Tag: audio

Au Pair Industry

B1 – Intermediate

Nowadays, most families have both the mother and the father working many hours during the day. If they have little children, it is hard to balance both work and family life. It is difficult to take care of the kids.

Having an au pair to help with taking care of the children is the perfect solution.

In the UK, Brexit has caused some significant decline in the au pair business. Because it became more complicated for other Europeans who want to become au pairs in the UK to enter the country and nurseries are also too expensive, many women had to decrease their working hours to care for their children.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the au pair industry in the UK.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/uk-au-pair-industry-level-3/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “nursery”? “As a result, families, especially women, have had to reduce their working hours due to the high costs of nurseries.” Use this word in your own sentence.
  2. What does “drastic” mean? “Agencies have reported a drastic decline in business, up to 95%, due to stricter immigration rules for European citizens.” Give a synonym and use “drastic” in your own sentence.
  3. Explain what “settled status” mean. “However, the opportunities for au pairs to enter the UK have diminished. Currently, only a small group of individuals with settled or pre-settled status or those eligible for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa can work as au pairs in the country.” Use this phrase in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How are au pairs helpful to the British people and their economy?
  2. How has the au pair industry been affected after Brexit?
  3. Are au pairs really a good option for cheaper child care? Explain your opinion.
  4. Is it better to make nurseries cheaper so more women do not need to take care of their children and so they can continue working? Explain.
  5. What do you think of the stricter immigration rules for European citizens to enter the UK?

Chile’s Lithium Industry 

B1 – Intermediate

Chile is a country that is known for its rich mineral deposits. It has become a key player in the global lithium industry.

With increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles, renewable energy storage, and portable electronics, Chile’s lithium reserves have become a very important asset for a greener and more sustainable world.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the lithium industry in Chile.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/chiles-lithium-industry-level-1/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to take control of” mean in this sentence, “Chile’s president Gabriel Boric wants to take control of the country’s lithium industry. Lithium is a metal used in electric car batteries.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “take over” mean in this sentence, “The government will take over their lithium factories and run a new company. This will make it harder for electric car makers to get the materials which they need.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. “Other countries are also trying to protect their resources. Mexico, Argentina, and Bolivia are working together to use lithium and other minerals well.” What does “resources” mean? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does the global demand for electric vehicles impact Chile’s lithium production and exportation?
  2. What are some future developments or opportunities for Chile’s lithium industry?
  3. What are some common uses of lithium in everyday life apart from batteries?
  4. What are other materials or technologies being developed that could potentially replace lithium in batteries? Talk about them.

Electric Tuk-Tuks

B1 – Intermediate

Picture yourself going through narrow streets, feeling the wind on your face, and enjoying the sights and sounds of a busy city.

This is the charm of the tuk-tuk — a popular three-wheeled vehicle, known for their compact size and open-air design, have become synonymous with urban mobility and cultural experiences.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about electric tuk-tuks.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/electric-tuk-tuks-level-2/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “fix” mean in this sentence, “Sri Lanka is having problems with their energy supply and many people lost their jobs because of it. To fix this, the government wants to change 500,000 tuk-tuks to electric ones over five years.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. “The government hopes to help people who have lost their jobs and help the environment, too.” What does “environment” mean? Use it in a sentence.
  3. “Sri Lanka is having problems with their energy supply and many people lost their jobs because of it.” What does “energy supply” mean? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever ridden in a tuk-tuk? If yes, where was it and what was your experience like? If not, would you like to try riding in one?
  2. How can the change from traditional to electric tuk-tuks affect the owners/drivers in Sri Lanka?
  3. What are the differences between traditional taxis and tuk-tuks?
  4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using tuk-tuks for short-distance travel?
  5. How do you think tuk-tuks help the tourism industry in different countries?

Women Drive Buses

B1 – Intermediate

In a very busy city, there are dedicated people who have a crucial role in keeping our communities connected and moving smoothly—bus drivers. Often disregarded, these heroes ensure that people reach their destinations safely and on time.

