonders of the World

B1 – Intermediate

Some places in the world are just inexplicably amazing. Some of them are known as the Wonders of the World. If you were asked to name all the Wonders of the World, would you be able to? That’s going to be hard to do. But we can try.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the Seven Wonders of the World.

https://listenaminute.com/s/seven_wonders_of_the_world.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you know about the Seven Wonders of the World? 
  2. Which ones have you visited? Talk about it in full details.
  3. Which ones would you like to see/visit? Why?
  4. What place/places in your country do you think is/are also a wonder?
  5. Maybe future wonders will be in space. What is your opinion on this?

Sightseeing

B1 – Intermediate

Sightseeing is one of the most interesting and exciting things to do when traveling. You go around a city or a country to see their most important places or landmarks. It’s very interesting to learn and discover something new about a place every time.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about sightseeing.

https://listenaminute.com/s/sightseeing.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do people like sightseeing so much? Why do some people don’t like it?
  2. Do you like sightseeing? Why or why not?
  3. What is a place you learned about at school and visited? How was your experience in that moment?
  4. What is the best time of the day to go sightseeing and why? Which do you prefer and why?
  5. Which place do you want to see and why?

Traveling

B1 – Intermediate

There is a saying that goes, “Travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer”. There are just too many places to visit, too little time.

Traveling gives us a lot of experiences and memories.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about traveling.

https://listenaminute.com/t/travelling.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the reasons you travel?
  2. Why do you think some people don’t enjoy traveling?
  3. Talk about your most memorable trip.
  4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of planning your trips in advance?
  5. Have you ever gone to a trip without any plans at all? Why or why not?
  6. Who is the most interesting person you’ve met while traveling? What makes this person interesting?
  7. Do you visit places that are off the beaten track? Why or why not?
  8. How do you feel about being somewhere with thousands of other tourists?

British Couple Win a Lottery

B1 – Intermediate

You’ve probably had days when you do not want to go to work. You want to just pack your bags and go on a really long holiday in some exotic destination. Unfortunately, most of us do not have the time nor the money to do so. All we can do is to just wish we’d win the lottery so we never have to work a day in our life. We think having loads of money would help us do whatever we want.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about a couple who won the lottery.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/british-couple-win-a-lottery-level-3/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What would be the very first thing you would buy?
  2. What would you do if you won 230 million dollars? 
  3. Would you give money to friends and family? Who? How much? If not, why?
  4. In what ways would winning the lottery change you and your life? 
  5. Have you ever won anything? What/How much did you win? How did you feel in that moment?

What It Feels Like to Sleep on the Side of a Mountain

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Have you ever been in a situation where your friends wanted to do something extreme but you didn’t or maybe the other way around? Let’s compare your experience with the experience of the guy from the video.

Watch the video about a blogger who sleeps suspended on the side of a mountain and answer the questions.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s the most extreme place you have ever been to? What did you do during the trip? Would you like to do it again?
  2. Why, despite the fact that such a vacation can be unpleasant, do people choose to spend time like this?
  3. How do you think it would be like for you to sleep on a portaledge?
  4. What is something you do that makes you feel empowered?

Man Throws Cake at Mona Lisa

B1 – Intermediate

Louvre is a very popular museum in Paris. It is also famous because it is where  Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa is displayed. Many people admire this painting when they see it. However, one man did the opposite. He disrespected it and even tried to damage it by punching and throwing a cake on it. Good thing, the painting has glass for protection.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about a man who attempted to damage the Mona Lisa.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/man-throws-cake-at-mona-lisa-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on what this man did to the Mona Lisa? It is supposed that he did it to protest for the environment. Do you agree with what he did or not?
  2. Have you seen the Mona Lisa? If yes, what do you think of it? If not yet, would you like to someday?
  3. Talk about a similar incident that happened in your country.
  4. Why is important to protect famous works of art such as the Mona Lisa?
  5. Talk about the proper behavior at a museum.
  6. Do you like arts? Why or why not?

Man Collects Old Apple Devices

B1 – Intermediate

Everyone has that one thing they love so much. Sometimes, they even collect them. There are many reasons for someone to collect something.

Jimmy Grewal collects old Apple devices and accessories.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Jimmy Grewal’s Apple products collection.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/man-collects-old-apple-devices-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of this man’s obsession with Apple products?
  2. What are all the Apple products you have owned?
  3. What is something that reminds you of your childhood and why?
  4. What is something that you wanted as a child but you couldn’t have it and when you became older, you got or bought it? Why do you want this thing so much? How did you feel finally having it?
  5. Is there something you collect? Why do you collect this thing? Talk about your own collection.
  6. What are reasons people collect things?

Central Banks Can’t Print Unlimited Money

C1 – Advanced

The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 has caused a great shock to the global economy. Governments’ solution was to release huge amounts in the form of stimulus packages.

Perhaps the biggest question in everyone’s mind is, where was this money from? How come banks do not produce as much money as we need in times of need? Instead, their response is quantitative easing.

Though the monetary policy quantitative easing has become common in the recent years, it is still in its nascency and the governments and economies have yet to uncover the extensive scope of its consequences.

Learn more about quantitative easing and why central banks can’t print unlimited amount of money even during severe economic crisis.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why can’t central banks just print unlimited money even if it is to help an economy in crisis?
  2. Explain quantitative easing, buying bonds, and treasury bonds.
  3. Treasury bonds are considered as a safe form of investment. What is your opinion on this?
  4. In your opinion, when central banks buy government bonds/debts, does it only undermine a system that is designed to protect the economy or do you think these measures are actually necessary and helpful in stabilizing economies?
  5. Talk about the economic relief packages by your government as a response to the pandemic crisis.
  6. Share your thoughts on this statement by John Kenneth Galbraith, “The process by which banks create money is so simple the mind is repelled”.

Life in the Modern Office

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Work offices are critical to productivity, collaboration, and innovation. We probably spend more than one-third of our lives at the work office. However, the pandemic has introduced dramatic changes in our work culture.

Let’s listen to the audio and read transcript below about life in the modern office.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2022/ep-220505

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on hot-desking?
  2. How would you describe your workplace? How about your own work desk/space?
  3. What is your favorite and least favorite thing about your workplace?
  4. How has the Coronavirus pandemic changed your workplace?
  5. What do you think is the worst thing about working in an office?
  6.  Share your thoughts on this statement, “It’s important to have a workplace that’s safe, comfortable, and familiar”.