Tag: B1 – Intermediate

Flossing Could Reduce the Risk of Stroke

B1 – Intermediate 

Oral health problems like tooth decay and gum diseases affect more than three billion people in the world.

Taking care of your teeth and gums is important not only for your oral health, but apparently, also for your brain. 

According to a new study, flossing is the oral hygiene behavior that could help reduce the risk of suffering from a stroke. This is because when we floss, the possibility of having oral infections that could cause a stroke is also decreased.

Read the article about how flossing your teeth can reduce the risk of stroke.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2502/250206-flossing-oral-hygiene.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “burst” mean? “It happens when blood cannot get to the brain, or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘burst’ in your own sentence.
  2. Define “oral hygiene”. “We aimed to determine which oral hygiene behavior – dental flossing, brushing or regular dentist visits – has the greatest impact on stroke prevention.” Use the phrase in a sentence.
  3. What does “to look into something” mean? “Dr. Sen and his team of researchers looked into the effects of flossing on our health.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use this phrasal verb in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to the results of this study?
  2. Why do you think some people do not or cannot have proper oral hygiene?
  3. Share your thoughts on this, “Many people have said that dental care is costly.”.
  4. Are you surprised at all by this, “Oral diseases, such as tooth decay and gum disease, affect around 3.5 billion people.”? Why or why not?
  5. Is dental care affordable and accessible in your country? Talk about it.
  6. Do you have any memorable experience at the dentist’s office? Share that story.

Cold Water Immersion Therapy

B1 – Intermediate

Cold water has a significant impact on the human body, influencing circulation, metabolism, and muscle recovery. When exposed to cold water, the body reacts by constricting blood vessels to conserve heat, increasing heart rate, and boosting alertness.

Cold water immersion therapy, also known as cold therapy or ice bathing, is a technique used by athletes and wellness enthusiasts to reduce muscle soreness, inflammation, and stress. It is believed to enhance recovery, improve circulation, and even strengthen the immune system. However, prolonged or extreme exposure to cold water can be risky, potentially leading to hypothermia or shock.

Is cold water immersion therapy truly effective, or is it just a wellness trend?

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2501/250113-cold-water-immersion-therapy.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “dip” mean in this sentence? “Recent research suggests taking a dip in very cold water for several hours a week is good for our health. ” Write 3 synonyms of the word and make 1 sentence for each.
  2. What is the meaning of “well-being“? “They found it could have positive effects on our cognition, sleep quality, and overall well-being.” Make 2 sentences using the word.
  3. What does “energy-snapping” mean? “For many decades, ice baths have helped to speed the recovery of athletes following intense, energy-sapping performances. ” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you know about cold water immersion therapy, and have you ever tried it?
  2. What do you think about the idea of using cold water for recovery or health benefits?
  3. What other therapies, aside from ice water immersion, are commonly used in your country to treat muscle soreness?
  4. What are some negatives to using cold water therapy?

Students Using AI to Learn English

B1 – Intermediate

English is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, serving as a global means of communication in business, education, and daily life. Learning English opens doors to better career opportunities, cultural exchange, and access to a vast amount of knowledge. However, mastering English can be challenging, requiring practice in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

With advancements in technology, artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed the way people learn English. AI-powered tools, such as language learning apps, chatbots, and virtual tutors, provide personalized learning experiences, real-time feedback, and interactive exercises. These innovations make learning more accessible, efficient, and engaging, helping learners improve their English skills at their own pace.

Can relying on AI for learning English truly improve language skills, or might it limit real-world communication and critical thinking?

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2412/241223-learning-english-ai.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What are some alternative expressions for “face-to-face“? “The researchers said more young people used AI than took face-to-face lessons. ” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘face-to-face‘ in your own sentence.
  2. What does the phrase “in the midst of something” mean? “We’re in the midst of an AI revolution.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘in the midst of something‘ in your own sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of the word “impact” in this sentence? “Technology has long had an impact on language learning.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘impact‘ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever used AI for learning English? If so, how was your experience?
  2. Do you think AI can replace human teachers in English learning? Why or why not?
  3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using AI for language learning?
  4. In the future, how do you see AI changing the way people learn English?
  5. What is your most and least preferred way of learning English? Explain why.

