Category: Homework

Amsterdam Bans Public Ads for Meat and Fossil Fuels

B1 – Intermediate 

Amsterdam has banned public advertisements for meat and fossil fuel products, including burgers, chicken, petrol cars, and airline travel.

The Dutch Meat Association and Dutch Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators disagree with the prohibition. On the other hand, environmental activists support the decision.

Read the article about Amsterdam’s public advertisements ban for meat and fossil fuel products.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2605/260507-public-advertisement-ban.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “carbon neutral” mean? “The ban is to help move Amsterdam towards its target of being carbon neutral by 2050.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “consumer behaviour” mean? “The Dutch Meat Association says ban is an undesirable way to influence consumer behaviour.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “to set a global standard” mean? “By becoming the first capital to legally ban fossil fuels and meat advertising, Amsterdam is setting a global standard.” Use the expression in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about the ban on public ads for meat and fossil fuel products in Amsterdam?
  2. What might be the pros and cons of this ban?
  3. The Dutch Meat Association says that the ban is an undesirable way to influence consumer behaviour. What is your opinion on this?
  4. Should other cities or countries follow Amsterdam’s example? Why or why not?
  5. Should governments have the power to restrict ads for products they consider harmful? Explain your view.
  6. How do you think advertising influences people’s food choices and travel habits?

Japan’s Snack Packaging Turns Black and White

B1 – Intermediate 

The Iran war caused problems for food companies in Japan. There is a shortage of ink materials. This affects food packaging.

Calbee will use black-and-white packaging for some potato chips. The company will add a message saying it is saving oil materials.

Sanae Takaichi said Japan has enough naphtha for now. Japan will also increase local production and imports from other countries. However, Calbee warned that more problems may happen later.

Read the article about the change in the designs of some snack manufacturers’ food packaging.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2605/260518-food-packaging-ink.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “in a bid to do something” mean? “Meanwhile, food and beverage maker Kagome will make some of the wrapping for its popular ketchup transparent in a bid to deal with the ink shortage.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “countermeasure” mean? “She said countermeasures would be taken to ensure a supply of the liquid.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “ramp up” mean? “These countermeasures include a ramping up of domestic production, and a threefold increase in naphtha imports from countries outside the Middle East. ” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about the changes in these Japanese snack products’ designs?
  2. What lessons can other companies learn from this situation?
  3. Do you think simple packaging is a good idea during shortages? Why or why not?
  4. How might customers react to changes in product packaging? How would you react if your favorite products’ packaging suddenly turns black and white?
  5. What is your opinion about transparent packaging?

Women More Likely to Die in Crashes

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It is commonly stated that men are more likely to die earlier than women. However, there are several scenarios in which the opposite is true. Filmmaker Eve Van Dyke discovered this during a trip in November 2024 that ended in a car crash. She noticed that the women sustained worse injuries than the men involved in the accident. As it turns out, that was not merely a coincidence. In the United States, women are 17% more likely than men to die in car accidents and 73% more likely to suffer serious injuries.

To find out why, watch the video below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “descent into the rabbit hole” mean? “
    If my descent into the rabbit hole taught me anything, it’s going to take a lot more than that to change the course of women’s car safety.”     Use this idiom in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “sheer callous” mean?“Either it’s sheer calluses or indifference or they don’t bother to find out how their cars behave.”  Use this expression in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “to sideline someone/something” mean? “NHTSA has been sidelining female dummies for nearly 50 years.” Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think cars are designed for men rather than women? Share your insight.
  2. What are your thoughts on women experiencing more severe road accident injuries than men? What do you think are the reasons for this?
  3. Do you believe that authorities have neglected women’s safety despite calls for greater consideration of this issue? What is your opinion?
  4. How common is it for women to be involved in vehicular accidents in your country? What factors might contribute to these accidents?
  5. Should authorities implement significant changes to the existing policies to better protect women from deaths or injuries resulting from vehicular accidents? Share your insights.

A Multi-Million Dollar Plot to Change What You Eat

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Having a healthy and balanced diet is an important part of living a robust life. However, the definitions of “good” and “bad” food are constantly changing. This is not only because the technology used to measure the healthiness of food has improved. Different sectors of the food industry continuously seek to promote their own products while criticizing foods that do not align with their interests. And the influence of the food industry does not end with biased research; it extends all the way to the highest levels of government and the law itself.

