Category: Homework

Should Stay-at-Home Parents Be Paid?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

At this time, many would agree that both parents should be employed to sustain one’s family’s needs. However, this isn’t the case for everybody. Some couples decide that one parent should remain at home to take care of the children and of course, the household chores and that one parent isn’t paid either by the government or by their respective spouses.

It has been a much debated topic whether it is time to recognize the economic value of domestic labor.

Watch the video below to further understand this topic.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about domestic labor? Do you think it is a challenging job that needs to be paid? Why and why not?
  2. What are the downsides of paying stay-at-home parents? Do you think more parents would rather stay at home and never work outside? Is it necessarily bad?
  3. Do you think this idea would increase gender inequality?
  4. Could we consider this idea an investment in children?
  5. In your opinion, would you choose to be a stay-at-home parent? Would the possibility of a pay for such work affect your decision?

Wind Turbines Cause Bird Deaths

B1 – Intermediate

With our growing problem with the environment, we continue to find alternative sources of energy. One example of alternative energy source is wind. 

One good thing about wind turbines is that they produce green energy. However, one problem with them is the danger they bring to wildlife, especially birds.

Find out more about this environment concern and what the solution is to this problem.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2008/200829-wind-turbine-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the good and bad things about wind turbines or wind farms?
  2. What are other common causes of death of birds that you know of?
  3. How is the scientists solution helpful?
  4. Are there a lot of wind turbines in your city/country? What do you think of them?
  5. What is your opinion on this statement: “wind farms should not be a risk to wildlife”?

India, Russia, and One Chess Gold Medal

B1 – Intermediate

In competitions, there is only one winner. But at the Olympiad 2020, that one gold medal went to two competing countries India and Russia. The chess match was done online due to Covid-19 but India had internet problems.

Read this lesson to find out more about two countries winning one gold medal in chess.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2009/200902-chess-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on giving the gold medal to both India and Russia?
  2. Was it acceptable to share the medal due to internet problems from India’s end? Why or why not?
  3. Have you ever heard of a similar story? Tell us about it.
  4. Do you know how to play chess? How and when did you learn to play it? What can you say about this game/sport?
  5. Is there a Spanish game similar to chess? Talk about it.

Brain-Hacking Computer Chip

B1 – Intermediate

Elon Musk, a tech pioneer, wants to develop a computer-to-brain technology in humans. An experiment has already been done on a pig. If this technology succeeds, we might be seeing superhuman powers in the near future.

Read this lesson more to find out more about putting a computer chip on human brains.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2008/200831-superhuman-powers-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on the potential of this technology?
  2. How do you feel about such technology?
  3. How can it change our lives?
  4. What would be the advantages and disadvantages of this technology?
  5. Do you think it’s possible for AI to cause destruction to humans?

What’s Hidden on the Forbidden North Sentinel Island?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

One of the most intriguing places on the planet would be the
North Sentinel Island. How so? On this infamous & unspoiled island, a unique civilization can be found. This is the home of one of the most mysterious tribe – the Sentinelese.

According to scientists, the Sentinelese have been living in complete self-isolation for almost 60,000 years; thus, they don’t know anything about the rest of the world. They don’t have any idea about computers, schools, or businesses. They have been living on their own, unbothered.

Know more about this tribe as you watch the video.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why is it an infamous island? Why is the island being protected?
  2. How do the Sentinelese people live? What makes their civilization unique?
  3. Why do you think a lot of scientists want to visit the North Sentinel island?
  4. If you could visit the island, what would you want to ask the Sentinelese?
  5. What do you think is hidden in North Sentinel?

Natural Landscapes That Even Scientists Can’t Explain

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Mysteries in this planet are everywhere. There are certain phenomena that even science cant’t explain.

These hard-to-explain phenomena led to myth-making. These are some of the wonders of our natural world. These natural landscapes roused some questions that remain unanswered.

Read this article to discover these natural landscapes that are unexplainable.

https://www.rd.com/list/natural-landscapes-scientists-cant-explain/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about the article?
  2. Do you believe that there are mysteries happening on this planet?
  3. Among the featured landscapes in the article, which ones amaze you the most?
  4. Which ones do not astonish you?
  5. Is there a natural tourist attraction in your city or country that seems to be mysterious?

Social Distancing Through Wine Windows in Italy

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In this pandemic that we are facing, one of the crucial rules in keeping safe is social distancing. Everyone should get used to it that even companies around the world have shifted their ways of doing business.

In Italy, most of them are using “buchetta del vino” or wine windows. to serve their customers.

Let’s read more about it here:
https://www.rd.com/article/italy-wine-windows/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do people in your city follow the social distancing rule?
  2. How do you feel about social distancing when meeting your friends and family? Is it really necessary?
  3. How have businesses in your city adjusted to the new normal?
  4. What can you say about the “wine windows” in Italy?
  5. Do you have any suggestions to business owners on how they should operate in this time of pandemic?

Places That Forbid Taking of Pictures

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Let’s admit, majority of us are hooked on taking photos. From the food that we are just about to eat, Outfit Of The Day (OOTD), our activities, and most specially the instagrammable places that we’ve been to, we can’t stop ourselves from taking snaps before anything else.

However, as much as we want to capture the scenery and view, there are places that do not allow this. Let us find out what are these places and their reasons why we need to ditch in our cameras in visiting them.

rd.com/list/places-forbid-taking-pictures/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you like taking pictures?
  2. What are the reasons you take photos?
  3. What are the things that you like to take pictures of?
  4. Is there a place in your country that forbids taking of pictures? What is the reason?
  5. In your own opinion, do you think the reasons mentioned in the article are valid?

Anti-Aging Creams

B1 – Intermediate

They say age is just a number, but we can’t deny the changes we notice on our faces as we grow older. At this point, the quest for younger looking, plumper, and line-free skin begins. Some people opt for surgeries while others try a milder approach such as cosmetic products.

https://listenaminute.com/a/anti-aging_creams.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is an anti-aging cream? Do you believe in its effectiveness?
  2. Are they expensive in your country? Who usually buys them?
  3. Are you a fan of anti-aging cream? Do you think you have the need to use them?
  4. If you would be asked to test a product, would you do it?

Genetically Modified Mosquitoes

B1 – Intermediate

Mosquitoes are little creatures who thirst for blood and cause many life-threatening diseases. It is determined that both genders are equally responsible for transmitting various diseases by breeding and increasing population size.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about genetically-modified mosquitoes.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2008/200825-mosquitoes-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of releasing genetically-modified insects? What could go wrong with this experiment?
  2. How would you feel if the mosquitoes were released in your town?
  3. What do you know about mosquitoes? What do you do to avoid them?
  4. How dangerous are mosquitoes?
  5. Do you have any bad experiences with mosquitoes?