Tag: audio

European Roads Are Full of Holidaymakers

B1 – Intermediate

Summer is peak travel season and due to this, European roads become congested with so many people going on their holidays. Families, tourists, and travelers from various countries take to the roads to enjoy their vacations, leading to heavy traffic and busy routes.

This increase in road activity can create challenges such as longer travel times and traffic jams. Understanding this seasonal trend helps in planning trips and managing travel expectations during busy periods.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about traffic jams in Europe this summer.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/european-roads-are-full-of-holidaymakers-level-2/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does traffic jam mean? “Traffic jams are causing problems in Europe as people go on summer holidays.” Use it in a senence.
  2. What does motorway mean? “In Bavaria, tourists are traveling to Italy and Austria. Last weekend, they caused 14 kilometers of traffic jams on the A8 motorway.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does toll plaza mean? “The Croatian Tourist Board is giving water bottles and car air fresheners to tourists at toll plazas and ferry ports.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do traffic jams affect travelers’ experiences and plans?
  2. What do you think drivers can do to make long trips during busy times easier?
  3. Why do traffic jams become more common during the summer holidays in Europe? Elaborate.
  4. Why is it important to take breaks and drink water during long drives?
  5. Talk about your own experience with traffic jams during peak season in your city/country.

Expensive Trains in England 

B1 – Intermediate

Train travel in England can be quite expensive, with ticket prices often surprising passengers. High costs for both short and long journeys can make rail travel a significant expense. In this case, you need to explore alternative options to save money.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about expensive train tickets in the UK.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/expensive-trains-in-england-level-3/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “cost-conscious” mean? “A cost–conscious teen wanted to travel from Sheffield in northern England to Essex, which was around 300 kilometres from his location.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “to save a few pennies” mean? “All those extra 1,600 kilometres saved Brian a few pennies, but took him 13 hours from door-to-door.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “door-to-door”mean? “All those extra 1,600 kilometres saved Brian a few pennies, but took him 13 hours from door-to-door.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do you think the teen found the journey to be a “great experience” despite the extra distance and time?
  2. How do you think the price of train tickets could impact travel decisions for others?
  3. Can you think of any other situations where taking a longer or more complicated route might be cheaper or more beneficial?
  4. How important is it for you to save money on travel? Would you consider taking a longer route just to save money?

Sustainable Cork

B1 – Intermediate 

Cork is used to so many things. For example, as alcoholic beverage bottles stopper or a material for insulation. 

Portugal produces and exports the highest amount of cork in the world. It is a very important part of their economy.

However, despite its many purposes, there had been some problems with growing cork trees.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about sustainable cork.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/sustainable-cork-level-2/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to pass down through generations” mean? “In Portugal, cork harvesting is a skilled tradition passed down through generations.” Use the phrase in your own sentence.
  2. What does “sustainable alternative” mean? “Researchers, like Miguel No at the University of Aveiro, are exploring cork as a sustainable alternative to synthetic materials.” Use this term in a sentence.
  3. What does “eco-friendly” mean? “The long growth cycle of cork trees shows the patience required in this eco-friendly industry.” Give one (1) synonym or similar expression and use ‘eco-friendly’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the problem in the cork industry in Portugal? What is a solution to it?
  2. What do you suppose will happen to the cork industry in Portugal in the future?
  3. What do you think about a cork harvesting job?
  4. Give benefits and uses of cork.
  5. In Portugal, cork harvesting is a skilled tradition passed down through generations. In your country, what is a skilled tradition that is passed down from generation to generation? Are there less people interested in joining this industry, too? Talk all about it.