To find out more, watch the video below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to rag on someone/something” mean? “I hate to rag on avocado, but they have a powerful board, and they fund an incredible amount of research.” Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “blanketed nutrition space” mean? “And big food has blanketed nutrition space with so much money, it’s created a bunch of fun secondary problems.”  Use this expression in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “amuse-bouche” mean? “The industry-funded studies, the conflict of interest that’s all kind of amuse-bouche for where the industry’s real influence lies.” Use this term in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How might corporate interests conflict with public health goals?
  2. Do you think nutrition advice based on research funded by large companies is reliable? Explain your stance.
  3. Are you also confused by the nutrition advice you have heard over time? Give examples of when this has occurred.
  4. How can marketing strategies shape people’s perception of “healthy” and “unhealthy” foods? Do you think “health food” labels are always reliable? Why or why not?
  5. Do you believe food companies are always honest in their health claims? Why or why not?
  6. How can people protect themselves from misleading food marketing?

AI and College Degrees

B1 – Intermediate 

More students in the US are choosing skilled jobs instead of college. Jobs like welding and plumbing pay well and do not need a degree.

At the the moment, some college students use AI to do their schoolwork, which makes people question the value of college. Because of this, more people support training programs that teach practical skills and lead to good jobs.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about US students choosing skilled trades instead of going to college.

https://newsinlevels.com/products/ai-and-college-degrees-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “skilled trade” mean? “More students in the US are choosing skilled trades instead of going to college.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “field” mean here, “Many high school students are offered well-paid jobs in welding, plumbing, or similar fields right after graduation.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “shop class” mean? “They want to bring back shop classes and support programs where students learn real-life skills.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why are more students choosing skilled trades instead of going to college?
  2. Do you think skilled trade jobs are a good alternative to college? Why or why not?
  3. How is AI affecting students’ learning in college?
  4. Do you think using AI tools for schoolwork is helpful or harmful? Explain. 
  5. Do you think schools should focus more on practical skills like shop classes? Why?  

Ways to Protect Your Peace Without Cutting Everyone Off

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The video “6 Ways to Protect Your Peace Without Cutting Everyone Off” talks about how you can protect your mental and emotional well-being without completely cutting people out of your life. It explains that peace doesn’t always mean isolation, but learning how to handle relationships in a healthier way.

It also highlights the importance of setting boundaries, managing your reactions, and choosing how much energy you give to others. Instead of cutting people off easily, the video encourages balance and emotional control in everyday relationships.

Watch the video and learn more.

Vocabulary Questions:  

  1. What does the idiom “cut someone off ” mean?  “While distance can be healthy in cases of abuse or repeated harm, psychology suggests that cutting people off too easily can sometimes lead to isolation.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does the term “emotional detachment” mean?  “Another skill that helps protect your peace is emotional detachment. This doesn’t mean you stop caring about people.” Use the term in a sentence.  Give a synonym. 
  3. What does idiom “take something personally” mean?  “If someone criticizes you, it doesn’t always mean you have to take it personally.” Use the term in a sentence.  Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:  

  1. What does “protect your peace” mean to you personally?
  2. Do you think cutting people off is always a good solution when someone feels stressed or overwhelmed? Why or why not? 
  3. Can you give an example of a healthy boundary in a friendship or family relationship? 
  4. Have you ever experienced emotional overload? What caused it? How were you able to overcome it?
  5. Is it possible to protect your peace while still maintaining close relationships? How? 

What Happens in Your Brain When You Can’t Recall a Word

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The video explains why people sometimes experience “tip-of-the-tongue” moments, when a word feels just out of reach. It discusses how the brain stores and retrieves language and why certain memories can temporarily become difficult to access, even when we know the information is there.

The video also explores the science behind memory and communication, showing how different areas of the brain work together during word recall. It highlights factors such as stress, aging, and distraction that can interfere with memory while emphasizing that occasional forgetting is a normal part of brain function.

Watch the video and learn more.

Vocabulary Questions:  

  1. What does “tip-of-the-tongue state” mean? “Lots of things seem to influence how likely you are to enter a tip-of-the-tongue state.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “to trip someone up” mean? “Cognitively, recognizing a face and associating it with general information, like someone’s profession, is often easy, while names tend to trip us up.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “red herring” mean? “In these situations, the words seem to work as distracting, red herring-like blockers in the retrieval pathway.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:  

  1. Have you ever experienced this situation? Describe it.
  2. What strategies can help someone remember a forgotten word?
  3. Can practicing language skills improve word recall? Share your insights.
  4. Do you think technology helps or weakens our abilities to remember words? Share your opinion.

