Tag: B1 – Intermediate

Fine for Playing Loud Music on Public Transport

B1 — Intermediate 

Loud music can be especially annoying during a bus or train ride. In Singapore, passengers who play loud music will be fined because it can disturb other commuters and make the bus uncomfortable. Some people just want to use this time to rest, read, work, or simply enjoy a quiet journey.

Fines could encourage passengers to use headphones or keep the volume at a reasonable level. However, the rules should be clearly explained and applied fairly to everyone. By respecting other passengers, everyone can have a more peaceful and pleasant bus ride.

Read the article about Singapore’s fines for playing loud music on public transport.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2609/260928-loud-music-public-transport.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “peeve” mean? “The loud music from other passengers on public transport has become a peeve for many people who want to travel in quiet.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “to blare out” mean? “Singapore has introduced new fines of up to S$500 for blaring out music on buses that annoys other passengers.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “littering“ mean? “The new penalties will also be applied to other anti-social behaviour, such as putting feet on seats, littering, and eating or drinking on buses.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think people who play loud music on public transport should be fined? Why or why not?
  2. Have you ever experienced someone playing loud music on public transport? How did you feel? What did you do?
  3. How can we balance personal freedom with the comfort of other passengers?
  4. What other behaviors should be prohibited on public transport to make the trip more comfortable for everyone?
  5. Could strict rules about loud music create problems for some passengers? Share your point of view.

People in Iceland Say NO to the EU 

B1 — Intermediate 

Icelanders voted against restarting talks to join the EU. Most voters did not support the idea. They want Iceland to stay outside the EU. The vote shows that EU membership is still a debated issue in Iceland.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Iceland rejecting EU accession talks.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/people-in-iceland-say-no-to-the-eu-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “national referendum” mean? “Icelanders have voted against resuming membership talks with the EU in a national referendum.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “to bring something forward” mean? “Prime Minister’s government had brought the vote forward due to global geopolitical tensions.” Use the verb phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “to fail to excite someone” mean? “In contrast, the YES campaign ran a very technical campaign that failed to excite the public.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why did the NO vote win in the referendum in Iceland?
  2. Do you think Iceland should join the EU? Why or why not?
  3. What are some benefits and disadvantages of being an EU member?
  4. Do you think people should vote on important national decisions?
  5. Can a small country be successful without joining the EU? Why?

England Tourist Tax

B1 — Intermediate 

The UK government plans to allow a tourist tax on overnight stays by 2029. It will apply to hotels, B&Bs, and short-term rentals.

The tax may be up to 5% of the stay’s cost. However, the hospitality industry opposes it. They fear it could reduce tourism and cause thousands of job losses.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the introduction of tourist tax in England.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/englands-tourist-tax-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “tourist tax“ mean? ”The UK government will allow mayors in England to introduce a tourist tax on overnight stays before 2029.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “uncapped” mean? “While the charge is uncapped, local leaders, including London’s mayor, expect to keep it under 5% of the total accommodation cost.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “to deter” mean? “Furthermore, extra fees might deter both international and domestic travelers and drive them toward destinations without visitor levies.” Use the verb in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about the tourist tax in England?
  2. “While the charge is uncapped, local leaders, including London’s mayor, expect to keep it under 5% of the total accommodation cost.” What is your opinion on this amount? Is it fair?
  3. Share your thoughts on this, “Experts warn that a 5% tax could reduce tourism spending by 1.8 billion pounds (2.1 billion euros) and destroy nearly 33,000 jobs by 2030.”
  4. Do you agree or disagree: “Extra fees might deter both international and domestic travelers and drive them toward destinations without visitor levies.”? Explain.
  5. Would you pay more to visit a country with a tourist tax? Why?

CEO Loses Case to Get Back Gifts from Ex-girlfriend

B1 — Intermediate 

Giving presents is a way to show love and care. We give gifts to make others happy. A simple gift can have a special meaning.

However, a CEO who wanted his ex-girlfriend to return the gifts that he had given and the money that he had loaned her while they were together. 

He filed a case, but lost. The judge decided that the gifts were given out of love, so she did not have to return anything.

Read the article about the man who lost the case against his ex-girlfriend to retrieve the gifts and money that he had given her when they were still in a relationship.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2609/260914-lavish-gifts-4.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “lavish“ mean? ”The judge said the man had “displayed a consistent pattern” of showering his ex with “lavish gifts”.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “to have an affair” mean? “They split up after he thought she was having an affair.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “to split up” mean? “The judge concluded that after they split up, the man was determined to get money back from his ex.” Use the phrasal verb in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about the man’s action to take his ex to the court so she would return everything he had given her?
  2. If you were the man’s situation, would you do the same? Why?
  3. Do you agree with the judge’s decision that the woman did not need to return anything to the man? Why?
  4. The woman said “All gifts were “made out of love and affection.” What do you think about this?
  5. What is the most expensive present you have ever given a partner or anyone?  

India Medical Tourism 

B1 — Intermediate 

India has a large medical tourism industry. Many foreign patients visit for affordable treatment. India has skilled doctors and good hospitals. 

However, it faces competition from other countries and travel problems. India is investing in health technology and AI. It wants to be known for quality, technology, and trust, not just low costs.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the medical tourism industry in India.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/indias-medical-tourism-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “accredited“ mean? “Patients choose India because of its highly skilled English-speaking doctors, accredited private hospitals, shorter waiting times, and low treatment costs.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “brain mapping” mean? “Health tech startups in Bangalore are developing advanced AI devices for early cancer detection and brain mapping.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “merely” mean? “Experts believe India must now transform its brand from merely cheap care to a world leader in quality, technology, and trust.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your opinion about medical tourism industry.
  2. What are the pros and cons of getting medical treatment in India?
  3. Would you personally choose a country like India for medical treatment? Why or why not?
  4. Do you think cheap medical care can also be high quality? Why?
  5. What makes a hospital trustworthy? 

