Tag: Advanced English CAE

3 Tips to Boost Your Confidence

C1 – Advanced

People admire individuals who are self-confident. Self-confident people are risk-takers and are not afraid to face their challenges. They have an air of optimism around them and are comfortable with themselves.

The video below shows us how we can have that self-confidence to carry us through the day.

Watch the video carefully then be ready to answer some discussion questions:

Discuss:

  1. How is confidence defined in the video?
  2. What are several factors that impact self-confidence?
  3. How confident do you feel? Are you full of it, or do you wish you had more of it?
  4. To what extent are you aware of your weaknesses and strengths? How do you feel about your weaknesses?
  5. How can you improve your self-confidence?
  6. What are the factors that build your self-confidence?
  7. If you have a low self-confidence, what do you guess are the contributing factors?

What Would Happen if you Didn’t Sleep?

C1 – Advanced

It may seem obvious that sleep is beneficial. Even without fully grasping what sleep does for us, we know that going without sleep for too long makes us feel terrible, and that getting a good night’s sleep can make us feel ready to take on the world.

Scientists have gone to great lengths to fully understand sleep’s benefits. In studies of humans and other animals, they have discovered that sleep plays a critical role in immune function, metabolism, memory, learning, and other vital functions.

Watch the video carefully then be ready to answer some discussion questions:

Discuss:

1. In the video, what are the effects of Sleep Deprivation?
2. What does sleep do to our body that makes it very important?
3. How many hours of sleep do you generally need per night? Do you manage to sleep as much as you need? If not, why not?
4. Do you use, or have you ever used, any special methods that help you get to sleep? (e.g. sleeping pills, herbal remedies,counting sheep,meditation )

In the Wine World, Does Bottle Size Matter?

C1 – Advanced

Wine has been around for as long as we can remember. And most of the time, we’re after the taste and not the bottle. A Napa Valley wine maker is redesigning wine bottles.

Watch the video below of a discussion about wine bottles and the issue of changing them.

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the video, why are wine bottles being changed?
  2. In your opinion, it a good idea to change the size and shapes of wine bottles?
  3. What did the guest say about retailers and wine bottles?
  4. What are your preferences when it comes to wine and other alcoholic beverages?
  5. Is it better to showcase wine in a new and different way or the standard way? Explain.

Japan’s Legendary Female Divers

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C1 – Advanced

The Japanese are renowned for keeping most of their traditions alive. “Ama” divers is one of them. Read the article below to know what and who “ama” divers are and be ready to answer some discussion questions.

On the job with Japan’s legendary female ama divers

Discuss:

1. What kind of diving do the “ama” divers do?
2. In your country, what industries were thriving in the past but are now declining?
3. What are some traditions that your country has strongly carried through the years (food,feast, etc.)
4. What are some of the small towns in your country that local and foreign tourists like to visit because of it history and heritage?

World’s Cheapest Michelin-Starred Meal

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C1 – Advanced

Who doesn’t want to have meal rated by the Michelin guide? We all are interested as to why a certain dish was given a star or two, but keeping in mind that it just might break the bank. Interestingly enough, Singapore offers something else.

Read the article below to know more about a cheap yet very tasty serving of noodle.

Singapore offers the world’s cheapest Michelin-starred meal

Discuss:

1. Discuss the restaurant and food of Chan Hon Meng.
2. Have you experienced eating at a Michelin-starred restaurant? How was that experience?
3. What are some of the local food joints that you enjoy going to?
4. What new cuisines would you like to explore or try?

Supermarkets Are not Cheating Customers

C1 – Advanced

Consumers are always on the look out for promotions and discounts on almost every products. But are all promotional products worth your cash?

Read the article below and express your thoughts about it.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-38967432

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think multi-buy packages are a good deal or is it a way to entice customers to buy more than what they really want? Share your thoughts.
  2. How could supermarkets handle this issue with multi-buy better without causing annoyance to their customers?
  3. Do you like these kinds of offers? Why or why not?
  4. What are other ways you think supermarkets are tricking their customers?
  5. Share your experience getting tricked by a store or supermarket offer?

Causes & Solutions of Juvenile Delinquency

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C1 – Advanced

Juvenile crime is a crime committed by young people below a specific age – 18 in most countries. Even kids can run afoul of the law. Once a child commits a crime and enters the criminal justice system, he or she may be deemed a “juvenile delinquent.”

Causes and Solutions of Juvenile Delinquency

 Discuss:

1. What are the main reasons children become criminals?
2. What kind of crimes do young people usually commit?
3. Why do you think juvenile crime increased in the past decade?
4. Should young people go to prison if they commit serious crimes?
5. How much are parents to blame if their children become criminals?
6. What part do you think movies, the Internet and video games play in leading young people to crime?
7. Is juvenile crime a problem in your country?
8. What would you do if you discovered your children had committed criminal acts?

Saudi Arabia’s Cinema Ban

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C1 – Advanced

It is common knowledge to most that the Middle Eastern culture is one that comes with very rigid rules. From what women can wear to gender segregation. In Saudi Arabia, cinemas are struggling as well.

Read the article below to know more about the film industry in Saudi.

In the age of YouTube, what’s the point in Saudi Arabia’s cinema ban?

Discuss:

1. What information did the article say about the cinema ban in Saudi Arabia?
2. What did the article say about women and driving?
3. Tell me something about the author of the article.
4. What do you know about the Middle Eastern culture?
5. Would you consider travelling to the Middle East?

How Food Trucks Took Over City Streets

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C1 – Advanced

Food trucks. Their evolution has been a good one. Sprouting up like mushroom, people seem to enjoy every bit of it.

Read the article below and be ready to increase your vocabulary by going through the different terms and expressions. Feel free to read the article section per section with your teacher.

How Food Trucks Took Over City Streets

Discuss:

1. Describe the change of food trucks since it began.
2. Why are food trucks so appealing to the young? The culinary graduates?
3. Explain why having a food truck business is not as easy as some think. What are the challenges business owners face?
4. On the other hand, what are the advantages of having a food truck as a business?
5. Are food trucks a trend in your city as well? What is your general opinion of them?

Buckwheat Berry Stripe Cake | Melissa Clark Recipes

C1 – Advanced

This video is meant to practice your listening comprehension. Watch and listen carefully and be ready to answer comprehension questions. You’ll also be able to practice your speaking skills by describing processes.

Discuss:

1. Why does the cook like using buckwheat?
2. Why does the cook prefer using a shallow pan over a deeper one for her cake?
3. According to the video, what does it mean when a cake is a “damp cake”?
4. What did Melissa mean when she used the expressions “…go to town.” and “It’s your canvass.”?
5. Do you enjoy cakes and pastries? What are some of your favourites?
6. Describe a dessert dish that you enjoy making.