Tag: audio

People in Iceland Say NO to the EU 

B1 — Intermediate 

Icelanders voted against restarting talks to join the EU. Most voters did not support the idea. They want Iceland to stay outside the EU. The vote shows that EU membership is still a debated issue in Iceland.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Iceland rejecting EU accession talks.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/people-in-iceland-say-no-to-the-eu-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “national referendum” mean? “Icelanders have voted against resuming membership talks with the EU in a national referendum.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “to bring something forward” mean? “Prime Minister’s government had brought the vote forward due to global geopolitical tensions.” Use the verb phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “to fail to excite someone” mean? “In contrast, the YES campaign ran a very technical campaign that failed to excite the public.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why did the NO vote win in the referendum in Iceland?
  2. Do you think Iceland should join the EU? Why or why not?
  3. What are some benefits and disadvantages of being an EU member?
  4. Do you think people should vote on important national decisions?
  5. Can a small country be successful without joining the EU? Why?

England Tourist Tax

B1 — Intermediate 

The UK government plans to allow a tourist tax on overnight stays by 2029. It will apply to hotels, B&Bs, and short-term rentals.

The tax may be up to 5% of the stay’s cost. However, the hospitality industry opposes it. They fear it could reduce tourism and cause thousands of job losses.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the introduction of tourist tax in England.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/englands-tourist-tax-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “tourist tax“ mean? ”The UK government will allow mayors in England to introduce a tourist tax on overnight stays before 2029.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “uncapped” mean? “While the charge is uncapped, local leaders, including London’s mayor, expect to keep it under 5% of the total accommodation cost.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “to deter” mean? “Furthermore, extra fees might deter both international and domestic travelers and drive them toward destinations without visitor levies.” Use the verb in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about the tourist tax in England?
  2. “While the charge is uncapped, local leaders, including London’s mayor, expect to keep it under 5% of the total accommodation cost.” What is your opinion on this amount? Is it fair?
  3. Share your thoughts on this, “Experts warn that a 5% tax could reduce tourism spending by 1.8 billion pounds (2.1 billion euros) and destroy nearly 33,000 jobs by 2030.”
  4. Do you agree or disagree: “Extra fees might deter both international and domestic travelers and drive them toward destinations without visitor levies.”? Explain.
  5. Would you pay more to visit a country with a tourist tax? Why?

India Medical Tourism 

B1 — Intermediate 

India has a large medical tourism industry. Many foreign patients visit for affordable treatment. India has skilled doctors and good hospitals. 

However, it faces competition from other countries and travel problems. India is investing in health technology and AI. It wants to be known for quality, technology, and trust, not just low costs.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the medical tourism industry in India.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/indias-medical-tourism-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “accredited“ mean? “Patients choose India because of its highly skilled English-speaking doctors, accredited private hospitals, shorter waiting times, and low treatment costs.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “brain mapping” mean? “Health tech startups in Bangalore are developing advanced AI devices for early cancer detection and brain mapping.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “merely” mean? “Experts believe India must now transform its brand from merely cheap care to a world leader in quality, technology, and trust.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your opinion about medical tourism industry.
  2. What are the pros and cons of getting medical treatment in India?
  3. Would you personally choose a country like India for medical treatment? Why or why not?
  4. Do you think cheap medical care can also be high quality? Why?
  5. What makes a hospital trustworthy? 

Scam Centers

B1 — Intermediate 

Scams are becoming a big problem in many countries. Scammers use the internet, phone calls, and messages to trick people and take their money. 

Scam centers are places where groups of people work together to trick their victims. They may pretend to be from a bank, a company, a government agency, or even a friend. 

We should all be careful and never share personal information or money with anyone online.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about scam centers.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/scam-centers-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “scam center“? “In some countries, criminal gangs build large scam centers to trick people and make money.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “to cost someone a lot of money” mean? “These scams cost people and countries a lot of money each year.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “to face abuse” mean? “Some workers go there to earn money, but many are forced to work and face abuse.” Use the expression in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your opinion about scam centers’ business model.
  2. What do you think about how scams cost people and countries a lot of money each year?
  3. What is your reaction to/opinion about this: “Some workers go there to earn money, but many are forced to work and face abuse.“?
  4. What is your view on this: “Governments try to stop the centers, but the gangs have a lot of power and work in areas with weak control.”?
  5. What can we do to stop these scams and close these scam centers?
  6. Talk about the worst scam you’ve ever heard happened to someone.

Many People Are Single

B1 — Intermediate 

More people are living alone these days. Many adults also do not have a partner. In the US, half of young men and women live without a partner. The same thing is happening in other countries.

There are many reasons why more and more people remain single and ready to mingle.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript explaining why many people are not in a relationship.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/why-many-people-are-single-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “dating“ mean here: ”Technology also changes dating.”? Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “rejection” mean here: “Younger adults don’t learn basic skills to meet people or manage feelings of rejection.”? Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “a falling number of something” mean? “ Social problems also happen when single people grow, for example, the need for smaller houses and a falling number of children.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Explain why many people are living alone and single.
  2. Is the same thing happening in your country? Why or why not?
  3. How has dating changed in your country over the years? Why do you think this is the case?
  4. What social problems can originate from the increasing number of singles?
  5. How has technology changed dating?
  6. What will the future be like if people stayed single?

