Category: Homework

Green Flights

B1 – Intermediate

Transport makes up approximately one-fifth of the world’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. More and more companies are thinking to go green in their practices. Lufthansa, a big German airline, is one of them. The company plans to make their flights CO2-neutral.

Read the transcript and listen to this audio about green flights.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/green-flight-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. How did coronavirus impact the oil industry?
  3. Do you think it is a good thing that some companies will use biofuel instead of normal oil?
  4. What is the current problem with biofuels?
  5. Do you think biofuels will be used more and more in the near future? Why or why not?

Good Etiquette for Foreign Students

B1 – Intermediate

Studying abroad is a great opportunity for students. It is an opportunity to widen horizons, expand knowledge, and boost personal and professional lives.

As a foreign student, one must not only follow the rules of the receiving country but also follow good social etiquettes.

Watch this video on good etiquettes for international students.

Good Etiquette

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the points on good etiquette Randall advises to international students?
  2. What are other points can you add to these?
  3. What is a ‘host family’? Why are they important?
  4. Have you lived abroad before? If yes, how did you show respect for the country you were living in?
  5. Do you have any experience studying abroad? If so, share about it. If not, what are the reasons and given a chance, would you do it?

To Future Generations of Women, You Are the Roots of Change

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Feminism was misunderstood in the beginning and people are still baffled by what really it is about. Feminism as described can dispense with the labels of gender and class and race and begin to realize our unique individuality. Feminism is not about female superiority or not a movement for lesbians only.

Watch as Gloria Steinem explains why we shouldn’t wait for somebody to tell us what to do and start being the roots of change.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is feminism?
  2. Do you agree that there’s still a lot to be done to reach gender equality? Why?
  3. Do you think women could be better leaders?
  4. What are the usual things that you notice that show women are still not equal to men? What can we do about them?
  5. What can you say about this quote “Follow the fear and do it anyway”?

Coronavirus: How Europeans Are Preparing For Christmas and New Year

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We know when Christmas is fast approaching when we start seeing Christmas lights and Christmas trees in public spaces or when we hear the ubiquitous Christmas songs. This is also a season when there is a significant increase in the number of people traveling across borders.

For ten months, the Coronavirus has limited the movement of people. With the virus still in the picture, governments are imposing various measures and restrictions to try and limit social interactions.

Click the link and read the article to find out how Europeans are preparing for the Yuletide season gutted by a pandemic.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-55058362

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can you say about the restrictions imposed by different European countries?
  2. Do you agree with the lifting of travel restrictions temporarily for the holidays?
  3. Do you think ski resorts should be opened for the holidays?
  4. What are your plans for this year’s holidays?
  5. Before the coronavirus pandemic, how did you usually celebrate Christmas?
  6. What things may be different this coming Christmas holidays?

Are Intermittent Workouts the Best Exercise for 2020?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As another year draws to a close, thoughts turn to starting the following year right. We long to forge good habits that will continue into the next twelve months. Among the top resolutions people commonly make is to develop a fitter lifestyle through healthy diet and exercise. With 2020 being an atypical year, fitting in regular workouts proved especially problematic. Perhaps intermittent workouts are the answer. Read the article below to learn more about this trend.

Intermittent Workouts Might Be The Best Exercise for 2020

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the article, what is an intermittent workout? What are its benefits?
  2. Do you think intermittent workouts could be good substitutes for “regular” workouts when the pandemic ends?
  3. What are your own strategies for reminding yourself to get enough exercise?

South Korea and China Clash on Social Media Over Kimchi

B1 – Intermediate

Kimchi is a common dish among Koreans. It is a traditional fermented food which is made up of mainly vegetables and chili pastes and is normally served as sides. Koreans eat kimchi multiple times a day.

China has a similar dish called pao cai and they are trying to claim the international certification for the process of making this dish.

Let’s read the article below to learn why South Koreans and Chinese are clashing on social media over this.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2012/201203-kimchi-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think China should have the international certification? Why / Why not?
  2. What are the staple dishes of your country?
  3. What do you know about kimchi?
  4. What dish / dishes from your country are you most proud of?
  5. What kind of Chinese food and/or Korean food do you like? Why?

Experimental Brain Implants in Monkeys Offer Hope for Restoring Vision in Blind People

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When we try to close our eyes and see nothing, what are the things that comes to your mind? Do you like the feeling of not being able to see a variety of colors and nothing but darkness?

This is how we picture the life of a blind being. Isn’t it hard? Yes, of course! However, after a series of experiments conducted with monkeys, scientists are a step closer to restoring one’s vision through brain implants. This technology, if developed fully, is a breakthrough that will give those who are wishing to restore their eyesight some hope.

Kindly read the article below to further understand this futuristic technology that could uplift many people and their hopes of seeing light and colors.

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/12/03/europe/brain-implant-blind-intl-scli-scn/index.html?utm_medium=social&utm_content=2020-12-03T20%3A59%3A03&utm

Discussion Questions:

  1. How did the scientists come up with this idea?
  2. Did you ever wonder how it feels to be visually-impaired?
  3. What are the potentials of this technology?
  4. Do you think this technology will be a breakthrough for the hopefuls?
  5. How could it change the life of someone who wants to be able to see?

The World’s First Solar-Powered Airport

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Solar energy is the technology used to harness the sun’s energy and make it useable. Many are familiar with so-called photovoltaic cells, or solar panels, found on things like spacecraft, rooftops, and handheld calculators. The cells are made of semiconductor materials like those found in computer chips. When sunlight hits the cells, it knocks electrons loose from their atoms. As the electrons flow through the cell, they generate electricity.

Let’s find out how an airport from India became the world’s first solar-powered airport.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/technology/worlds-first-solar-powered-airport.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. What comes into mind when you hear the term ‘solar energy’?
  2. Are you interested in solar energy?
  3. What are the pros and cons of solar energy?
  4. Do you think buying solar panels for your home is a good investment?
  5. Do you think solar energy could solve the global warming problem?
  6. How can you save some energy in your everyday life?

Fire Safety

B1 – Intermediate

It takes a long time to build a house but only a few minutes to destroy it by the fire. Not only is fire economically damaging it could also be life-threatening. How do we get out of this situation or altogether avoid it?

Let’s watch the video and know some tips on fire safety.

Fire Safety

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are Randall’s fire safety tips?
  2. What other fire safety tips you observe at home?
  3. Are fire alarms and water sprinklers required in residential apartments in your country? If so, why do you think that is?
  4. Do you have a specific fire emergency number? How quickly do they respond?
  5. Have you witnessed fire before? How did you feel at that moment? How serious were the damages?

How We Can Use the Hiring Process to Bring Out the Best in People

B2 – Upper intermediate

Job interviews could be stressful especially for those who cannot function well under pressure and feel uncomfortable answering a lot of questions from the interviewer.

Watch as Gil Winch explains how to successfully see the true potential of a candidate.

Discussion Questions: 

  1. Do you agree with this statement: “If you want to assess a candidate’s true potential, see how they function at their best, not their worst.” Explain why it’s necessary to make the candidates feel relaxed.
  2. What are the things that would put the candidates at ease? Do you agree with them?
  3. Talk about your worst and best job interviews. What did you learn from them?