Category: Homework

New Law Against Trafficking in Spain

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Spain recently introduced a new law aimed at combating human trafficking in the country. This law toughens penalties for those who participate in human trafficking for various purposes, such as forced labor or sexual exploitation. The government hopes this new legislation will help protect vulnerable people and punish those who exploit them.

Read the article and share your thoughts about it.

https://migrant-integration.ec.europa.eu/news/spain-new-law-trafficking_en

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “third-country national or TCN”? “Third-country nationals (TCNs) in Spain are disproportionately affected by crimes related to human trafficking and exploitation: traffickers take advantage of the country’s proximity with Northern Africa, its cultural connection with Latin America, and migrants’ vulnerability.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “organic law” mean? “The Spanish government announced its decision to transform the draft of the Integral Organic Law against Trafficking and Exploitation of Human Beings, promoted during the previous term, into law.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “prerogative” mean? “The key aspects of the law relate to specific prerogatives that will be granted to the victims without the need for them to file a complaint, including the rights to receive the Minimum Vital Income (MVI), to be considered priority group to access public housing, to receive legal assistance throughout the process, to receive compensation from confiscated property, and to obtain a temporary certificate of residence and work.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How big is the problem with human trafficking in your country? What are some problems caused by this illegal activity in your country?
  2. What is the new law about? What are your thoughts on some of its prerogatives?
  3. What steps can countries take to strengthen laws against human trafficking? Do you have any suggestions?
  4. How can awareness about human trafficking be raised?
  5. Talk about the things you know about the VioGén system.

Mother of Georgia Shooting Suspect Called School to Warn of Emergency

The question of a mother’s liability for her son’s actions, particularly in cases involving serious crimes such as murder, raises complex legal and ethical considerations. In instances where a mother suspects that her child may be involved in violent behavior, the extent to which she can be held legally accountable for their actions becomes a subject of intense debate.

This article examines the implications of maternal liability in cases where there is prior suspicion of potential wrongdoing by a child, focusing on the intersection of legal duty and parental responsibility.

Read the article and share your thought about this issue.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/sep/08/georgia-school-shooting-suspect-mother

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to seek bail” mean? “Their attorneys declined to immediately seek bail during their first court appearance on Friday.” Give a similar expression and use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does “taunting” mean? “The Georgia teenager had struggled with his parents’ separation and taunting by classmates, his father told a sheriff’s investigator last year when asked whether his son posted an online threat.” Give 2 synonyms and use this word in a sentence.
  3. What does “disproportionate rate” mean? “Their killings renewed the American public debate about safe storage laws for guns while also prompting parents to ponder how to talk to their children about trauma and school shootings, which occur in the US at a disproportionate rate.” Use the phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Which detail/s in this news caught your interest? Talk about it/them.
  2. Do you think a parent is responsible for their child’s criminal behavior? Explain your opinion on this.
  3. What might be done to prevent this kind of horrible incidents from happening again in the future?
  4. What problems do you see among teenagers and their behaviors in your country these days?
  5. Give an example of a sensational case involving a teenager or teenagers in your country.

Being Vain Is a Good Thing

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Vanity is a part of what makes us human. From dressing up elegantly to behaving well above standards, we strive to live up to expectations in order to be perceived in a certain way. It has always been viewed negatively. However, some philosophers think that there can be no morality and no society without vanity.

Let’s watch the video and know the different perspectives on the presence of vanity in our society.

https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0jn44z8/you-re-so-vain-but-here-s-why-that-s-a-good-thing

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to sneer at someone” mean? “We sneer at people who think of themselves too highly.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “praise-worthiness” mean? “We want not only praise but praise-worthiness.“ Use it in your own sentence and give two synonyms.
  3. What does the idiom “to be in a Hall of Mirrors” mean? “Rousseau thought that vanity leads us to care about status more than morality. It makes us worry about the mask and not the face beneath. His vanity leaves us all living in a Hall of Mirrors.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you define vanity?
  2. How does vanity allow the society to function?
  3. Discuss two types of self-love mentioned in the video.
  4. When is it beneficial to be living only in the opinion of others? When is it harmful?
  5. How is vanity considered one of the modern vices? Do you agree with it?
  6. Share your thoughts on Jean Jacques Rousseau’s belief that, “We only really became modern humans when we became vain.“?
  7. What are your insights on this, “Vanity is the source of our sociability and morality.“?

