Tag: B1 – Intermediate

Bulletproof Rooms in US Schools

B1 – Intermediate

Mass shooting frequently happens in the US each year, especially in schools. It’s difficult to predict when and where these tragic incidents may occur. Therefore, a security company creates a safe room for students and teachers.

Read the article to learn more about these bulletproof rooms:

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/bulletproof-rooms-in-us-schools-level-1/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is “mass shooting“, “In the United States, there are many mass shootings.“? Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  2. What does “lawmaker” mean, “But lawmakers work slowly.“? Use this word in your own sentence.
  3. What does “put something up” mean, “People can put it up quickly in the corner of a classroom.“? Use this phrase in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about these bulletproof rooms?
  2. Do you think bulletproof rooms in schools is the solution to the problem of gun violence in the US? Why or why not?
  3. What might be potential negative sides to the bulletproof rooms in schools?
  4. Should this idea be a priority for public spending or should funds be used on other things? Explain your opinion.

People Get Bad Blood

B1 – Intermediate

People who have certain medical conditions need blood transfusion. To do this, they depend on other people to donate their blood.

The government tries to supply safe blood. They motivate citizens to donate blood. In some rare cases, these blood donations are unfortunately contaminated.

Let’s listen to the audio and read the transcript to know more about this problem with infected blood donation in the UK.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/people-get-bad-blood-level-1/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the word “bleeding“? “It means that the body has problems stopping bleeding“. Use it in your own sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of the expression “to take responsibility for something“. “Many people want the government to take responsibility for what happens.” Use the phrase in your own sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of the medical term “hemophilia“? “In the 1970s and 80s, thousands of hemophilia patients in the UK need new blood.” Use this word in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Does your country have problems with blood supply? If yes, what is your government’s solution to this problem?
  2. What safety measures should public health agencies take to maintain the quality of blood donations?
  3. In your country, how can a person become a blood donor?
  4. What are the benefits of blood donation for donors?
  5. Have you ever donated blood? If not yet, would you like to do it? Why/why not?

Amazon

B1 – Intermediate

Amazon is the world’s largest online retailer and web service provider. It offers a wide selection of products, it has a user-friendly website, it is easy to use, and it offers fast and reliable shipping.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Amazon.

https://businessenglishmaterials.com/amazon.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the word “diversify” mean in this sentence “His company originally sold only books but has diversified into selling music, video games, toys, electronics and other popular ranges of goods.” Give 2 synonyms for this word and use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “to team up with” mean in this sentence “A year later it teamed up with toy and electronics makers to sell goods with minimal packaging to help the environment.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. “Amazon has cleverly marketed itself worldwide by establishing separate websites in different countries.” What does “to market someone/something” mean? Use it in a sentence..

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever used Amazon? What was the experience like?
  2. What are the pros and cons of online shopping?
  3. How has online shopping and e-commerce affected the physical retail stores?
  4. What are some of the future predictions for the growth of online shopping and e-commerce?

First Impressions

B1 – Intermediate

First impression is everything. It can make or break a person, company, service, or product. It is so important to make a good first impression because they are the basis of how relationships start and how you are seen by other people.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about first impressions.

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

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “to set eyes on someone” mean in this sentence, “I think I’m good at judging someone’s character from the first time I set eyes on them.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “one’s kind of person” mean in this sentence, “It’s easy to understand if the person is my kind of person.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “count” mean in this sentence, “First impressions count most when you meet someone important.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree or disagree that “First impression lasts.”? Explain.
  2. What are the best ways to make a good first impression?
  3. Do you make first impressions based on their clothes? Why/why not?
  4. How important is first impression to you?
  5. Have you ever experienced being completely wrong about your first impression?
  6. In what jobs do people have to make very quick decisions based on first impressions?

Finland Joins NATO

B1 – Intermediate

Finland had not been a part of any alliance since 1945. However, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the country changed its position and decided to join NATO. 

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Finland joining NATO.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/finland-joins-nato-level-2/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does ”alliance” mean, “Since 1945, Finland wasn’t part of any alliance, but when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the country changed its policy.“? Use this idiom in your own sentence.
  2. What does “escalate” mean, “In a reaction, Russia said that it would increase its military activity in the northwest and that the fact that Finland joined NATO could escalate the conflict in Ukraine.“? Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  3. What does “pact” mean, “The NATO Collective Defense Pact says that if an attack on one NATO member happens, it is an attack on all.“? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the pros and cons of being a member of NATO?
  2. What is your opinion about Finland’s decision to join NATO?
  3. In your opinion, should Sweden and other countries do the same? Why or why not?
  4. One of the founding principles of NATO is that an armed attack on one member nation would be considered as an attack on all. Share your opinion on this.
  5. Share something you know about NATO.

Italy May Punish English Use

B1 – Intermediate

Having English skills has become increasingly important in today’s globalized world. Nevertheless, some people consider it a threat as it may harm their native language.

