Category: Homework

Why Japan Has So Many Vending Machines

B2 – Upper Intermediate

If you have ever been to Japan, there is probably one thing you quickly noticed and asked yourself was, “Why are there many vending machines everywhere?”. In fact, there is one vending in every 23 Japanese.

Watch the video and find out why in Japan, there are vending machines everywhere.

 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why are there vending machines everywhere in Japan?
  2. Are there a lot of vending machines in your country?
  3. What are the things/systems that are automated in your country?
  4. How interested are you in automating everything?
  5. Do you think vending machines are a lucrative business?

Amazon Alexa Answers Health Questions

B1 – Intermediate

Artificial Intelligence (AI) assistants can listen to, answer questions, and follow commands. But should it give health advice too?

Read about AI assistants answering health questions from the link below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1907/190712-alexa-1.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the good and bad things about an AI assistant answering questions about health?
2. Why are some people worried about this new feature of Alexa?
3. Would you use this feature to ask about your health questions?

The Stanford Experiment

C1 – Advanced

In August 1971, Stanford University psychology professor Philip Zimbardo set up a simulated prison in the basement of the university’s building and hired ordinary people to play the roles of guards and prisoners. The experiment was supposed to last for 2 weeks. However, things got out of hand and they had to shut it down on the 6th day.

Watch the video to learn more about the Standford Experiment.

 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the Stanford experiment about? What is the “Lucifer effect”?
  2. What is your opinion about/reaction to this experiment?
  3. How did the experiment transform the participants playing as guards?
  4. In your opinion, was it ethical to conduct this experiment even with the written consent of the participants?
  5. Would you be interested to participate in a social experiment?

The Most Dangerous Sport

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As much as sports are enjoyable, it can also be perilous or at times, even deadly. Athletes understand the perils in their respective sports. Tragically, sometimes this means even their lives are can be at risk.

Let’s find out what is considered the most dangerous sport in the world. Play at your own risk.

 

Discussion Questions:

1. What sport do you play? Tell us about your own experience of getting an injury.

2. Do you know any athlete who suffered from a serious injury or died while competing?

3. Despite the risks, why do people obsess over sports like football, basketball, and boxing?

4. If you could, would you ban these dangerous sports?

Ways to Make Yourself Happier

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Happiness can be defined from different perspectives. Others find happiness mainly in relationships with others especially from family and friends while some depend on success and material things.

Our sources of happiness may differ but there are ways to make our pursuit of happiness easier.

Please read the article below to know the 10 ways to be happier.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/changepower/201607/10-ways-make-yourself-happier-in-30-seconds-or-less

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you define happiness?
  2. What are your sources of happiness?
  3. Is it easy for you to be happy?
  4. What do you to make others happy?
  5. Why is it important to stay happy?

Will Drones Transform Farmers’ Lives in Thailand?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Today’s technology is rapidly evolving and now with Unmanned Aerial Vehicle also known as a drone, our agriculture will soon be revolutionized.

Read the article below to know how Thai agriculture could expand and evolve.

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/03/asia/bug-away-thailand-drones-intl/index.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How will drones transform agriculture?
  2. What are the pros and cons of using drones in agriculture?
  3. What do you think are other uses of drones?
  4. Would you like to have a drone? What are you going to use it for?
  5. How has the agriculture sector changed in your country over the past years?

Perfectly Edible Food Tossed to Dumpster

B2 – Upper Intermediate

All commercial dumpsters may be filled with garbage or trash, but in some, they contain food that is still safe to eat. Inside Edition’s Chief Investigative Correspondent Lisa Guerrero and food waste expert Rob Greenfield went to a dumpster outside a CVS store in Orlando, Florida. They searched for food inside garbage bins and were shocked to see that edible food are really going to waste.

Watch the video and see what they have found:

 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of food thrown away before their expiration dates?
  2. Should it be donated to the needy? Why or why not?
  3. Why do companies throw away this food?
  4. Would you consume edible food from the dumpster?

Pet Dogs Lower Stress in Kids

B1 – Intermediate

It is believed that dogs play an important role in children’s development. A new study finds that dogs actually help stressed children.

Read about how having pet dogs help relieve children from stress from the link below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1512/151204-anxiety-1.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the benefits of having a pet dog for children?
2. Do you believe in the idea that dogs help reduce children’s stress?
3. What might be reasons very young kids get stressed out?
4. What did your parents do when you were being anxious when you were little? / What do you do to help your children relax when they seem stressed out?
5. What would be the best pet for you? Why?

The West Outsources More IT Jobs to Eastern Europe

B1 – Intermediate

Every company wants to reduce its costs. Some Western European companies outsource jobs to Eastern Europe because its cheaper and workers there are highly qualified.

Read about outsourcing in Europe from the link below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/business-economy/west-outsources-jobs-to-eastern-europe.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is outsourcing, and why do companies choose to outsource certain jobs or services?
  2. What are the main benefits of outsourcing for businesses? What are the potential disadvantages of outsourcing?
  3. What challenges can arise when working with outsourced teams in different countries?
  4. Do consumers benefit from outsourcing? Why or why not?
  5. Should companies prioritize reducing costs through outsourcing or creating jobs locally?

Mobile Banking on the Increase

B1 – Intermediate

Only a little percentage in underdeveloped countries has access to banks but a lot of people have mobile phones. Nowadays, mobile banking is on the rise in these countries.

Read about the rise of mobile banking in underdeveloped countries from the link below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/business-economy/mobile-banking-in-developing-countries.htm

Discussion Questions:

1. Why is mobile banking growing in underdeveloped countries?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of mobile banking?
3. Do you do mobile banking? Why or why not?
4. How popular is mobile banking in your country?
5. What do you think are the future trends in banking?