President Trump Promises Golden Age of America

B1 – Intermediate 

As Donald Trump was inaugurated as the USA’s 47th President in January of 2025, he promises to ‘make America great again’. In his acceptance speech, he says, “”The golden age of America begins right now.”. 

Read this article about President Trump’s promise of a golden age for America.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2501/250123-golden-age-of-america-2.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “golden age” mean? “President Donald Trump has promised a “golden age” for America.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does the phrase “to be sworn in” mean? “He was sworn in as the USA’s 47th President on the 20th of January.” Use this idiom in a sentence.
  3. What is does “administration” mean here, “He added that: “During every single day of the Trump administration, I will very simply put America first.“? Use this word in a sentence in the same context.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your thoughts on this news.
  2. What is your opinion on Trump’s promise of a golden age for America?
  3. Which of his promises do you think will be realized and which ones seems difficult to achieve? Explain.
  4. How do you/the citizens in your country normally feel about a new president’s promises at the beginning of their administration? Why do you think you/they feel this way?
  5. When was your country’s golden age? Talk about that period of time.

Trump and Europe’s Wind Energy

B1 – Intermediate 

One of the first things US President Donald Trump is doing is to temporarily stop new offshore wind projects. These new wind energy policies affect some of Europe’s most important green energy companies.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about President Donald Trump’s decision to stop new US offshore wind leasing projects.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/trump-and-europes-wind-energy-level-2

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “offshore” mean? “The company took a 1.69 billion dollar loss on US projects, including Sunrise Wind, which was meant to be the largest US offshore wind farm.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘offshore’ in your own sentence.
  2. What does the phrase “to be/get hit hard” mean? “Denmark’s Orsted got hit hardest, as its shares fell by 17%.” Use this idiom in a sentence.
  3. What is a “wind farm”? “The company took a 1.69 billion dollar loss on US projects, including Sunrise Wind, which was meant to be the largest US offshore wind farm.” Use this phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your thoughts on this news.
  2. What are the good and bad things about wind turbines and wind energy?
  3. Mr. Trump believes wind turbines are ugly, too expensive, and harmful to animals. What is your opinion on his views about wind energy?
  4. How does US President Trump’s new policies affect the European wind power companies?
  5. What can these companies do to move forward from this problem/situation?

Los Angeles Wildfires Lead to Sky-High Rents  

B1 – Intermediate 

There have been more than 15,000 structures destroyed and hundreds of thousands of people affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles recently.

Those residents that lost their homes need to find a place to live in after this devastating incident. 

Unfortunately, some landlords seem to be taking advantage of this situation to increase their profits by raising the rents.

Read more about the high rents in Los Angeles after the wildfires.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2501/250116-los-angeles-fires-2.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “price gouging” mean? “The California governor introduced a price gouging law on January the 7th.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does “upmarket” mean? “Actress Paris Hilton lost her house in upmarket Malibu.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘upmarket’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does “to break/shatter one’s heart into pieces” mean? “Actress Paris Hilton lost her house in upmarket Malibu. She wrote on social media: It feels like my heart has shattered into a million pieces.” Use this idiom in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about some landlords increasing the rents by thousands of dollars in the middle of the wildfires in LA?
  2. Is price gouging ever justifiable or fair? Explain your thoughts.
  3. Talk about another incident of price gouging that you know of.
  4. “Many people are blaming climate change for the fires. Little rain left Los Angeles very dry. The risk of wildfires is high.” Share your opinion about this statement. 
  5. Has your country ever been affected by wildfires? Talk about this instance.

Misokinesia: Sensitivity to Seeing Others Fidget

B1 – Intermediate 

Some people fidget or move restlessly when they are nervous, anxious, or stressed. To many, it doesn’t bother them seeing other people fidget. But if they suffer from a condition called misokinesia, those movements can be extremely distressing.

