Category: Homework

Diet Drinks As Unhealthy As Sugary Ones

B1 – Intermediate

Diet soda is addictive. Many people think that diet soda is healthy because diet soda contains no fat, low or no calories, and no sugar. Yet, it doesn’t really mean that drinking it won’t lead to weight gain.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about diet drinks.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2011/201101-diet-soda-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Should we be eating or drinking anything artificial? Why/why not?
  2. What do you think of artificial sweeteners?
  3. What kinds of food would you like to remove from your diet?
  4. How good or bad is your daily diet? Describe your diet.
  5. What can we do to prevent obesity?

What Kids Can Teach Adults about Asking for Help

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Most of the time while we are busy telling our children all about life, our children teach us what life is really all about. Being asked for help is a privilege but there is also happiness and joy that can come from leaning on those you love in times of need.

Watch the video to find out why you should start asking for help in times of need.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why is it important to ask help when you need it?
  2. Who usually helps you at your worst? Tell your experience.
  3. Why are some people afraid to ask for help?
  4. Have you helped someone during their most difficult times? How so?

Coronavirus: Dealing with Mass Unemployment

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A lot of people have been stressing about being permanently or temporarily laid off from their jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic. It has caused financial problems to a lot of people. Some started finding jobs that are not in their fields of expertise and some have been trying to survive by the money that the government has given them. They say that we are not yet in a place where we can talk about recovery and the ripple effect will come in the future.

Let’s listen to the audio below to learn more.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-200924

Discussion Questions:

  1. Has the pandemic caused mass unemployment in your country?
  2. What would be the ripple effect of mass unemployment?
  3. Would upskilling or reskilling be the answer to our problem?
  4. What are your thoughts about not having a job for life?
  5. What do you think are other ways to deal with mass unemployment?

How to Practice Effectively

B2 – Upper Intermediate

You may have heard the old saying that “practice makes perfect”. Mastery, repetition, and habits are concepts often heard in self-development circles. Some have even tried to reduce the attainment of mastery to a matter of focused repetition on a task for a period of 10,000 hours or roughly ten years.

However, as we will see in the following video, effective practice may be more about neural tissue than actual muscle.

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the video, what role does the brain play in mastery?
  2. What myths about mastery does the video debunk?
  3. What are some tips in making practice time more effective?
  4. What skills are you currently working on? Do you feel that you are on your way to mastering them?

Las Vegas Casinos

B1 – Intermediate

For some, gambling is a way to entertain themselves but for others, it becomes a part of their routine. There are certain things you can remember in order to gamble wisely.

Watch this video on some tips when you go to a casino to gamble.

Las Vegas Casinos

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to Randall, what are the things you should remember when you gamble? Do you agree or disagree with his tips?
  2. What do you think of gambling?
  3. Is gambling a part of culture in your country? What are the most common forms of gambling in your country? Is there an area in your country famous for gambling?
  4. Do you believe in ‘beginner’s luck’?
  5. What does the expression ‘the house always wins’ mean? Do you think this is true or not?

Eating Jellyfish Could Save Endangered Fish

B1 – Intermediate

Endangered species are very common nowadays. It is because humans everything from their homes and even the animals too. They are so small in number. They are at a very high risk of extinction. We need to take some actions in order to preserve them.

Let’s read the article below.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2010/201024-jellyfish-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How serious is the problem of food shortage?
  2. What do you think of people fishing for endangered species?
  3. Do you think eating jellyfish would help the world? Why/Why not?
  4. What would happen if many fish became extinct?
  5. Do you worry that fish are in danger of being extinct? Why/Why not?

A Man Collects Old Phones

B1 – Intermediate

Hassan al-Tourky has a fascination for old phones. This is his unusual past-time. He and his children have the same passion for old telephones. They even have a small business for it.

Read the transcript and listen to the audio to find out more about Hassan al-Tourky’s unusual hobby.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/a-man-collects-old-phones-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your hobbies? What are your unusual hobbies?
  2. What thing/things do you collect? Why do you love them?
  3. If you could collect any old thing what would it be and why?
  4. What thing do you want to own from a famous person?
  5. Do you want your children to have the same hobby as you? Why or why not?
  6. Why is having a hobby important?

Problem of Abolishing Coins

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The concept of currency has changed in all countries in the world over time. It has changed from barter system to coins, paper, and now, digital payment system. Since coins are often lost or discarded by customers, do you think it is time to eliminate them?

Let’s read the article on the problem with taking coins out of circulation.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20201012-the-problem-with-abolishing-coins

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about coins? What problems associated with coins and eliminating them were mentioned in the article?
  2. Do you still use coins in paying? Is it convenient or the opposite for you?
  3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using coins?
  4. Do you think coins practically have no value anymore? What would happen if these were abolished?
  5. What forms of monetary payment do you use these days?
  6. Talk about the history of money in your country (from barter to bank notes to credit cards to online or mobile payments etc.)

Can 100% Renewable Energy Power the World?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Have you ever heard of an energy that is generated from sources that naturally replenish themselves and last for a human lifetime? This is what we call renewable energy. The sun, wind, and water are the great examples of sources for this generating energy because we couldn’t possibly use them up over time. 

However, the world is still dependent on fossil fuels which according to experts, are limited sources of energy. The big question still stands on how and when we will be able to fully utilize these alternative energy when these sources are forever ubiquitous for our consumption.

Watch the video to learn more about renewable energy.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is renewable energy and how does it work? How efficient is renewable energy?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using renewable energy?
  3. Is renewable energy good for our environment?
  4. Will it secure a better future for humanity?
  5. Why do we need to keep finding alternative sources of energy?

The Dunning-Kruger Effect

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Do you have an underperforming colleague but has absolutely no clue about it and instead prides himself on his terrible performance at work? This is the Dunning-Kruger Effect.

Let’s watch the video and know more about it.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the Dunning-Kruger effect?
  2. Do you know people who are exceptionally competent? Are they aware of it?
  3. On the other hand, do you know people who are incompetent but think they’re amazing? What is it like working with them?
  4. Do you have the ability to recognize your errors? What do you do when you have been made aware of them?
  5. What are the tips to have an accurate assessment of yourself that were mentioned in the video?