Eye Colour Change Is Riskiest Cosmetic Surgery 

B1 – Intermediate

Originally, eye color change surgery is used to repair an eye injury or other medical conditions. Nowadays, it is also used for cosmetic reasons as a permanent substitute to colored contact lenses. It may seem like a convenient option for those who regularly use colored contact lenses. In this case however, convenience comes with greater risks.

Read the article and know more about this risky cosmetic procedure.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2409/240902-eye-colour-change.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “opt for” mean? “Increasing numbers of people worldwide are opting for cosmetic surgery to enhance their looks.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of the word “likelihood“? “Research conducted by the online eyewear store Overnight Glasses asserts that eye colour surgery comes with a 92 percent likelihood of complications.“. Make a sentence and give two synonyms.
  3. What does “to highlight something” mean?” Dr Ashley Brissette highlighted things that could go wrong. ” Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the risks associated with the eye colour change procedure?
  2. Why do you think people would choose to have this procedure?
  3. In your opinion, what other cosmetic procedures are risky?
  4. What is your stand on cosmetic surgeries?

People Will Fall in Love with AI Voices

B1 – Intermediate 

In the film “Her” starring Joaquin Phoenix, he starts using a new operating system. He meets “Samantha”, an AI assistant. At first, they become friends and then eventually, he falls in love with his AI assistant.

Science fiction.

But now, scientists are afraid it is highly likely for humans to form some kind of emotional dependency on or even love for their AIs or chatbots.

Read the article to know more about scientists’ worries about the possibility of people falling in love with AI.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2408/240812-emotional-attachment-to-ai.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “reshape” mean? “They will reshape how we interact with family, friends and colleagues. ” Use the word in your own sentence and give a synonym.
  2. What does “usurp” mean? “They may even usurp communication among humans.” Use the word in your own sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What is “societal bias”? Give a synonym of this term. “Wired.com writes that the new  chatbot includes “the potential to amplify societal biases, spread disinformation, and aid in the development of chemical or biological weapons”.” Use this phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. Do you think this is possible to happen? Why or why not?
  3. Share your opinion on this, “Users might form social relationships with the AI, reducing their need for human interaction.”.
  4. What are the pros and cons of talking to AI?
  5. How do you think chatbots could change society?

24-Hour Cities

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

New York is dubbed as “The City that Never Sleeps”. But apparently, The Big Apple isn’t the only one and there are many more that are striving to become one as well.

About 100 cities in the world are called 24-hour cities. This means bustling nightlife where there are more places open all throughout the night.

It is believed that having a 24-hour city can help with a city’s economic growth. However, despite some benefits, it is still faces a deal of skepticism from people. 

Read the article to know more about the pros and cons of 24-hour cities.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckdgqpy0lyeo

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to home in on something” mean? “Yet a growing number of cities around the world are increasingly homing in on ways to strengthen their night-time economy.” Use the phrase in your own sentence.
  2. What is a “reveller”? “But not everyone is supportive of the change: “We don’t have enough security for it,” says one concerned reveller.” Use this word in a sentence.
  3. What does “up all night” mean? “But most of those cities, including London, Sydney, and Sinatra’s beloved New York, are not up all night.” Use this phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your thoughts on 24-hour cities. Talk about its benefits and the problems you see with it.
  2. Is your city one? Do you feel about that? If it isn’t yet, how would you feel about it becoming one?
  3. What do you think about a city’s 24-hour drinking zone?
  4. What are ways for cities to strengthen their night-time economy?
  5. What are your thoughts on night mayor or night czar’s job?

Why People Stutter

B1 – Intermediate

A fluency disorder that start when a child is very young is also known as “stuttering”. It is a speech disorder which affects around 5%-10% of people during their childhood. Some cases end in childhood while 25% continues to have this speech defect until they become adults.

Stutterers have a lot of problems in their daily lives because they are often misunderstood and the condition is not effectively treated.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about reasons people stutter and its possible treatments.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/why-people-stutter-level-3/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to stutter” mean? “They studied the brains of people who stutter or who recovered from a stutter; they found they are different from the brains of people who don’t.” Use it in a sentence and give a synonym of this verb.
  2. What does the phrase “run in the/one’s family” mean? “The condition often runs in families, and some of the genetic differences are related to sex.” Use it in a sentence and give a synonym of this idiom.
  3. What is the meaning of the word “onset“? “The treatment of stutter differs and depends on whether the person is a young child very close to onset, a school-aged child, or an adult.” Make your own sentence and give a synonym of this word.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the causes of stuttering in childhood?
  2. What causes stuttering adults?
  3. Have you ever stuttered? Talk about this situation.
  4. How can disfluency be treated?
  5. Do you know anyone who has this disorder? What problems do they have to deal with having this condition?
  6. Why do you think stuttering isn’t treated properly/effectively?

