Tag: audio

Hong Kong Needs Tourists

B1 – Intermediate

Countries all over the world have been affected by the pandemic. One of the countries that suffered the consequences is Hong Kong.

Now, the government needs to think of ways to boost tourism again.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about what Hong Kong is doing to attract more tourists into their country.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/hong-kong-needs-tourists-level-3/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “lure” mean, “Hong Kong will give 500,000 air tickets to lure tourists and businesses back to the city.” Use this word in your own sentence.
  2. What does ”revive” mean here, ”The government is seeking to revive the economy and repair Hong Kong’s global image after 2019’s violent protests and three years of self-imposed isolation during the pandemic.”? Give at least one (1) other definition of this word and use it in a sentence.
  3. What is a “giveaway”? “The giveaway will begin at the start of March and will last six months.” Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why does Hong Kong have problems with low tourism?
  2. What is your opinion on their campaign to get more tourists to visit their country? Do you think it will work? Explain.
  3. What would you do if you won a free flight to Hong Kong?
  4. What does your local and/or national government do to attract tourists to visit?
  5. What are some interesting activities/events in your city/country?

Noise

B1 – Intermediate

Noise is defined as an unwanted and unpleasant sound that causes annoyance to people. A particular sound may be music to someone, but a noise to another.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about noise.

https://listenaminute.com/n/noise.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “noise pollution” mean? “It’s strange to think that in the past few decades, people have been talking about noise pollution.” Explain and give examples of it.
  2. What does “get to someone” mean here, “I live in the city, so noise is everywhere. Sometimes it gets to me.“? Use this idiom in a sentence.
  3. What does the word “surrounding” mean, “It’s stuff that makes our surroundings unpleasant.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of noise pollution?
  2. Do you ever think that some music is just noise? Why?
  3. Is there a noise that you really can’t stand? What is it and what happens when you hear it?
  4. What do you do when people are very noisy near you?
  5. What effects can too much noise have on people and the environment? Explain.

Goosebumps

B1 – Intermediate

Goosebumps are a physical sensation of small bumps or shivers on the skin, often caused by very strong emotions like cold, fear, or excitement. The term is commonly used to describe a reaction to a scary or suspenseful situation. Goosebumps in animals serve as an adaptive mechanism for survival, helping them regulate their body temperature, and defend themselves.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about goosebumps:

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/goosebumps-level-3/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “involuntary” mean, “These bumps are an involuntary response to intense emotions.”? Use the word in a sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of the word “spark“, “They are the result of an adrenaline rush sparked by an extreme emotion.”? Make one sentence using this word.
  3. What is “adrenaline rush“, “They are the result of an adrenaline rush sparked by an extreme emotion.”? Use the phrase in one sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. When do you usually get goosebumps and why?
  2. What are the several purposes of goosebumps to animals?
  3. Have you seen animals that got goosebumps? What happened?
  4. Share an experience when you suddenly had goosebumps and why it happened.
  5. What are other humans’ reactions to intense emotions?

Dubai Luxury Hotel

B1 – Intermediate

Dubai is one of the most expensive countries. People there often live in luxury with their clothes, bags, shoes, cars, and overall lifestyle. 

There are countless luxury hotels in Dubai. One of them is the hotel chain Atlantis. They have a new luxury hotel called Atlantis The Royal which opened in February 2023.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Atlantis Hotels.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/dubai-luxury-hotel-level-2/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does ”perform” mean here, “Beyonce performed to a VIP audience for 24 million dollars, and fireworks lit up the sky above the city’s famous artificial island of Palm Jumeirah.”? Use this word in your own sentence.
  2. Give 2 synonyms of “extravagance”. Use them in sentences.
  3. What is “amenity”, “ It has seven bars and restaurants, 90 pools, gyms, spas, and many other amenities to bring in wealthy vacationers.”? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of Atlantis The Royal? Given a chance, would you like to stay in this hotel? Why or why not?
  2. What is the most famous luxury hotel in your country?
  3. What are the good things about staying at luxury hotels?
  4. Talk about the most memorable hotel stay you’ve had? Why was this hotel very good?
  5. What amenities are important to you when booking a hotel?

Apple’s VR Headset

B1 – Intermediate

Apple has been one of the top technology companies in the whole world. They are known for very innovative products. But the last time they came out with a new product was in 2015. They introduced the smartwatch.

