Tag: audio

85-Year-Old Woman Finishes College

B1 – Intermediate

Going back to school isn’t just for children. Even parents and grandparents can go back to school too. They say age is not a barrier to education.

In life, things don’t always happen the way we want them to be. We may delay some things like education to prioritize more important things. But it’s definitely never too late to learn and pursue our dreams.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on how an 85-year old woman was able to finish college.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/85-year-old-woman-finishes-college-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree that it’s never too late to graduate from college? Explain your answer.
  2. Would you do the same as what Jihad Butto did if you were older and need to finish your education? Why or why not?
  3. Why do students drop out of school?
  4. What might be some challenges faced by an elderly person returning to college?
  5. Do you agree or disagree with the saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”?
  6. What advice can you give elderly people so they can manage their anxieties about going back to school?

Vegetarianism

B1 – Intermediate

Vegetarians do not eat meat, fish, and poultry. People of all ages and backgrounds choose to be vegetarians. Among the many reasons for being vegetarian are health, environment, and animal welfare. The decision to adopt a meat-free diet can be a complex choice.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on vegetarianism.

https://listenaminute.com/v/vegetarianism.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you a vegetarian? If not, have you ever considered becoming one?
  2. What reasons do people have for becoming vegetarians?
  3. How do people generally react to vegetarians or vegans in your country?
  4. Have you ever visited a vegetarian restaurant? What was the food like?
  5. Would you marry a vegetarian if it meant you could not cook meat at home?
  6. Can you cook any vegetarian dishes? Talk about something you can make.

Where Do Tips Go?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Tipping is about showing appreciation for good service whether it’s food delivery or a haircut by giving extra cash to the person who rendered service to you. It’s a show of gratitude.

However, tipping is not a universal practice. It’s ultimately your choice whether to slip or skip that gratuity.

Let’s listen to the audio to learn more about tipping at restaurants.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-211021

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to some employers not giving the tips to their employees?
  2. Should tips be taxed? Explain your stand.
  3. Is tipping a custom in your country? What are some of the common occasions when you leave a tip?
  4. Can you think of jobs where tipping is important?
  5. What’s the smallest and biggest tip you have ever left? Why was that so?
  6. What alternatives to tipping could you offer if you didn’t have any cash?

Energy from Peat

B1 – Intermediate

Peat or turf is a brown matter that looks like dirt. It is formed by the partial decay of vegetable or organic matter. They now have a new use. They are made into batteries. These batteries are more environment-friendly.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on sodium-ion batteries produced from peats.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/energy-from-peat-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Compare and contrast lithium-ion to sodium-ion batteries.
  2. What kind of batteries do you usually use? Do you think they are good for the natural world?
  3. What do you normally use batteries for?
  4. Why is it important to find energy sources that are better for the natural world?

People Buy Jeans Again

B1 – Intermediate

For almost two years now, the world has been living through the Covid-19 pandemic. This means there have been many restrictions in the activities that we could do.

However, with the progress we have made to end the pandemic, the restrictions have been relaxed more and more. And because of this, people can go out again and do things almost as normally as before, including going out and dressing up again. Now, we go shopping for nice clothes again. This made the sales of clothing companies like Levi’s to increase again.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on Levi Strauss & Co.’s sales going up again.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/people-buy-jeans-again-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. Have you shopped more after the pandemic restrictions have been relaxed? Why or why not?
  3. Do you think that businesses in your city/country are recovering now? Elaborate.
  4. What businesses suffered the impact of the pandemic? How have they been affected?
  5. Do you like wearing jeans? Why or why not?

Supermarkets Go Green

B1 – Intermediate

Much of our wastes come from supermarkets. It’s all the plastic packagings used in every single product they sell. But Britain’s largest supermarket Tesco plans to go green. It’s going to be good for the environment but not for the consumers’ budgets. As these changes are more expensive. Customers are not so happy about this.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on supermarkets going green.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/supermarkets-go-green-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about Tesco going green?
  2. Would it be possible for all supermarkets to do the same? Why or why not?
  3. Do you agree or disagree that not a lot of customers care about the natural world and most only care about low prices? Why? 
  4. Do you care more about the environment or low prices of products? Why?
  5. What other things can supermarkets do to save the environment?

Smart Tech and Climate Change

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Advanced technology provides a better opportunity for people to live more comfortably. Hence, people are making maximum use of technology as it has evolved exponentially in time. Due to the effects of the climate crisis at present, people are becoming more incentivized to take action with the use of smart technology.

But how could smart technology help with the fight against climate change? Let’s listen to the audio below to find out.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-211007

Discussion Questions:

  1. How has technology impacted climate change for better or for worse?
  2. What kinds of technologies do you know of that might help stop environmental problems?
  3. Have you made any changes to your lifestyle/energy consumption due to your views on climate change? What happened?
  4. What is your country doing to limit the effects of climate change?

Concussion in Sport

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Surprisingly, sports-related concussions are quite common. For most athletes, the symptoms disappear around the second week after the incident occurred. Some, however, have far-reaching effects in their physical and mental well-being. Oftentimes, their way of life and sports career just aren’t the same anymore.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on concussion in sport.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-210812

Discussion Questions:

  1. What ‘full contact’ sports are popular in your country? Do you play any of them? How are these sports dangerous?
  2. Do you think these ‘full contact’ sports should be regulated regarding the safety of its athletes/players? Elaborate.
  3. Have you ever had any sport-related injury before? Talk about it.

Nuclear Weapons

B1 – Intermediate

In 1945, the United States of America dropped nuclear bombs in the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Hundreds of thousands of people were killed instantly and more suffered the impact of the nuclear attacks in the years that followed.

It was a dark day in history and it should never happen again. Every country should have the responsibility to ensure this never takes place ever again.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the issue on nuclear weapons.

https://listenaminute.com/n/nuclear_weapons.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree or disagree: “Nuclear weapons are the worst thing invented by man.”? Explain.
  2. What do you know about the nuclear attacks in Japan during World War 2?
  3. Why mustn’t nuclear weapons be used ever again?
  4. Is it necessary for countries to have nuclear weapons? Explain.
  5. Will it be beneficial for your country to have nuclear weapons and military nuclear programs? Why or why not?

Overpopulation

B1 – Intermediate

One problem we have is overpopulation. The world’s population is getting bigger and bigger. This situation can lead to many problems.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the issue overpopulation.

https://listenaminute.com/o/overpopulation.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the consequences of overpopulation?
  2. What are the causes of this problem and how can this be resolved?
  3. What is your opinion on overpopulation?
  4. Would you like few or many children? Explain your choice.
  5. What might be reasons some people have so many children?
  6. Talk about problems/issues related to population in your country.