Read more about the mental health condition misokinesia in this article.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2412/241216-fidgeting-and-misokinesia-4.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “pop into the head” mean? “A psychologist said, ‘Violent images might pop into the head’ of sufferers.” Use this idiom in a sentence.
  2. What does “twiddle” mean? “Misokinesia sufferers can have an “intense hatred” of people who tap their fingers, click a pen, or twiddle their hair.” Use this word in a sentence.
  3. What is a “support group”? “Researchers in Canada interviewed 21 misokinesia sufferers from a support group.” Use the phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts about misokinesia?
  2. According to the article, “The condition misokinesia can be “life limiting”. What day-to-day problems do you think people with misokinesia have?
  3. What are tiny things other people do that you hate seeing? Why do you think that is irritating for you? And what pops into your head when you see them do that?
  4. What happens to you when you get nervous, anxious, or stressed?

Mystery Drones in USA Causing Alarm

B1 – Intermediate 

Many people all over America have reported sightings of mystery drones. It caused alarm among residents because the drones were flying over military bases and airfields, Donald Trump’s golf course, among others. 

Read more about the suspicious drone sightings in this article.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2412/241219-mystery-drones-2.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “sighting” mean? “People started telling the police about the drones last month. Most of the sightings have been in the state of New Jersey.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘sighting’ in your own sentence. 
  2. What does “spot” mean here, “One drone was spotted near one of Donald Trump’s golf courses.”? Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘spot’ in a sentence in this context.
  3. What does “a case of mistaken identity” mean? “FBI investigators said most of the drone sightings were cases of “mistaken identity.” Use the phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. What is your own conspiracy theory about those mystery drones?
  3. If you saw drones flying over your city, what would you think and do?
  4. What is your opinion on this, “FBI investigators said most of the drone sightings were cases of “mistaken identity”. It said people were “over-reacting” unnecessarily to news reports.”?
  5. Talk about any security issues that had occurred in your city/country recently.

Crackdown on Electric Rideable Suitcases

B1 – Intermediate 

The latest technology in suitcases is the electric rideable luggage. While it might seem like a cool piece of device, it could cause problems too.

In Japan, mobile luggage is considered a motor vehicle which means the rider should follow the same rules when operating any motorized form of transportation.

Read the article about the crackdown on electric rideable suitcases in Japan.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2408/240801-rideable-suitcases.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the word “nuisance” mean? “However, it is becoming a nuisance in some parts of Japan.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘nuisance’ in your own sentence. 
  2. What does the phrase “a way of getting around” mean here, “Companies are also trying to make rules for the new way of getting around.” Give one synonym and use this phrase in a sentence in this context.
  3. What does “emerge” mean? “Unexpected new forms of transport will continue to emerge.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘emerge’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on mobile suitcases and their popularity these days?
  2. What is your opinion on Japan’s crackdown on rideable suitcases?
  3. What are the pros and cons of a electric luggage?
  4. Should they be considered a motor vehicle? Explain.
  5. Share your thoughts on this, “Unexpected new forms of transport will continue to emerge.”.

Global Treaty to End Plastic Pollution

B1 – Intermediate 

Countries are meeting in South Korea in hopes of coming up with a treaty that could end plastic pollution all over the world and help protect the planet and our future. The South Korean president urges governments to finalize a treaty to address the problem with plastic pollution.

Read the article about the new zero plastic pollution treaty among countries.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2411/241128-plastic-pollution.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “insurance policy” mean in this context, “The U.N. said a treaty is, ‘an insurance policy for this generation and future ones, so they may live with plastic and not be doomed by it.’”?Use this phrase in a sentence in the same context.
  2. What does “drown” mean here, “Our world is drowning in plastic pollution.” Use this word in a sentence in this context.
  3. What does “to open a new chapter” mean? “He asked governments, ‘to open a new historic chapter by finalizing a treaty on plastic pollution.’” Use this expression in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on this treaty among nations to reduce plastic pollution?
  2. What are some problems related to plastic pollution?
  3. Share your opinion on this, “Our world is drowning in plastic pollution.”.
  4. A path to zero plastic pollution, is it possible? Why or why not? If so, how?
  5. Share your thoughts on this, “We must stop thinking of plastic as being convenient.”.