Who Does the Housework?

B2 — Upper Intermediate 

Household chores are a necessary evil. Though they can sometimes be boring or unpleasant, they need to be done. Doing household chores is an important part of daily life. We clean our rooms, wash dishes, do laundry, and take out the trash. Chores keep our homes clean and comfortable. 

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the division of labour when it comes to household chores.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260813

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to pull one’s weight“ mean? ”Anamarija also thinks women appreciate it when their husbands pull their weight.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “to take a breather” mean? “Mothers have more space for their careers, or hobbies, or just simply totake a breather when dads and sons take some of the pressure off mums.” Use the expression in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “fair share” mean? “Do you do your fair share of household chores?” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. In the UK, the most hated chore is cleaning the windows. What do you think will be the people’s answer to the same question in your country? Why do you think many people hate this chore?
  2. What are your thoughts on this: “Women in wealthy countries also spend much more time on unpaid care work than men.”?
  3. Which chore do you like doing the least? Why?
  4. What happens when one person does most of the chores?
  5. How can family members share the housework more fairly?

Making Cities Feel Quieter

B2 — Upper Intermediate 

Some people enjoy the peace of the countryside, while others prefer the noise of city. 

However, studies show that too much noise can increase stress and anxiety.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about making the cities feel quieter.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260521

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to dress loud“ mean? “Indians talk loud, celebrate loud and dress loud.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “soundscape” mean? “Similar soundscapes are now helping city dwellers relax in other cities too, including Tokyo and Barcelona.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “counterintuitive” mean? “So, the art installation was really to make this park a little quieter by adding some quiet noises. So, it’s counterintuitive, but you can make a park less noisy by adding some calmer sounds.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on this: “Too much noise can increase stress and anxiety.”?
  2. Should the noise be limited in cities? Share your thoughts.
  3. What can be done to tackle the noise pollution problem in cities?
  4. How do sounds/noises around you affect you?
  5. Do you prefer a quiet town or a busy city? Why?

Latin America’s UNESCO Sites In Danger

B1 — Intermediate 

UNESCO sites such as Machu Picchu in Peru and the Rio Plátano Biosphere Reserve in Honduras are in danger.

Too many tourists damage them. Rain and trash also cause problems.

Honduras is losing forests because of illegal cattle farming and tree cutting. Animals and local people are also at risk.

Experts say everyone must work together to protect these places.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the threats to Latin America’s UNESCO sites.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/latin-americas-unesco-sites-are-in-danger-level-2

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “threaten“ mean? ”This dangerous activity harms wild animals and threatens local communities.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “armed group” mean? “Indigenous leaders try to protect their forest homes, but armed groups hurt them.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “cattle farming” mean? “In Honduras, large parts of the rainforest are being destroyed by illegal cattle farming, tree cutting, and drug crime.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How can tourists help protect these sites?
  2. How can the government save these sites?
  3. Why is it important to protect these places for the future?
  4. Do you think there should be fewer tourists? Why?
  5. Have you ever had the same problem in your country? Talk about it.

Nuclear Power Plants Do Not Have Enough Water

B1 — Intermediate 

Europe is facing very hot and dry weather. The Danube River is very low. A nuclear plant in Romania had to stop. Hungary also had problems with its nuclear plant. Solar power helped prevent blackouts. But power is still hard to supply at night. Experts say Europe needs better energy systems.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about water shortage at some nuclear power plants.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/nuclear-power-plants-do-not-have-enough-water-level-2

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “nuclear power plant“? ”The water level in the Danube River is very low, so Romania had to stop its nuclear power plant because there was not enough cold water.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “solar power” mean? “Luckily, Hungary uses much more solar power now, which helped supply energy during hot daytime hours, but getting enough power during the night is still difficult.”Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “drought” mean? “Severe drought and hot summer weather have caused big problems in Europe.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why did the nuclear plant in Romania stop?
  2. How can solar power help?
  3. Should people use less electricity? Why?
  4. What can governments do to prevent power shortages? 
  5. What other problems do you know are caused by extreme heat? Discuss them.
  6. Share your point of view about this: “Experts say Europe needs better energy systems.”

Posting Zero

B1 — Intermediate 

Social media feels too much and fake. Many people still use it, but they post less. This is called Posting Zero. People are afraid of judgment or to feel pressure to look perfect. Bots also make social media feel less real. Many users want simple and honest posts again.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about social media use drop.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/posting-zero-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to feel louder than ever” mean? “Social media feels louder than ever, filled with ads, repetitive videos, and artificial content.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “honest moment“ mean? ”Many users hope social media can return to a place where real people share small, honest moments again.” Use the expression in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “feed” mean here: “In the past, people shared simple photos and everyday moments; however, now, feeds look perfect, commercial, and unreal.”Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do people used to post on social media in the past? 
  2. Why are they stopping or posting less now?
  3. Do you like posting on social media? Why?
  4. Is it okay to stop posting on social media? Why?
  5. “Bots also make social media feel less real.” Do you agree or disagree?
  6. How can social media feel more real?