Category: Homework

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?

Arctic Circle Highest-Ever Temperatures

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We have been seeing different signs of global warming all over the world. There is a new one and it is in the Arctic Circle.

Read the article about rising temperatures in the Arctic Circle from the link below.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2006/200626-arctic-circle.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction that the heatwave in the Arctic Circle is much higher than usual? 
  2. What are the possible effects of this rise in temperature?
  3. Why should we be worried about rising temperatures?
  4. Talk about the changes in temperatures in your country over the past few years?
  5. What is your opinion on this statement “This [ rising temperature ] is a warning message from the Earth itself”?

Cleaner Future

B1 – Intermediate

Yes, the pandemic might have put us in a very bad situation. However, there are some good results from it, too. One of which is that this global crisis has given us a chance to see what we are doing wrong to the environment. Hopefully, this period gives us a chance to change things.

Read the transcript and listen to the audio about cleaner future from the link below.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/cleaner-future-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What effects did the pandemic have on the environment of your country?
  2. Do you agree or disagree that something about how we use nature must change? 
  3. Do you agree or disagree that it is important to use cleaner energy for a better future?
  4. How is the environment protected in your country?
  5. How do you help in taking care of the environment?

Air Bridges Allows More People to Travel

B1 – Intermediate

With the pandemic greatly affecting most countries’ economy, governments are finding ways to restart the economic activities again. 

One way is by having air bridges. Another word for it is “travel bubble”. Find out more about air bridges or travel bubbles by reading the article below.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2006/200624-air-bridges-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to this article, what is an air bridge? What is the old meaning of it?
  2. What is your opinion about air bridges?
  3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having travel bubbles?
  4. Do you agree that opening the economy to people from other countries will be advantageous?
  5. How has the pandemic affect the economy of your country? How is your country recovering from the crisis?

Where Superstitions Come From

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Superstitions have come a long way in our history. It may be classified roughly as religious, cultural, and personal. Despite the modernization, superstitious beliefs still persist in our society and to some extent, some people believe in such irrational and absurd beliefs.

Watch the video to know its origin and be able to answer the questions that follow:

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on superstitions?
  2. Are you/people in your country superstitious? Why do you think this is?
  3. Why do some people believe in superstitions?
  4. What superstitious beliefs do you know and/or believe?
  5. Talk about some Spanish superstitious beliefs.

How to Improve Your Speaking Skills

Language barrier happens when people do not understand each other because they speak different languages. If you are in a meeting and you are not using the words that others understand, it would make the communication ineffective and it would prevent your message from being conveyed accurately. Thus, the result would be not what was expected.

In this article, you will know how to overcome language barrier and develop your speaking skills in English.

https://tv-english.club/articles-en/how-to-improve-your-speaking-skills/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the ways to overcome the language barrier?
  2. What are the ways to prepare for an oral exam?
  3. Why do students think that speaking is the most terrible part of any exam?
  4. Talk about an event where you’ve had to deal with language barrier.

Millennials and Business

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It seems the millennials are attracted to starting their own businesses and it’s not just about making money, but also about passion and doing good. A lot of people think supporting young people to become business leaders should start at home and they should be educated to be independent for a better life.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript to learn more about the young entrepreneurs.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-200625

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can you say about millennials who start their own business?
  2. Are there a lot of young entrepreneurs in your country? If so, what are the common startup businesses?
  3. Does your government offer any support to startup businesses especially to young entrepreneurs?
  4. What can you say about crowdfunding? Do you think it’s appropriate to do?

Dear Sir or Hey, Folks?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Email is used in many different settings and it is widely used in the workplace as the formal tool of communication among people within the business. It is important to know how the recipient understood your message and just as important is the impression you leave on them especially if it is the first correspondence with them.

Read the article on whether to open emails with Dear, Hi, or Hey.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/lower-intermediate/unit-1/session-4/activity-2

Discussion Questions:

  1. How often do you use email in the workplace?
  2. How do usually start your work emails? What salutations do you use?
  3. According to the article, what are the preferences for email salutations?
  4. Do you agree with Giselle Barry on her opinion on using ‘Dear’ to start the work email?
  5. Share some interesting email correspondences you’ve had at and for work.

World’s First AI Humanoid Robot

C1 – Advanced

For some, the idea of artificial intelligence, of programmed machines that seem capable of independent thought, is easily the stuff of fiction. Imagine, a non-living thing that is capable of learning and interacting with humans. But as the technology behind AI continues to push the envelope of what we thought possible, there are significant implications for the future.

Listen as renowned author and speaker Tony Robbins converses with Sophia. See how human and humanoid don’t pull any punches and ask each other thought-provoking questions that yield deep answers.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts and feelings about this interaction between Tony and Sophia?
  2. Which parts of the conversation stood out in your mind?
  3. If you could ask Sophia three questions of your own, what would they be?
  4. Do you think Sophia will eventually live up to the meaning of her name?