Category: Homework

Geopolitical Analysis of Europe

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As countries become more and more interconnected, disputes are looming among nations. The same can be said for Europe following new elections, treaties, and events that will reorganize the region.

Watch the video and find out what to seek out for this year in Europe.

 

Discussion Questions:

1. Based on this video, talk about some things that we need to keep an eye out for in 2019 in Europe. Do you know of any others that were not mentioned in this video?
2. Which among these issues concerns you the most?
3. What are things that we need to look out for in Spain this year?

Don’t Follow Your Passion

B2 – Upper intermediate

Young people often feel pressured to make decisions about how they want to spend the rest of their lives. Should we follow our passion wherever it may take us? Which is better—do what you love or learn to love what you do? How can you know which course to take or avoid?

Watch the video and listen to Mike Rowe talk about his opinion on “following one’s passion”.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your opinion about the statement “Don’t follow your passion”?
2. What do you really want?
3. Do you like what you are now?
4. What do you think will happen if you had followed your passion?
5. Would you be willing to work for free just to follow your passion?

Historic Landing on the Dark Side of the Moon

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The first country to successfully launch a probe on the dark side of the moon that is never visible from the earth is China. The moon has been one of the subjects of human research and explorations for centuries. How will this great technological feat impact our space explorations in the future?

Read on to find out more about China’s successful moon mission.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1901/190107-dark-side-of-the-moon.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the things that you know about the moon?
  2. How big of an achievement do you think this is?
  3. What are the pros and cons of creating settlements on the moon?
  4. What do you think the future of space exploration will be?
  5. How interesting is the idea of settling in outer space for you?

Solutions to Deforestation

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Deforestation is considered to be one of the contributing factors to global climate change. Ending it is our best chance to conserve wildlife and defend the rights of forest communities. Many believe that to counter deforestation, people simply need to plant more trees. Though a massive replanting effort would help alleviate the problems deforestation causes, it would not entirely solve them. Nowadays, many people are campaigning for a deforestation-free future.

Read some of the solutions to deforestation and be able to answer the discussion questions that follow:

Solutions to Deforestation

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is deforestation and why does it exist?
  2. What are the damaging effects of deforestation?
  3. Are there any benefits? Cite some advantages if there are any.
  4. What do you think about the solutions mentioned in the article?

What Would Happen If the Earth Stopped Spinning?

C1 – Advanced

The earth rotates at 1,000 miles per hour. Can you imagine what might occur if the earth were to slow down or stop spinning altogether?

Watch this video to find out what scientists think would happen in the event that our planet suddenly stands still.

 

Discussion Questions:

1. Explain the video in your own words.

2. What does tidal locking mean? What will happen if earth gets locked to the sun?

3. What are your thoughts about this scenario? Do you think it is likely to happen?

4. In general, what do you think about the universe?

Americans Struggling to Make Ends Meet

B2 – Upper Intermediate

For millions of people around the world, the United States is known as the land of milk and honey. The “American Dream” is something that many aspire to live. There is however, a side to America that people do not know about.

From fast food workers to shuttle bus drivers, many Americans aren’t able to afford housing or pay the bills on current wages. For many, working three jobs is not enough to make ends meet.

Watch the video to learn more about the struggles of the common American.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is the video all about? What problems average Joes are confronted with these days? How does it compare to the plights of the middles class in your country?

2. What is the difference between the American middle class in the 70’s/80’s and today? Also talk about how it was and is like in your country in this context.

3. Talk about the gap between the rich and poor in your own country. How do you think this gap can be bridged?

Japan Wants More Foreign Workers

B1 – Intermediate

Japan has a problem with its aging population. Japanese are getting older but less children are being born. They need a lot of workers but there are not enough people.

The government wants to get workers from other countries.

Find out more about this problem in Japan and the government’s solution to it. Read the article below.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1812/181211-foreign-workers-1.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the expression “to continue along the same path” mean? Use it in your own sentence.
  2. What does “low-skilled” mean? Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:
1. Why did Japan decide to open the country to more foreign workers?
2. What do you think would be the positive and negative effects of this new policy on Japan?
3. Would you be interested to move to this country?
4. If you were to live in another country, where would it be?
5. What do you think are the good and bad things about moving to a foreign country?

New Exercise Trend Helps Environment

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Running is a very popular exercise nowadays. Isn’t it frustrating to see garbage everywhere? A new fitness trend combines the famous workout running and picking up trash on the streets.

“Plogging” is a combination of the Swedish word “plocka” and the word “jogging”. It originated in Sweden.

Find out more about plogging. Listen to the audio and read the transcript.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/new-exercise-trend-also-helps-environment/4691101.html

Discussion Questions:
1. What is your opinion about plogging?
2. Why is it important to take care of our health?
3. What things do you do to stay healthy?
4. Why is it necessary to care for the environment?
5. What things do you do to help save the environment?

Expert Cleaning Tips

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Keeping your room or house clean can be tedious and time-consuming. Unfortunately, household chores are a must and you have to do them if you want to live in a neat and comfortable environment.

In this video, you will learn about seven great tips to make sure that you are cleaning your space the right way.

 

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the 7 tips described in the video?

2. Do you like cleaning? How do you clean your room/house? How often do you do so?

3. Share some of your own house cleaning techniques / maintenance tips.

Rich and Poor Countries

C1 – Advanced

There are almost 200 countries all over the world. Some are prosperous, while others, poverty-stricken. Based on GDP per capita, some of the richest countries are Qatar, Luxembourg, Singapore, Brunei. Ireland, Switzerland, and Norway. On the other side of the coin – the poorest countries – include  Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Haiti, and North Korea.

Many factors contribute as to why countries are either rich or poor.

Watch the video and find out what these factors are and what makes some countries continuously prosper and what keeps others from progressing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-4V3HR696k

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the three factors that determine whether the country will be rich or poor? Explain each of them in your own words. Describe your own country in terms of these factors.

2. Explain what clan-based thinking is. What is your opinion about it?

3. Generally, what are your thoughts on wealth gap?

4. Talk about the richest and poorest countries you’ve ever visited. How are they like?

5. How does your country accumulate wealth?