Category: Homework

The Interview

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Oftentimes, we are faced with the challenge of working with a person or a group with totally opposing views or personalities whether at work or in other circumstances in life. This may cause tension and perhaps also a lot of pressure, but it may also be the push that some need to work or perform better. Working alone sounds like a great idea, but you also have to be flexible to work in pairs or teams should need arises.

Watch the video to see how this new assignment was handled.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/lets-learn-english-level-2-lesson-2/3960471.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you ready to take on any task your manager gives you? Is there any task you wouldn’t want to do? Why?
  2. Have you ever teamed up with someone? How was it working with that person?
  3. Have you ever worked with someone that is different from you? How was it?
  4. Talk about your personal skills. For example, are you a people person?
  5. What work of yours are you most proud of?

Problems with School Systems

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Schools are supposed to teach our children about important lessons, and they do. However, there a lot of problems with school systems that completely contradict this goal.

On the internet, many people say that schools are bad for us, even though these claims are partly justified, it feels like an extreme way of interpreting the problems with most school systems.

Watch the video to find out more about some problems with our school system.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “churn out” mean, “In fact, thought leaders from around the world agree that the current system of education was designed in the Industrial Age, mainly to churn out factory workers.” Use the phrase in your own sentence.
  2. What does the expression “run deep” mean, “And this Industrial Age mentality of mass production and mass control still runs deep in school.”? Use the phrase in your own sentence.
  3. What does “rote” mean? “Most of the learning that happens in school today is not authentic, because it relies on memorization and rote learning.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree or disagree with the problems mentioned and discussed in the video? Talk about your thoughts.
  2. Besides the problems mentioned in this video, what are other issues with school systems?
  3. What are some issues with the educational system in your country?
  4. In your own opinion, do these problems outweigh the positives of school? Explain your stance.
  5. If you had the power to do so, how would you try and fix these problems?
  6. What problems did you have at school as a student?

Monkeypox Virus

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Just as we thought the COVID-19 pandemic is about to end, there is a new virus that has spread through Europe and North America. It is the monkeypox that started in Africa.

Let’s watch the video and find out more about this emerging viral disease.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is monkeypox? Where did it originate? How does monkeypox spread? What are its known symptoms?
  2. What is your reaction to this new virus?
  3. What is your government doing to protect its people from this virus?

Replace Forks with Chopsticks

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It is said that there is a link between health and the use of chopsticks. Chopsticks are crafted pair of equal length sticks used for eating that are popular in Asian countries such as China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Thailand.

Read the article to know why using chopsticks is better for our health and be able to answer the questions below.

https://www.sakara.com/blogs/mag/why-you-should-be-using-chopsticks

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you feel about what is said in this article? Do you agree that using chopsticks is better for our health? Why or why not?
  2. Have you used chopsticks before? What do you think of chopsticks as utensils?
  3. Would you like to try using chopsticks to help you achieve better health? Why or why not?
  4. How do you compare the way people normally eat in your country with those from other countries?
  5. What do you do in order to prevent yourself from overeating?

A Special Restaurant

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Special events and trips are sometimes celebrated by dining in a restaurant. Restaurants represent a different dining and social experience. Famous restaurants, though expensive, are sought-after by dinner who want to get a taste of their lovely and tasty creations. Some people are even willing to book a year in advance just to secure a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript at the link below to learn about a woman’s experience in a special restaurant in Catalonia.

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/general-english/audio-zone/a-special-restaurant

Discussion Questions:

  1. What was one very memorable restaurant that you had been to? What was the best dish you had?
  2. When was the last time you went to an expensive restaurant? How was the experience?
  3. What are some famous restaurants in your city and those that you want to try?
  4. Would you be willing to wait for a year just to be able to eat at a famous restaurant? Why or why not?
  5. What do you look for in a restaurant?
  6. Where can you buy some really good, affordable food in your city? Is there a restaurant that’s affordable but has really good food? What is it?
  7. Do you love imitating restaurant dishes or following recipes at home? Share your experience.

Comfortable: 50 People 1 Question

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As you might know, social media is the main engine helping the body positivity movement spread wider and get people to feel comfortable in their own skin.

Watch the video to find out the differences between how adults and children perceive themselves.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever felt negative about the way you look? How did you deal with it?
  2. Do you think a lot of people nowadays are overly critical of their appearance and want to change it for the better?
  3. Who is unsatisfied with their appearance the most: the adults or the children?
  4. What do the adults want to change? What do the children want to change?
  5. What conclusion can you draw with this information now?
  6. If you were asked to name one thing you would like to change about yourself, what would it be?

Truths about TV Reality Talent Shows

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We are entertained. We watch an ordinary person achieve their dreams of making it. We see a superstar unfold. These and more is why we love TV reality talent shows. 

But are they really only about looking for talents or are there any secrets behind the curtains?

Here is an article that reveals the truth about TV reality talent shows.

5 Truths You Need to Know about TV ‘Reality’ Talent Shows

Discussion Questions:

  1. Were you surprised by any of the facts from the text? Which ones? Why?
  2. Cite other ways talent shows are beneficial for contestants.
  3. What do you think are the downsides of being part of such shows?
  4. Are there any talent shows in your country? What are they? How popular are they among the audiences in your country?
  5. Do you like this kind of shows? Why or why not?

Google Translate Adds New Languages

B1 – Intermediate

Google Translate is used worldwide. It is a tool that allows you to interact quickly and learn more foreign languages. It’s free, easy, and convenient to use.

Let’s read the article below to know more about the new languages added on Google Translate.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2205/220516-google-translate-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How good do you think Google Translate is?
  2. What will Google Translate be like in 25 years?
  3. How important is your language to you? What do you think of the idea of having one global language?
  4. What would life be like if all language were translated immediately?
  5. How many languages do you know? How difficult is it to learn a new language?

Plant-Based Milk

B1 – Intermediate

Plant based milk is a lactose free substitute to cow milk. They are low in fat and rich in vitamins and minerals. Common plant milks are almond milk, coconut milk, rice milk, and soy milk.

This type of milk is gaining popularity in the recent years.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about plant-based milk.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2205/220502-plant-based-milk-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of plan-based milk? Elaborate.
  2. Are there any bad things about dairy milk?
  3. How will the war in Ukraine affect food prices?
  4. Why are more people turning to veganism?
  5. What do you think of the rising prices of food?

Women File for Divorce More Than Men

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The desire to dissolve a marriage is typically tough, and spouses may spend years, if not a lifetime contemplating their alternatives. When it comes to starting a separation, however, there is a distinct pattern as to who takes the ultimate ruling.

On average, women end their marriages significantly earlier than males. But why are women more likely to divorce their husbands first?

Let us figure out by reading the entire text.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220511-why-women-file-for-divorce-more-than-men

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do you think women are the ones who usually divorce their husbands first?
  2. Do people get divorced too easily and quickly today? What do you think are the reasons for this?
  3. What are the most common factors responsible for couples to divorce?
  4. Does divorce mean part of you is a failure? Explain.
  5. Why do you think divorce rate is higher in some countries than in others?
  6. Is being divorced a social stigma in your country? Talk about it.