Category: Homework

Town Governed Through Twitter

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Social media has undeniably become a vital part of our societies. It is an essential tool for our daily activities such as communicating, socializing, accessing to news and information, and making decisions.

A small town in Spain takes the use of social media to new heights.

Read the article about Jun, a town governed via Twitter.

https://medium.com/@socialmachines/the-incredible-jun-a-town-that-runs-on-social-media-49d3d0d4590

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree or disagree with this idea? Why or why not?
  2. What do you think are the positives and negatives of using Twitter this way?
  3. How else do you think social media can be used in a positive way?

Button Batteries Can Kill

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Medical cases involving button batteries have been reported since the 1970s. Who would have thought that these tiny things in your remote control or car keys could be so dangerous?

Read the article to find out more.

https://theconversation.com/button-batteries-kill-heres-how-we-can-prevent-needless-child-deaths-from-battery-ingestion-101187

Discussion Questions:

1. According to the article, how do button batteries cause damage?

2. What can parents do to prevent incidents with batteries from happening? How should parents child-proof their homes?

3. Did you do anything dangerous as a child, with or without your parents knowledge? Talk about your experiences.

 

When You Drink Coke Instead of Water

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In a small town in Mexico, water is not so readily available. Its residents therefore, have resorted to drinking the much more plentiful Coca Cola instead.

Check out the article to find out more about the dire consequences this situation has brought about.

http://www.thetimesinplainenglish.com/when-you-drink-coke-instead-of-water/

Discussion Questions:

1. What does the article say about this Mexican town?

2. Who do you think is to blame in these circumstances, and why?

3. Do you like soft drinks or soda? Talk about the effects of drinking too much of these.

The Worst Things about Working at Google

C1 – Advanced

I bet a lot of, if not all, people perceive working at Google as THE dream job. On the contrary, according to some people who have worked in this tech giant, sometimes, it’s not all “rainbows and ponies”.

Click on the link to read more on Googlers’ least favorite things about being employed at Google.

https://www.businessinsider.com/google-employees-worst-things-about-working-at-google-2016-12#its-hard-to-be-honest-with-your-colleagues-2

Discussion Questions:

1. Talk about some complaints Googlers have about working at Google.
2. What are your thoughts on these confessions?
3. What’s the best and worst thing about working in your company?
4. What comes to your mind when you hear “Google”?
5. What are important things you look for in a company you will work for?

Living in the Netherlands’ Futuristic Homes

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Have you ever imagined living inside a house that resembles a golf ball? For many, this would seem like a very strange idea. But in Bolwoningen, a small village outside Amsterdam, this is a reality.

Watch the video to learn more.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Explain the video in your own words. What do you think about Bolwoningen?
  2. Have you ever seen an unusual or unconventional home? Would you like to try to live in one? Why or why not?
  3. Talk about the most bizarre-looking house you’ve ever seen.

Man Escaped Communism by Zip Line

B2 – Upper Intermediate

More than 30 years ago, Daniel Pohl attempted to leave his country and its Communist views. The means by which he tried to escape was highly unconventional and required a lot of daring.

Watch the video to find out more about Pohl’s amazing feat.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Who is Daniel Pohl? Explain what he tried to do.
  2. What is your take on his escape strategy?
  3. Talk about the bravest or most daring thing you have ever done.

What If You Never Learned Anything?

C1 – Advanced

Critical period is a period during someone’s development in which a particular skill or characteristic is believed to be most readily acquired. What if we passed the critical period without learning a language? Can we not teach an old dog new tricks? Watch the video and find out.

Discussion Questions:

1. Why is it important to learn a lot of things during the critical period?

2. What skills did you learn during your critical period? What skills did you learn passed the critical period?

3. What is something you have always wanted to learn but never got the chance to do so?

4. What did you first learn from your parents?

5. As a parent (future parent), how would you guide your child in his/her critical period?

6. Would you allow your child to be a human subject in a scientific research?

How to Call in Sick to Work

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Everyone needs a time off from work for being under the weather. We are not machines that do not get run-down, so calling in sick to work is necessary. However, some people skip out work for some reasons, such as having a doctor’s appointment, not feeling like working, needing to relax, and catching up on sleep. Regardless if it is a genuine illness or not, be sure to follow the right steps for taking a sick day.

Read here: https://www.thebalancecareers.com/how-to-call-in-sick-to-work-4172109

Discussion Questions:

1. Talk about the process of filing a leave in your company.

2. Have you faked an illness just to take a day off?

3. What are some common fake reasons for taking a personal day? How can we lessen some of these crooked actions?

4. How can one motivate himself to go to work everyday?

Starbucks Cafes

B1 – Intermediate

Cafes are known for their very comfortable and homey ambiance. This makes it a perfect place to relax and pass time. The question is, if you want to stay in a cafe for many hours or just use their toilets, is it necessary to order something?

Read more below about this new rule that Starbucks is implementing in its stores.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1805/180522-starbucks-cafes-1.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your opinion about this news?
2. Do you agree that any person who enters a shop is a customer? Explain.
3. Do you believe this new rule will make life easier for the cafe managers? Why or why not?
4. What do you think would be the results of this new rule to Starbucks?

Film Star Pay

B1 – Intermediate

It looks like they live in a world of fame, money, and glamour. Celebrities seems to have it all. This kind of life attracts many people to dream of becoming a star too.

But what if movie stars do not receive high pay? Will it be as interesting to become one?

Read more about the new rule in China in the article below.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1807/180701-film-star-pay-1.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you agree with the government’s decision?
2. Should movie stars be paid a lot of money? Why or why not?
3. Who is your favorite movie star? Talk about him or her.