Category: Homework

Finland Joins NATO

B1 – Intermediate

Finland had not been a part of any alliance since 1945. However, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the country changed its position and decided to join NATO. 

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Finland joining NATO.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/finland-joins-nato-level-2/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does ”alliance” mean, “Since 1945, Finland wasn’t part of any alliance, but when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the country changed its policy.“? Use this idiom in your own sentence.
  2. What does “escalate” mean, “In a reaction, Russia said that it would increase its military activity in the northwest and that the fact that Finland joined NATO could escalate the conflict in Ukraine.“? Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  3. What does “pact” mean, “The NATO Collective Defense Pact says that if an attack on one NATO member happens, it is an attack on all.“? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the pros and cons of being a member of NATO?
  2. What is your opinion about Finland’s decision to join NATO?
  3. In your opinion, should Sweden and other countries do the same? Why or why not?
  4. One of the founding principles of NATO is that an armed attack on one member nation would be considered as an attack on all. Share your opinion on this.
  5. Share something you know about NATO.

Italy May Punish English Use

B1 – Intermediate

Having English skills has become increasingly important in today’s globalized world. Nevertheless, some people consider it a threat as it may harm their native language.

Read the article to learn more about Italy’s stand on the use of English.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2304/230406-anglomania.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is “Anglomania“, “He is worried about the growing number of English words in Italian. He called it Anglomania.” Make your own sentence.
  2. What does “fine” mean here, ” He wants people to get a fine if they use English words.“? Use this in your own sentence.
  3. What does “linguistics” mean, “A top Italian linguistics society, the Accademia della Crusca, said it totally disagreed with Mr. Rampelli’s idea.“? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about this new law?
  2. What are its potential consequences?
  3. Do you think you need the same law in your country? Why or why not?
  4. How important is English in today’s globalized world? What opportunities can you get by speaking English fluently?
  5. Do you think English is harming your country’s native language? Share your opinion.

Every Job Is An Opportunity

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A job is more than a paycheck. It’s a platform for learning, growth, and advancement. By seeing every job as an opportunity, individuals can unlock their full potential, extract valuable lessons, and make the most out of their career journey.

Discover 5 reasons why every job can be a stepping stone towards career dreams. Despite feeling uninspired sometimes, jobs offer growth opportunities. Don’t miss this eye-opening article by Jakob Sauppe!

https://possibilitychange.com/every-job-is-an-opportunity/

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What is the meaning of the phrase “Achilles’ heel” in a sentence “Every one of us has an Achilles’ heel in our work lives.” Use it in a sentence.

2. In a sentence “If you made a positive, memorable impression, that could be your ticket to moving up.”, explain the meaning of the word “ticket” and use it in a sentence.

3. Explain the idiom “right off the bat” in the sentence “I sincerely doubt many people turn out successful right off the bat.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree that every job is an opportunity? Why or why not?
  2. What other values did you learn from the article?
  3. How can you use your job as an opportunity to improve?
  4. How does the mindset of viewing every job as an opportunity to excel impact your approach to your work and your overall job performance?
  5. Share success stories of individuals who turned challenges into opportunities for career growth.

Stop Consuming, Start Creating

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The article you are about to read will encourage you to break free from the endless cycle of consumption and take intentional steps toward self-expression, innovation, and personal fulfillment.

Explore how the author benefited from adopting a “stop consuming, start creating” mindset and how it led her to a more fulfilling and purpose-driven life.

https://possibilitychange.com/start-creating/

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does the word “ball game” mean in the sentence “Until this artistic awakening, I had taken lessons in piano and dance, but doing my own thing was a completely different ball game.”? Use it in a sentence.

2. What does the term “muse” mean in the sentence “Music was my first muse.”? Use it in a sentence.

3. Explain the meaning of the expression “to show somebody the ropes”, “Ask someone to show you the ropes.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. According to the author, what happens when you shift from a consumer to a creator?

