Category: Homework

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?

Transparent Toilets in Tokyo

B1 – Intermediate

Public toilets are places where one is obliged to ease oneself in unfamiliar surroundings. Almost all toilets in Japan are well-maintained and kept spotlessly clean to ensure the utmost comfort for all.

Let’s read the article below about public toilets in Japan.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2008/200821-the-tokyo-toilet-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Should public toilets be well-designed? Why / Why not?
  2. What do you think of a toilet with transparent walls?
  3. Should cities spend money on designing toilets? Why / Why not?
  4. Why do public toilets have a negative image? How can we make public toilets better?
  5. What are public toilets like in your country? Describe.

The Race to Build the World’s First Hyperloop

C1 – Advanced

A lot of people think it can’t be done. It started as a theory way back in 2013, many were skeptical about it saying it’s not going to work and a lot of countries won’t be able to afford it as they are already struggling to produce MAGLEV trains. Despite all that, the race to build the world’s first hyperloop has continued on.

Watch the video and know more about hyperloop and what it has to offer.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is a hyperloop?
  2. What are the advantages of using a hyperloop?
  3. If you could live in one city and work in another, which city would you like to work at and which one would you want to live in? Why?
  4. What are the other things you can’t wait to be invented?
  5. If you could go anywhere using a hyperloop, which place won’t you get tired of visiting and why?

UK Exam Results Fiasco

B1 – Intermediate

In order to grade students’ exams, the UK government used an algorithm to determine the results. The problem is, the algorithm did not work properly. 

Read more about this lesson on the UK exam results fiasco.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2008/200819-exam-results-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. How would you feel if you were a student or a parent of a student affected by this?
  3. In your opinion, are grades important? Why or why not?
  4. What are/were some effects of the pandemic on schooling in your country?

Microsoft to Buy TikTok

B1 – Intermediate

TikTok has become a very popular social media platform nowadays. It’s an app where users can upload very short videos of themselves doing some funny stuff.

Microsoft has been considering to buy TikTok but President Trump is opposed to it. Then later changed his mind.

Read this lesson about Microsoft buying TikTok.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2008/200805-tiktok-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why is President Trump opposed to Microsoft buying Tiktok at first? What changed his mind?
  2. What do you think of Microsoft’s offer of $50 billion for a part of the company?
  3. How popular is Tiktok in your country?
  4. Why do you think Tiktok is popular? What do you think of this app?
  5. Given a chance, what company would you like to buy or invest in and why?

Bin Bag Dress

B1 – Intermediate

It is not easy being a woman in business and politics. Sometimes, they suffer from discrimination. A young female politician in Australia experienced this. She has received criticism that are based on her gender or as simple as the way she dresses.

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

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/bin-bag-dress-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to Nicolle Flint wearing a garbage bag dress?
  2. Is it important for politicians to dress nicely? Why or why not?
  3. What are your thoughts on your politicians’ public image?

Gorilla Glass Toughest Smartphone Screen

B1 – Intermediate

Most people has a mobile phone. We take care of it because it is a very important device for us.

Every gadget owner’s worst fear is dropping their phone and breaking the glass on its screen. However, as technology advances, the glass used as material in making our mobile phone screens has also been improved a lot.

Read this lesson about the most durable smartphone screen.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2007/200728-smartphone-glass-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news on tougher mobile phone screens?
  2. Have you ever dropped your smartphone and break its screen? What did you do when that happened?
  3. What other improvements or technology do you want to see in mobile phones?

Status Anxiety

C1 – Advanced

It’s quite normal when we meet someone new at a gathering or a party to be asked this common question “What do you do?” That’s one of the many reasons we aspire to advance in our position in the society including greater influence, higher quality of life, and well-being.

Notably, the desire for higher status may be accompanied by the experience of status anxiety. Status anxiety, according to Wikipedia can be defined as the constant tension or fear of being perceived as “unsuccessful” by the society in materialistic terms. Today, every individual constantly tries to outsmart others to climb up the social ladder.

Watch the video below to learn more about anxiety status.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is status anxiety? Are you particularly conscious of your status in the society?
  2. What are the factors that lead us to prove ourselves to the society?
  3. Do you think people around us in the world we live in are snobs or judgmental?
  4. Is it important to be at the top of your league?
  5. Do we have to conform with the society’s status standards?
  6. What is the best way to deal with status anxiety? Explain your point.

New Netflix Subscribers Surge During Pandemic

B1 – Intermediate

Netflix is quite popular all over the world nowadays. It is a video streaming service that allows members to watch popular movies, TV shows, and documentaries on different devices. More and more people are now subscribing to Netflix since most of us are staying at home because of the pandemic.

Read this lesson on the increase in Netflix subscribers.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2004/200425-netflix.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is Netflix? Do you have a subscription? Why or why not?
  2. Do you like this kind of app? Why or why not?
  3. Why is there a big increase in the number of new Netflix subscribers recently?
  4. What TV shows or movies do you watch on Netflix?
  5. Do you think people will not continue with their subscription to Netflix after the pandemic? Why or why not?
  6. What are other activities you can do at home apart from watching on Netflix?