Category: Homework

Why Do Women Live Longer than Men?

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C1 – Advanced

Have you ever wondered why women live longer than men?
Studies show that women’s survival is consistent and truly remarkable as observed in human beings and animals. Lifestyle may be a factor but there are more causes or contributors.

Why Do Women Live Longer than Men?

Discuss:

1. What are the contributing factors mentioned in the article? What surprised you the most?
2. What is Spain’s life expectancy?
3. Would you like to live a long life? Why or why not?
4. Should scientist slow down the aging process?

Dementia Will Rise in the Future

B2 – Upper Intermediate

You would agree that you and I are guilty of forgetting things.  We hate to forget and technology nowadays make reminders very handy for us.  But how serious is the problem of forgetting things?

The following article talks about dementia and the dangers the new generation is facing when it comes to this mental illness.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1509/150923-dementia.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the article, what is dementia?
  2. What kinds of tasks do people with dementia lose their ability to do?
  3. Do you think that it would be a good idea for governments to spend more money on the research of dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases?
  4. In your country, are there facilities to help people suffering from dementia and similar conditions?
  5. How can we reduce the risk of developing dementia?

Sweden Shifting to 6-Hour Work Day

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Based on studies, employees who work for about 10-11 hours per day have a higher tendency to suffer a stroke. This is just one of the negative effects of working for hours on end.

Let’s find out more about the reasons why Sweden decides to shrink its workers’ working hours on this Science Alert news story.

https://www.sciencealert.com/sweden-is-shifting-to-a-6-hour-workday

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the benefits and drawbacks of working shorter hours?
2. Do you agree with the benefits mentioned in this article?
3. What do you think about Sweden’s decision to make work shifts shorter?
4. What is your ideal work hours/schedule?

More Selfie Deaths than Shark Attacks

B2 -Upper Intermediate

Isn’t it heart-breaking to hear news about someone dying because they took pictures of themselves while on thin ice or in a dangerous spot? How ironic is it that some people risk their lives just to make others like or envy them on social media?

Read the lesson on how life-threatening selfies could be and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

http://breakingnewsenglish.com/1509/150926-selfies.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this story?
  2. How fond are you of taking selfies? What’s the most incredible selfie you have ever taken?
  3. Why do you think a lot of people are obsessed with taking selfies?
  4. What are your thoughts on risking one’s life in the name of cool selfies?
  5. What’s the most outrageous accident/death by selfie have you ever heard of?

The Volkswagen Scandal

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It has been more than a decade since car makers started focusing on producing diesel vehicles thinking that these cars are excellent for the environment. According to some recent scientific evidences, this is not exactly the case, and there are even pleads to decrease the number of diesel cars in several cities.

Diesel sales were already waning. Needless to say, this controversy came at a bad time. Find out more about this scandal from this BBC article.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-34324772

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are thoughts on this “diesel dupe” scandal involving Volkswagen?
  2. How has this accusation affected the company and other car manufacturers?
  3. How can a company that’s been involved in a scandal win back their customers’ trust?
  4. If executives and managers wilfully misled officials or their own superiors, should heads roll? Explain your stand.
  5. Talk about what you know about emissions test in your country.

Social Media are Changing Relationships

B2 – Upper intermediate

Social media networks have helped people share pieces of their lives to the community.  But what is the effect of social media networks to our relationship to other people?

Read the article below and be ready to express your thoughts.

Social media networks are changing our way of having relationships

Discuss:

1. What springs to mind when you hear the term ‘social networking’?
2. What are the pros and cons of social networking?
3. Are social networking sites for people who aren’t good at meeting people face to face?
4. Have you ever tried to find friends on a social networking site?

Poverty In a Rich World

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We are living in a wealthier world. The number of people living in extreme poverty has halved in recent decades. More people own cars and mobile phones. But why do we still see poverty?

Listen to the podcast then be ready to answer some discussion questions.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/6-minute-english/ep-150305

Discussion Questions:

  1. How big is the problem of poverty in your country?
  2. Would you say that there is a big gap between the rich and the poor where you are from?
  3. Are you able to see your taxes at work? Why or why not?
  4. What are ways for government to solve poverty?

Are Models Too Skinny?

B2 – Upper intermediate

Should skinny – or very thin – models be stopped from working on the catwalk? We’ve accepted the norm of fashion models to have very slim and slender figures.

Listen to this podcast on how thin is too thin for catwalk models then express your thoughts.

Are models too skinny?

Discuss:

1. Summarize the discussion about skinny models.
2. Do you think that agencies should be responsible for their models?
3. Do very skinny models really give out a negative impression on children and young adults?
4. How would the fashion industry change if female models were not as skinny?

Low Levels of Vitamin D Might Hurt Your Brain

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As we know, vitamins are essential to our health and vitamin D helps protect the body from diseases like diabetes and cancer. A study says it might also prevent brain diseases called dementia.

Read the article below and be ready to talk about health.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/low-levels-of-vitamin-d-might-hurt-your-brain/2974167.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Before reading this article, what did you know about vitamin D?
  2. Do you think maintaining healthy vitamin D levels could be an important part of preventing dementia? Why or why not?
  3. Should older adults be encouraged to take vitamin D supplements even before scientists have confirmed their benefits for dementia?
  4. What other lifestyle habits do you think might help maintain brain health as people age?
  5. What healthy habits do you adopt to support your brain health?

Bizarre Lessons in Indian Textbooks

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Education is an enlightening experience we all deserve to have. Countries worldwide aim to have high literacy rate thus proper education should be catered to the citizens. However, in India, some textbooks were found with worrying information.

Read the article below to check some of the bizarre information in their textbooks.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-34336826

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think about the article? Discuss the mentioned erroneous lessons.
2. What is the best way to rectify this issue?
3. Have you read history books that were erroneous?