2. Are you a consumer or a creator?

3. What do you think is the role of creativity in problem-solving and innovation?

4. Can creativity be developed and nurtured, or is it something people are born with? Explain.

5. What would you stop consuming, and what would you create instead?

Disney’s Magic Spell Wearing Off

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In a world where cinema sales are falling, pay TV subscribers are cancelling their subscriptions, and online streaming are making film companies lose revenues, Disney bases its hopes on their loyal fans who would watch just anything they produce and release.

Read the article about Disney’s struggles to boost its share price.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-64632514

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does ”give something a leg up” mean, “Jessica Reif Ehrlich, an analyst at Bank of America, says the resonance of Disney’s brands give it a leg up on its competitors, but investors have yet to be convinced.”? Use this idiom in your own sentence.
  2. What does “to bank on” mean, “That’s the kind of commitment that Disney is banking on as it tries to forge a profitable path in a world of falling cinema sales, pay TV cancellations and money-losing online streaming.“? Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  3. What does “playbook” mean, “Will the traditional playbook be enough?”? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your reasons Disney’s magic is wearing off?
  2. Will the traditional business playbook be enough for Disney to stay afloat?
  3. How has your cinema habits changed after the pandemic?
  4. What do you think about film franchises and spin-offs?
  5. Give your opinion on this: “The rise of streaming has fractured audiences, making it difficult to generate the kind of buzz that propels people to pay for entertainment.”

Lucky Rituals Bring Success

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The habits or rituals that lead to rich and famous people to their success are secrets everyone is dying to know, thinking it could hopefully bring them the same fortune.

Read the article about superstitious learning and how the eccentric habits of high-flying individuals bring them success.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220708-superstitious-learning-can-lucky-rituals-bring-success

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “gospel truth” mean, “Some of their behaviours will have been acquired through superstitious learning – and we may then follow their advice as if it were the gospel truth.”? Use it in your own sentence.
  2. What does “rife” mean, “Creative tasks are especially rife with uncertainty – which may explain why thinkers like Gates, Beethoven and Dickens adopted such specific behaviours to get their thoughts flowing.“? Use this word in your own sentence.
  3. What does “spurious” mean, “It is notoriously difficult to get a new paper accepted by a prestigious journal, she says, and researchers will often find spurious reasons for their successes and failures.”? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on superstitious learning?
  2. Give a benefit and a downside of over-imitation.
  3. People sometimes attribute success to something so random rather than their own talent or hard work. Share your thoughts on this.
  4. What are some rituals that you think bring you luck and success? Where did you learn this from? 
  5. Have you ever taken a famous and successful person’s idiosyncratic rites and rituals in the hope that you can somehow achieve the same success? Share about it.
  6. Why do successful people follow eccentric habits?

Entrepreneurs Regret Starting Businesses

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Becoming your own boss might sounds promising. However, this road may not be all that everyone ever dream about because starting your own firm comes with a lot of risks and responsibilities. Some entrepreneurs admit that they would have taken a different route if they could.

Read the article about the regrets some entrepreneurs have with quitting their day jobs to start their own businesses.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20230402-the-entrepreneurs-who-regret-starting-businesses

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does ”to take the plunge” mean, “But if the 54-year-old could go back, he may never have taken the plunge.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What does “to hang one’s own shingle” mean, “Of course, there are plenty of success stories, and many people who hang their own shingles would never look back.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  3. What does “to follow one’s footstep” mean, “Still, Schreim is cautious about encouraging anyone else to follow in his footsteps.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some benefits of starting your own business?
  2. What are some risks of putting up your own firm?
  3. Being an entrepreneur isn’t an easy lifestyle. Share your thoughts on this.
  4. Do you think starting your own business would equal freedom? Why or why not?
  5. What things one should consider and keep in mind when starting their own business?

Don’t Quit Your Job to Start a Business

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There has never been as much information about personal finance as now. You can easily have passive income sources, for example, selling
online or trading currencies.