Digital Euro: the Future of Cash in Europe

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Money has evolved rapidly in recent years, with digital payments through cards and mobile phones increasingly replacing cash.

In response, the European Central Bank is developing the digital euro, a form of electronic public money designed to offer a secure and reliable way to make digital transactions.

Read the article to know more about the digital Euro.

https://theconversation.com/what-is-the-digital-euro-a-guide-to-the-future-of-cash-in-europe-280055

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “solvency” mean? “It will be a balance that does not depend on the solvency of any financial institution.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “monetary sovereignty” mean? “In February 2026, the European Parliament formally endorsed the digital euro project, describing it as essential to strengthening EU monetary sovereignty.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “to lead the pack” mean? “China leads the pack with its digital yuan – also known as the digital renminbi – which has seen more than 7 trillion yuan in transactions and is used in over 26 cities.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on the digital euro and digital currencies in general?
  2. What might the implications of the digital euro be for ordinary people and Europe’s financial systems?
  3. What issues do you foresee with the digital euro?
  4. Share your insights on this statement: “Europe is not alone in this pursuit, as more than 130 countries are exploring or have already launched their own digital currencies.”
  5. Do you think the European Central Bank can roll out the digital euro by 2029? Share your thoughts.

Tighter Immigration Controls in Japan

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Japan recorded a record 42.4 million foreign arrivals and 4.13 million foreign residents in 2025 while tightening immigration enforcement under its “Zero Plan.”

Overstayers declined for a second year, deportations and entry denials increased, and asylum applications fell as screening became stricter. 

Despite tougher controls, tourism and regional travel continued to surge, raising questions about how Japan will balance stricter enforcement with its growing need for foreign workers amid population decline.

Listen to the audio and read the article about Japan’s tighter immigration controls yielding results.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/04/09/japan/society/immigration-control-data

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “overstayer” mean? “The government aims to cut asylum processing times to six months by 2030 and reduce the number of illegal overstayers to zero.” Use the word in a sentence in this context. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “humanitarian ground” mean? “Japan granted refugee status to 187 people in 2025, while 474 were given complementary protection and 525 were allowed to stay on humanitarian grounds.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “recognition rate for refugees” mean? “Recognition rates for refugees remain low. ” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why has the number of foreign arrivals increased in Japan despite stricter immigration controls?
  2. What are your insights on Japan’s Zero Illegal Foreign Residents Plan?
  3. Do you think stricter immigration policies can effectively reduce illegal overstayers without discouraging tourism and foreign workers?
  4. What are the possible advantages and disadvantages of faster asylum processing and expanded deportation efforts?
  5. Should Japan prioritize stronger border enforcement or a more welcoming immigration system to address labor shortages?

Companies in China Cannot Fire Workers to Replace Them with AI

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

An employee surnamed Zhou held a quality assurance role at a tech firm. The company, pointing to AI-driven improvements and a need for efficiency, tried to move Zhou to a different role and reduce their monthly salary from 25,000 yuan (about US$3,655) to 15,000 yuan. After Zhou refused the salary reduction, the company terminated their employment.

Zhou quickly filed for labour arbitration and requested compensation for being unfairly dismissed.

The court found that the new role, with its significant pay cut, was not a reasonable offer for reassignment. As a result, it ruled the firing illegal and ordered the company to compensate the employee.

Read the article about the Chinese court ruling prohibiting firms to lay off workers on AI grounds.

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/global/companies-cannot-fire-workers-replace-them-ai-china-courts-rule

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to be hinged on something” mean? “The dispute largely hinged on whether eliminating a job through AI adoption constitutes an objective major change in circumstances under China’s Labour Contract Law.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. Differentiate “arbitration”, “mediation”, and “litigation”. “According to the country’s Labour Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Law, parties must first take their disagreements to mediation and arbitration commissions; if dissatisfied with the verdict, they can then pursue litigation.” Use each term in a sentence. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your insights on Zhou’s case and the court’s ruling. 
  2. Should companies be prohibited from firing employees simply to replace them with cost-saving artificial intelligence? Share your opinion.
  3. What are your thoughts on this, “If AI restructuring is necessary, corporations should prioritise retraining staff.”?
  4. How can workers’ rights be protected against AI?
  5. Do you believe AI will create more jobs than it replaces in the future? Explain your answer.