Breaking traditional gender roles and stereotypes, women entering the bus driving profession not only contribute to diversity and equality but also showcase their capabilities and skills in a traditionally male-dominated field.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about female bus drivers in Colombia.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/women-drive-buses-in-colombia-level-2/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1.  What does “on-site” mean in this sentence, “Drivers get a monthly salary of 376 dollars, and the company plans to build an on-site daycare center for its employees.” Use it in a sentence
  2. “Bogotá wants to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.” What does “emissions” mean? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “run” mean in this sentence, “La Rolita is a Colombian electric bus fleet run by women and it is changing public transit in the capital city of Bogotá.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about women driving buses? Elaborate.
  2. Can you think of any challenges that women might face as bus drivers? How can these challenges be overcome?
  3. In which other professions would like to see more women breaking gender barriers in?

Man Opens Door During Flight 

B1 – Intermediate

Flight is a wondrous thing that has changed the way we explore and connect with the world. It allows us to travel long distances in a short amount of time, making the world feel smaller and more accessible.

During a flight, we can enjoy many things that the airline offers. We can watch movies, listen to music, or simply relax and look out the window.

It’s important to remember that flying comes with responsibilities. We should be considerate of our fellow passengers, keep quiet, and respect their space. Most importantly of all, we should also follow safety instructions to ensure a smooth and secure flight.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript to know the incident of a man opening the plane door during a flight.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/a-man-opens-the-door-during-flight-level-2/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to find (something) out” mean in this sentence, “The police are questioning the suspect and they are trying to find out why he did it.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does the word “lever” mean? “He pulled a lever and opened the door. Videos showed strong winds blowing at passengers.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “suspect” mean? “The suspect was a 33-year-old passenger who was sitting near the emergency exit. He pulled a lever and opened the door. Videos showed strong winds blowing at passengers.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to what the man did?
  2. Have you ever taken a flight? If yes, where did you go? If not, where would you like to go?
  3. What are some safety measures you should follow during a flight?
  4. What are some potential risks or challenges that travelers might face during their journey? How can they be prepared to handle such situations?
  5. What are your travel tips / advices for someone who is taking their first flight?

Dirty UK Waters

B1 – Intermediate

In order to stop sewage pollution, several organizations such as Surfers Against Sewage continue to work to ensure the continuous improvement in the water quality in the UK.

However, water companies and big firms are not doing their part to keep the water in the UK clean. As a result, protests against sewage pollution have been held in different parts of the UK.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about protests to end sewage pollution in the UK.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/dirty-uk-waters-level-2/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Explain the definition of the word “sewage”. “Sewage pollution has a bad impact on rivers, seas, and people, too.”. Use this word in a sentence.
  2. What does “discharge” mean? “The goal is to stop sewage discharge into bathing waters and reduce sewage discharges by 90% by 2030.” Give 1-2 synonym/s of ‘discharge’ and use the word in your own sentence.
  3. What does “to put money into something” mean? “The problem is that companies don’t want to put money into modern technologies, and also, the current water quality testing system is not good enough.” Use this phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on this: “The problem is that companies don’t want to put money into modern technologies…”?
  2. What are some effects of sewage pollution?
  3. How can we prevent sewage pollution?
  4. Is sewage pollution also a problem in your country? Talk about it.
  5. Talk about anything you know about sewage management.

Crowds

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Every individual’s reaction to being in a sea of people differs. When people get together in a crowd, some good and some bad come out of it.

Listen to this podcast and read the transcript about the role of crowds in modern life.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2023/ep-230323

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “mob mentality” mean? “But according to John, the idea of mob mentality, that people in crowds are irrational and prone to destructive behaviour, just isn’t backed up by research.”? Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does “flip side” mean? “The flip side of that is when you don’t feel as much part of the group, and you’re not having a positive experience.” Give 1-2 synonym/s of ‘flip side’ and use the phrase in your own sentence.
  3. What does “gullible” mean? “When people get together in a crowd, they regress psychologically, their thinking is more primitive, they become more gullible, and that’s also associated with the supposed tendency towards violence as well.” Use this word in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you feel about crowds?
  2. What might be the good and bad things about crowds?
  3. What are your thoughts on this statement, “When people get together in a crowd, they regress psychologically.”?
  4. Cite an incident/s where you’ve witnessed “mob mentality”.
  5. What is your opinion on this, “In today’s world, crowds are important because of the feeling of power they give us.”?
  6. Talk about a time when you were amidst a huge crowd. How was this experience for you?