Hoverbikes for American Soldiers 

B1 – Intermediate

Hoverbikes are some of the stuff we see in science fiction. It is a one-person transport that flies above the ground. This dream could soon be a reality thanks to a few British developers and American engineers working on it.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the prototype hoverbike for the American Department of Defense.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/hoverbikes-for-american-soldiers-level-3/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “running cost” mean? “The aircraft would replace many of the jobs a helicopter is currently used for, with the advantages being safety, price and running costs.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does the word “on-board” mean in this context? “It also has on-board sensors and autopilot features, which allow the hoverbike to act like a drone.” Use it in your own sentence.
  3. Define the adjective “unmanned“. “The US Department of Defence is interested in hoverbike technology because of its versatility – a hoverbike can be used to transport supplies, fly unmanned and operate as a surveillance platform“. Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.

Discussion Questions:

  1. In your own words, describe this state-of-the-art hoverbike.
  2. What are the practical uses of this modern hoverbike in law enforcement and infrastructure?
  3. What do you think are the risks associated with hoverbikes being used and sold commercially?

A Man Tries to Kill Donald Trump

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Many government agencies work together to secure major political events in the USA. Tight security is expected especially for political big shots. Despite all these, a security breach still ensued during Donald Trump’s political rally recently.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript to know more details on the assassination attempt of a U.S. presidential candidate.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/a-man-tries-to-kill-donald-trump-level-3/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “critically injured” mean? “The attack also resulted in the death of one spectator and critically injured two others. ” Give one (1) synonym or similar expression and use ‘critically injured’ in your own sentence.
  2. What does “subsequently neutralized” mean? “The Secret Service released a statement detailing how the gunman fired from an elevated position and was subsequently neutralized.” Give one (1) synonym or similar expression and use ‘subsequently neutralized’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does “to have no place for someone/something” mean? “President Biden condemned the attack, called it sick, and stated that there is no place for such violence in America.” Give one (1) synonym or similar expression and use this idiom in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on the failed assassination attempt of Donald Trump?
  2. What other assassination attempts of popular personalities have you heard of? Share details about this incident.
  3. What security measures do you have in your country to keep political candidates safe?

The School that Puts the Kids in Charge

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In this unique school in Thailand, teachers take a back seat. Students are given the responsibilities instead. From managing finances to volunteering, children are tasked to do things that adults are supposed to do in regular school environment.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about this out-of-the-box approach to rural Thai education.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2024/ep-240711

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the idiom “call the shots“? “In this programme we’ll be hearing about the Bamboo School, a unique school where the children call the shots – they have the power to make the decisions.” Give one synonym or similar expression and use ‘call the shots’ in your own sentence.
  2. What does the phrase “real world experience” mean? “My old school wasn’t like this. It was just classes and then home. Here, I get to try so many things, gain real world experience, and work on my leadership skills with my friends.” Give one synonym or similar expression and use ‘real world experience’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does “to do something in return” mean? “Yes, we just heard that kids go to the Bamboo School for free but do something in return.” Give one synonym or similar expression and use ‘to do something in return’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the young students’ responsibilities in Bamboo School in Thailand?
  2. What do you think of a school where it’s the children who call the shots?
  3. What advantages do this school management system have on its young pupils? What are the disadvantages?
  4. What impact/effects could giving school children this kind/amount of trust have on them?
  5. Aside from this, how do you think children can gain real world experience?
  6. Do you think young kids should do community service? Share your insights.

Our Love of Pets

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

To truly know someone, it really all boils down to: Are they a dog or a cat person?

We now live in a world were pets are kept inside the house and treated ever so kindly, almost like a family member, in some cases.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about why we keep and love our pets.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2024/ep-240104

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “disposable income” mean? “First of all, on a very practical level, living standards are gradually increasing across that period, and it becomes more possible to keep pets if you have more disposable income.” Use this term in a sentence.
  2. What does “to fit the bill” mean? “In the Victorian era, dogs were very much the top pet, and you can see that the values that were often associated with dogs, so loyalty, trustfulness and, steadfastness… all of these qualities were also celebrated by the Victorians of key parts of the Victorian manly character, so dogs really fitted the bill.” Use this idiom in a sentence.
  3. What does “the idea someone has of themselves ” mean? “It was also the Victorians who first described Britain as a nation of dog lovers, a phrase they used to reflect the idea they had of themselves.” Use this expression in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. The British are well-known to be animal lovers. Do you think it is the same for the people in your country? Why or why not?
  2. What are the benefits and drawbacks of keeping a pet?
  3. Do you think attitudes to pets were based on economics? Explain.
  4. Share your opinion on this statement, “Your personality is reflected in your pet.”.
  5. What are your thoughts on creating social media accounts for pets/on pets being on socmed?

