Category: Homework

How False Information Spreads

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Today, almost everything we do has something to do online; may it be our pastime or our jobs. Sometimes, we feel the need to be connected online for fear of missing out on a lot of things.

As a result, different industries have adapted to this trend and have increased their online presence. This includes news media. Now, it’s more common to see people reading news articles online than in a newspaper. With so much information available at our fingertips, we need to be careful about the things we read online.

Click the link and listen to the audio to learn more about how quickly false information can be spread online.

https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/listening/advanced-c1-listening/how-false-information-spreads

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the reasons false information spread so easily with the help of technology?
  2. How can false information be prevented from being spread on the internet?
  3. Share a hoax you have heard of before that many people believed right away.
  4. Do you read the news online? Which websites do you get your news from? Why do you get info from these websites?
  5. Do you use Wikipedia? What is your opinion about it or the information on it?

Professionals Want To Go Back To the Office

B2 – Upper Intermediate

COVID-19 has lead to more and more employees working from home. 98% of people surveyed said they would like the option to work remotely for the rest of their careers. With workers finding some challenges in this new work setup, not everything is positive.

Let’s read the article to find out what these 6 professionals shared about their experiences working from home and why they want to go back to working in the office again.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/return-to-office-work_l_60818168e4b01e14f06eb30a

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you currently working from home? What’s your daily routine like for working?
  2. What’s your biggest struggle with working remotely?
  3. How can companies with remote workforce benefit from implementing flexible/remote working?
  4. What do you do when taking breaks and to recharge throughout the day?
  5. Are remote workers happier than office employees? Explain your point.

Pour Cold Water

B1 – Intermediate

We usually see people in movies stop whatever they are doing when someone throws water on them. This somehow relates to the phrase “pour cold water” that started out literally and now used more figuratively. When someone talks about an idea or a plan, the other discourages it for some reason.

Learn more about the expression “pour cold water” in the video below.

https://www.theidioms.com/pour-cold-water-on/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does “pour cold water on something” mean?
  2. What were the things have you done but people discouraged?
  3. Do you regret any of those actions? Why or why not?
  4. What do you do when someone disapproves of your plans?
  5. Do you say your disapproval when someone has a bad idea? Why or why not?

Two Heads Are Better Than One

B1 – Intermediate

There is an old saying that goes “two heads are better than one”. It means that two people thinking together can come up with a better solution to a problem than a single person. It could also be more than two people working together. This phrase was first seen in the Bible and then was published in some books later on.

Let us hear more about the expression “two heads are better than one” in the video below.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does “two heads are better than one” mean?
  2. Do you prefer working alone or with another person or other people?
  3. What are the pros and cons of working with someone?
  4. Can a person get their goals in life on their own? Why or why not?
  5. What are your experiences when you needed help from others?

Playing with Fire

B1 – Intermediate

We often hear this idiom “playing with fire”. Literally, we know that fire is dangerous and we could get hurt or destroy stuff. Thus, this phrase means doing something risky or dangerous.

We can also relate this to the story in Prometheus. In Greek religion, he is one of the Titans and also called the God of Fire. He disobeyed the Gods and stole fire to give it to humans. This is a good deed but he was still punished by Zeus in the end.

Let us hear more about the expression “playing with fire” in the audio below.

http://www.idioms4you.com/complete-idioms/playing-with-fire.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does “if you play with fire, you might get burned” mean?
  2. Are you always cautious or do you like doing taking risks? Why is this?
  3. What is the most risky thing you have ever done in your life? Did you end up “getting burned”? Given a chance, would you do it again? Why or why not?
  4. What do you do when you can not achieve your objectives?
  5. What fun activities can we do that are not dangerous at all?

Tie the Knot

B1 – Intermediate

The phrase “tie the knot” is quite known globally which refers to marriage. There are a lot of theories where the origin of this phrase came from but one surely stands out.

Tying the knot comes from centuries-old wedding tradition called the hand-fasting ceremony. In this ancient Celtic practice, the couple literally ties the knots of cloth around their hands binding them together making them one.

Let us hear more about the expression “tie the knot” on the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoUTRZGfVRg

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “tie the knot” mean? What other similar expressions related to marriage do you know of?
  2. How important is marriage in your country?
  3. What are the pros and cons of marriage?
  4. Are there any interesting wedding traditions in your country?
  5. What is the difference between being single and being married?

The Ideal Woman

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Although there are times when it is not easy to know the reasons why we fall in love, the reasons why we stay in love are easier to recognize. Perhaps looking for a perfect partner is unrealistic that is why we must settle with the next best thing — an ideal partner.

Let’s listen to Ed and Rocky as they talk about Rocky’s ideal woman.

The Ideal Woman

Discussion Questions:

  1. What kind of woman does Rocky like?
  2. What do you think of his ideal woman? Do you agree with his thoughts on household responsibilities?
  3. What is your idea of the perfect man/woman?
  4. Is it good to have high expectations in a relationship?

Divorce Lawyers

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Marriage is a commitment. It’s a commitment to do whatever is necessary to make the marriage work. There are times when it just won’t work despite the compromise the couples make. When is it right to surrender?

Let’s listen to Phil’s potential divorce story.

Divorce Lawyers

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is going on between Sharon and Phil?
  2. What reasons does Phil have to justify his divorce? What does Tonya think about them?
  3. What does “call it quits” mean?
  4. Do you think Phil is ready for a married life?
  5. Do you have high divorce rate in your country? What are the common reasons couple get divorced?
  6. What do you think of divorce lawyers? Are they in demand and highly paid in your country?

Why Do We Cringe?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Now more than ever, we feel the urge to cringe, especially about things we see online. It could be a verb, noun, and an adjective which means recoil of embarrassment or shrink. We cringe because we witness something funny or pleasurable or something disgusting or awkward.

Watch the video below about the cringe theory, empathetic embarrassment, why we cringe, etc.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What makes you cringe? Share a moment when you feel embarrassed or awkward or something hilarious that you cried your heart out due to fondness.
  2. Why do we cringe more recently?
  3. Do you tend to cringe more if someone close to you or someone you do not personally know did something embarrassing? Why do you think that is?
  4. Have you ever made someone cringe? Share your story.
  5. Is cringing bad or good or could be an insult? Explain.
  6. How do you deal with a cringey/cringe-worthy person or situation?

Video Games Are Good for You

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Research has shown that more people are playing video games since the pandemic. Because of the drastic limitation on outdoor activities, people find themselves stuck at home with nothing much to do. As a result, more people turn to video gaming.

However, video games have always had mixed reception from parents. Some say they make their kids more aggressive and less healthy. On the other hand, some parents say that with moderation, video games are a good way for kids to spend their time at home.

Research shows that video games are actually beneficial in many ways.

Click the link and read the article to learn the benefits of playing video games.

https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/reading/upper-intermediate-b2-reading/video-games-are-good-you

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the article, how can games help develop physical skills?
  2. What are the other benefits of playing games that were mentioned in the article?
  3. Do you play video games? Why or why not?
  4. What are some negative effects of playing video games?
  5. Do you think the benefits outweigh the negative effects of playing video games? Why or why not?