Tag: audio

Autumn

B1 – Intermediate

Autumn is one of the most wonderful season out of the four because not only do the leaves change in color, but also the temperature is very inviting. Autumn has its own unique beauty and it is a great time to enjoy the season and create lasting memories.

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

https://listenaminute.com/a/autumn.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of when you think of the autumn season?
  2. What are the good and bad things about autumn?
  3. Does your town have any festivals or special events in autumn? Talk about it.
  4. Describe your city in autumn.
  5. What’s your favorite autumn memory?
  6. What is your favorite season? Why is it your favorite?

Laughter

B1 – Intermediate

Laughing is contagious. It brings happiness, lifts spirits, and brings about good judgment.

Laughter has very good benefits to our body. Laughter and jokes help boost the immune system, improve your quality of life, promote healing, and protect you from the negative outcomes of stress. Best of all, this medicine is totally organic, fascinating, unlimited, and not to mention, free.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about laughter.

https://listenaminute.com/l/laughter.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What usually makes you laugh?
  2. Do you consider it necessary for people to laugh? Why or why not?
  3. Do you like making other people laugh? Why or why not?
  4. Why do some people seem to laugh more frequently than others?
  5. Is laughing synonymous to happiness, contentment, or joy? Explain. 
  6. What is the funniest moment of your life and why?

Night

B1 – Intermediate

Are you a night owl?

The night should be the most peaceful period of the day. It is a great time to look at the stars because they’re beautiful,  lay out on the beach or any other place, and just talk and hang out with friends.

Let’s listen to the audio and read the transcript about nighttime.

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

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you do at night that is different from during the day?
  2. Do you feel different at night than you do during the day? Explain.
  3. What’s the best night out you’ve ever had?
  4. What would life and the world be like if humans were nocturnal – we slept during the day and were active at night?
  5. Talk about an interesting night in your life. What made it special?

Computers

B1 – Intermediate

A computer is a machine that can store and process data and information. It is one of the best inventions of modern technology nowadays. People from all walks of life use computers to make our jobs easier, and more convenient and effective.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about computers.

https://listenaminute.com/c/computers.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How useful are computers for you?
  2. What do you do with a computer? How did you learn these skills? Which software can you work with?
  3. What would happen if all of the world’s computers suddenly stopped forever?
  4. Do you control computers or do they control you? Explain.
  5. What is the worst thing about computers? Why?

The 5G Revolution

B2 – Upper Intermediate

With the recent changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, internet connectivity has become almost always necessary in both business and our day-to-day lives.

High speed connection is what most people need especially for work and studies. The new 5G technology promises a much more stable connection and ultra-reliable low latency communication.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about the 5G technology.

Business English News 45 – The 5G Revolution

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is 5G technology? How is it better than the current 4G technology we are using?
  2. What are your thoughts on the controversies surrounding the 5G technology?
  3. Do you think 5G will make wi-fi obsolete? Why or why not?
  4. What are the benefits of 5G in the business setting?
  5. Are you satisfied with your current network connectivity? If not, how do you make it work?
  6. What other improvements do you want to see in internet connectivity?

Medieval Plague Shaped Human Immunity

B2 – Upper Intermediate

One of the things that helped early humans escape imminent death during the plague is their genes. This is also the same thing that may have a direct impact on our immune systems today.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about how the medieval plague may have affected human immunity today.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/study-medieval-plague-may-have-shaped-human-immunity/6798355.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to what this study says?
  2. What are your thoughts on this, “The same version of a gene can protect people from a bad infection, but and also put modern people at risk for other illnesses.”?
  3. How important was the Black Death to the evolution of the human immune system?
  4. What do you know about the bubonic plague/the Black Death?
  5. How do you think the COVID-19 pandemic will affect human evolution?
  6. What do you think about this, “In the future, more deadly pandemics will continue to shape us at the most basic level.”?

World’s First Intestine Transplant

B1 – Intermediate

A baby girl from Spain named Emma was born with an intestine that is too short. This prevents food from being absorbed properly by her body and her health rapidly got worse and worse. She was too young but was already diagnosed with intestinal failure. Emma had to get a new intestine. She became the first to have an intestine transplant. Thankfully, the procedure was a success and her health is now in good condition after the transplant was done.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about the first intestine transplant in the world.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/worlds-first-intestine-transplant-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. What do you think of the progress in medical technology?
  3. What comes to your mind when you hear the word “transplant”? Why?
  4. What are your thoughts on organ transplantation?

Problems with E-cigarettes

B1 – Intermediate

In the hopes of avoiding smoking cigarettes and its adverse effects on health, some people turn to e-cigarettes. However, are these actually a good alternative or an even worse thing to smoke?

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about the problems with e-cigarettes.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/problems-with-e-cigarettes-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree that e-cigarettes can be a problem? Why or why not?
  2. Do you think e-cigs are better than cigarettes? Explain.
  3. Health officials do not know what chemical is in the e-cigarettes. What is your opinion on this?
  4. Some people also smoke marijuana in the e-cigarettes. What is your opinion on this?
  5. Do many people use e-cigarette in your country? Why or why not?

Argentina Crisis

B1 – Intermediate

Argentina used to be a rich country. A century later, it isn’t the case anymore. The country has faced so many crises over the years and it has not been easy for the people. This year, inflation in Argentina could go up to 100%. 

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about the crisis in Argentina and what people are doing to survive it.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/argentina-crisis-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. How is Argentina affected by the economic crisis?
  2. What are some Argentines doing to survive this crisis?
  3. How is your country affected by the economic crisis?
  4. Have you any adjustments in your lifestyle/spending habits due to inflation? Cite some of them.
  5. What are your thoughts on barter clubs?

The Everything App

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In today’s digital world, everything seems to be one click away. There are different mobile apps that can deliver just about any service or product the consumers want. In China, WeChat started as a messaging app and then turned into a one-stop shop. This is what business magnate Elon Musk aspires Twitter to become.

Let’s read the article and know more about the X app.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/elon-musk-suggests-plan-to-create-an-everything-app-/6779792.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is Elon Musk’s X, the everything app?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of such apps?
  3. How do you feel about using just one app for all your online activities and transactions?
  4. Do you find it burdensome to download different apps for different purposes? If yes, how do you manage it?
  5. Are there mobile apps that have multiple functions? State some.