Category: Homework

Private and Personal Information

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When we wake up in the morning, the first thing most of us do is to check our phones for notifications. Then, we get ourselves ready for the day by eating breakfast. But before taking the first bite, we first take the phone out and snap a photo of our food and post it on social media. This behavior of constantly being on our phones continues throughout the day. This may not be true for everyone, but we see this pattern of behavior around us.

People tend to have the urge to share everything about themselves on social media. This may sound harmless, but we should be very careful about the things we post and share on the internet. We must distinguish which information is okay to share online and which ones should be kept in private.

Let’s watch the video and find out what information may be okay to share online and those that should be kept from all the world to see.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is private information? What is personal information? Give examples of each.
  2. Do you use social media? If yes, how often do you use it? What sort of information do you share on your social media account/s?
  3. What are your thoughts on this statement: “Think before you share.”?
  4. Why is it dangerous to share private information online?
  5. How do you make sure not to jeopardize your private info when navigating through the internet?

Life Expectancy – What Makes the Difference?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Life expectancy is the estimation of the number of years an individual can expect to live. It is the key measure to evaluate population health. Countries differ in life expectancy depending on different factors.

Find out more about life expectancy and the factors affecting its trends.

https://www.english-online.at/geography/life-expectancy/life-expectancy-where-people-live-longer.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the article, what factors affect the life expectancy of a nation? Can you add some more?
  2. What is the life expectancy in your country? Why do you think it’s like that?
  3. Why do you think men and women have different life expectancy?
  4. Do you agree with the saying ‘It’s not how long you live, it’s how well you live.’?
  5. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages when people live for so long?

Fat Shaming

B2 – Upper Intermediate

According to some studies, obesity is not just due to an individual’s lack of self-control. Other factors such as poverty, awareness, genetics, hormones, and some chronic illnesses also contribute to developing this complex disease.

For some people, fat-shaming actually helped them to begin losing weight. But for some, it’s been nothing but a shameful remark that could lead to self-destructive behaviors.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript to know more about fat shaming.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-201231

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is fat-shaming and does it really benefit anyone?
  2. What are your thoughts on this attitude toward others?
  3. Are you happy with your body? Do you ever wish you could change something about it? If so, what changes would you like to do?
  4. How can we overcome negative thoughts on our body image?

Morning Routine Mistakes Could Cost You Productivity and Peace

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There are two types of people in this world: those who wake up ready to take on life itself and then there’s the rest who would rather take on more hours in bed.

Do you wake up feeling energetic and excited about the day ahead or do you wish you could just sleep for the rest of the day?

Mornings are difficult for many people, but handling them effectively can be crucial to getting your day started right. Good morning routines can create a bedrock of stability in your life, which is vital no matter who you are or what you are up against.

Click the link and find out more about the 3-morning routine mistakes we often commit and how our productivity and peace are sacrificed along the way.

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/364704

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your morning routine? 
  2. How has your morning routine changed over recent years?
  3. Do you do anything before going to bed to make your mornings easier?
  4. Do you set an alarm to wake you up in the morning and if so, do you ever hit the snooze button? Why or why not?
  5. How soon do you check your phone in the morning? Why do you do so?
  6. Do you use any apps or products to enhance your sleep or morning routine?
  7. What do you do if you fail to follow your morning routine and how does this influence the rest of your day?

Looking for Utopia

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Have you ever been in a place where perfection or harmony is enjoyed? It sounds dreamy, right? This kind of world is called utopia where many of us aspired to be living in especially at times when everything seems to be falling apart and we succumb to all the atrocities happening around us. We hope to be able to escape and wish we could get through life by transporting ourselves to this utopia to find serenity and happiness away from all the chaos.

Listen to the conversation about looking for utopia.

Discussion Questions:

1. Have you and your society aspired for utopia? How so?

2. Could you describe the utopia you aspire for yourself, your country, and the world?

3. What inspires you to reach for that utopia?

4. Is it possible to find some kind of utopia in the real world?

5. Do you think utopian ideals would be achieved if we thrived in it?

Are Children of Same -Sex Parents Disadvantaged?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The well-being of children who are being raised by same-sex parents has gained more and more attention over the past few years. Opponents have argued that “same-sex parenting” adversely affects children. However, various scientific research show that gay and lesbian parents are as fit and capable as heterosexual parents. They do not raise their children any differently than heterosexual couples do.