Addicted to War

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The body’s fight or flight response has a number of components. One of which is the hormone called adrenaline. Adrenaline is released when the body perceives danger and the initial response is to flee.

Not surprisingly, there are people who find this sensation pleasurable and instead of fleeing they prefer to stay in this dangerous situation.

Let’s listen to the podcast and find out more about one profession where adrenaline rush is manifested.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2023/ep-230511

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define the phrase “call it a day“. “You might expect Fergal to call it a day at this point, but that’s not how addiction works.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does the expression “to find one’s self doing something” mean? “Despite the danger, Fergal found himself going back again and again to report from war zones.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “erosion” mean here, “I reach a point where I can’t carry that anymore, and it’s not dramatic, it’s a slow, steady erosion…” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of a war correspondent’s job?
  2. What self-destructive behaviors could people suffering from PTSD have?
  3. Why do you think some people have adrenaline addiction?
  4. What is one thing/are some things that you found yourself doing again and again? Why do you think you had the need to do it/them?
  5. If one of your family or friends is like Fergal Keane, would you support or discourage them? Explain.

Australia Bans Vaping

B1 – Intermediate

Using vapes has become more popular especially among young people. In Australia, they are trying to solve this problem. They will implement new rules that will prohibit recreational vaping, limit the import of non-prescription vapes, and restrict nicotine levels.

The government will try to make it more difficult for young people to have access to vapes. Doctors support these measures. However, there are more things to do in order to stop teenagers from vaping.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about vaping ban in Australia.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/australia-bans-vaping-level-3/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of “curtail”, “The government plans to curtail the availability of vapes by imposing restrictions on their sale in convenience stores and cracking down on illegal markets.” Use the word in a sentence.
  2. What does “to take action against someone/something” mean, “Australia is taking strong action against the tobacco industry to address the growing problem of teenage vaping.“? Use the phrase in a sentence.
  3. What does the word “discourage” mean, “Doctors support the measures but want more to be done to discourage young people from vaping.”? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on Australia’s decision to ban recreational vaping and implement stricter regulations on vapes?
  2. Do you think the measures taken by Australia will effectively discourage young people from vaping? Why or why not?
  3. What are some anti-smoking laws in your country?
  4. “Philip Morris supports the crackdown on illegal shops.” State your opinion on this.

First Class Travel

B1 – Intermediate

Airlines are spending more money on luxurious first-class cabins that look like hotel rooms as an answer to the increasing demand for luxury travel.

These cabins have amenities such as sofas, double beds, televisions, desks, wardrobes, minibars, and even walk-in showers.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about first-class travels.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/first-class-travel-level-3/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of “recoup” as used in the article? “The airline aimed to recoup its financial losses by increasing the prices of first-class seats and attracting more affluent passengers.” Make a sentence using the word.
  2. What does the word “goldmine” mean in the context of the article? “The introduction of luxury first-class cabins resembling mini hotel rooms has turned out to be a goldmine for airlines.” Make a sentence using the word.
  3. What does the expression “to enter the fray” mean? “Airlines are entering the fray by investing heavily in revamping their fleets and competing to offer the most luxurious and exclusive services in the industry.” Make a sentence using the idiom.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some of the amenities included in the first-class cabins?
  2. Would you pay more money for a first-class experience on a flight? Why or why not?
  3. What is your opinion about airlines spending a lot of money on first-class cabins that are like mini hotel rooms?
  4. Other than luxurious cabins, how else can airlines improve the overall travel experience of their passengers?
  5. Talk about your experience traveling first-class.