Tag: audio

Town Has Strange Records

B1 – Intermediate

Every town is known for something. This small Czech town are famous for having some of the most unusual world records.

Setting new records is a way to make your town well-known. It is also something that can make everyone come together.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the Czech town with some strange records.

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Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of this town and their unusual records?
  2. Why are such records so important to some people or for some cities/countries?
  3. What records does your city hold?
  4. Would you participate in an event to set a record for your city/country? Why or why not?
  5. If you could set a record for doing something, what would it be?

Special Emergency Landing

B1 – Intermediate

Plane accidents are rare. Well, they should be! Because surviving it could be very difficult, in fact, almost impossible.

It is always a relief to hear a plane making a safe emergency landing and hearing that no one died or got badly injured.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about an emergency plane landing.

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Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. Do you get afraid about being in a plane accident? Why or why not?
  3. What is the most incredible plane accident you’ve ever heard of? Talk about it.
  4. Did you ever dream about learning to fly a plane? Why or why not?

History for Sale

B1 – Intermediate

When you think of history, you probably think that important things related to them belong to a museum. However, some very important and historical items are auctioned off. The public can bid and buy them and keep them for themselves.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about historical items being sold on an auction.

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Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think these items should be sold to the public? Why or why not?
  2. Which historical piece would you like to buy from this auction and why?
  3. Which historical piece would you like to have and why?
  4. Have you ever participated in an auction? Talk about your experience.
  5. What thing do you have do you want to sell on an auction? Describe it and how much it costs.

South Africa’s Women’s Soccer Team Wins

B1 – Intermediate

South Africans have recently experienced so much hardships. South Africa’s women’s soccer team Bafana Bafana finally winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations makes this an important victory.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about South Africa’s women’s soccer team’s important win.

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Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. Why is this an important win for South Africans?
  3. What is your favorite sports team from your country? How about from other countries? And why?
  4. How do you feel when sports teams from your country wins? How about when they lose?
  5. How important are sports teams for every country?

Industrial Zones in Egypt

B1 – Intermediate

The Suez Canal in Egypt is an important way that connects Asia and Europe. Egypt is developing four new industrial zones along the canal and in one of them, a new city where workers can live and so they don’t have to travel far to get to work.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the new industrial zones in Egypt. Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

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Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of all the developments they are planning for the canal?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a new city near the industrial zones?
  3. Talk about the most important industrial area/s in your city/country. 
  4. How do these areas help your country’s economy?
  5. What are other things you know about the Suez Canal and Egypt?

Woman Saves Dogs

B1 – Intermediate

They say dogs are man’s best friend. But in countries like China, they are nothing but juicy meat. Eating them is normal there.

A retired Chinese woman who also is a known animal activist does everything she can to save dogs from being killed and eaten. She takes care of many dogs in her home. Many people support her but there are also a lot who don’t because they think that eating dogs is a normal part of their tradition.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about a woman who rescues dogs.

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Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of what this woman does for these dogs? Would you support her? 
  2. What do you think of some people taking advantage of her and selling her dogs to make money?
  3. What is your opinion on eating dogs as a tradition in some countries?
  4. If you could save an animal and take care of a lot of them, what would it be and why?
  5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of owning a pet?

Man Saves a Driver

B1 – Intermediate

Hundreds of car accidents happen every single day. Human errors and external factors have been associated with collisions on the roads. Getting into a car accident can lead to several unwanted consequences that is why road safety is something that road users must keep in mind at all times.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about how a courageous man saved a driver who was having a seizure.

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Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this story?
  2. Are road accidents a major cause of death in your country?
  3. Have you ever been involved in a traffic accident? If yes, what happened?
  4. What do you do when you see an accident on the road? Do you stop to watch/help or do you pass?
  5. How strict are the traffic laws in your country?
  6. Are there any groups of people more likely to have car accidents than others? Who and why?

The Great Barrier Reef

B1 – Intermediate

A lot of places in the world are amazing and they need to be protected. One of them is the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Tourists go here to the see incredible coral reefs.

However, the UN claims that the reef is dying. Australia disagrees with what the UN is saying. This statement is not good for their country’s tourism industry.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript to know about the UN and Australia and their position on the Great Barrier Reef’s state.

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Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think the UN was right in saying the reef is dying? Explain.
  2. What can you say about Australia’s reaction to this statement?
  3. What do you think is the best thing to do in this situation?
  4. What do you think about the GBR? Would you like to visit it someday? Why or why not?
  5. What are some UNESCO World Heritage Sites in your city/country? Do you think they are properly protected? Why or why not?
  6. Which is more important, protecting places like the Great Barrier Reef or the tourism industry in a country? Explain.

Napalm Girl

B1 – Intermediate

The Vietnam war was was a dark period in history. During that time, many attacks were launched. In one of them, South Vietnamese planes dropped napalm bombs on a village. Direct contact with flaming napalm can cause burns all over the body. 

One of the victims of this attack is Kim Phuc Phan Thi who was 9 years old at the time. While she was burning, she had to take her clothes off. She will later be known as “Napalm Girl”.

Photographer Nick Ut took a photo of her while running for her life without clothes on. This photograph will then become one of the most iconic photos of the 20th century.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript to know about napalm girl’s photograph.

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Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you feel about this story?
  2. Look for napalm girl’s photo on the internet. Talk about what you think of this photo.
  3. What do you think about ‘napalm girl’ and the photographer staying friends after all this time?
  4. Talk about a photo that you would remember forever. What makes this photo unforgettable?
  5. How important are photographs in telling our history?

Children and Screens

B1 – Intermediate

Everyone depends on technological devices nowadays. Some parents even use gadgets such as mobile phones and tablets to help them with their children. They let their young kids use these devices for many hours daily.

There have been many studies on the effects of screens on children. Perhaps it’s time we pay attention to the dangers of letting children be on their gadgets for long periods of time.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the WHO’s new guidelines for parents and their children’s screen time.

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Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of this new guidelines?
  2. What are the bad effects of using devices for many hours on children?
  3. Do you think children use gadgets too much and way too young? Explain.
  4. What are alternative activities for children instead of using mobile phones and tablets?
  5. If you have children, what are your guidelines on their screen time?