Category: Homework

The Cost of Fast Fashion

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The throwaway culture has meant an unprecedented number of people purchase clothes, wear them just once, and then discard them. It leads to fast fashion, where consumers seek less expensive clothing, which drives up sales globally, but has a significant negative impact on the environment.

Watch the video below to learn more about the true cost of fast fashion.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define the word “castoff“. “This is where wardrobe castoffs end up.” Use it in your own sentence.
  2. What does the word “swanky” mean, “Today she’s looking for a new outfit for a swanky industry event.” Could you think of an antonym and construct a sentence using the word “swanky”.
  3. What does “to get mileage out of” mean? “Rent the Runway is getting more mileage out of items of clothes, it’s also helping tackle an increasing number of throwaway culture.” Think and make your own sentence using the idiom.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is fast fashion a trend in your country? Talk about it.
  2. What effects do you anticipate it will have on the environment and the economy?
  3. Would it be preferable to stop this expanding industry? Explain your stance.
  4. How else can the throwaway culture be tackled?
  5. What do you think of Patagonia’s philosophy, “To buy once, buy well, and mend clothing”? Share your thoughts on this.
  6. What are your thoughts on Rent the Runway’s business model?

Key Challenges to Make AI Safe

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to create more impact in almost all aspects of our society, it is crucial to sit down and discuss how the technology can be regulated in order to ensure that we can safely make use of it. However, it seems this task isn’t going to be a walk in the park.

Read this article about the key challenges in making AI safe.

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-65850668

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “school of thought”? “Artificial-intelligence experts generally follow one of two schools of thought – it will either improve our lives enormously or destroy us all.” Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  2. What does it mean when something “doesn’t sit (well) with/within”? “These technologies don’t sit within the boundaries of one country.” Use this idiom in your own sentence.
  3. Explain what the word “interim” mean. “She is drawing up an interim voluntary code for the sector, alongside the US, which could be ready within weeks.” Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Which among the key challenges to make AI safe mentioned in the article is the hardest one to address and why?
  2. Why do you think it is difficult to have international collaboration on AI?
  3. Do you agree that the public should be informed about the risks attached to each AI product? If so, how do we do that?
  4. Do you agree or disagree with this policy: “Companies that break its rules could be fined the greater of €30m or 6% of global annual turnover.”? Why or why not?
  5. What are some government regulations that we should have to mitigate the potential risks posed by AI products?
  6. AI “godfathers Geoffrey Hinton and Prof Yoshua Bengio warn that the technology has huge potential for harm. Do you believe them or not? Explain your point.

Standard of Living

B1 – Intermediate

Standard of living demonstrates a person’s quality of life. It is the level of their material wealth and income. It dictates the kinds of things they will be able to buy and experience in their lives.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about standard of living.

https://listenaminute.com/s/standard_of_living.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is “standard of living”? “I don’t think you need a lot of money to have a good standard of living.” Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  2. What does “overseas” mean? “I’m not rich, I don’t have expensive furniture (in fact I have cheap used furniture) and I don’t have luxury holidays overseas.” Give 2 synonyms and use “overseas” in your own sentence.
  3. Explain what “do one’s best” mean. “We all do our best for most of our lives to improve it.” Use this expression in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why is a good standard of living important?
  2. In your personal opinion, what is a good standard of living?
  3. How can a person improve their standard of living?
  4. What do you think of the current standard of living of most people in your country?
  5. Agree or disagree: “I don’t think you need a lot of money to have a good standard of living.” Explain your position.

Au Pair Industry

B1 – Intermediate

Nowadays, most families have both the mother and the father working many hours during the day. If they have little children, it is hard to balance both work and family life. It is difficult to take care of the kids.

Having an au pair to help with taking care of the children is the perfect solution.

