Category: Homework

Why Can’t We Admit to Not Enjoying a Bad Holiday?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Holidays are often seen as special times meant for relaxation, adventure, and enjoyment. Yet, not every trip turns out the way we hope. Sometimes plans go wrong, expectations aren’t met, or the experience simply isn’t enjoyable. Still, many people find it hard to admit when a holiday has been disappointing.

Let’s read the article and know more about why people often feel pressure to present their holidays as enjoyable, even when the reality is unpleasant.

https://theconversation.com/why-cant-we-admit-to-not-enjoying-a-bad-holiday-267978

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the verb “decompress” mean here?”Holidays present a chance to unwind, relax and decompress from life’s day-to-day struggles”. Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.
  2. Define the verb “pervade“. “Echoes of that aristocratic impulse still pervade the way we talk about holidays to this day.” Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What is the meaning of “conspicuous consumption“? “The American economist and sociologist Thorstein Veblen described this over a century ago: the affluent signal status through what he called “conspicuous consumption”.” Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Can you describe a holiday that didn’t meet your expectations, and what made it disappointing?
  2. In what ways does the idea of the “tourist gaze” shape how we talk about our travel experiences?
  3. Do you think people curate their holiday experiences more for themselves or for their audience? Why?
  4. Why might admitting to a bad holiday feel like a personal failure rather than just an unfortunate experience?

Why the Majority Is Always Wrong

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Many people assume that success comes from following proven methods and sticking to what already works. At work, this often means copying industry standards, routines, and ways of thinking that everyone else accepts without question. The problem is that doing what most people do usually leads to average results, not real progress or innovation.

Watch the video to explore why challenging accepted norms can lead to very different outcomes.

Vocabulary Questions

  1. What does “automatic pilot” mean in the sentence, “Over 95% of our life, we run on automatic pilot”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “industry standard” mean in the sentence, “The boundaries of this box, they are called industry standards, or industry norms”? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “hit a wall” mean in the sentence, “When people, teams, and organizations, whenever they hit a wall, they tend to do one of two things”? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions

  1. Do you think people are generally comfortable following norms, even if those norms limit creativity? Why or why not?
  2. Can you think of an example where following the usual way of doing things led to poor results?
  3. Why might people be afraid to try “different things” instead of doing more or less of the same?
  4. Have you ever questioned a rule or standard at work or school? What happened?
  5. Do you believe extraordinary results require taking risks? Why or why not?

Information Apocalypse

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Photos, videos, and audio recordings used to feel like reliable evidence. Today, that trust is being challenged as digital content becomes easier to manipulate and harder to verify. From fake social media profiles to AI-generated videos, misinformation can spread quickly and influence how people think, vote, and react to world events.

Watch the video below to learn how deepfakes work, why they are so convincing, and why they pose a serious challenge to our shared understanding of reality.

Vocabulary Questions

  1. What does “carpet-bomb” mean in the sentence, “I can carpet-bomb the internet with these things”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “sow civil unrest” mean in the sentence, “We’ve already seen the first nefarious uses of that technology in the creation of fake profiles on Twitter, on YouTube, on Facebook, and on LinkedIn to either start to promote fake news, to sow civil unrest, to commit fraud”? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “whole cloth” mean in the sentence, “You are synthesizing whole cloth”? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions

  1. Do you think people trust online images and videos too easily? Why or why not?
  2. Have you ever seen a photo or video online that later turned out to be fake or misleading?
  3. Why do you think social media makes it easier for misinformation to spread?
  4. Should technology companies be more responsible for stopping fake content online? Why or why not?
  5. What can individuals do to be more careful when consuming news on social media?

How Circular Deals Are Driving the AI Boom

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Artificial intelligence is attracting massive investment from some of the world’s biggest companies. Billions of dollars are being poured into data centers, energy infrastructure, and advanced chips, with many investors treating AI as a growth engine that cannot fail. At the same time, questions are growing about profitability, rising costs, and whether this surge could turn into another tech bubble similar to the dot-com crash.