Watch the video and be able to answer the questions that follow:

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on the points discussed in the video?
  2. In general, what are your thoughts on same-sex parenting? Why or why not?
  3. How is it like for same-sex parents in your country? Are there changes that still needs to be done for families in this setup?
  4. Is sexual orientation a problem when adopting a child? Does it affect the welfare of the child’s upbringing? Explain your answer.
  5. Are children in traditional families better than the non- traditional ones? Why or why not?

The Power of Touch

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Since the pandemic started last year, authorities have been constantly reminding us to strictly observe social distancing. People have to have as little interaction as possible with people outside of their households. As a result, social gatherings were drastically reduced. We barely see our friends and for some, even families. And even if we do, we have to be mindful of our interactions with them. Hugging, kissing, or even handshakes have been discouraged.

The sense of touch is most taken for granted, but now that it’s being controlled, we miss the nonchalance towards it. The changes in our social interactions have caused some people to feel “skin hunger,” the feeling of deprivation and abandonment. They made us realize the importance of human touch to us and the people around us.

Click the link to learn more about skin hunger and the power of touch.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/feb/28/the-power-of-touch-is-this-the-sense-we-have-missed-most

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is skin hunger? How important is the human touch for people?
  2. According to the article, how do different cultures speak the language of touch?
  3. What can you say about psychologist Sydney Jourard’s conclusion that Americans and Britons live under a “touch taboo”? How is it compare to people in your country?
  4. According to the article, what did the skin-hungry do as substitutes for human touch?
  5. How do people in your country greet their friends and family pre and post-pandemic?
  6. When was the last time you hugged or kissed someone to greet them?
  7. Can you imagine a world where people are not allowed skin contact with others?

Technology Changes Sense of Right and Wrong

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When we judge others let’s bear in mind that our notions and our understanding of right and wrong changes over time. There are some things that we once considered wrong but are totally acceptable now. Technology plays a massive role in society’s emerging moral sense.

Watch the video to know more about how the advances in technology lead to more ethical behavior and why we should build a community wherein having different points of view is accepted.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “burn someone at the stake” mean, “And that means that those who think you’re wrong, may burn you at the stake.”? Use this expression in a sentence.
  2. What does “narrowcast” mean, “In a weird way, today’s machine guns are narrowcast social media.”? Use this word in a sentence.
  3. What does “180-degree shift/change” mean, “It’s almost 180-degree shift in the opinion.”? Compare it with ‘360-degree shift/change’ and use these phrases in sentences.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How has technology changed our ethics and moral and ethical points of view over the years?
  2. Why is it necessary to be more understanding towards others?
  3. Why is it not right to use people’s mistakes against them?
  4. What is something you think was wrong that lasted for so long in your society?

Get Wind of Something

B1 – Intermediate

It happens all the time and in all places too. It could be in the office, school or at a local pub. We may not mean to eavesdrop but we hear things we don’t intend to know. What do we do with the piece of information we unwillingly learned?

Let’s hear more about this expression in this audio.

http://www.idioms4you.com/complete-idioms/get-wind-of.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does “get wind of something”mean? What situation was mentioned in the audio?
  2. Have you been in a similar situation? What was it about?
  3. Are you good at keeping secrets?
  4. How likely are you going to react when you get wind of an important information?

Shoot Yourself In the Foot

B1 – Intermediate

Some people try hard to be cautious with their words and deeds in order for things to go as planned. No matter how careful we are there are still some moments when we unwittingly make a situation worse for us.

Let’s listen to the audio about the expression “shoot one’s self in the foot”.

http://www.idioms4you.com/complete-idioms/shoot-yourself-in-the-foot.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does the idiom “shoot yourself in the foot” mean? Do you have a similar expression in your language?
  2. Have you ever shot yourself in the foot? What happened? What did you do to get out of that situation?
  3. What can you do when you ‘shot yourself in the foot’?