Read the article to learn more about Italy’s stand on the use of English.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2304/230406-anglomania.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is “Anglomania“, “He is worried about the growing number of English words in Italian. He called it Anglomania.” Make your own sentence.
  2. What does “fine” mean here, ” He wants people to get a fine if they use English words.“? Use this in your own sentence.
  3. What does “linguistics” mean, “A top Italian linguistics society, the Accademia della Crusca, said it totally disagreed with Mr. Rampelli’s idea.“? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about this new law?
  2. What are its potential consequences?
  3. Do you think you need the same law in your country? Why or why not?
  4. How important is English in today’s globalized world? What opportunities can you get by speaking English fluently?
  5. Do you think English is harming your country’s native language? Share your opinion.

Rapping Teacher 

B1 – Intermediate

Passion is one of the foundations of effective teaching. Apart from that, there are several teaching methods that teachers use to educate their students. These methodologies are chosen depending on the approach and the types of learners. Some teachers get more creative to keep their students engaged.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about this unconventional way of teaching by a teacher in Chile.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/rapping-teacher-level-1/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define the word “rap“. “He raps to his students.”, “In the past, he rapped on city buses.” Give 2 other meanings.
  2. What does the phrasal verb “find out” mean? “His students found out.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the word “hit” mean?”The rapping teacher is a big hit at the school.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of rapping as a way of teaching?
  2. Based on your experience, what is the best way to teach young learners? Why?
  3. What kinds of unconventional learning methods have you had before? Were they effective?

Supermarkets Ration Fruits and Vegetables

B1 – Intermediate

In the UK, there have been a shortage in the supply of fruits and vegetables. Customers are having difficulties finding places to buy fruits and vegetables from. The big supermarkets said there are many reasons for this shortage in their supplies. As a result, most of their shelves are left almost empty.

Due to this, supermarkets have no choice but to ration some produces in the middle of this problem with low fruits and vegetables supply in the country.

Read the article about the fruits and vegetables shortage in the UK and how the supermarkets started rationing the supply to their customers.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2303/230306-uk-vegetable-rationing-5.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does ”bare” mean here, “The big chains have given various reasons for the shortfall in supply and why shelves are bare in supermarket aisles.”? Give 2 synonyms of the word ‘bare’ in this context and use them in sentences.
  2. What does the expression “to play a part” mean, “An industry analyst said Brexit has also played a part.”? Use this idiom in your own sentence.
  3. What does “war-torn” mean, “Many shoppers are shocked at seeing photos on social media of supermarket shelves in Europe, and in war-torn Ukraine, full of fresh produce.”? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news? Has something similar happened in your country too?
  2. What are the reasons for the lack of supply in fruits and vegetables in the UK?
  3. Is it a good solution to limit how much fruits and veggies each customer can buy? Explain your opinion.
  4. Do you agree or disagree to this, “If there are shortfalls in production in the EU, then it makes sense for EU producers to serve their local demand first.”? Share your thoughts.
  5. Talk about some products or produces that became low in supply in your country. How did that shortage affect you?

Inflation

B1 – Intermediate

Inflation is one of the most important economic issues in the world. It can be defined as the price of goods and services rising over monthly or yearly. Inflation leads to a decline in the value of money, it means that we cannot buy something at a price that same as before. This situation will increase our cost of living.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about inflation.

https://listenaminute.com/i/inflation.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is “inflation rate“? “Zimbabwe once had an inflation rate of trillions of percent.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does the phrase “to keep something under control” mean, “Many countries around the world are fighting to keep inflation under control.”? Use this in a sentence.
  3. What does “to lose the battle against something” mean, “Sometimes you read about countries that lose the battle against inflation.” Use this in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why is inflation important to economists?
  2. Have you changed your spending or your habits because of the rising prices?
  3. Do you think your government should do more to help people manage in the middle of this problem with inflation? Share your opinion.
  4. What will happen to the world if prices keep rising?
  5. What will happen to your lifestyle if prices keep rising?
  6. What hurts you more, increase in fuel prices or food prices? Why?

Gambling

B1 – Intermediate

Gambling is defined as placing money or betting in a game to win even more money depending on luck without working really hard. Gambling is a kind of a shortcut to getting a lot of money. Everyone would like to follow an easy way to make money. Even rich people gamble to become even richer. However, it is a game of chance. Many people also end up losing a lot of money to it.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about gambling.

https://listenaminute.com/g/gambling.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “nothing good comes out of something” mean, “I don’t think much good comes [out] of gambling.”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “odds to be against someone” mean, “The odds are always against you.”? Use this idiom in a sentence.
  3. What does “to get fed up with someone/something” mean, “They must get fed up with throwing their money away.”? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever won or lost money from gambling? Share that situation.
  2. Do you think buying lottery tickets is a form of gambling? Why or why not?
  3. Why do you think so many people like gambling?
  4. How can someone stop from gambling too much?
  5. What damage does gambling do to an individual and the society?
  6. How different do you think the world would be if gambling didn’t exist? Explain.