Category: Homework

Covid Vaccine Passports Could Discriminate

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As Covid-19 vaccination rates increase, the economy reopens. As a result, decision makers and public officials have considered the idea of a “vaccine passport”. This is required to provide proof of vaccination before traveling or conducting daily work and other activities in order to allow human mobility while protecting lives. Although there are a lot of benefits from it, the cons on the other hand, are quite controversial.

Read the article and be able to answer and answer the questions that follow.

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-56125142

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of “vaccine passports”? Do you agree that it could lead to discrimination?
  2. What do you think are its pros and cons?
  3. What are your thoughts on people who don’t want to get vaccinated?

Things You Will Regret Later in Life

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Feelings of regret in the long-term are more likely for decisions involving inaction; that is, choosing not to do something (Gilovich & Medvec, 1994).

Sometimes, the regret most of us have is that we didn’t try things along the way because we worry too much. We think others’ opinions are crucial to our future success and happiness, only to realize on our deathbeds, none of that matters.

Watch the video to know some life lessons that people learn a bit too late.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the biggest regrets in life based on the video? Anything else you can add to these? Which ones do you think you will never regret?
  2. Talk about a decision that you regret.
  3. For you, what good things came from not taking chances?
  4. What dreams have you turned into reality and you did not wait for that “one day”?
  5. What was one great opportunity you feel you may have missed and why did you miss it?

What Makes a Friendship Last

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Friendships play a vital role in our happiness and mental health. They provide comfort, support, and increase our sense of belongingness. But just like any human relationship, even the closest of friendships can face difficulties.

Let’s watch the video below to find out how to make good friendships last a lifetime.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do people stop being friends?
  2. Do you have many friendships which have lasted since childhood? What is the secret to your long-lasting friendship?
  3. How do you prefer to keep in touch with friends? Do you call, chat online, exchange text messages, or write letters?
  4. Do you have any friends from a different culture or country? Do your differences make it harder to be friends?
  5. At which stages in life is it easier to make friends? Explain.

First Female Honduras President

B1 – Intermediate

Many people are now inspired to push for change and betterment by exercising their rights as citizens. This is what happened in Honduras during their 2021 elections. The people voted for their very first female president who has promising plans for their country.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the first female president of Honduras.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/first-female-honduras-president-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What qualifications would you like a government official to have?
  2. Do you think having a female leader is a good or a bad thing? Explain.
  3. Are there differences in terms of leadership between a male and a female leader? What might they be?
  4. What would be an effective way to express your concerns to government leaders?
  5. Would it be better if your city/country had a female government leader? Explain.

Best Bedtime to Lower Heart Disease

B1 – Intermediate

To stay healthy, one must eat properly, exercise regularly, and sleep well. A study reveals that sleeping early prevents people from developing heart problems.

Read the lesson on the healthiest time to go to bed to avoid heart diseases.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2111/211111-bedtime-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you believe that going to bed early is healthy? Explain your stand.
  2. Talk about your sleeping pattern. What time do you normally sleep and what is the reason for this?
  3. Now that you know sleeping beyond 12MN isn’t healthy, would you try to change your sleeping habits? Why or why not?
  4. What else can we do to avoid heart diseases?
  5. What other health problems can you develop if you do not sleep early?

Appearance and Dressing For Success

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Your appearance matters a lot in many situations. If you look good, you feel good. Whether you’re attending events, going out with friends, and especially at work, you want to look the part. Physical appearance does affect others’ perception of you.

Watch the video and learn why appearance and dressing for success matter.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How important is a person’s appearance?
  2. Does physical appearance have an impact on your work?
  3. Tell me about a time when you realized the importance of your physical appearance.

Japan to Give Children Cash Handouts

B1 – Intermediate

In Japan, the government is thinking to give money to young people 19 years old and younger. It is a way to help families during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Read the lesson on Japan’s plans to give money to children.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2111/211108-cash-handout-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on this initiative?
  2. Do you agree or disagree with the critics of this initiative? Share your opinion.
  3. Should this money be given to everyone, including children from rich families? Explain your opinion.
  4. If you received money from your government now, what would you do with it?
  5. Describe the economic situation of your country during the pandemic.

Love Fridge

B1 – Intermediate

A lot of people suffer from hunger. In Germany, they have started an idea to put refrigerators outside where people can bring and get food for free. This is to help people who need food.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about a special refrigerator called ‘Love Fridge’.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/love-fridge-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of this idea?
  2. If there is a love fridge near your house, would you also put food there? Why or why not?
  3. What things have you done for people who need help?
  4. Explain your opinion on this statement: “There is enough food but the food does not get to the people who need it”.
  5. Americans throw away a lot of food. Do you think Spanish do the same?
  6. What do you do so you do not waste any food?

Limits of Humor and Social Networks

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In this generation, when the line between offensive comedy and off-limits jokes is very thin, it’s difficult to determine whether one is just being funny or downright offensive. People say, comedy is subjective. What is funny to you may not be funny or even worse, insulting to others.

Read this news about comedian David Suarez being on trial for a tweet about women with Down Syndrome.

https://euroweeklynews.com/2021/04/22/popular-comedian-on-trial-over-humiliating-tweet-about-down-syndrome-women

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on this issue?
  2. Do you agree with the court sentence the comedian received? Why or why not?
  3. What is black humor? Do you find it funny?
  4. When do we draw the line between humorous and offensive?
  5. Are there laws in your country that penalize people who offend others in social media? If none, do you think there should be?

City Without Electricity

B1 – Intermediate

Electricity is a vital part of modern life. Almost everything is powered by electricity. We use it in our day-to-day life such as operating appliances, lighting, heating, public transportations, medical necessities, and much more. In our world today, we are nothing without it.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about how Maidugri, the capital city of the Borno State, live through life without electricity.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/city-without-electricity-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What kind of world would we live in without electricity?
  2. Have you ever experienced a blackout? How was it? What did you do?
  3. What are three electric appliances that you can’t live without and why?
  4. What are other alternatives to electricity?
  5. Would you prefer to have no electricity or no water? Explain your answer.