Category: Homework

The Pros and Cons of Digital Parenting

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Digital parenting involves using technology to monitor, guide, and support children’s online activities. While it offers benefits like increased safety and better communication, it also raises concerns about privacy, trust, and overdependence on digital tools. Understanding the pros and cons can help parents find the right balance in today’s connected world.

Watch the video and be able to answer the questions that follow.


Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to keep an eye on someone” mean? “Research suggests at least 40% of parents in the UK use a GPS tracking app to keep an eye on their kids.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “to have a way around” mean? “If he ever puts a guideline and he says, “Oh, don’t go on this website, or if it’s like Instagram and I want to go on Instagram, there will always be a way around.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “circumvent” mean? “Tech-savvy teens sometimes try to circumvent parental control settings to access restricted apps or websites.” Make a sentence using the word. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the main benefits of digital parenting for both children and parents?
  2. How can digital parenting affect the trust between parents and children?
  3. In what ways can digital parenting prepare children for responsible technology use?
  4. What are the potential downsides or risks of relying too heavily on digital tools to parent?
  5. How can parents balance supervision and independence when it comes to screen time and online activity?
  6. Should schools play a role in teaching digital responsibility, or is that solely the parents’ job?

Ergonomics Expert Explains How to Set Up Your Desk

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Setting up your workspace correctly can make a huge difference in your comfort, productivity, and long-term health. In this video,, an ergonomics expert walks you through the key principles of desk setup—from chair height and monitor placement to keyboard positioning—so you can work smarter, avoid strain, and feel better throughout the day.

Watch the video and be able to answer the discussion questions below.


Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “ergonomic” mean? “To set up your work desk properly, start by selecting an ergonomic chair that supports your posture and reduces strain during long hours of sitting.” Use the word in a sentence.
  2. What does the word “strain” mean in this sentence: “Position your monitor at eye level and keep your keyboard within easy reach to reduce strain on your neck and shoulders.“? Make a sentence using the word.
  3. What does the word “slouch” mean? “To maintain good posture at your work desk, adjust your chair and monitor height so you don’t have to slouch while working.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think investing in ergonomic furniture is worth the cost? Why or why not?
  2. In your opinion, which part of the desk setup has the biggest impact on comfort—chair, monitor, or keyboard?
  3. How important do you think proper desk ergonomics are for remote workers compared to office workers?
  4. How can poor desk ergonomics affect a person’s health and productivity over time?
  5. What are some simple, affordable changes people can make to improve their desk setup?

Sighing at a Colleague Counts as Workplace Harassment

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Workplace harassment can manifest in many forms, including subtle behaviors that create an uncomfortable or even hostile environment.

While sighing at a colleague might seem minor, it can be perceived as dismissive or intentionally disrespectful.

Listen to the audio and read the article and learn more about how sighing at a colleague can be perceived as workplace harassment and its potential impact on office dynamics.

https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/uk/sighing-workplace-harassment-tribunal

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “damning effect” mean? “In the tribunal’s ruling, the judge said that “reactions from others, verbally or as a gesture, can [have] a damning effect on his self-esteem and anxiety”.” Use it in your own sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “to be in line for something” mean in this context? “It means Mr Watson is now in line for compensation from Roke Manor Research, the company that invented the Hawk-Eye technology for sports including cricket, football and tennis.” Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. Define “net detriment“. “But evidence also showed that the manager had told the employee that he was becoming a “net detriment”. Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s your take on Robert Watson’s case?
  2. What are your thoughts on the ruling by the UK court regarding this case?
  3. How does your workplace approach awareness and understanding of conditions like ADHD?
  4. How does your company offer support for workers with special needs?
  5. How can one navigate workplace challenges when frustrated with a coworker?

Gold is Booming But Investors Could Lose Out

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Gold has always been regarded as a good investment option or an alternative way to diversify portfolio. 

In the recent years, there has been a gold rush, triggering a massive eagerness among investors.

However, if you are considering to put some of your money into this, it’s crucial to do an extensive research and understand the risks and benefits prior to purchasing gold.

Read the article about the truth behind investing in gold.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5ygyjy7kz5o

Listen to the article here: 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0l9pwd1

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “bric-a-brac” mean? “Emma is the strategies director of Hatton Garden Metals, a family-run gold dealership in London’s Hatton Garden jewellery district, and this unprepossessing tub of bric-a-brac is a small sample of what they buy over the counter each day.” Use this term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “to conjure something out of thin air” mean? “Gold can’t be printed by central banks, and it can’t be conjured out of thin air.“ Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “to owe a great deal to someone/something” mean? “The recent increases appear to owe a great deal to the way markets have responded to the confusion triggered by the Trump administration.” Use this idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Cite and explain the benefits of investing in gold.
  2. Cite and explain the drawbacks of investing in gold.
  3. Now equipped with some knowledge about gold as an investment, do you think it is a good investment or not? Explain.
  4. What is your opinion on billionaire Warren Buffett tagging gold as “lifeless” and “neither of much use nor procreative”?
  5. Share your thoughts on this, “Central banks have collectively bought more than 1,000 tonnes of gold each year. Central banks may themselves have been trying to build up buffers at a time of growing economic and geopolitical uncertainty.”
  6. Do you think your central bank should buy more gold, too? Why or why not?

Dad Designs Jacket for Neurodivergent Children

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Some children face sensory challenges that make everyday clothing uncomfortable.

To help with this, a father of a neurodivergent child created special clothing designed for comfort and support. His design includes features like soft fabrics, weighted elements, and sensory-friendly additions, helping children feel more at ease in their daily lives.

Let’s read the article and explore how this innovative sensory coat is making a difference for neurodivergent children and their families.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy8em4gggvxo

Vocabullary Questions:

  1. What does the idiom “in a bid to (do something)” mean? “In a bid to help his son and other children, Mr Rudd decided to design a coat, an idea that his wife Amanda at first thought was a joke.” Use it in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “high vis stripes” mean? “It also has high vis stripes to enhance safety in public spaces.” Use it in your own sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of the word “meltdown“? “He said Charlie’s sensory issues would cause him to have meltdowns, an intense response to an overwhelming situation, common for people with autism.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms or similar expressions.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s your take on John Rudd’s Chammo coats?
  2. How would you assess the current awareness and support for neurodiverse individuals where you live?
  3. Why do some children need special clothing for comfort and focus?
  4. Do you think more companies should design clothes for people with special needs? Why or why not?
  5. Share about a time when you had something specially made for you.

AI Therapists Alternative to Human Help

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Many people use AI chatbots for mental health support while waiting for therapy. These chatbots offer 24/7 help and coping strategies, which some find comforting during tough times.

However, experts warn chatbots can give biased or harmful advice and cannot replace human therapists. Despite this, NHS services use chatbots to help with long waiting lists.

Let’s read the article learn more about how AI chatbots support mental health.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ced2ywg7246o

Listen to the article here:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0lc755g

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to clutch at straws” mean? “There is not a lot of help out there at the moment, so you clutch at straws.“ Use it in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What is a “stopgap”? “[It] is a stop gap to these huge waiting lists… to get people a tool while they are waiting to talk to a healthcare professional.” Use it in your own sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What is an “escalation pathway”? “It has in-built crisis and escalation pathways whereby users are signposted to helplines or can send for help directly if they show signs of self-harm or suicidal ideation.” Use this term in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to the idea of using AI chatbots as mental health support tools? Do you think they can genuinely help people?
  2. . What are the pros and cons of relying on chatbots like Wysa or Character.ai during a mental health crisis?
  3. Have you or someone you know ever used an AI chatbot for emotional or psychological support? What was the experience like?
  4. Do you agree with the article’s view that chatbots may work as a stopgap but cannot replace real therapists? Why or why not?
  5. What safeguards do you think should be in place to protect users who turn to AI for mental health support?
  6. Share your thoughts on this, “The fact that this is not a real person is so much easier to handle.“.

Shein EU Consumer Laws Breach

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Shein is a very popular Chinese fast-fashion website. 

Recently, it is being investigated for several questionable business practices that include “misleading information, deceptive product labels, misleading sustainability claims, and hidden contact details”. 

They also make it look like they offer better deals by showing a reduced price that were not actually based on the previous original prices. In addition, they set fake deadlines for consumers to check-out in order to pressure them to buy the product.

Read the article about Shein’s practices that breach EU consumer laws. Be ready to answer the questions that follow. 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62vq1mnndno

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Explain “willful ignorance”. “That same month, Shein was accused of “willful ignorance” by MPs in the UK after its lawyer repeatedly refused to answer questions about where the retailer sources its cotton.” Use this term in a sentence. 
  2. What does “to come under fire” mean? “Shein has come under fire for its business practices before, with a January BBC report revealing some staff were working 75-hour weeks, in breach of Chinese labour laws.“ Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “to be in line with something” mean? “It’s now for Shein to step up, respect the rules and bring its practices fully in line with EU consumer standards.” Use this idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What comes to your mind when you hear the term “fast-fashion”?
  2. From a consumer standpoint, share your reaction to and opinion about Shein’s consumer laws breaches.
  3. What are your thoughts on businesses like Shein?
  4. Share your opinion on EU justice commissioner Michael McGrath’s statement, “All companies reaching out to EU consumers must play by our rules. Today’s action sends a clear message: we will not shy away from holding e-commerce platforms to account, regardless of where they are based.”.
  5. Talk about another company you know of that has breached consumer laws.

The Start-ups Working on Cheap Innovation

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Some start-ups are so focused on developing frugal innovations. The main idea behind this kind of grassroots entrepreneurship is to make affordable, accessible, and available solutions for real-world problems despite their founders not having big capitals not formal education or training. 

Read the article about start-ups that are working on cheap innovations. Be ready to answer the questions that follow. 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c20xlqn0e5po

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “grassroots entrepreneurship” mean? “Mr Prajapati’s innovation is part of a growing wave of grassroots entrepreneurship in India, driven by necessity.“ Use this term in a sentence.
  2. What does “to scale up” mean? “Like many small business owners, she wants to scale-up and find new markets, perhaps overseas.” Use this phrase in a sentence. Give some synonyms.
  3. What does “to get stuck in one’s head” mean. “Clay pots keep water cool in the summer, so they are just like a fridge. The thought got stuck in my head. So, I decided to make a fridge out of clay that doesn’t need electricity.” Use this idiom in a sentence. Give some synonyms.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What comes to your mind when you hear the term “frugal innovation”?
  2. Share your opinion about grassroots entrepreneurship.
  3. What are the good things about this kind of start-ups?
  4. What challenges might these start-ups face?
  5. Talk about a similar innovation that you know of.

Australia’s Surfing Industry and Nature

B1 – Intermediate 

Surfing is one thing people like doing in Australia. Some even go there for surfing holidays. This industry generates big revenues for the country.

The problem is, too much activities in the surfing sites cause problems in the surf breaks. These natural sites need to be legally protected more.  

Australia has yet to take steps in order to do that.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the surfing industry in Australia and its consequences on some natural sites. Be ready to answer the questions that follow. 

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/australias-surfing-industry-and-nature-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Explain “coastal erosion”. “Climate change, coastal erosion, and increasing competition for coastal spaces threaten these natural sites.” Use this term in a sentence. 
  2. What does “to take a legal step” mean? “While countries like New Zealand and Peru have already taken legal steps to protect their surf areas, Australia hasn’t yet done the same.“ Use this phrase in a sentence.” Give a synonym or similar expression.
  3. What does “span” mean in this sentence, “The sport’s popularity spans from beginners to experienced surfers, and many people enjoy being outdoors and near the ocean.”? Use this word in a sentence. Give some synonyms.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What comes to your mind when you hear the word “wave”?
  2. Share your opinion about this problem in Australia.
  3. What are the good and bad things about the surfing industry in this country?
  4. Should surfing be regulated/limited in Australia? Share your opinion.
  5. Have you ever tried surfing? Talk about your experience. If not yet, would you like to go surfing (maybe in Australia) someday? Why or why not?

Flying Private

B1 – Intermediate 

Rich people travel in style. They do not go on commercial flights. Instead, they fly in private jets.

However, doing this is more expensive and not to mention, harmful to the environment.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about flying private jets. Be ready to answer the questions that follow. 

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/flying-private-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “renowned” mean? “In one year, a renowned musician flew 396 times in their jet, with one flight lasting only six minutes.” Use this word in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
  2. What does “maintenance” mean? “Owners must also pay for fuel, crew, maintenance, and storage, which adds millions more each year.“ Use this word in a sentence.” Give a synonym or similar expression.
  3. What does “fossil fuel” mean? “To reduce emissions, scientists support using Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs). SAFs are made from waste or plants and pollute much less than fossil fuels.” Use this term in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What comes to your mind when you hear the phrase “private jet”?
  2. Share your opinion about this, “Flying private jets is very expensive and harmful to the environment.”
  3. What are the good and bad things about flying private?
  4. Should flying in private jets be regulated/limited? Share your opinion.
  5. Have you ever flown in a private jet? Talk about your experience. If not yet, would you like to fly private? Why or why not?