Category: Homework

Being Alone The Key to Rest

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B2 – Upper intermediate

At the end of a long week or even a hectic month at the office, we all long for that time when we can just sit back and relax. Resting is important to everyone.

Read the article below to know some facts about the kind of rest that we need. You may read the article in parts. Take note of new vocabulary words.

How being alone may be the key to rest

Discuss:

1. What did the article say about getting the best kind of rest?
2. What recreational activities do you enjoy doing?
3. How do you make sure that you get enough rest?
4. Have you experienced going on a short holiday alone?

Car-Free Day in Madrid

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© El Pais

B2 Upper Intermediate

Commuters were faced with heavy traffic congestion as Madrid celebrates its yearly car-free day or “Día sin Coches”.

Read the article below to see how some reacted to this event.

http://elpais.com/elpais/2016/09/22/inenglish/1474544921_591930.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What can you say about the Car-Free Day?
2. What do you think about the traffic situation in your city?
3. What do you think are other alternatives to private transport?

Increase your Vocabulary Through Idioms 1

B2 – Upper intermediate

Idioms are a very fun way to express certain situations. They put more color to your sentences and are a great way to increase your vocabulary.

The topics below include dialogues which can help you practice your pronunciation and intonation. It also has a list of other idioms which you can add to their vocabulary bank. Feel free to answer the activities after the dialogues.

Idiom 1: Going out for Dinner – Idioms in Context

Idiom 2: Party On Dudes!

Vital Pieces of Advice from People Over 60

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Life can sometimes really get the best of each and every one of us. Try to be an old head on young shoulders and outsmart life.

Read this article and learn a thing or two from people who have definitely been there and done that.

https://themindcircle.com/20-absolutely-vital-pieces-of-advice-from-people-over-60/

Discussion Questions:

1. Which pieces of advice do you agree/disagree with?
2. What is the most important advice you have received from your parents, grandparents, or someone you consider wise?
3. What piece of advice would you tell your 12-year-old self?

Brown Shoes Could Lose You a Job

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When you show up for a job interview, you need to ‘dress the part’. This means that you need to wear clothes that would make you look very suitable for the job you are applying for.

If you dream of being an investment banker in the UK, you need to be wearing the right color of shoes to get that job. According to a report published by the U.K. Social Mobility Commission, it’s possible to lose a chance at a job if you don’t fit the classic look of a ‘polished city banker’.

http://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/01/wearing-brown-shoes-could-lose-you-a-banking-job-in-uk.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Describe a complete outfit you’d wear to a job interview.
  2. Should a job applicant be judged by what they are wearing rather than their skills or qualifications?
  3. One respondent in this study said he even had to change his accent. What is something that you changed or willing to change in order to get a job?
  4. Why are looks very important in some jobs?
  5. Talk about some ‘unwritten expectations’ of Spanish workers in your own industry.

A Social Experiment on Social Learning

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Social experiments can be very interesting. Below is a video on how people sometimes conform to society, even without knowing why.

Watch the video then express your thoughts.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “internalized behavior“. “This sort of internalized form of her behavior is part of what we call “social learning”, starting at a very early age when we see members of our group perform a task.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does “to follow in one’s footsteps” mean, “Our brains [ literally ] rewards us for following in their footsteps.” Use this idiom in a sentence.
  3. What does the idiom “to join the ranks” mean, “It’s why even this rebel, who wasn’t standing for any of this nonsense, eventually joined the ranks.” Use this idiom in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Kindly explain the experiment. What were your thoughts on the result of this social experiment?
  2. How do you think you would do in this experiment?
  3. Do you agree or disagree that conformity affects the way you act? Explain and cite examples.
  4. Name some behaviors/beliefs you’ve got from social learning.
  5. What are the benefits and risks of social conformity?

The Likely Cause of Addiction

C1 – Advanced

What comes to your mind when you hear “drug addiction”? This article discusses a very different approach in understanding the causes of drug addiction, claiming that “almost everything we have been told about addiction is wrong.”

Read the article below then express your thoughts.

The Likely Cause of Addiction Has Been Discovered, and It Is Not What You Think

Discuss: 

1. Explain Professor Alexander’s theory on drug addiction. Do you agree or disagree with it?
2. What do you think are some reasons people become addicted to drugs?
3. How do we help people with such ordeals?
4. What do you think of what Portugal did in order to solve their problems with drug addiction in the country?
5. How serious is the drug problem in your country? How does the government deal with it?

The Age We Start Losing Friends

C1 – Advanced

Have you ever heard of the saying, “A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out”? A psychological research revealed that people start losing friends earlier than we thought. Our social circle actually starts to shrink when we reach 25.

Read the article below to know more of the facts about people and relationships.

http://qz.com/689017/research-has-uncovered-the-precise-age-at-which-we-start-losing-friends/

Discussion Questions:

1. Do we need a lot of friends? How many friends do you think one needs to have?
2. What do you think are the reasons why we start losing friends at a certain point in our lives?
3. Why do you think women keep more friends even as they age compared to men?
4. What’s your thought on this statement: “Social media may well be changing friendship.”?
5. How do you stay in touch with friends?

Beat a Bully Without Using your Fists

C1 – Advanced

Bullying is becoming alarmingly widespread. Schools and the government have started to get involved. Watch the video below to know how a person is affected by bullying and what people can do to cope and protect themselves.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SvK5s-bZ3k

Discuss:

1. According to the video, why are people bullied?
2. What facts did you gather from the video about bullying?
3. How are people bullied?
4. What is the effect of bullying to the victim?
5. How can we beat a bully without using a fist?

TGI Thursday!

B2 – Upper intermediate

Fridays are awesome. Fridays are the best. It reminds us that we survived the week and that the weekend is coming. Yet, for some employees, Thursdays are what they look forward to.

Read the article then express your thoughts about different work schedules.

Although the workweek varies from country to country, the majority of people in the majority of places around the globe work five days per week. Some cultures maintain an older, six-day workweek. A few countries and/or businesses have reduced the number of days work to four, but instead require employees to work longer hours. The four-day workweek has begun to demonstrate massive positives. This suggests that people may soon say, “TGIThursday!”

With a four-day workweek, companies immediately reduce energy costs. The buildings are closed for three days. This saves millions of dollars for the largest employers. Employees also feel more refreshed after longer weekends, which lead to less stress, fewer health problems, and a drop in absenteeism. Productivity increases too.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “TGI” stand for in “TGI Thursday“? “This suggests that people may soon say, “TGI Thursday!” Use the expression in a sentence.
  2. What does “around the globe” mean? “Although the workweek varies from country to country, the majority of people in the majority of places around the globe work five days per week.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘around the globe’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does “absenteeism” mean? “Employees also feel more refreshed after longer weekends, which lead to less stress, fewer health problems, and a drop in absenteeism.” Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on a four-day workweek?
  2. What are the positives and negatives of a four-day workweek?
  3. Would a four-day workweek likely be adopted in your country? Would it work? Why or why not?
  4. For you, what is the ideal number of working days a week and why?
  5. Do you think longer days off could help decrease absenteeism and increase productivity? Share your opinion.