In the UK, Brexit has caused some significant decline in the au pair business. Because it became more complicated for other Europeans who want to become au pairs in the UK to enter the country and nurseries are also too expensive, many women had to decrease their working hours to care for their children.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the au pair industry in the UK.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/uk-au-pair-industry-level-3/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “nursery”? “As a result, families, especially women, have had to reduce their working hours due to the high costs of nurseries.” Use this word in your own sentence.
  2. What does “drastic” mean? “Agencies have reported a drastic decline in business, up to 95%, due to stricter immigration rules for European citizens.” Give a synonym and use “drastic” in your own sentence.
  3. Explain what “settled status” mean. “However, the opportunities for au pairs to enter the UK have diminished. Currently, only a small group of individuals with settled or pre-settled status or those eligible for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa can work as au pairs in the country.” Use this phrase in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How are au pairs helpful to the British people and their economy?
  2. How has the au pair industry been affected after Brexit?
  3. Are au pairs really a good option for cheaper child care? Explain your opinion.
  4. Is it better to make nurseries cheaper so more women do not need to take care of their children and so they can continue working? Explain.
  5. What do you think of the stricter immigration rules for European citizens to enter the UK?

Chinese Airliner’s First Commercial Flight

B1 – Intermediate

Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) is a state-owned aerospace company in China. It has recently made history with their first commercial airplane C919’s first flight. C919 was built in hopes to compete with other aerospace manufacturers such as Boeing and Airbus.

Its first commercial flight is said to be China’s “symbol of industrial skill and national pride”.

Read this article about the Chinese-made airplane C919’s first commercial flight.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2306/230601-comac-china-airline-1.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Explain the definition of the phrase “national pride”. “Newspapers called it “a symbol of skill and national pride“.”. Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  2. What does “triumph” mean? “China’s president called the C919 aircraft a “triumph of Chinese innovation”.” Give a synonym and use “triumph” in your own sentence.
  3. What does “fondly” mean? “I’ll remember it fondly for some time to come.” Give a synonym and use “fondly” in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction now that China is also manufacturing planes?
  2. What is your opinion on this, “COMAC hopes to compete with airline industry giants, like Boeing and Airbus.”?
  3. Do you think COMAC will get a lot of international orders soon? Why or why not?
  4. Talk about any recent milestone in any industry in your country.
  5. Talk about one of your country’s national pride.

Smiling Classes

B1 – Intermediate

People have been wearing masks for a long time since the COVID-19 pandemic. Some people in Japan claim that they have forgotten how to smile naturally. Therefore, they are taking smiling lessons from “smile coaches”.

Read more about these smiling classes in the article.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2306/230608-smiling-classes.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “complex” mean in this context, “Many people developed a complex about smiling.“? Use this word in this context in a sentence.
  2. What does “the key to something” mean? “Moving and relaxing the facial muscles is the key to a good smile.” Use this expression in a sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of “for some time to come“? “Smile coaches in Japan may be busy for some time to come.” Use this phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on smiling lessons?
  2. Have you ever found it difficult or uncomfortable to smile naturally after wearing a face mask for a lengthy period of time? How did you handle it?
  3. Would you consider taking lessons from a “smile coach” to relearn how to smile with confidence if you felt self-conscious about it?
  4. Do you believe that wearing masks has affected your ability to communicate effectively and make good impressions on others? Why or why not?
  5. What is your opinion on this: “Smiling makes a good impression on others and helps communication. It also has the effect of making yourself feel more positive.”?

Preparing for a Presentation

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Making an effective presentation depends primarily on preparation. In addition to helping you feel more confident, rigorous planning will guarantee that you have carefully considered the themes you want or need to convey in your presentation.

https://www.skillsyouneed.com/present/prepare-presentation.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the word “tailor” mean? “Tailoring your talk to the audience is important.” Use the word in a sentence.
  2. What does “quell” mean? “It does much to quell fear if you can visualize the place while you are preparing for your talk.” Make a sentence using the word.
  3. What does the phrase “turn up” mean? “You will not be popular if you turn up on the day and announce that you have completely rewritten your presentation on the train.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Which audience is preferable for presentations: a large or a small one? Why?
  2. Have you ever had to make a presentation in English? How did you find the experience?
  3. Do you think it would be a good idea to practise the presentation with your English teacher beforehand, or would this make the actual presentation less spontaneous?
  4. Do you write out everything you are going to say word for word, or do you just make general notes? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each method?

