Tag: audio

The Benefits of Boredom

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Boredom is often perceived as a negative emotional state. We perceive our environment as tedious and lacking of stimulation. But it can actually be a good thing. It can actually be a catalyst for action.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the benefits of boredom.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2022/ep-220217

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree with the benefits of boredom stated in this material? Why or why not?
  2. Time seems to pass more slowly when you are bored. What activities do you find the most boring?
  3. How does boredom make you feel? What do you do when you are bored?
  4. Do you think that now we have too many entertainment choices? Why or why not?
  5. Is boredom necessary? Explain your answer.

Illegal Ivory Business

B1 – Intermediate

In Africa, elephants are being illegally hunted for their tusks. These tusks contain ivory that are used in making expensive ornaments. Hunting elephants is illegal in Africa but sadly, this illegal activity is still ongoing. 

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the illegal ivory business.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/illegal-ivory-business-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree that hunting elephant for ivory should be illegal? Why or why not?
  2. What illegal businesses do you know exist in your country? How do they operate?
  3. Who do you think should get a harder punishment – those who hunt elephants for ivory or those who buy the tusks/ivory? Why?
  4. Do you also think that if people who buy the tusks go to prison, the killings of elephants will stop? Explain.
  5. What are other ways to stop this illegal business?

Germany and Electricity

B1 – Intermediate

By the end of 2022, Germany wants to close all its nuclear and coal power plants. Their goal is that by 2040, they will only use energy that comes from renewable resources like wind and sunlight.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Germany’s plans to stop using all its nuclear and coal power plants and transition to using renewable energy resources.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/germany-and-electricity-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about this plan?
  2. Do you think Germany will succeed in getting all the energy from renewable resources? Why or why not?
  3. Do you think your country should do the same? Why or why not?
  4. What is your opinion about using renewable resources?
  5. What do you think would happen if more countries stopped importing oil from Russia?

Bulletproof Backpack

B1 – Intermediate

In the US, schools may no longer be one hundred percent safe. Due to some shooting incidents in the past decade, there have been a couple of additional trainings and protocols for students in case such things happen in their schools.

In Israel, a company has created a special backpack to help with this situation. It is easy to use and offers protection from bullets.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about this bulletproof backpack.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/bulletproof-backpack-level-3/

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think this backpack would be effective? Why or why not?
2. What would be some other good uses for this bag?
3. What should be some other measures that schools and the government take to prevent school shootings?
4. Are there similar inventions that you know of? What are they? Where are they used?
5. What does your city/country do to make sure schools are safe?

Is Being Kind Good for You?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Kindness is an important human virtue. Simple acts of kindness to our loved ones, to strangers, and even to ourselves make the world a happier place.

So during this challenging time, it is very important to treat everyone with kindness. It creates an opportunity to show others that we care and it could be our biggest defense against some social, psychological, and mental consequences of Covid-19.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the benefits of kindness.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2022/ep-220303

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you a kind person? Are you attracted to kind people? Explain your answer.
  2. Can you think of a life-changing act of kindness in your life?
  3. When you are kind to others and they are not, what policy do you adopt? Do you keep going or do you feel abused and stop being kind to them?
  4. Who is the kindest person you know? What are some of their acts of kindness?
  5. Do you believe that kindness depends on gender? Explain your thoughts.

Education

B1 – Intermediate

Education is a vital instrument for gaining knowledge and enhancing an individual’s existence. Depending on the quality of education, the process could include a few stages. Education is a crucial activity that has a considerable impact on humanity’s ethics and morals.

Let’s have a look at the transcript and listen to the audio about education.

https://listenaminute.com/e/education.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is good education?
  2. How important is education?
  3. Was there a high standard of education at your schools? Explain.
  4. Do you think the quality of education is slipping? Explain.
  5. What would you like to change about the education system in your country? Why?
  6. What do you think of the idea of lifelong education?

Selfie Damages Art

B1 – Intermediate

Taking selfies has made it much easier for all of us to record our daily activities. With just one click, we are able to capture important events and the simple joys in life. But is there such a thing as too much selfies?

Perhaps we should remember that certain spaces and events are sometimes not the proper place or moment for taking selfies. In Russia, an accident has resulted due to some serious damages.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about this unfortunate incident.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/selfie-damages-art-level-3/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. What do you think of selfies? What are some of its pros and cons?
  3. Should selfies be limited or prohibited in public areas like museums? Why or why not?
  4. What other places should selfies be limited and why?
  5. Why do you think taking selfies is so popular?
  6. How have selfies changed self-expression and interactions?

Birds Clean Streets

B1 – Intermediate

Sweden has a problem with litter. Smokers produce a huge amount of litter per year. The government has a plan to help solve this problem and to lessen the costs of cleaning the streets.

Swedish officials have decided to work with crows, partnered with a machine, to throw away these cigarette butts. They believe that they are easy to teach because they are smart.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript below to learn more about how these clever birds help with Sweden’s litter problem.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/birds-clean-streets-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some government mandates for smokers in your city?
  2. How is the general trash situation in your city/neighborhood?
  3. What are other birds/animals that can be used for a similar purpose?
  4. Does your government also have inventions or initiatives that help clean the city? What are they?
  5. What are some other special or unusual abilities that animals are capable of doing to help humans? Can some abilities be taught?

Why People Like Crime

B1 – Intermediate

Do you ever wonder why so many people enjoy bad things? They like watching and reading about or listening to crimes and other morbid events.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about how much people like crimes.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/why-people-like-crime-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you like crime stories? Why or why not?
  2. Why do you think a lot of people enjoy these kinds of stories/shows?
  3. What might be reasons more women are interested in crime stories than men?
  4. Experts say that women are more interested in a killer’s thoughts. Do you agree or disagree with this? Explain your side.
  5. What’s the most heinous crime do you know of? How did you know about it?

Freedom

B1 – Intermediate

Freedom is the ability to live one’s life, doing what one wants, living where one wants, eating whatever one wants, and learning whatever one’s heart wishes.

This means that freedom should be enjoyed in various aspects of life and that it is not only an essential term.

Let’s have a look at the transcript and hear the audio about freedom.

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

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is freedom for you? How important is it to you? Would you fight for your freedom?
  2. Do you feel that you have as much freedom as you want in your life? Why/why not?
  3. Do men or women have more freedom in your country? Cite examples to prove your point.
  4. Can freedom damage a country? Explain your point.