Being Alone Isn’t the Same As Being Lonely

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Loneliness isn’t just a personal issue; it’s a public health concern linked to serious outcomes like mental health challenges and early mortality. Surprisingly, recent research shows that being physically isolated doesn’t always lead to loneliness. This discovery highlights the complex nature of loneliness and suggests that being alone and feeling lonely are not the same, prompting a deeper look into what truly drives these feelings.

Read this article to learn how being alone isn’t the same as being lonely.

https://theconversation.com/lonely-extroverts-happy-hermits-why-being-alone-isnt-the-same-as-being-lonely-and-why-it-matters-235767

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “disentangle“. “It also provides further impetus to disentangle loneliness, physical isolation, and social isolation.” Make a sentence with this and give two synonyms.
  2. What does “to foster something“? “Addressing the root causes of loneliness and fostering social connections is essential to improving overall wellbeing.” Make a sentence with this and give two synonyms.
  3. What does the verb “to underscore” mean? “This underscores the importance of a supportive community in reducing the risk of loneliness.” Create a sentence with this and give two synonyms.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does “being alone” mean to you? Do you think it’s different from feeling lonely?
  2. How can society better address the complex issue of loneliness beyond just reducing physical isolation?
  3. Do you think it’s possible to feel lonely even when you are with other people? Why or why not?
  4. How does your culture or background influence your feelings about being alone or being with others?
  5. What are some activities you like to do alone? Do these activities make you feel lonely or happy?

The ‘Lucky to Be Here’ Generation Could Learn from Gen Z

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In uncertain times, many adopt a “lucky to be here” mindset, which can undermine our career self-worth and control. While Millennials often settle for less due to hustle culture, Gen Z is redefining job satisfaction with a more balanced approach. By learning from Gen Z, we can better advocate for ourselves and achieve a healthier work-life balance.

Read this article to learn what Gen Z has to teach the ‘Lucky to Be Here’ Generation.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/lucky-to-be-here-bad-career-advice_l_66a13723e4b0ac6125bcee32

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “over-index” mean? “Most people over-index on insecurity, but there are definitely some folks who swing to the other side of the pendulum a little bit too hard when they’re trying to escape that insecurity and fail to look at their growth area.” Use this in a sentence.
  2. Define “touchstone“. “If you, like me, were a Millennial who grew up watching “The Devil Wears Prada,” then this movie became one of your earliest touchstones of a “lucky to be here” mindset.” Give two synonyms and use “touchstone” in a sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of “to swing to the other side of the pendulum”? “Most people over-index on insecurity, but there are definitely some folks who swing to the other side of the pendulum a little bit too hard when they’re trying to escape that insecurity and fail to look at their growth area.” Make a sentence with this.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of the “lucky to be here” mindset?
  2. Have you ever felt like you were just “lucky to be here” in your job? How did that mindset affect you?
  3. How did your upbringing or family background influence your views on job security and career advancement?
  4. What aspects of Gen Z’s approach to work do you find inspiring or challenging for your own career?
  5. How can the “heads down, grind it out” attitude lead to burnout and unhealthy loyalty?

AI Technology to Identify Future Olympians

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A new AI-driven system is set to revolutionize the way future Olympic champions are identified by detecting athletic talent at an early stage. The developers are working on creating a portable version of this technology, which could bring cutting-edge sports science to even the most remote areas, offering new opportunities for discovering the next generation of elite athletes.

Read this article to learn more about this AI-powered talent spotting system.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cmj2jkppvx3o

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “holy grail” mean in this context? “…spotting potential at a young age is the “holy grail” of sport.” Use this phrase in a sentence in this context.
  2. Define “roll out” in this sentence, “It is hoped that the system can be rolled out further and used to offer opportunities to people in areas which it would be impossible to reach with bulkier assessment systems.”. Make a sentence with this phrasal verb and give two synonyms.
  3. What does “computer vision” mean? “We’re using computer vision and historical data, so the average person can compare themselves to elite athletes and see what sport they are most physically aligned to.” Create a sentence with this term.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the potential benefits and challenges of using AI to predict athletic success at an early stage?
  2. Do you think using AI to find talented athletes is a good idea? Why or why not?
  3. How would you feel about the idea of AI making decisions about your future success in sports or other activities?
  4. How do you think the introduction of AI technology might influence your goals and dreams? Would it motivate you or change your plans in any way?
  5. If you could design an AI system for any purpose, what would it do, and how would it help people?