Read the article on how to start your own business and tap into your hidden talent while having a regular job.

https://www.entrepreneur.com/starting-a-business/why-you-shouldnt-quit-your-job-to-start-a-business/312133

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define the word “sizeable“. “Having the ability do what you love, when you want and on your own terms is certainly attractive, especially when you could potentially build it into a sizeable income.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. Define the word “maverick“. “”Entrepreneurs” are rarely the modern-day maverick who suddenly decide one day to quit their jobs and pursue their dreams.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. Define the word “to get something off the ground“. “By building your business while working full- or part-time, you will have the cash flow in the short term to get your enterprise off the ground.” Give a synonym of “to get something off the ground” and use this expression in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on starting a business while still keeping a day job?
  2. Have you tried following the advice given? How did it go?
  3. What other tips can you add to the post? Do you know someone who has a corporate full-time job while running a business? Describe his/her lifestyle.
  4. Have you ever considered how you might live without a regular job?
  5. What are the pros and cons of being your own boss?

Making Friends After 60 Is Really Hard

B2 – Upper Intermediate

People’s social circles may change as they age, such as the loss of friends due to relocation, illness, or death. As a result, seniors may feel withdrawn and alone. Unfortunately, making friends later in life particularly for those over the age of 60 can be exceedingly difficult but not at all impossible.

Seniors may face issues such as limited social interaction opportunities, access to technology, stigma, and shifts in their social circles. But on the other hand, they can improve their social connections and overall quality of life by being proactive and seeking out new social opportunities.

Relationship building later in life may necessitate greater effort and commitment, but the advantages associated with social connection are well worth it.

To gain additional knowledge, access the link and read the entire article.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/making-new-friends-60s-advice_l_641ca16ae4b0a3902d35c9b7

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “mesh well” mean, “If you can offer that connection and companionship, there is someone out there with those needs whose personality would mesh well with yours, and that person would want you as a friend.” ? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What does “to tap into sth” mean, “To find your people as an older adult, tap into your interests. That might mean signing up for an art class, getting a part-time job, looking for a book club at the local library, trying a new activity like pickleball, or joining a religious, political or volunteer group for a cause that’s close to your heart.” Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  3. What does “going to bag” mean, “ “ Hey, you want to go have lunch?’ — if you’re not feeling quite up to it, you’re probably going to bag,” she said.” ? Use this expression in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What societal factors contribute to the difficulty of making friends in later life?
  2. What is social isolation and how does it affect seniors?
  3. What are some effective strategies for older adults to meet new people and build connection?
  4. How can seniors maintain existing friendships and strengthen social ties?
  5. In what ways can family members and caregivers facilitate social interaction for seniors?
  6. What are the community programs or resources available to help seniors build social connections in your country?

Parents Fearful Of Their Teens’ Social Media Use

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Social media has become an ubiquitous part of modern life, especially for teenagers who have grown up with it. While there are many benefits to social media, such as the ability to connect with friends and family, share information and experiences, and discover new interests, there are also potential risks and negative consequences, such as cyberbullying, addiction, and exposure to harmful content. Remember that social media can be a positive and an enriching experience for your child when used responsibly and in moderation.

But how can you guide your child in navigating the digital world safely and confidently? How do you remain informed and involved in their browsing habits? How can you take an active role in your teen girls’ social media use to help ensure that they experience the many benefits of these platforms while also mitigating the potential risks and harms?

To learn more, follow the link and read the full article.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/parents-teens-social-media_l_6425a1ece4b01284198bd05b

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does ”spectrum of experiences” mean, “Dr. Michael Rich, a pediatrician who runs the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital, told HuffPost he’s seen other surveys that showed the same spectrum of experiences.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What does ”to sift through sth” mean, ”How are we supposed to sift through the various positive and negative possibilities contained in our kids’ smartphones and figure out what course of action is best?” Use this in your own sentence.
  3. What does ”digital natives” mean, “Our kids are digital natives and can figure out a way around pretty much any control setting when they put their minds to it.”? Use this term in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some specific risks associated with social media use for teenagers?
  2. How can you encourage your teens to communicate with you about their social media experiences?
  3. How can you monitor your teens’ social media use without infringing their privacy?
  4. What are some signs that a teen may be experiencing negative consequences of social media use, such as addiction or cyberbullying?
  5. How can you model positive social media behavior for your teens? Please share.
  6. What are some strategies for helping teens develop digital literacy skills? Please provide more details.