Scam Centers

B1 — Intermediate 

Scams are becoming a big problem in many countries. Scammers use the internet, phone calls, and messages to trick people and take their money. 

Scam centers are places where groups of people work together to trick their victims. They may pretend to be from a bank, a company, a government agency, or even a friend. 

We should all be careful and never share personal information or money with anyone online.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about scam centers.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/scam-centers-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “scam center“? “In some countries, criminal gangs build large scam centers to trick people and make money.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “to cost someone a lot of money” mean? “These scams cost people and countries a lot of money each year.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “to face abuse” mean? “Some workers go there to earn money, but many are forced to work and face abuse.” Use the expression in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your opinion about scam centers’ business model.
  2. What do you think about how scams cost people and countries a lot of money each year?
  3. What is your reaction to/opinion about this: “Some workers go there to earn money, but many are forced to work and face abuse.“?
  4. What is your view on this: “Governments try to stop the centers, but the gangs have a lot of power and work in areas with weak control.”?
  5. What can we do to stop these scams and close these scam centers?
  6. Talk about the worst scam you’ve ever heard happened to someone.

Many People Are Single

B1 — Intermediate 

More people are living alone these days. Many adults also do not have a partner. In the US, half of young men and women live without a partner. The same thing is happening in other countries.

There are many reasons why more and more people remain single and ready to mingle.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript explaining why many people are not in a relationship.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/why-many-people-are-single-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “dating“ mean here: ”Technology also changes dating.”? Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “rejection” mean here: “Younger adults don’t learn basic skills to meet people or manage feelings of rejection.”? Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “a falling number of something” mean? “ Social problems also happen when single people grow, for example, the need for smaller houses and a falling number of children.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Explain why many people are living alone and single.
  2. Is the same thing happening in your country? Why or why not?
  3. How has dating changed in your country over the years? Why do you think this is the case?
  4. What social problems can originate from the increasing number of singles?
  5. How has technology changed dating?
  6. What will the future be like if people stayed single?

Companies Destroying Books to Train AI Models 

B1 — Intermediate 

Consumer groups in the US want the government to check AI companies. They say some AI companies are buying rare and old books to train AI. They scan the books and then destroy them.

People are worried because some books may be the last copies of important texts. Bookstores are also concerned because AI companies are buying many expensive books. Critics say we should save old books because they are important to history.

Read the article about how some companies destroy rare books to train AI models.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2608/260831-destroying-rare-books-4.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “spine“ mean here: ”The process includes breaking the spines of the books, scanning the pages, and then destroying them. ” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “bulk buying” mean? “The bulk buying of books is creating a problem for bookstores.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “to digitize” mean? “The groups claim that AI companies are digitizing rare books to train their large language models (LLMs).” Use the verb in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about destroying old books after scanning them?
  2. Should rare books be protected? Why?
  3. Should the government make rules about this?
  4. Would you sell a rare book if you knew it might be destroyed? Why?
  5. How can we protect old books while still helping AI improve? 
  6. Do you think AI is more important than keeping old books? Why or why not?
  7. What should bookstores do if AI companies buy too many rare books?

Australia Bans AI Songs from Official Music Charts

B1 — Intermediate 

AI is now used to help make music. It can help people make songs and sounds faster. Some musicians use AI to get new ideas or improve their songs. 

However, some people worry that AI may take the place of human musicians. AI is a helpful tool, but people should still be the ones who create the music.

Australia’s music group, ARIA, will not allow songs made completely by AI on its music charts. This happened after an AI version of a Madonna song became very popular.

However, songs made with help from AI are still allowed if people are still involved in creating them. ARIA wants to protect human musicians and their jobs.

Read the article about the ban onAI songs from official music charts in Australia. 

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2609/260907-ban-on-ai-songs-4.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “hit“ mean here: ”There is controversy over an AI version of a Madonna hit.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “cover/cover version” mean in music? “The cover version used AI technology. It spent 16 weeks in the top 20.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “music chart” mean? “Australia’s recording industry (ARIA) has banned songs that are “wholly” created with AI from the official music charts.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your view on using AI in making music? Do you agree that “AI in music isn’t for everyone and that’s fine.”?
  2. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantage of using AI in making music?
  3. How do you feel about AI music being on top of the music charts?
  4. What is your opinion about banning AI songs from official music charts?
  5. What is your opinion on banning “wholly AI-generated” music from the charts, but not “AI-assisted” music?
  6. How can human artists be protected and their “human nature of artistry” promoted?

Latin America’s UNESCO Sites In Danger

B1 — Intermediate 

UNESCO sites such as Machu Picchu in Peru and the Rio Plátano Biosphere Reserve in Honduras are in danger.

Too many tourists damage them. Rain and trash also cause problems.

Honduras is losing forests because of illegal cattle farming and tree cutting. Animals and local people are also at risk.

Experts say everyone must work together to protect these places.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the threats to Latin America’s UNESCO sites.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/latin-americas-unesco-sites-are-in-danger-level-2

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “threaten“ mean? ”This dangerous activity harms wild animals and threatens local communities.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “armed group” mean? “Indigenous leaders try to protect their forest homes, but armed groups hurt them.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “cattle farming” mean? “In Honduras, large parts of the rainforest are being destroyed by illegal cattle farming, tree cutting, and drug crime.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How can tourists help protect these sites?
  2. How can the government save these sites?
  3. Why is it important to protect these places for the future?
  4. Do you think there should be fewer tourists? Why?
  5. Have you ever had the same problem in your country? Talk about it.