Category: Homework

Scientists to Bring Back Mammoths

B1 – Intermediate

Woolly mammoths are big and hairy animals that look like elephants and haven’t roamed the Earth for thousands of years. Scientists have wondered if these mammoths can be cloned.

Let’s read the article below to know more about Woolly mammoths.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2109/210916-woolly-mammoths-0.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think bringing the woolly mammoth back is a good idea? Why or why not?
  2. What are the dangers of reviving the woolly mammoth?
  3. What do you think of the idea of de-extinction?
  4. How might this research improve our lives?
  5. If you were Ben Lamm, would you invest a lot of money on this kind of research? Why or why not?

Canva Hits Massive US$40 Billion Valuation after Latest Funding Round

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Canva is free graphic design app for everyone. For premium features, paid subscriptions for pros and enterprises are also available. The start-up was founded in 2013 by Melanie Perkins, Cliff Obrecht, and Cameron Adams. At the time of writing, Canva is valued at $40bn (£29bn), making it one of the world’s biggest tech companies in the world. 

Read this article about Canva’s valuation soaring.

https://cfotech.co.nz/story/canva-hits-massive-us-40-billion-valuation-after-latest-funding-round

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can you say about Canva’s success?
  2. What is your impression of this company and their business model? 
  3. What are your thoughts on the company’s “simple” two-step plan?
  4. What do you think about Canva CEO’s plans to give their wealth away?
  5. Have you ever used Canva? What do you think of it?

Making Sense of the Census

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In the UK, the census takes place every ten years since 1801. It is the official number of every resident living within the country. Originally, census workers visit people door-to-door to get the basic information such as age, sex, race, and birth origin, etc. Nowadays, questionnaires are mailed out to every household with additional questions like ethnic backgrounds, immigration status, and personal relationships, etc.

Census is very important for many reasons. According to Gordon De Jong, professor of sociology and demography, “The census is most definitely important. Our whole representative democracy is based on it.” In addition, he has stated that “Equitably distributing the billions of dollars of public money requires up-to-date population data.”

Listen to the audio and read the transcript to learn more about Census.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-210826

Discussion Questions:

  1. What exactly is a census and why is it important?
  2. What is the main purpose of the census before and now?
  3. How does the government acquire the information for census?
  4. Why do some people question the importance of Census?
  5. In your opinion, is the census a breach of privacy? Explain your stand.

Dangerous Egyptian Haircut

B1 – Intermediate

An Egyptian barber was given the nickname ‘The Joker’. He became famous for using unusual tools in cutting his costumers’ hair.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on a barber’s unusual haircutting tools and techniques.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/dangerous-egyptian-haircut-level-3/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about his style of cutting hair?
  2. What are the good and bad things about this barber’s way of working?
  3. Would you like to try getting a haircut from him? Why or why not?
  4. Talk about your favorite barber/hairdresser. Why do you like him/her?
  5. Barbers and salons were not considered essential business during the pandemic lockdowns. In your opinion, are barbers and salons essential business and should remain open during lockdowns? Why or why not?

Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos Scandal, and Silicon Valley

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Elizabeth Holmes was once a trailblazing woman in business and medical technology in the Silicon Valley. She founded the start-up health technology company called Theranos. With promises of revolutionary blood tests that are performed using small automated devices and only very small amounts of blood are needed to be extracted from the patient, investments came pouring in. Now, Holmes is under trial for fraud.

The technology sounded amazing. Except, it was just make-believe. One might ask, so if it seemed nonsensical, why did so many people still fall for her hook, line, and sinker.

The Theranos scandal highlights the systemic problems with start-up culture on secrecy and the aggressive use ofNon-disclosure agreements (NDAs). 

Read the article about Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos, the problems with the start-up culture and what the Silicon Valley has learned from this scandal.

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-58469882

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on Holmes and Theranos’ fraud and how they were able to get away with it for years?
  2. What do you think about the product they were developing?
  3. Talk about the thin line between fraud and fake it til you make it culture.
  4. Is it really “fake it until you make it” in business? Explain your point.
  5. What are your thoughts on this: “Secrecy is important for these companies to succeed – but that culture of secrecy can also be used as a smoke screen”?
  6. How important are NDAs in your job/industry or for your company?
  7. What are things you would consider if you were to invest in a start-up?

How to Weigh Job Benefits

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When you finally got a job offer, after weeks or even months of job searching, you might want to think twice before accepting it. Not every job offer is the right one for you, so you’ll need to evaluate it carefully before accepting it. The hardest part when deciding whether to accept a job offer is weighing the benefits.

Watch the video below on how to weigh job offers.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What influences your choice of company to work for?
  2. In your opinion, what is the most important benefit offered by your company?
  3. What made you decide to accept your company’s job offer?
  4. If you can make a suggestion to your company, what benefit/s would you like your company to offer to its employees?

Perfectionism Makes Us Ill

C1 – Advanced

People with perfectionism hold themselves to impossibly high standards. They think what they do is never good enough. But it is a serious problem that has been linked to many mental health issues, including depression and eating disorders.

Let’s watch the video below to know more about this personality trait and its dangers.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Would you describe yourself as a perfectionist? Why or why not?
  2. What do you think is the root cause of perfectionism?
  3. Can you think of any benefits to being a perfectionist?
  4. Do you find it surprising that perfectionism can lead to mental health issues? Why or why not?
  5. Never aim for perfect. That will guarantee failure almost every time. – Caroline Ghosn. What do you make of this statement?
  6. What advice would you give to someone who has a hard time dealing with failure?

Is MSG Bad for You?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a controversial food-additive mostly used in Asian countries. It enhances the flavor of food. Some people claim that it could cause headaches, chest pains, or even brain damage. On the other hand, sources such as Food and Drug Administration (FDA) claim that it is safe for consumption.

Let’s watch the video below to know more about MSG and find out if it’s actually bad for us.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about the use of Monosodium glutamate (MSG) How do you usually season your food?
  2. Do you like eating Asian food? If yes, what’s your favorite?
  3. How conscious are you of the food that you eat and the ingredients you use for cooking?
  4. Do you think food nowadays is becoming more or less safe to eat? Explain your opinion.
  5. Should the government do more to regulate food safety?

Traffic Ticket

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Being a good driver starts with the knowledge of all traffic laws and it should be followed by obedience to all traffic laws. Hence, the rigorous driving examination drivers have to take in order to get a license. There are times when drivers are tempted to willingly violate a traffic rule just because no one is looking. But what happens when you are caught? Do you fight it or just pay the fine?

Listen to the audio about getting a traffic ticket and how to get away with it.

Traffic Ticket

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why was the driver pulled over by the traffic police?
  2. How did he try to get out of a traffic ticket? Did it work?
  3. Have you ever been pulled over by a traffic officer before? Talk about your experience.
  4. Have you ever had traffic violations in before? What were they for? If not, why do you think that is?
  5. What is the usual process upon receiving a traffic ticket in your country?

Sweatshops

B1 – Intermediate

Big businesses always want to find ways to cut their costs. One of them is to employ the goods and services from and of sweatshops. The labor cost is extremely cheap but the ugly truth is, the labor condition of people working there is horrible.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about sweatshops.

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

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion of sweatshops?
  2. What are sweatshops for?
  3. Why are sweatshops a horrible place?
  4. Do you agree or disagree that big multinational companies have a big responsibility to make sure their goods do not come from sweatshops? Explain your opinion.
  5. Is it possible to end businesses such as sweatshops? Explain.