Category: Homework

Uber Suspends Services in Barcelona

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There have been some protests in Barcelona against Uber staged by taxi drivers. Cab drivers feel that their business is being dragged through the mud.

Uber has decided to suspend its services in Barcelona after new regulations were implemented. The Catalan government imposed that Uber make a 15-minute delay before picking up passengers.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-47071710

Discussion Questions:
1. What do you think of Uber’s decision to suspend its services in Barcelona?
2. What’s your stand on the rivalry between ride-hailing companies and traditional taxi companies?
3. Do you think Uber should continue its operations in Barcelona and in all of Spain?
4. What are the benefits and drawbacks of the existence of businesses with the same business model as Uber?
5. What do you like and dislike about Uber’s services?

Doctor Consultations Online

B2 – Upper Intermediate

More and more patients are finding consultations with their doctors online very convenient. Doctors deem it useful as added pressure on health services arise stemming from increasing and aging populations.

Read more about online visits to the doctor.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-47196286

Discussion Questions:
1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of online consultations both on doctors and patients’ side?
2. What are your thoughts on this?
3. Talk about your experience/s visiting your doctor.

Social and Political Bots

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Social media is an important tool for learning about current events and information. However, fake social media accounts called ‘bots’ have been used to try to influence public opinion even politics—and it is not always for the better.

We have been deceived by a computer-generated bot at one point or another. How do bots play a role in influencing public opinion to help spread awareness about a particular issue the person/group who created them cares about.

Watch the video to know more about how bots are affecting social activism and politics.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are political and activist bots?
  2. What is your take on using big data technology to help manipulate election results?
  3. What are ways to know you are engaged in a discourse with a bot?
  4. How can bots be of benefit to and risk for us?
  5. Anyone can easily create a Twitter bot nowadays. Ainsley O’Connell believes this is a great and empowering thing for the electorate in enabling them to magnify their voices. What are your thoughts on this?

Mindfulness is a Superpower

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Recently, mindfulness is taught worldwide and integrates it as a subject matter like sciences, math, etc. This helps students be aware of their thoughts, bodily sensations, and feelings. This is to address the mental health problems among young people. It is an alarming social issue as people are struggling to get to grips with how they will fit into the increasingly complex modern world.

Watch as mindfulness is explained in the video below.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think mindfulness should be taught at every school?
2. How do you think it will help you improve your life?
3. Why is it important to start talking about mental health?
4. Do you feel there is a stigma against mental health problems in your society?

Speed Limit on Germany’s Autobahn

B1 – Intermediate

The Autobahn is the federal motorway system in Germany. For some types of vehicles, no speed limit is set when traveling through this expressway.

Read the article to know why Germany is thinking to put a limit on vehicle speed on this highway system.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1901/190125-autobahn-speed-limit-2.html

Discussion Questions:
1. Why does Germany want to put speed limits on the Autobahn?
2. What are your thoughts on putting speed limits on the Autobahn?
3. They say the idea of a speed limit on the autobahn is impractical. Do you agree or disagree?

 

Investing in Water

C1 – Advanced

Access to clean freshwater is a basic human right but an on going challenge in some parts of the world. With limited water source, it becomes challenging to put up with the increasing demand to develop and maintain our limited supply thus affecting everyone including the business sector.

Let’s find out how businesses get affected and what possible approaches are available to combat water scarcity.

Discussion Questions:

1. In what ways are companies being affected by the increasing water shortage?
2. What solutions are provided for water scarcity and what do you think about them?
3. How do multinational companies approach the issue?
4. Do you conserve water?
5. How would life change if your town rationed water?

Free Public Transport

B1 – Intermediate

How do people usually go to school or work in your city? Often, taking public transportation such as bus or train is one of them.

What if they make bus or train rides free in your city? Some German cities have tried giving free public transport.

Read the article and find out why they want to do this.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/travel/german-cities-plan-free-public-transport.htm

Discussion Questions:
1. Why are some German cities giving free transport services?
2. What are the pros and cons of this measure?
3. What is your opinion on this?

Polar Vortex

B1 – Intermediate

Some parts of America are experiencing freezing cold weather due to a polar vortex or the Arctic blast.

Find out more about polar vortex, a few of its consequences and health officials’ advise on what to do to survive this extreme winter weather.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1902/190202-polar-vortex-1.html

Discussion Questions:
1. What is a polar vortex? What are some of its consequences?
2. What are the dos and don’ts during a polar vortex?
3. Talk about the coldest day / winter you’ve ever experienced.

Schadenfreude – Pleasure from Others’ Misfortunes

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We have all done it and we certainly are not proud of it but ‘schadenfreude’, according to some experts, is a normal emotion. Someone else’s misfortunes can bring you chuckles, laughter, and a strange feeling of satisfaction.

Let’s listen to the audio below and learn more about it.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-190110

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your thoughts on schadenfreude. Is it good or bad? Share your opinion.
  2. Have you ever experienced schadenfreude? Talk about that moment. Did you feel bad about it or did you feel it was justified that time?
  3. In which jobs or businesses do you think schadenfreude thrives on?

How False News Can Spread?

B2- Upper intermediate

Fake news has become rampant not just in social media but in mass media as well. We may have unconsciously helped spread one fake news too. So what can we do to help stop it?

Let’s watch the video and find out.

 

Discussion Questions:

1. What is circular reporting?

2. Explain the phrase,”A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.”

3. What online/mass media sources do you find reliable/credible?