Tag: audio

Cosmetics Contain Toxic Chemicals

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Many people, especially women, like wearing makeup. It is their way of enhancing their overall appearance and consequently boost their confidence. Cosmetics are one those products that people so commonly consume but we never stop to think whether they are safe or not. 

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about cosmetics containing toxic chemicals.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/half-of-us-cosmetics-contain-toxic-chemicals/5992067.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are PFAs and what are their effects?
  2. Do you think it’s possible for cosmetic companies to go PFA-free eventually? Why or why not?
  3. As a consumer, what is your reaction that cosmetics out there contains toxic chemicals linked with serious health conditions? Do you think you’ve used/consumed products that contain PFAs?
  4. Do you always check food and medicinal products? Do you think they are properly labeled?
  5. What other information do you wish to see on food and drug labels?
  6. Do you think the cosmetic industry has betrayed its consumers? Why or why not?

Ethical Problems with Human-Monkey Chimeras

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Netflix’s new sci-fi series entitled “Sweet Tooth” is a story about a world where crossbreeding between humans and animals is possible. In real-life, it is a lot more complicated.

Although the development of the first ever human-monkey embryos proves to be a massive achievement in science, it might be cause for some ethical issues in the long run.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about chimeras and the ethical issues surrounding their development.

https://theconversation.com/first-human-monkey-embryos-created-a-small-step-towards-a-huge-ethical-problem-159355

Discussion Questions:

  1. Does it make sense to make chimeras? Elaborate on your opinion.
  2. Do you think it was a good idea to destroy the produced human-monkey hybrid? Support your stand.
  3. Why is it important to continue researches on chimeras in the future? 
  4. How do you feel about chimeras? 

New Inventions

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We live in a fast-paced world where technology is speeding up exponentially. For example, communication has significantly improved in just a few years. People could still vividly remember the time when they had to wait for ages for a webpage to load. Now, the internet speed is so fast that it allows you to download a full-length movie in just a few seconds.

Aside from the internet, many other innovations changed history significantly. Innovation will not stop and people will continue to create things as long as there is a need for it. As the saying goes, “Necessity is the mother of invention.”

Click the link and listen to the audio to learn more about some new inventions.

https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/new-inventions

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of the inventions mentioned in the audio? Which one is the most interesting for you and why?
  2. Which among these inventions is the most useful? Which is the least useful?
  3. What need or problem do people have today that is yet to be addressed?
  4. What do you think is the most incredible invention that changed the world?

Staying Safe in Hot Temperatures

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Summer is the season that most of us look forward to. Thanks to COVID-19 vaccines, a summer of fun in the sun is looking a lot more possible this year.

But going outside on a hot summer day can be really challenging. The sweat and heat can easily lead to dehydration and make us listless.

Let’s listen to the audio and read the transcript on some helpful tips on how to beat the heat and stay healthy, even as the temperature rises.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/staying-safe-in-hot-temperatures/5947328.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is summer like in your country / in your hometown?
  2. How do you usually spend your summer holidays?
  3. How hot is too hot for you? When was the hottest summer you can remember? Is summer changing for better or worse?
  4. How do you deal with heat in the summer?
  5. Have you ever experienced any heat-related illness before? How did you overcome it?

Roadside Assistance

B2 – Upper Intermediate

One of any driver’s worst nightmares is to be stuck in middle of nowhere because their car broke down. It’s a good thing there is roadside assistance to help you out in this situation. This service, however, isn’t free. In most cases, this service is covered by your car insurance package. If it isn’t, there are always companies willing to give you a hand for a price.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on roadside assistance.

Roadside Assistance

Discussion Questions:

  1. Who is the man calling and what is the reason for his call?
  2. What information did the operator ask from the caller?
  3. Have you ever needed roadside assistance before? Share your experience
  4. Do you have a specific hotline to call to for road assistance? How soon can they arrive after you called them?
  5. Do you have enough know-hows on basic car repair/troubleshooting? How important do you think it is to know about these things?

Martial Arts

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Women nowadays are becoming even more independent. However, that does not mean that they can brave the deserted narrow alley without hesitation and fear. Hence, the rise of women learning martial arts. Having the skills and knowledge in martial arts gives you the upper hand over your attacker.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on martial arts.

Martial Arts

Discussion Questions:

  1. What situation is the woman in?
  2. Have you ever been robbed? Is this a common crime in your country or city?
  3. How do you protect yourself from street robbery?
  4. Do you know any form of martial arts? If yes, how and why did you learn it/them? If no, would you be interested to learn one? Which martial art appeals to you?
  5. Do you think this is an effective form of self-defense?

Building Rapport With Others

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Building rapport is a great way to connect with others. Each person has a different way of doing it. Furthermore, doing so is important if you want to get on well with others socially or at work.

To add, a book written by Emily Alison identified four main communication styles: the friendly and cooperative monkey, the bossy lion, the passive mouse, and the conflicting t-rex. Not surprisingly, Alison thinks that the best at building rapport is the friendly and cooperative monkey. 

Let’s click the link below and know more about the different communication styles.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-210617

Discussion Questions:

  1. Please describe each communication styles mentioned in the audio. Which style best fits/describes you?
  2. What is building rapport? What are effective ways to establish a connection with others?
  3. What is the importance of building rapport?
  4. How would you describe the way you build rapport with other people?
  5. When is building rapport difficult? Share some of your related experiences.

Meeting Singles

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Being asked out on a date isn’t always as flattering as we see in the movies. There are times when you are just not into the person and they have absolutely no clue about it. Do you accept the invitation or do you turn down the person right off the bat?

Listen to the audio about meeting singles.

Meeting Singles

Discussion Questions:

  1. How did Doug find out where Diane lives? What do you think of this action?
  2. Does Diane seem interested in Doug? What excuses did she make up?
  3. How would you describe Doug based on his responses to Diane’s refusal?
  4. Have you ever declined a date invitation? How did you do it?
  5. What tips do you have for letting people down easily?

Career Search

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Assigning a job as “male” or “female” hurts both genders. It lessens the chances of the excluded gender to be considered in the same position regardless of how highly-qualified the person is. There are jobs that are gender-stereotyped such as firefighters, hairdressers, nurses etc. Fortunately, gender lines are blurring in the recent years.

Listen to the audio about career search.

Career Search

Discussion Questions:

  1. What career does the woman want to pursue? How about her boyfriend?
  2. What’s Ryan’s opinion on their career choices?
  3. Do you agree that some jobs are gender-specific? If so, give examples.
  4. How did you decide on your chosen career?
  5. How easy/difficult was it for you to establish yourself in your chose field? Share your experience/s.

Drones Can’t Fly Over Paris

B1 – Intermediate

A drone is something like a flying robot. It is operated by humans from a remote location or it can work by itself when it is set. Drones are very popular and widely used because of its functionality and efficiency when capturing images and videos. However, there are some concerns about using them in Paris.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript to find out why Paris decided to impost strict laws against drones and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/drones-cannot-fly-over-paris-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on Paris prohibiting drones? Is there such a law in your city or country too?
  2. What do you think of drones?
  3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using drones?
  4. Why do you think they are gaining popularity nowadays?