phone english blogB2 – 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:
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:
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:
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:
Discussion Questions:
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?
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:
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:
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:
C1 – Advanced
It’s easy to find a Starbucks cafe almost anywhere in the world. However, in Australia, there aren’t that many. That’s because in 2008, the company closed more than 70 percent of its under-performing locations, leaving only 23 Starbucks stores throughout the entire continent. Starbucks has failed to make an impression in the Australian marketplace but where did it go wrong?
Watch the video and be able to answer the questions that follow:
Discussion Questions:
B2 – Upper Intermediate
New York City’s Health Department amended the city Health Code to require the posting of calorie counts by chain restaurants on menus, menu boards, and item tags. This was one element of the city’s response to rising obesity rates. So if you’re stopping by a fast-food spot or chain restaurant, chances are you’ll be reminded of just how many calories you’re about to consume, thanks to the listings on the menu. But the question is, how spot-on are these listings?
Watch the video to know the findings:
Discussion Questions: