Category: Homework

Small American Towns at Night

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B2 – Upper intermediate

When the night falls, some cities transform into something else.

Take a look at some photographs capturing nocturnal sights in some small American towns.

Small American Towns at Night

Discuss:

1. Choose one photo from the series of photographs in this article. Describe it and explain why you chose it.
2. How would you differentiate the night time views in small towns and big cities?
3. How is night time like in the city that you live in? How is the atmosphere different during the day?
4. What might be the good and bad things about night time in small towns and big cities?

3 Tips to Boost Your Confidence

C1 – Advanced

People admire individuals who are self-confident. Self-confident people are risk-takers and are not afraid to face their challenges. They have an air of optimism around them and are comfortable with themselves.

The video below shows us how we can have that self-confidence to carry us through the day.

Watch the video carefully then be ready to answer some discussion questions:

Discuss:

  1. How is confidence defined in the video?
  2. What are several factors that impact self-confidence?
  3. How confident do you feel? Are you full of it, or do you wish you had more of it?
  4. To what extent are you aware of your weaknesses and strengths? How do you feel about your weaknesses?
  5. How can you improve your self-confidence?
  6. What are the factors that build your self-confidence?
  7. If you have a low self-confidence, what do you guess are the contributing factors?

What Would Happen If You Didn’t Sleep?

C1 – Advanced

It may seem obvious that sleep is beneficial. Even without fully grasping what sleep does for us, we know that going without sleep for too long makes us feel terrible, and that getting a good night’s sleep can make us feel ready to take on the world.

Scientists have gone to great lengths to fully understand sleep’s benefits. In studies of humans and other animals, they have discovered that sleep plays a critical role in immune function, metabolism, memory, learning, and other vital functions.

Watch the video carefully then be ready to answer some discussion questions:

Discussion Questions:

  1. In the video, what are the effects of sleep deprivation?
  2. What does sleep do to our body that makes it very important?
  3. How many hours of sleep do you generally need per night? Do you manage to sleep as much as you need? If not, why not?
  4. Do you use, or have you ever used, any special methods that help you get to sleep? (e.g. sleeping pills, herbal remedies,counting sheep,meditation)
 

Does Online Therapy Actually Work?

Modern guy typing on a smartphone.

B2 – Upper intermediate

Online therapy is counseling using the Internet. It’s also known as e-therapy, distance therapy, Internet therapy and web therapy. Apps for texting, video chatting, voice messaging and audio messaging are used as forms of communication between therapist and patient. But the BIG question is, does it actually work?

Click below to find out more:

Does Online Therapy Actually Work?

Discuss:

1. When you saw the phrase “online therapy,” what came to mind?
2. Would you be willing to undergo online therapy if you had any issues?
3. What are the downsides of Online Therapy?
4. What do you think are other ways you can counsel a person?

10 Ways To Reduce Stress By Decluttering Your Life

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B2 – Upper intermediate

It may seem like there’s nothing you can do about stress. The bills won’t stop coming, there will never be more hours in the day, and your work and family responsibilities will always be demanding.

Stress management is all about taking charge. No matter how stressful your life seems, there are steps you can take to relieve the pressure and regain control.

10 Ways To Reduce Stress By Decluttering Your Life

Discuss:

1. What are you most stressed about these days?
2. Do you think stress can sometimes be good?
3. Which of the ways mentioned in the article do you find most useful?
4. What are some decluttering practices that you do?

Syrian Children in Toxic Stress

B2 – Upper Intermediate

War affects children as much as it affects adults, how ever different the impact is. Children are dependent on the care, empathy, and attention of adults who love them. Their attachments are frequently disrupted in times of war, due to the loss of parents or other custodians.

Read the article below to know more on how the children are fairing in the middle of the Syrian war.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-39188402

Discussion Questions:

1. How does war affect children? What are the lifelong influences?
2. How do children of war view this phenomenon?
3. How should we rehabilitate children who have witnessed the horrors of war?

In the Wine World, Does Bottle Size Matter?

C1 – Advanced

Wine has been around for as long as we can remember. And most of the time, we’re after the taste and not the bottle. A Napa Valley wine maker is redesigning wine bottles.

Watch the video below of a discussion about wine bottles and the issue of changing them.

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the video, why are wine bottles being changed?
  2. In your opinion, it a good idea to change the size and shapes of wine bottles?
  3. What did the guest say about retailers and wine bottles?
  4. What are your preferences when it comes to wine and other alcoholic beverages?
  5. Is it better to showcase wine in a new and different way or the standard way? Explain.

Is Cycling Good for Cities?

B1 – Intermediate

In cities like Amsterdam, cycling is a way of life. Is it really good for cities to encourage the use of bicycles around the city/neighborhood?

Watch the video below and be ready to have a discussion.

Discuss:

1. Are there any bicycle lanes in the UK? Why is it important to have bicycle lanes?
2. In your city, are bicycle lanes made to encourage the use of bicycles?
3. How would you describe roads and motorways in your country?
4. Do you think that using bicycles will help lessen the traffic in big cities? Why?

BBC LingoHack Video: Feb 22

B1 – Intermediate

Watch the video below to increase your vocabulary and practice your listening skills. Feel free to watch the video more than once. You may also take down notes of important details.

Learn words from the news: visually impaired, engineered, heading out

Discuss:

1. What does it mean when someone is visually impaired? Use it in a sentence.
2. How is one company in India helping people who are blind? Why are the blind the best in this kind of job?
3. What is the definition of the word “engineered”? Use it in a sentence.
4. In the last story, where is the team going? Where will they live during their expedition?

Tackling Air Pollution

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B2 – Upper intermediate

Aside from politics and the economy, pollution is also a growing issue in most countries. Air pollution has become more and more evident in the past years that people from different walks of life are trying to lessen air pollution in their own little way.

Read the article below and express your thoughts about it.

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-39132679

Discussion Questions:

1. How is your government addressing the issue of air pollution?
2. How would you describe pollution in your city?
3. What are some of the places you visited that you would consider very clean?
4. Do you enjoy living in your current city?