Watch the full video to explore how money is moving through the AI industry, why some experts are worried, and what’s at stake if expectations don’t match reality.

Vocabulary Questions

  1. What does “circular deal” mean in the sentence, “A precarious investment strategy is emerging multi-billion dollar circular deals.”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “to bank on something” mean in the sentence, “Investors are really banking on incredible growth”? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “canary in the coal mine” mean in the sentence, “And these AI data center companies, they are the kind of canary in the coal mine”? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions

  1. Why do you think so many investors are willing to spend billions on AI even though many projects are not yet profitable?
  2. How is the current AI boom similar to the dot-com bubble, according to the video?
  3. What risks do ordinary people face if an AI bubble were to burst?
  4. Do you think large technology companies are becoming “too big to fail”? Why or why not?
  5. In your opinion, can AI still succeed as a technology even if some companies fail along the way?

You Need to Be Bored

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Most of us do everything we can to avoid boredom. We scroll, stream, or check our phones the moment there’s nothing else to do. But this video challenges that habit and argues that boredom plays an important role in helping us think, reflect, and find meaning in our lives.

Watch the video to hear why boredom isn’t something to escape, and how constantly avoiding it may be affecting our mental health.

Vocabulary Questions

  1. What does “default mode network” mean in the sentence, “Boredom is a tendency for us to not be occupied otherwise cognitively, which switches over our thinking system to use a part of our brain that’s called the default mode network”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “doom loop” mean in the sentence, “Well, that’s a big problem. That’s a doom loop of meaning”? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “get your arms around” mean in the sentence, “Because it sends you to the types of questions that you can’t get your mind around. You can’t get your arms around”? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions

  1. Why do you think people are so uncomfortable with boredom?
  2. How does boredom help people think about meaning and purpose, according to the video?
  3. Do you agree that smartphones make it harder to reflect on life? Why or why not?
  4. Have you ever had good ideas when you were bored? What were you doing at the time?
  5. Would you be willing to try short periods without your phone during the day? Why or why not?

Overcoming Midafternoon Energy Slump

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Many people experience a sudden drop in energy during the middle of the afternoon. This energy dip can make it harder to focus, stay productive, and maintain motivation. Understanding why it happens and learning simple ways to manage it can help you stay alert and keep your day on track.

Let’s read the article and find out practical tips to overcome the midafternoon slump and keep your energy steady throughout the day.

https://www.businessinsider.com/why-you-get-tired-2pm-what-to-do-2021-5

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “energy lag” mean? “A good way to fight off tiredness during that midafternoon energy lag is to do some stretches.” Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.
  2. What does “to feel sluggish” mean? “Fat takes a long time to digest and makes the body feel sluggish.” Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. Define the word “jittery“. “Side effects of having too much caffeine can include feeling jittery.” Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do you think many people feel tired in the afternoon?
  2. How does the midafternoon slump affect your productivity or mood?
  3. What strategies have you tried to stay energized during the day?
  4. In your opinion, is the afternoon slump more physical or psychological? Share your insights.
  5. How might cultural or workplace habits influence when people feel most tired during the day?

Stem Cell Research

B1 – Intermediate 

Stem cells are special human cells that can develop into many different types of cell. They can be muscle or brain cells. They can also be used to fix tissues that have been damaged.

More research on stem cells is important in regenerative medicine because it could allow the body to repair itself by replacing dysfunctional cells with healthy ones that are grown in the lab.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about someone’s opinions on stem cell research.

https://www.listenaminute.com/s/stem_cell_research.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to be all for something” mean? “I am all for stem cell research.” Use the expression in a sentence and give a synonym.
  2. What does “to play God” mean? “They say it is unethical and that it is playing God.” Use the idiom in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What does “to be leading” mean? “Britain seems to be leading the world in this research.” Use the phrase in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about stem cell research?
  2. What are some of the medical potentials of stem cells?
  3. What are some ethical issues with it?
  4. Some people view stem cell research “as unethical and that it is playing God. Other people say we will create Frankenstein’s monster“. What is your point of view?
  5. Do you think your country is investing enough money in stem cell research? If so, do you agree with it? If not, do you think that the government should?