Seven years later, Apple’s new product which is a VR headset will be sold by the end of 2023.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Apple’s mixed-reality headset.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/apples-new-product-level-2/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does ”introduce” mean here, “Company Apple last introduced a new product in 2015 when it introduced its smartwatch.”? Use this word in your own sentence.
  2. Give 2 synonyms of “rival”. “Currently, company Meta dominates the VR market, and Apple hopes that its product will bring a different experience than its rival.” Use them in sentences.
  3. What does “mixed-reality” mean, “The new product is a mixed-reality headset, and users will control it by eye and hand.”? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you impressed by this headset? Why or why not?
  2. Do you think the price of this headset is fair? Why or why not?
  3. “Apple hopes that its product will bring a different experience than its rival.” Do you think they will be able to do this? Why or why not?
  4. Talk about the last product/service your company introduced.
  5. How can companies keep innovating?

Dangerous Slimming Pills

B1 – Intermediate

Most people wish to be slimmer. Some take slimming pills to help them lose weight.

But it had been a disaster for some people in the UK. 33 people died after taking a dangerous pill that they thought could help them make their weight go down.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about dangerous slimming pills.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/a-dangerous-pill-level-2/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “supplement”? “DNP isn’t a medication or a nutritional supplement.” Use this word in your own sentence.
  2. Give 2 synonyms of “consume”. “At least 33 people died in the UK after they consumed a pill to lose weight called DNP.” Use them in sentences.
  3. What does “battle” mean, “People died after taking DNP; their families won a long battle with authorities to change the chemical’s classification.”? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. What are your thoughts on slimming pills?
  3. What are the pros and cons of taking slimming pills?
  4. Do you think there are more negatives than positives about such pills? Share your opinion.
  5. What are some healthy ways to lose weight?

Milk from Lab

B1 – Intermediate

Lab-grown milk, is a type of milk that is produced using cells harvested from cows instead of being obtained directly from cows. The cells are grown in a controlled environment, such as a lab, and are then combined with nutrients to create a milk-like substance.

The goal of lab-grown milk is to provide a more sustainable and ethical alternative to traditional dairy farming, which can have negative impacts on the environment and animal welfare.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about laboratory-produced dairy products.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/milk-from-lab-level-3/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the word, “alternative“? Use the word in a sentence.
  2. What does “plant-based” mean? Make one sentence using this word.
  3. What does “genetically modified microbes” mean? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the pros and cons of lab-produced milk?
  2. Do you drink milk? If so, what kind of milk do you consume and why?
  3. How do you feel about Lab Milk? Would you be willing to try or consume it? Why or why not?
  4. Do you think it could replace traditional dairy and become the milk of the future? Share your opinion about this.

Furniture

B1 – Intermediate

A house seems complete when it is fully-furnished. For most homes, the essential ones should be enough. There are also people who invest a lot of money and effort in making their homes unique and stylish by buying many kinds of furniture.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about furniture.

https://listenaminute.com/f/furniture.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the word “antique” mean? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “chests” mean in this sentence, “ I love going round old houses and looking at all the beautiful sofas and chests and cabinets from hundreds of years ago.”? Give 2 synonyms.
  3. What does the idiom “wander around”mean? Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are essential home furniture?
  2. What non-essential furniture do you have at home?
  3. Where do you usually buy your furniture from? Why do you prefer to buy from this/these shop/shops?
  4. What is your opinion on expensive antique furniture?

Congo Beer Factory

B1 – Intermediate

Beni is a city in Democratic Republic of the Congo. This city has endured two Ebola outbreaks and armed conflicts, but these did not stop a beer plant there from operating. 

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about a brewery in Congo and some problems it is dealing with.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/congo-beer-factory-level-3/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “impoverished” mean? It is an impoverished province that has been grappling with major fights by the M23 Rebel group. Give 2 synonyms. Use ‘impoverished’ in your own sentence. 
  2. What does the expression “to grapple with something” mean? “It is an impoverished province that has been grappling with major fights by the M23 Rebel group.” Use this expression in your own sentence.
  3. What does it mean when someone/something is your “only hope”? “Many people joined the factory, and it has become their only hope to make money.” Use this phrase in your own sentence. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some problems running a business in Beni?
  2. Is it a good idea for the beer factory to continue? Why or why not?
  3. Share your thoughts on this, ” 73% of the people live on less than 1.9 dollars a day.“.
  4. What do you think are some common problems of companies in your industry? How are they being solved?
  5. Is it possible to end poverty? Share your opinion.

Happiness

B1 – Intermediate

Happiness is a simple word with a deep meaning behind it. When we feel positive emotions we tend to feel happy. That is what happiness is all about. It is also regarded as the mental state of a person in an optimistic manner.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript below about happiness.

https://listenaminute.com/h/happiness.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What comes to your mind when you hear the word “happiness“? Explain.
  2. What does the word “measure” mean? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “doom and gloom” mean? Give 2 synonyms. Use them in sentences.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s your idea of happiness?
  2. Do you think that happiness lies within you or does it depend upon other people and external things? Explain.
  3. What is or was the happiest time of your life?
  4. Do you feel that you have to work hard and be miserable now in order to be happy later? Elaborate.