Tag: Advanced English CAE

What Is Life Really Like In Sweden?

C1 – Advanced

Bike lanes, IKEA and Absolut Vodka. These are what Sweden is famously known for, among others. But what else do we know about Sweden? What do Swedes like about their country? Watch the video below and be ready for a discussion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjq9OEvmjvk

Discuss:

1. Describe education in Sweden.
2. What are the benefits of parents in Sweden?
3. How would you describe work-life balance of the Swedes?
4. What are some of the challenges Sweden is currently facing?
5. Are you happy with the educational system of your country? How about the benefits that parents in your country receive?

Zuckerberg Presents AI Assistant Jarvis

C1 – Advanced

Mark Zuckerberg, creator and CEO of social media giant Facebook, has been working on developing his very own AI (Artificial Intelligence) assistant for a year now.

Watch the video and read the article as he introduces ‘Jarvis’ to the world.

Zuckerberg Presents AI Assistant Jarvis

Discuss:

1. Talk about Jarvis.
2. Do you feel comfortable talking to your mobile phone? If yes, what do you usually ask your AI assistant to do? If not, kindly explain the reason why.
3. What other functions would you like AI assistants to be able to carry out?
4. What other ultra advanced technology would you like to be able to see and use in your lifetime.

Animal Rights

C1 – Advanced

Animal rights is the idea that some, or all, non-human animals are entitled to the possession of their own lives and that their most basic interests—such as the need to avoid suffering—should be afforded the same consideration as similar interests of human beings.

Read the article below and be ready to practice your reading comprehension.

Ethics Guide: Animal Rights

Discuss:

1. What springs to mind when you hear the term ‘animal rights?
2. How are animals rights viewed in your country?
3. What rights do you think animals have?
4. What rights do humans have that animals should also have?
5. What do you think of testing cosmetics and medicines on animals?
6. Should we all be vegetarians and not kill animals for food?
7. What do you think of killing animals for fur?

What Happens to the Plastic You Throw Away?

C1 – Advanced

Plastic is considered one of the greatest material produced that has helped companies and individuals alike. But how has plastic played a role in harming our environment? Watch the video below to find out more about the journey of a plastic bottle.

Discuss:

1. Explain where plastic bottles end up once we throw them away. What is leachate?
2. What is the Great Pacific garbage Patch? What danger does this pose?
3. Are you aware of where your garbage goes when you dispose of them?
4. Does your city have good programs related to recycling and disposing of trash properly?

Women Will Never be Equal to Men

C1 – Advanced

The issue of equality between men and women is nothing new. This is especially obvious in the workplace. Despite differences, both men and women are to work together harmoniously.

Read the article below then express your thought.

Women Will Never be Equal to Men

Discuss:

1. Are men and women truly equal?
2. Are men and women equal in ability and intelligence?
3. Will women ever be equal to men in the workplace?
4. Should men and women be granted equal status?
5. How do you ensure that men and women are equally considered in a hiring process?

Sci-fi Inventions That Became Reality

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C1 – Advanced

In the recent years, we’ve seen advancements in technology, some of which look like something that came straight out of sci-fi films or novels.

Discover fictional inventions that we are seeing in real life now.

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-38026393

Discussion Questions:
1. Talk about a fictional technology you saw in a movie or read from a novel that became a reality.
2. What is a sci-fi invention that you would like to see in the near future?
3. Give some examples of technology that have made the world worse.

Corporal Punishment in Schools

C1 – Advanced

Corporal punishment is disciplining by way of physically harming the child at fault. This kind of correction has been used in schools and many have spoken against it. Yet, there are some who think that the old practice of corporal punishment is something that should remain in institutions to teach restraint and self-control in children.

Read the article below and express your thought afterwards.

Corporal Punishment in Schools

Discuss:

1. How prevalent is corporal punishment in schools?
2. In your own opinion, should corporal punishment have a place in education? Why/Why not?
3. Do you see an advantage to using corporal punishment?

Huggable Robots

C1 – Advanced

For kids, going to the hospital can be a terrifying and sometimes boring experience. An interesting innovation from researchers and roboticists may be a good solution- a robot companion.  This robot’s creators aim to know if it can can have therapeutic value for hospitalized children. Can it really alleviate sick children’s anxiety, pain, and isolation?

Let’s meet this blue bear who’s making sick kids less blue.

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think of “Huggable”? How does a child respond to it?
2. What suggestions did one of the kids give to make it a better robot companion?
3. How else can we make a doctor’s visit less dreadful for children?
4. Did you enjoy hospital visits when you were a kid? How about now?

A Man and His Tiny Country

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C1 – Advanced

Liberland is one of the only few unclaimed territories in the world. But a Czech-born guy is claiming the rights to this country that he thinks is his.

Find out more about Liberland and Vit Jedlicka’s battle to get back what he thinks rightfully belongs to him.

The man who created a tiny country he can no longer enter

Discuss:
1. Do you think this man and his friends are the rightful owners of this territory?
2. Describe Liberland and its government. What do you think of the kind of government it has?
3. Would you like to be a resident of this country?
4. If you were to own a country, what would you name it and how would you try to create a utopia there?
5. Express your thoughts about land disputes.

Less Stuff, More Happiness

C1 – Advanced

Can having less material things in a room lead to more happiness?
Watch this 5-minute video to get the answer and tips on how you can edit your life.

Discuss:
1. Fill in the blank: In 2013, American homes were about ________ bigger than they were in the 1950’s and 60’s.
2. To which has the accumulation of “stuff” led to in the past 50 years?
3. Discuss the 3 rules mentioned in the video.
4. In your personal life, how can you practice “less is more”?
5.  What is the most important reason to edit your life?