Category: Homework

Crisis in Sri Lanka

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Economic stability is important in the development of a country. This implies that people have the resources necessary to a healthy life. This is otherwise the case in Sri Lanka where economic, political and social turmoil prevail. Just recently, some Sri Lankans forced their way into their president’s official residence when their frustration has reached a boiling point.

Let’s watch the video and read the news to know more about the predicament Sri Lanka is in.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/7/13/sri-lanka-in-crisis-what-when-and-why-explainer

Discussion Questions:

  1. What factors contributed to Sri Lanka’s economic crisis?
  2. How do you think this economic collapse could have been prevented?
  3. In your opinion, does a mere change of leader would rectify the current situation?
  4. How does your government create economic recovery and growth after the COVID-19 pandemic?

Refinancing Mortgage Loans

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Buying a house is probably the biggest financial decision we ever have to make in our lives. Most people do not have enough funds to cover the entire cost of their house that is why they turn to banks or other financial institutions for financial assistance. When mortgage rates go down, some people see this as a chance to refinance their mortgage.

Let’s listen to this short commercial to know more about mortgage refinancing.

Refinancing Mortgage Loans

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does mortgage refinancing work?
  2. What are the benefits of refinancing a mortgage?
  3. Do you see any pitfalls in refinancing a mortgage?
  4. Do you have a mortgage? Does this option seem appealing to you?

The Spice Trade

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Ages ago, when money was still non-existent, trading of goods was the only way to access different products from different countries. One of the most in demand products were spices.

Spices have a lot of uses. People traveled far just to bring these spices back to their homeland. Many cities became rich because of trading them. It became very important to the economy of Europe.

Read more about the history of the spice trade on this link.

https://www.english-online.at/history/spice-trade/spice-trade.htm

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some of your favorite spices and why do you love them?
2. What spices can be found in your country?
3. What are the pros and cons of trading goods?
4. What areas and moments in the past would you want to explore?
5. Who were some explorers that you know?
6. What are modern types of trading?
7. Do you think that the introduction of money was a good or bad idea? Please explain.
8. What are the products that your country exports and imports?

Stop Lashing Out When Hurting

B2 – Upper Intermediate

According to surveys, rates of depression are still considerably higher than before the global epidemic and both have been associated to rage and frustration.

While it is impossible to handle our anguish from transforming into negativity, we can adjust how we respond to our emotional reactions.

Click the link for some expert tips on how to prevent lashing out when we’re in pain.

https://edition.cnn.com/2022/07/12/health/stop-lashing-out-wellness/index.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you act when you’re furious?
  2. What are the benefits to getting angry?
  3. What happens when you keep your rage bottled up?
  4. What are ways you express your anger in a healthy way?
  5. Is it easy for you to keep your anger under control and hidden? How do you do it?
  6. Do you know anyone who has good anger management skills? How do they do it?
  7. Can you recall an instance when your thoughts have affected your anger?

Dollar Stores Are Full of Toxic Products

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As many people struggle to make ends meet, they try to find solutions to the rising household costs. Consequently, dollar stores have become popular nowadays. However, evidence shows that the chemicals present in products that can be found in such shops are harmful to the environment and endangering human health.

Read the article to learn more about how dollar stores are full of toxic products and be able to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.treehugger.com/dollar-stores-toxic-products-5235538

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you have dollar stores in your country? What do you think about these stores?
  2. Why do you think they are as popular as they are in your country?
  3. Have you ever bought anything from a dollar store before? Why or why not?
  4. Would you change your mind about or habit going to dollar stores after reading this article? Why or why not?
  5. What are your priorities and standards as a shopper? Explain why each factor matters to you.

Snap-Judge People as Boring

B2 – Upper Intermediate

According to modern studies, people have various expectations with what characteristics define a stereotypical bore. These prejudices, like other varieties of categorizing, might not have been wholly accurate, but can have very harmful impacts. Before they have even spoken, people brutally assess those who fit “boring” stereotypes, assuming they are less kind and capable than the typical person and unjustly acknowledging them in social situations.

Why do people make snap judgments about others based on their passions and fields of work?

Let’s make time to read the entire article to learn more.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220422-why-we-snap-judge-some-people-as-boring

Discussion Questions:

  1. What factors contribute to a boring personality?
  2. How do you determine a person’s nature?
  3. What makes someone a good judge of character?
  4. How do you respond to a judgmental person?
  5. Is it a bad thing to be dull and uninteresting? How do you interact with boring people?
  6. Have you met someone you thought was a complete bore at first but you were entirely wrong about that person after you’ve known them better? Talk about this experience.
  7. What do you do in order to make sure you leave a very good impression on someone upon your first meeting?

Have People Forgotten How to Behave in the Office?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Some people become somewhat tolerant of the nuisances that come with being surrounded by coworkers and more socially apprehensive after achieving full control over business settings at home. Others, on the contrary, could be so content to be in an office among coworkers that they end up breaking social norms that used to exist.

Have employees spent considerable time at home that they have neglected the workplace standards?

Let’s make time to read the entire article to learn more.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220627-have-people-forgotten-how-to-behave-in-the-office

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you skeptical about returning to the office because of social anxiety?
  2. What can managers and employees do to help the transition go smoothly?
  3. Are there any complicating factors you’d be happy to disclose that might make returning to the office incredibly tough or troublesome for you?

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?