Tag: B1 – Intermediate

Restaurant in Water

 B1 – Intermediate

Many businesses were affected by the pandemic. A restaurant that is located near the famous Chao Phraya River has more than the coronavirus as a problem.

Because of big waves, the place gets submerged in water sometimes. The owner thought this could end his business and he had to close his restaurant, but there has been an unexpected twist.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about a restaurant that is completely covered in water.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/restaurant-in-water-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of this restaurant? Would you like to visit it? Why or why not?
  2. How is getting wet by water while eating affect your experience at a restaurant?
  3. Have you ever visited a restaurant because it is very famous on social media? Talk about this restaurant. How was your experience?
  4. What is the most important thing that you take into consideration when choosing to go to a restaurant?
  5. What is the best restaurant you have ever been to? Describe it.

Eating Late at Night

B1 – Intermediate

We already know that what we eat is important in making sure that we have a healthy body. But did you know that eating very late at night can have some negative effects on your health?

A new study finds that eating very late hours in the night affects how your body burns calories and increases the risk of gaining weight more.

Read the article about how late-night snacking can affect one’s health.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2210/221013-eating-late-at-night-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree or disagree that late-night eating is bad for us? Explain.
  2. What time do you normally have dinner? Why is it this early or late?
  3. How often do you eat or have a snack at very late hours?
  4. Tell us about your own eating habits.
  5. How important is it for you to maintain your weight? Explain.

Quiet Quitting

B1 – Intermediate

The workplace is a very competitive world. We are taught to do our very best in order to succeed. 

However, it seems times have changed. Workers only work to achieve the minimum of what they should be doing in their job while they are working to later just leave.

Read the article about the concept of quiet quitting and how it is becoming more common in the workplace.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2210/221003-quiet-quitting-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are reasons workers are quiet quitting?
  2. Was there ever a time you had to quit quietly at work? Talk about this time.
  3. How to be a good employee?
  4. What is the proper way to quit work? 
  5. Talk about a time you ‘went the extra mile’ at work.
  6. How did the pandemic change the way you do or think about your job?

Charbonnay Wine 

B1 – Intermediate

People are believed to have been consuming wine as early as 5400-5000 B.C. And ever since, there has been a continuing demand for wine all over the world. 

In Northern France, they have invented a new type of wine that is called “Charbonnay”. 

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about this new kind of wine.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/charbonnay-wine-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of charbonnay? Would you like to try it? Why or why not? If you have tried it, what can you say about it?
  2. Are there any new varieties of wine that has been produced in your country recently? Talk about it.
  3. How important is wine and the wine industry in your country?
  4. Do you like drinking wine? Why or why not?
  5. What are the good and bad things about wine/wine drinking?

Patience

B1 – Intermediate

In today’s modern world, life has become a constant pursuit of distraction. Being more patient can do wonders to our mental health, career, and personal relationships. Patience makes us better people.

Let’s listen to the audio and read the transcript below about patience.

https://listenaminute.com/p/patience.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you patient? Is it difficult for you to be as such? Explain your answer.
  2. How can you improve the quality of patience in yourself? What techniques can you think of?
  3. When was the last time you lost your patience?
  4. Who/what requires the most patience in your life?
  5. Do you think you’re getting more patient or impatient as you get older? Explain.

Robots and the US Economy

B1 – Intermediate

The more modern the society and technology become, the more we make use of machines and robots in every industry. 

In the US, more and more companies rely on robots for better and more efficient operations.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about robots and their impact on businesses and ultimately, on the US economy. Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/robots-and-us-economy-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do more businesses in the US use robots?
  2. Is this a good or bad thing? Explain your opinion.
  3. How is your job easier because of machines/programs?
  4. What are the pros and cons of using robots/machines/programs instead of humans in your own sector/industry?
  5. Will robots replace humans one day? Explain your thoughts.

Japanese People and Alcohol

B1 – Intermediate

It is believed that drinking alcohol is a very social activity. In Japan, people used to go to bars to hang out with friends or colleagues on weekends or after work. This has changed. Less and less people like drinking.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Japanese people’s changing behavior about alcohol consumption. Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/japanese-people-and-alcohol-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think the same is happening in your country? What is the reason for it?
  2. Is drinking an important custom in your country? Why or why not?
  3. Is it positive or negative if people didn’t drink alcohol anymore? Explain your opinion?
  4. How has your drinking behavior changed over the years?
  5. Do you think it’s true that people care more about their health now? Why or why not?

Burn the Candle at Both Ends

B1 – Intermediate

There are times when we have to do more than what our body and mind can handle. It could be working long hours everyday in order to pay the bills or to stay up late every night to study so that we pass an exam. Whatever our reason may be, this is not a good practice and doing so will eventually affect our health.

Watch the video and listen to what Randall has to share about an idiom that describes this attitude.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does burn the candle at both ends mean? Have you burned the candle at both ends before? What happened?
  2. What was the most exhausting moment of your life?
  3. What are some reasons people burn the candle at both ends?
  4. Can someone be so stressed out without having to burn the candle at both ends? How?
  5. How do you manage mental and/or physical exhaustion?

Friends

B1 – Intermediate

Friends are people who understands you, and if they don’t, they try to. They are always there for you when you need them. They care for you, love you, and respect you for who and what you are.

Let’s listen to the audio and read the transcript below about friends.

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

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do friends mean to you?
  2. Do you stay in touch with all of the friends you’ve made? How?
  3. What makes a friend a best friend?
  4. What would life be like without friends?
  5. What is the most valuable thing you have to offer as a friend?

Fast Food

B1 – Intermediate

Fast-food restaurants are in almost every country of the world now. They are popular because they are served quickly, convenient to find, and relatively cheap.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about fast food.

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

Discussion Questions:

  1. Compare and contrast fast food and real restaurants.
  2. What is your least favorite fast food restaurant and why?
  3. How often do you eat fast food? What do you usually eat?
  4. Which fast food is the most unhealthy? Why do you think so?
  5. Are there any healthy fast foods? What are they?