Category: Homework

Circus Has Problems

B1 – Intermediate

Cirque du Soleil was founded in 1984 and it has become very famous all over the world since then. They’ve had very successful shows in many different countries. 

However, due to the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the company had faced a lot of money problems.

Read the transcript and listen to the audio from the link below.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/circus-has-problems-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What comes to your mind when you hear ‘circus’?
  2. Have you ever seen any Cirque du Soleil performances? Talk about it.
  3. Now that they might never see them perform again, would you have liked to watch their show or would you like to get the chance to see their show again?
  4. What was your reaction to this news?
  5. Do you think there is still a possibility for this circus group to have shows again in the future? Why or why not?

Reggae a World Cultural Treasure

B1 – Intermediate

Music is an important part of a nation’s culture and heritage. The United Nations has recognized reggae as a cultural treasure that needs to be preserved and passed on to the next generation.

Read this lesson and find out more about reggae as a global cultural heritage.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1812/181201-reggae-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of when you hear ‘reggae’?
  2. What do you think about reggae music? How popular is it in your country?
  3. Do you agree or disagree that reggae should be protected and promoted?
  4. What is the traditional music like in your country? Is it considered cultural treasure by the UN?
  5. How is the traditional music in your country preserved and promoted?

Japan Begins Commercial Whaling

B1 – Intermediate

Whaling has been part of the Japanese culture for hundreds of years. However, in 1986, it was banned. After more than 30 years of being illegal, commercial whaling is allowed again in this country. Many people are not happy about the return of whaling.

Read about this news and find out more about commercial whaling in Japan.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1907/190706-commercial-whaling-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is  on whaling?
  2. What is your reaction to the return of whaling in Japan?
  3. Tell us about another activity that involve killing of animals in your country. What do you think of it?
  4. Have you ever tried whale meat? If yes, what can you say about it? If not yet, would you like to try it? Why or why not?
  5. What is the most exotic meat you have ever tried?

Car Rental Hertz Files for Bankruptcy

B1 – Intermediate

When traveling around other places, sometimes, you need to rent a car so you can get around more conveniently.

Hertz is a car rental company. It is one of the world’s biggest. However, it recently filed for bankruptcy.

Read the lesson and get more information about this car rental company going bankrupt.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2005/200525-bankruptcy-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you familiar with Hertz? What do you know about this company?
  2. Why is Hertz filing for bankruptcy?
  3. What is your reaction to this news?
  4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of renting a car?
  5. Have you got any experience renting a car? Share it with us.

Slow Travel

B1 – Intermediate

Traveling on vacation is absolutely enjoyable but it can also make us feel very tired from doing so many activities. Sometimes, after a holiday, when we return home, we feel like we need more days off to rest.

There is another way to enjoy your holiday so you don’t end up so exhausted after a vacation. It is to go on a “slow travel”.

Read the lesson and find out more about slow travels.

Many people travel to foreign countries for vacation. They spend two weeks in Italy, France, or another place. They see many museums, festivals, and important places. The vacation is interesting but very tiring. In fact, people need a vacation when they get home!

These days, more people try slow travel. “Slow travel” means people rent a house or apartment in one place for a long time, such as two weeks or one month. They go for walks nearby and meet locals. They visit the same cafes and restaurants every day. They go shopping for food and cook it at home too. In other words, slow travel means visitors live their lives in a home away from home.

More people prefer slow travel because it’s relaxing but interesting. Every place has so much to discover!

Source: headsupenglish.com

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you like traveling? What do you usually like doing and where do you like going?
  2. What do you think about slow travel? Would you like to try it? Why or why not?
  3. Where do you want to go for your next vacation?
  4. What is your best travel? Talk about it.
  5. Describe your dream travel.

A Leopard Can’t Change Its Spots

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A philosopher once said, “the only constant in life is change”. Change is inevitable that’s why we should be able to adapt to changes in our lives. However, some things never change; such as bad habits.

Let’s watch the video and learn a new expression.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/experiment/unit-1/session-1

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does “a leopard can’t change its spots” mean? Do you agree with this?
  2. What are some bad habits that you would like to get rid of?
  3. Do you agree or disagree that people can change for the better? Why or why not?
  4. How do you say the same expression in your language and explain what it means.
  5. Share an experience when a leopard couldn’t change its spots.

Success at School vs Success in Life

C1 – Advanced

We were often told that we should do well at school as it is the ultimate security in life. Everyone seems to want it so that in time, they’ll have a suitable and comfortable house, career, business, and respect from others.

However, at some point, confusion strikes as we know or meet people who have done pretty well at school but unfortunately failed in life or vice versa.

To understand further, take a look at this video.



Discussion Questions:

  1. Does school assure success in life? Explain your stand.
  2. Do grades determine success in life? Explain your position.
  3. How has school curricular designed and evolved through time?
  4. What are the two tricky things mentioned in this video to have a good life? Do you agree or disagree with it? Why?
  5. What is important to succeed in school and in life?

Cross Cultural Communication

C1 – Advanced

Given different cultural backgrounds, people are faced with a challenge communicating with each other through verbal or non- verbal way of communicating, greetings, body language, and tone.

Let us watch a short clip on how to communicate with people from different cultural backgrounds.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on cross culture communications?
  2. How do people from different cultures communicate? How can we better communicate with individuals and groups whose first language, or language of choice, does not match our own?
  3. Which do you think is a better way to communicate – body language or verbal expressions?
  4. Do you think intercultural communication is easy or difficult? What problems have you had communicating with different cultures?
  5. Is basic understanding of cultural diversity a key to effective cross-cultural communications? Support your stand.

Heaviest Sumo Wrestler Gives Diet Advice

B1 – Intermediate

Health is important to each and everyone of us. Everyone needs to be healthy and not only physically but also mentally and psychologically. The health of any given individual will determine how he or she functions.

Let’s read the article below and learn more about the world’s heaviest ever sumo wrestler’s health advice to other wrestlers.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2006/200628-sumo-wrestler-0.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of sumo wrestlers? What do you know about them or their sport?
  2. How much do you worry about your height and weight?
  3. How big is your appetite? How difficult is it for you to avoid snacks?
  4. What do you do to stay healthy?

Company Sends Rocket to Space

B1 – Intermediate

NASA and private company SpaceX work together to send astronauts to space. The private company SpaceX owns the rocket. This company is owned by Elon Musk. This space flight is monumental for both NASA and SpaceX.

Read the transcript and listen to the audio about this commercial space flight from the link below.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/company-sends-rocket-to-space-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the mission of this space flight?
  2. What is your reaction to this news? 
  3. What do you think is the importance of such space missions?
  4. Would you be interested to go on a commercial flight to space? Why or why not?
  5. Do you think space travel would be a common thing in the future? Why or why not?