Navigating the Dating World: Know What You Want

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Researchers at McGill University found that having a clear sense of what you’re seeking in a relationship what they call “relationship clarity” is linked to lower loneliness and higher life satisfaction among young adults who date. The study, involving over 180 single adults, suggests that going into dating without clear goals or boundaries can lead to confusion and emotional strain.

Read the article to know why knowing your relationship expectations helps you navigate romantic connections with more confidence and emotional health.

https://www.mcgill.ca/newsroom/channels/news/navigating-dating-world-its-important-know-what-you-want-researchers-say-369522?

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “relationship clarity” mean? “People low in relationship clarity may be less selective in dating contexts, which could lead to unfulfilling dating experiences with incompatible partners.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “construct” mean here, The team also validated the concept of relationship clarity through additional studies, which allowed them to compare it to related constructs, such as satisfaction with singlehood.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “ambiguous cue” mean? “Lacking relationship clarity may also lead people to interpret ambiguous cues as negative during their dates.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do you think some people start dating without being clear about what they want?
  2. Do you believe knowing your relationship goals reduces confusion and heartbreak? Why or why not?
  3. How can unclear expectations affect both people in a dating situation?
  4. Is it possible to discover what you want while dating, or should you know it beforehand?
  5. How does setting boundaries early change the quality of a relationship?

Stop Letting AI Run Your Social Life

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A recent Time article discusses how generative AI tools (like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude) are increasingly being used not just for convenience, but to draft personal texts, resolve disputes, and even shape dating profiles. While some people use these tools to help with social anxiety or communication, experts warn that overreliance can weaken emotional skills like patience, listening, and authenticity in real relationships.

Read the article to know more about why they caution that outsourcing emotional labor to AI might distort how we connect with others, and they advocate for technology that supports human agency rather than replaces it.

https://time.com/7357217/ai-social-life-texting-chat-gpt-clause-gemini/?

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “the bedrock of something” mean? “I wholeheartedly believe that AI is shifting the relational bedrock of society.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “someone to seem checked out” mean? “They might also ask: Does the LLM think the person they’re corresponding with is a narcissist? Does he seem checked out?” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “airtight argument” mean? “They use AI to try to create these airtight arguments where they can analyze a friend’s statements or a boyfriend’s statements, or they especially like to use it with their parents.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think using AI to write messages or replies makes communication easier or less genuine? Why?
  2. Where do you personally draw the line between “AI helping” and “AI replacing” real emotional effort in relationships?
  3. Have you ever felt misunderstood because a message lacked tone or emotion? Would AI make that better or worse?
  4. Do you think relying on AI for dating profiles or conflict messages could affect trust between people?
  5. In the future, do you see AI strengthening human relationships or slowly weakening our social skills?

Number of Children Affects Lifespan of Mothers

B1 – Intermediate 

Research found that women’s number of children could have an effect on their rate of ageing as well as their lifespan. It could even make them at lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

Read the article about a study on the link between reproduction and women’s rates of ageing and longevity.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2601/260126-having-children-and-lifespan.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “wear and tear” mean? “The “wear and tear” and physical demands of multiple childbirths can negate this lowered risk.” Use the expression in a sentence and give a synonym.
  2. What does “longevity” mean? “Another factor that could increase longevity is the increased social support a mother receives from the state for having children.” Use the word in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What does “lifespan” mean? “A new study suggests that the number of children a woman has might affect her rate of ageing and her lifespan.” Use the word in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your thoughts on this: “The number of children a woman has might affect her rate of ageing and her lifespan”.
  2. What do you think of this: “Having a smaller number of pregnancies could have favourable effects on a mother’s health”?
  3. What is your opinion about this: “The finding of shorter lifespans of women who never gave birth was surprising”?
  4. Do you agree or disagree: “Another factor that could increase longevity is the increased social support a mother receives from the state for having children.”?