Eat Well at a Buffet

B2 – Upper Intermediate

If you’ve ever found yourself faced with an extensive spread of delectable dishes at a buffet, you know that navigating through the multitude of options can be both exciting and overwhelming.

From making smart choices to managing portion sizes and exploring new flavors, this comprehensive guide will provide you with valuable tips and strategies to help guarantee a good experience eating at an all-you-can-eat restaurant.

Read the article to acquire some knowledge and techniques to indulge in a delightful buffet experience like a true connoisseur.

https://delishably.com/dining-out/How-to-Eat-a-Buffet

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “gulp down” mean? “If you are gulping down quarts of soft drinks and piling up french fries on your plate, and starting on your third serving of chili, you might be abusing the buffet experience.” Use the phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does “to push something aside” mean? “If one particular thing tastes a little “off” or is not what you thought it was, it is reasonable to push it aside.” Make a sentence using the expression.
  3. What is the meaning of the expression “to die for”? “While buffet desserts are to die for, the fat and sugar calories can be staggering.”  Use the expression in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the article, why is it recommended to start with lighter options such as salads, fruits, or soups at a buffet?
  2. Explain the suggested approach for managing portion sizes at a buffet?
  3. What is your opinion on the suggestion to arrive at a buffet with an empty stomach? Do you think it enhances the dining experience? Why or why not?
  4. In your opinion, is it important to try different cuisines and dishes you haven’t had before at a buffet? Why or why not?

Dead and Cremated Animals in a Hoarder’s Home

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In this eye-opening video, we witness a distressing situation involving a woman who had way too many animals living in terrible conditions, with some of them even dead. The situation got totally out of control because she just couldn’t stop hoarding animals.

This sweet elderly lady lived alone and ended up with around 100 cats in her house. It’s sad because she’s a really caring person, but things went downhill after her husband passed away 12 years ago. Her house became a complete mess, filled with boxes and stuff everywhere, making it impossible to live in. The smell was so bad that it even bothered her neighbors.

Luckily, the authorities stepped in and rescued the animals that were still alive. But now, the woman’s house is considered unsafe and is red-tagged. You won’t believe the details until you watch the video!

Vocabulary Questions:

Explain the meaning of the highlighted words below and make some sentences.

  1. It is an apparent case of animal hoarding that got out of hand.
  2. The smell would get pretty bad, it would linger over to our side.
  3. The home here was red-tagged.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What have you seen in the video?
  2. How would you feel in a situation where hoarding leads to poor living conditions?
  3. Can good intentions sometimes lead to uncontrollable and harmful situations?
  4. What could have been done earlier to stop the situation from getting worse?
  5. How important is neighborly awareness for overall well-being?

The Dangers of a Nice Company Culture

B2 – Upper Intermediate

People seek genuine pleasant workplaces, not superficial ones. Seize the opportunity to reflect and assess whether your organization genuinely nurtures a culture of kindness or simply puts up a front.

This enlightening article delves into the hazards of a “nice” company culture.

https://www.applauz.me/resources/the-dangers-of-a-nice-culture

Vocabulary Questions:

Give the meaning of the highlighted words in the following sentences. Provide sample sentences.

  1. In short, is it possible to set the bar too low?
  2. Mistakes and toxic actions being swept under the rug.
  3. Nice cultures are guilty of the opposite — dancing around hard truths.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does the article define “nice company culture” and why is it hazardous?
  2. Why do leaders pursue a nice culture in organizations?
  3. What are the downsides of a nice culture in an organization?
  4. How does open and honest communication help combat the hazards of a nice company culture?
  5. Have you faced challenges expressing dissenting views or giving candid feedback? How were they received, and what were the outcomes?