Category: Homework

How to Get a Raise

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Our boss should notice our accomplishments and give us a raise. But in the real world, that is rarely the case. If you want a raise or promotion you have to ask for one. Question is, how do you ask for a raise and get it?

Watch the video for some tips.

Discussion Questions:

1. When and how to ask for a raise?

2. Why do you think women are reluctant to ask for a raise?

3. Do you think you need a raise?

4. Talk about your experience asking your boss for a higher salary.

5. If you were an employer, what would you consider before giving your employees a raise?

Sharing Economy

C1 – Advanced

Sharing economy is basically an economic system in which assets and services are shared between private individuals either for free or for a fee. It has become a global economic phenomenon because of the expansion of platforms to other countries, and because the idea of sharing has caught on around the world. We are familiar with Uber, Airbnb or even other ways of sharing all sorts of things. The sharing economy has shown explosive growth, which, in turn, has led to regulatory and political battles as more and more people want to connect with one another.

Watch the video about sharing economy and what’s next for it.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of sharing economy?
  2. What does “hockey stick growth” mean?
  3. How do you feel about sharing? What do you regularly share with other people?
  4. What benefits do the sharing economy hold for communities/society?
  5. How is this market regulated for security?
  6. In normal business transactions, the government also extracts value by way of taxes, but with the sharing economy often the same taxes don’t apply; what do you think about this?

Greatest Thieves in History

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Have you ever taken something that is not yours? Why did you do it? Was it out of necessity or was it just for kicks?

Watch the video and learn more about the greatest thieves in history and their reasons for stealing.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think stealing is an addiction?
  2. In your opinion, who is the worst thief among the ones featured in the video?
  3. What is the punishment for stealing in your country?
  4. Do you know any famous thieves from your country?

Bystander Effect

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Have you witnessed an emergency? Were you alone or were there a lot of people who witnessed it with you? Was it your first instinct to help or did you just watch by and waited for others to help first?

Let’s watch this video on an experiment on bystander apathy and find out about this phenomenon called ‘the bystander effect’.

 

 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the bystander effect?
  2. Why don’t people get involved in these situations?
  3. What was your reaction to this video?
  4. What does ‘pass the buck’ mean?
  5. Do you agree or disagree with, “There is safety in numbers.”?

Multiple Hotels Do Not Change Bedsheets

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When we stay at a hotel, we expect fresh, clean sheets — but how can we be sure the linens have been changed after the previous guests left?

The Inside Edition’s investigative team came up with a simple test. They checked into different hotels and sprayed messages on the sheets using washable paint only visible under UV light. They checked out and booked the same rooms the next evening. Shockingly, they found out that the sheets hadn’t been changed!

So was it just a simple mistake or is this a dirty little secret in the hotel industry? Let’s find out by watching the video below.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What was your reaction to this?
  2. Where do you usually stay when you are on vacation?
  3. Have you ever experienced staying at a hotel that fell below your expectations? What did you do about it?
  4. Why do you think the sheets weren’t changed in those hotels?

Injecting Vitamins

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Vitamin drip is a  modern-day way of administering vitamins and minerals intravenously. Many claim that it can boost energy, strengthen the immune system, improve skin, cure hangovers, burn fat, fight jet lag, and cure minor ailments.  As a number of celebrities swear on its effectiveness, it became more and more popular. Although there are numerous advantages to using vitamin IV drip, there are also a few disadvantages.

Read the article and be able to discuss the questions that follow:

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-47803286

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of Vitamin IV drip?
  2. Would you consider doing it?
  3. What are the pros and cons of using it?
  4. What do you think of taking vitamins and mineral supplements?

 

Hidden Camera in Hotel Room

B1 – Intermediate

Nowadays, hidden cameras are a problem everywhere. A family in New Zealand had a first-hand experience with one.

Read the full article and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1904/190411-hidden-camera-1.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What was your reaction to what happened to this family? How do you think you would feel if this happened to you?
2. What do you think about how Airbnb handled the man’s complaint?
3. Have you heard of a similar story that happened in your country?
4. What should be the punishment for people caught secretly filming others?
5. How can we avoid being filmed without our consent?

Paradox of Unanimity

C1 – Advanced

When majority of the people agree on something, it is easy to conclude that it may be true/reliable or it is the right thing to do. However, in ancient Jewish law, it was the opposite. If the defendant was found guilty unanimously then he would be acquitted. Why was that so? Lawmakers back then observed that when there is unanimous agreement, there is the presence of systemic flaws in their judicial process.

Watch the video to know about the paradox of unanimity and know whether we should trust unanimous decisions.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the paradox of unanimity?
  2. Have you ever agreed on something  because most people around you have done so?
  3. What does the last phrase, “if it is too good to be true, it probably is” mean?

 

Worst Breakup in History

C1 – Advanced

Falling in love is the most beautiful experience one could ever have. However, at some point, some people fall out of love. It is one of the most painful emotions one has to endure. What happens when instead of parting ways, breakups ended with imprisonment and beheading? Intrigued?

Watch the video and see for yourself.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Whose breakups were mentioned in the video?
  2. What misfortunes befell the royal couple?
  3. How was the royal life back then differ from the royalties you know at present?
  4. Who was Anne Boleyn and how did she die?

 

 

 

Pyramid Scheme

C1 – Advanced

Most people want to amass wealth and the thought of earning quick substantial amount of money over a short period of time without putting in so much work is surely enticing. This is exactly what a pyramid scheme promises.

Let’s watch the video and find out the pitfalls of a pyramid scheme and also know how to keep an eye out for one.

 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is a pyramid scheme and how is it different from multi-level marketing?
  2. Is this business prevalent in your country? What is your opinion on this business structure?
  3. Have you been offered to join a pyramid or multi-level marketing company?
  4. What are the ways to spot a pyramid scheme?