Everyone Loves the Underdog

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

We have heard of countless stories about how those people or teams who are in situations where they seem least likely to succeed or win actually end up winning in the end.

In sports, there are many stories of teams that were not expected to win, but have done better than predicted.

What is it about being an underdog that helps an individual or a team do better than expected?

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about how being the underdog can actually help one achieve success.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2024/ep-240328

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “underdog and top dog” mean? “Of course it’s not just the underdog playing, there are also top dogs, the most successful or powerful person or team.” Use these two terms in different sentences.
  2. What does “to look down one’s nose at (someone)” mean? “But some of these elite Premier League clubs will look down their nose at us and just think we shouldn’t be there, and we are there on merit and we’ve just gotta prove it this season.” Use this expression in a sentence.
  3. What does “choking” mean in this context, “No one expects underdogs to win and this gives them freedom to relax and play naturally. Top dogs, on the other hand, experience a lot of expectation, and this sometimes leads to choking.”? Use this word in this context in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does being an underdog help a person succeed or a team win?
  2. Do you tend to root for the underdogs too? Why or why not?
  3. Talk about a time you were or someone you know was an underdog.
  4. How can one overcome “choking”? How do you overcome it?
  5. What things cause someone to underperform?

Cocoa Farmers Grow Rubber Trees

B1 – Intermediate 

One of the biggest cocoa producer in the world is Ivory Coast. However, many farmers do not want to grow cocoa anymore. Instead, they are planting more rubber trees.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Ivory Coast shifting from cocoa to rubber cultivation.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/cocoa-farmers-grow-rubber-level-3/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “shift” mean? “Ivory Coast, the world’s largest cocoa producer, is seeing a shift among farmers toward rubber cultivation.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘shift’ in your own sentence.
  2. What does “labor-intensive” mean? “Farmers find rubber farming cheaper and less labor-intensive.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘labor-‘intensive’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does “drive” mean in this context? “Climate change and high production costs are driving this change.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘drive” in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on the world’s largest cocoa producer shifting to rubber cultivation?
  2. What are the reasons farmers are do not want to grow cocoa anymore?
  3. What effects will this have on the cocoa industry?
  4. What can the government do to help cocoa farmers?
  5. What crops are most commonly cultivated in your country? Which ones are gaining more popularity among farmers in the recent years and why?

Banning Social Media for Children Under 14

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Florida has recently approved a groundbreaking law that bans children under the age of 14 from having a social media account. This legislation aims to address concerns about the impact of social media on very young users and to promote a safer online environment for children.

Read this article and listen to the audio to learn more about this law.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/florida-bans-social-media-for-children-under-14/7545764.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of “veto”? “DeSantis vetoed that version of the bill, saying he thought it was too restrictive of parental rights.” Give a synonym of the word “veto” and make a sentence with it.
  2. What does “to leave it up to someone” mean? “The new law leaves it up to parents to decide whether their 16- and 17-year-olds can sign up for social media accounts.” Make a sentence with this expression.
  3. Define “strike down”. “DeSantis noted that another bill he signed into law two years ago was recently struck down by a federal appeals court.” Use this in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on Florida’s new legislation prohibiting social media use for children under 14? Do you think this kind of bill is need in your country? Expound.
  2. Do you believe this law will effectively protect children from the dangers of social media? Explain.
  3. Share your opinion on this, “Parents – not the government – should be the ones to decide which restrictions are best for their child.”.
  4. How could this law impact the way children interact and communicate with their peers?
  5. Do you think there are more effective ways to address the challenges social media presents to young children instead of an outright ban?