Tag: B1 – Intermediate

Man Collects Old Apple Devices

B1 – Intermediate

Everyone has that one thing they love so much. Sometimes, they even collect them. There are many reasons for someone to collect something.

Jimmy Grewal collects old Apple devices and accessories.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Jimmy Grewal’s Apple products collection.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/man-collects-old-apple-devices-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of this man’s obsession with Apple products?
  2. What are all the Apple products you have owned?
  3. What is something that reminds you of your childhood and why?
  4. What is something that you wanted as a child but you couldn’t have it and when you became older, you got or bought it? Why do you want this thing so much? How did you feel finally having it?
  5. Is there something you collect? Why do you collect this thing? Talk about your own collection.
  6. What are reasons people collect things?

Family Castle

B1 – Intermediate

Living in a castle sounds magical and dreamlike. Imagine the vast space you have for all kinds of activities, whether indoors or outdoors.

One man and the rest of his family decided to turn this dream into reality and purchased a castle because they all wanted to live together.

However, living in a castle also means having to face the same challenges as ordinary housing issues such as heating and bathroom access.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about how this family did it and their joys and struggles of living in a castle.

Audio only: https://www.esleschool.com/wp-content/uploads/h5p/content/2030/audios/files-621e1c3f10189.mp3

https://www.esleschool.com/a2-family-castle/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of William’s house?
  2. According to William, what are the good and bad things about their family castle?
  3. Would you like to live in a castle too? Why or why not?
  4. How would you like to live with all your family?
  5. Describe your dream family house.
  6. Do you like castles? Why or why not?

Airlines Miss Climate Change Targets

B1 – Intermediate

Since the year 2000, UK airlines have set their climate change targets. However, according to the climate group Possible, airlines have not had any success in reducing their carbon footprints.

Read the article about how airlines fail to reach their climate change targets.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2205/220512-climate-change-targets-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. The climate record of airlines was very “poor”. What is your reaction to this?
  2. Do you think that the airlines set impossible targets that’s why they failed? Share your opinion.
  3. To meet the goal to be net zero, frequent fliers should pay more. What is your opinion on this?

Tax Millionaires More

B1 – Intermediate

With global crises like the Coronavirus pandemic and the Ukraine war, it has been difficult for many countries and their citizens.  The prices of food and energy have increased a lot recently. 

It is necessary for global leaders to think of solutions to our many economic problems. Some millionaires think they should be taxed more by their governments.

Read the article about rich people asking their governments to tax them more.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2205/220526-millionaires-tax-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on these rich people asking their governments to increase their taxes?
  2. Do you think rich people are paying very little taxes? Should they pay higher taxes? Explain your opinion.
  3. How else can economies recover from economic crisis?
  4. How is the economy of your country now and what is your government’s plan to improve the economy of your country?
  5. How are you and everyone in your country affected by the the cost of living crisis?

The Biggest Bonfire

B1 – Intermediate

Lustenau, Austria had created the tallest bonfire. They now hold the Guinness World Records which was previously with Norway. 

It took three months to build the gigantic structure and only less than 30 minutes before it collapsed.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the biggest bonfire in the world.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/biggest-bonfire-ever-level-3/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What comes to your mind when you hear the word “bonfire”?
  2. What do you think of this bonfire? Why is it important?
  3. What are the negative things about bonfires such as this?
  4. Would you like to witness this kind of event? Why or why not?
  5. Talk about a similar event in your country. Why is it done/celebrated?

Google Translate Adds New Languages

B1 – Intermediate

Google Translate is used worldwide. It is a tool that allows you to interact quickly and learn more foreign languages. It’s free, easy, and convenient to use.

Let’s read the article below to know more about the new languages added on Google Translate.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2205/220516-google-translate-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How good do you think Google Translate is?
  2. What will Google Translate be like in 25 years?
  3. How important is your language to you? What do you think of the idea of having one global language?
  4. What would life be like if all language were translated immediately?
  5. How many languages do you know? How difficult is it to learn a new language?

Plant-Based Milk

B1 – Intermediate

Plant based milk is a lactose free substitute to cow milk. They are low in fat and rich in vitamins and minerals. Common plant milks are almond milk, coconut milk, rice milk, and soy milk.

This type of milk is gaining popularity in the recent years.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about plant-based milk.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2205/220502-plant-based-milk-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of plan-based milk? Elaborate.
  2. Are there any bad things about dairy milk?
  3. How will the war in Ukraine affect food prices?
  4. Why are more people turning to veganism?
  5. What do you think of the rising prices of food?

Success

B1 – Intermediate

Success is much more than money, rank, or popularity. For some, success is just the thought of fulfillment and joy that comes from living a certain way of life or engaging in a certain activity.

But what does it take to get ahead in any career, in love, and in life? And how meaningful is success really?

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about success.

https://listenaminute.com/s/success.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How would you define success? How important is success to you?
  2. How do you view failing or losing?
  3. What is your formula or recipe for success?
  4. What is your biggest success in life?
  5. What part does luck play in success?
  6. What small wins do you have everyday?

Indonesia Bans Palm Oil Exports

B1 – Intermediate

Due to global food inflation, Indonesia has decided to take some measures to ensure the availability of food products in their country. One of them is to stop the export of palm oil.

More than half of the palm oil supply in the world comes from Indonesia.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Indonesia’s plans to ban export of palm oil.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/indonesia-bans-palm-oil-exports-level-3/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the reasons Indonesia is banning palm oil export?
  2. What is your opinion about this economic decision?
  3. How is this going to impact other countries?
  4. How has your country been affected by the recent crisis?
  5. What are some economic decisions that your country has made amidst the recent crisis?

People Have No Money to Boil Potatoes

B1 – Intermediate

The war between Russia and Ukraine has substantially affected everyone around the world. The cost of living in United Kingdom has increased so much since the oil and gas prices have increased.

They now have this dilemma of “heating or eating”, parents have to choose between heating up and feeding their children. The basic necessity prices of food, heating, and transport have become quite unreasonable that even boiling potatoes is now a problem for some people.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about the worsening cost of living in the UK.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2203/220328-cost-of-living-crisis-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How has the war between Russia and Ukraine affect other countries?
  2. What do you think will happen if this war continues?
  3. Has this war affected you and your country in some way? Explain how.
  4. Talk about your own lifestyle and the cost of living in the city you live in.
  5. How can we prevent poverty? Can the government help?