Category: Homework

Lessons the Pandemic Taught Us about Work, Life, and Balance

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Everybody is just going forward so afraid to get stuck. While this pandemic opened our eyes to endless possible ideas, it has also made us realize how strong, resilient, and brave we can be in times of hardships. It has made us rethink our life decisions and ponder whether we have truly lived to our fullest potential. It has made us answer one big question: Are you genuinely happy with the kind of life that you’ve lived so far?

Watch the video on the four things this pandemic has taught all of us.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What has this pandemic taught you?
  2. How has your work/life changed since the pandemic?
  3. What struggles have you experienced working from home?
  4. How can you be a better employee this year?
  5. What difference can you make?

The Strongest Predictor for Success

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Grit can make or break your future. Studies show that grittier kids have a higher chance of succeeding simply because they persevere even when they fail.

Watch this video and know about the strongest predictor of success.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Explain “Grit”? Do you agree or disagree with her that looks, physical health, IQ, etc. aren’t the greatest predictor of success?
  2. Who do you consider is successful and why?
  3. What’s the greatest failure you’ve ever had and what did you learn from it?
  4. Do you still persevere in difficult times? How do you do it? What’s the most difficult circumstance you’ve ever had to persevere with?
  5. How do you motivate yourself? Do you have a growth mindset?

The Keys to a Great Conversation

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Talk is never cheap. It takes a lot of effort to make a good conversation. Some are not very good at carrying conversations while some are just naturally born with it.

Watch the 10 basic rules on how to have a better conversation:

Discussion Questions:

  1. Talk about the tips/rules mentioned in the video that you’d likely start using/doing.
  2. Talk about the tips/rules mentioned in the video that you disagree with.
  3. Why is it important to be interested in what others have to say?
  4. Is it difficult for you to make a conversation with a stranger? Why or why not?
  5. Talk about an important conversation you have ever had in your life.
  6. What do you do to improve your communication skills?

Texting and Driving

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Driving requires focus and attention. You need to pay attention to the road, to the car in front of you, and to pedestrians crossing the road. Texting while driving is not advisable and in fact, against the law. You won’t be able to focus on your surroundings and immediately react to different situations. Worse, you might get into an accident and hurt other people too.

Click the link and listen to the audio about texting while driving.

Texting and Driving

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the dangers of texting while driving?
  2. Is it against the law in your country to text and drive?
  3. Have you seen someone texting while driving? What do you think of people doing this?
  4. Have you gotten into and accident before? If yes, what happened?
  5. What are some important things to remember when you are driving?

Store Returns

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Store return policy is considered one of the most important factors in customer’s purchasing decision. Customers want the guarantee that they can return the product they bought with no hassles. Therefore, it is necessary for companies to set reasonable return policies. However, do customers really take the time to understand them?

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on store returns.

Store Returns

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is wrong with the sweater according to the customer?
  2. Why isn’t the customer allowed to return the product?
  3. Have you returned a product before? How did it go?
  4. What is the usual return policy in your country? Do you carefully read the terms and conditions in a return policy?
  5. Have you ever had any other problems returning products and getting a refund?

Car Accidents

B2 – Upper Intermediate

If you have been driving for awhile, you’ve probably already realized that not everyone drives well, although, most people think they do. Some drivers change lanes without paying much attention, some drive too fast, others drive too closely to other vehicles on the road and some make sudden turns causing road accidents.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on car accidents.

Car Accidents

Discussion Questions:

  1. What happened to Katie? How did it happen?
  2. What’s wrong with the car? How did this accident affect Katie’s plans for the weekend?
  3. What solution does the mother provide?
  4. Have you ever been in or witnessed a car accident before?
  5. What driving safety measures do you always follow?

Carnival Scam Science

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A carnival is a fun place where people have fun and play games but have you ever played any carnival games before? Have you ever experienced winning and losing those games?

We all have probably heard of carnival games being scams. The question is, how are they ripping us off?

Do they glue bottles so we can’t knock them down, do they make it impossible to land a shot on a net, or do they do something subtle so they make a lot of money?

To understand this, take a look at this video.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you actually think carnival games are a scam? Explain your stand.
  2. Do you agree with the points made in the video? Yes or no? Explain your opinion.
  3. What are the things that this video taught you about carnivals games and the science behind them?
  4. Do you think you have higher probability of winning a prize at carnival games after watching this video?
  5. Talk about any of your fond/unforgettable memories at carnivals.

Clutter Can Be So Bad For People With Anxiety

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Take a quick glance around your home: Do you see disorganized drawers, scattered toys on the floor, or stacks of mails? An overflowing trashcan? Having a cluttered home makes us feel out of control and exhausted. Is clutter just a housekeeping issue or has it already become a mental health issue?

Let’s read the article below to find out how clutter affects people with anxiety.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/why-clutter-bad-people-anxiety_l_60636df8c5b6d5b7a6936282

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you like cleaning? How often do you clean your house?
  2. Does clutter or mess bother you? Does it cause you anxiety?
  3. Are you a neat freak?  Do you know any neat freaks?  How crazy are they about cleanliness?
  4. How do you deal with the clutter in your home?
  5. Is it really possible to find beauty in chaos? Explain your point.

Pre-Loved Fashion from Niche to Mainstream

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Fashion-conscious consumers are turning towards pre-loved or secondhand clothes. As a result of this craze, big brands like Asos and Marks & Spencer are joining in. They believe that this trend could go into the mainstream.

Buying pre-loved clothes allows shoppers to keep up with trends without drying up their budgets. Aside from that, it is also good for the environment. Using and reusing clothes help reduce overall carbon emissions. Hence, it’s is hitting two birds with one stone.

Click the link and read the article to know more about how pre-loved fashion is turning from niche to mainstream.

https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2021/may/01/pre-loved-fashion-moves-from-niche-to-mainstream-as-retailers-join-the-fray

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are pre-loved items? Have you ever owned any? Why or why not?
  2. What are your thoughts on this emerging trend in business and in the fashion industry?
  3. Do you agree or disagree that well-know retail brands should join in on this? Explain your point.
  4. What are the benefits and disadvantages of buying pre-loved items?
  5. How do you normally dispose of your old stuff?

Smacked Children Gets Involved in Partner Violence in Adulthood

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Corporal punishment is a punishment intended to cause physical pain to a person. It includes spanking, smacking, slapping, pinching, pulling, and hitting with an object. It has been a controversial topic for quite some time now – decades, in fact. But why does it happen, and how does it affect development and later relationships??

Let’s read the article below to find out the effects of smacking on children.

https://theconversation.com/evidence-shows-children-who-are-smacked-are-more-likely-to-be-involved-in-partner-violence-in-adulthood-159632

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of spanking/smacking children?
  2. In your opinion, how does smacking affect children?
  3. What do you think is the best way to discipline a child?
  4. What’s the difference between discipline and punishment?
  5. What would you do if your child behaved badly in public?
  6. Is it right for the government to ban smacking? Explain your point.