Tag: B1 – Intermediate

Biohacking

B1 – Intermediate 

The job of a biohacker is to make small, intentional changes to people’s lifestyle, diet, or environment. It aims to improve and optimize the functions of the body and the mind.

Biohackers are able to hack a person’s biology with the help of science and technology and self-experimentation.

Can biohacking really help provide people better health and a longer life?

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about biohacking.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/what-biohackers-do-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “biohacking”. “One family promotes biohacking online and says it began as a way to survive serious health problems.” Use the term in a sentence. 
  2. What does “to survive” mean? “One family promotes biohacking online and says it began as a way to survive serious health problems.” Use the verb in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “to feel concerned” mean? “However, some experts feel concerned because many methods lack strong scientific proof.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about biohacking?
  2. Why do we need it?
  3. Talk about other things you know about biohacking.
  4. “One family promotes biohacking online and says it began as a way to survive serious health problems.” Do you agree with this family? Why or why not?
  5. Customers hope these biohacking services can give them better health and a longer life. Share your opinion about this.
  6. Are you interested to use biohacking services? Why or why not?

Too Much Electronic Waste

B1 – Intermediate 

According to a report from the recycling advocacy group Metal Focus, we are producing more and more electronic waste. 

Electronic waste means devices or gadgets that are thrown away, broken, or obsolete. Examples of e-waste are batteries, plugs, computers, phones, appliances, and many more.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about problem with the increasing amount of electronic waste.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/too-much-electronic-waste-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is “spring cleaning”? “Spring cleaning offers a chance to responsibly declutter; however, electronic waste is increasing much faster than recycling efforts.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “to declutter” mean? “Spring cleaning offers a chance to responsibly declutter; however, electronic waste is increasing much faster than recycling efforts.” Use the verb in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “to outpace” mean? “The UN warns that global electronic waste is outpacing recycling, and emphasizes the need to save valuable resources.” Use the verb in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What comes to your mind when you hear “electronic waste”?
  2. Share your opinion about this news that people accumulate more unused electronics and broken devices.
  3. Do you think the same problem exist in your country? Why or why not?
  4. What is your opinion about this, “Global electronic waste is outpacing recycling.”?
  5. How can we reduce electronic waste?
  6. How do you dispose of your own e-waste?

Qatar National Sports Day

B1 – Intermediate 

The National Sports Day is celebrated in Qatar every second Tuesday of February.

They believe that “an active life is important for public health”.

The government hopes that the citizens take care of their health more. The holiday is so they not only watch sports, but actually practice them.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about Qatar National Sports Day.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/qatar-national-sports-day-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “major center for (something)”? “In recent years, Qatar has become a major center for international sport and has hosted large events such as the football World Cup.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “to take part in (something)” mean? “The government wants people to focus on health and take part in sports instead of just watching them.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “to host” mean in this sentence, “In recent years, Qatar has become a major center for international sport and has hosted large events such as the football World Cup.”? Use the verb in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about a public holiday for sports?
  2. Would you like to have the same holiday in your country? Why or why not?
  3. Do you think the government should decide whether people take part in sports instead of just watching them? Share your opinion.
  4. What is your opinion on this, “An active life is important for public health.”?
  5. How much is your country and the people involved and invested in sports?
  6. What sports do you enjoy? What are those that you would like to try?

Humanoid Robots at Hyundai Factories  

B1 – Intermediate 

Hyundai, a South Korean automotive manufacturer, prepares to gradually employ 30,000 humanoid robots in its car factories in the next decade. 

It’s true that many people will lose their jobs, but Hyundai said they will still need people who will train the humanoid robots.

Read the article about humanoid robots at Hyundai car factories.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2601/260112-hyundai-humanoid-robots-4.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “subsidiary”? “The humanoids called Atlas are being made by a Hyundai subsidiary.” Use the term in a sentence.
  2. What does “amplify” mean? “Hyundai said Atlas would advance human-robot collaboration, and assist in “evolving hardware-driven robotics designed to amplify human potential”.” Use the word in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What does “convergence” mean? “The robot’s maker said: “The convergence of robotics and AI will make human life safer and more enriching.” Use the word in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your reaction to this news.
  2. What comes to your mind when you hear “humanoid” and why?
  3. What are the pros and cons of using humanoids at factories?
  4. Are factories in your country using robots more these days? Talk about it.
  5. What is your opinion about this, “The convergence of robotics and AI will make human life safer and more enriching.”
  6. What do you think about this, “Hyundai acknowledged that people could lose their jobs to Atlas, but some people would be needed to train it.”?

Walk and Talk

B1 – Intermediate 

Is there a way to combine health and work productivity? Well, how about instead of one-on-one meetings, we have meetings while walking.

This way of working could have some benefits.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about walking meetings.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/walk-and-talk-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “go together” mean? “Health and work can go together, just like walking and meetings.” Use the phrase in a sentence and give a synonym.
  2. What does “fresh idea” mean? “Fresh air and movement can bring fresh ideas, making work both effective and enjoyable.” Use the phrase in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. Define “creative thinking”. “They also encourage creative thinking by taking people out of their usual office environment.” Use the phrase in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What comes to your mind when you hear the word “productivity” and why?
  2. What are the good and bad things about walking meetings?
  3. What is your opinion about walking meetings?
  4. Do you think your co-workers would like this idea? Why or why not?
  5. How can we conciliate health and work?
  6. Do you agree or disagree that fresh air and movement can bring fresh ideas? Share your opinion.

Teeth-Whitening Ceramic Powder

B1 – Intermediate 

Having white teeth is a goal for many people. Advertisements and publicities dictate that white teeth are so important to have.

But, in order to get pearly-white teeth, chemical whiteners are used. The problem with these whiteners is that they can damage our teeth and gums.

Researchers have tested the effectivity of a teeth-whitening ceramic powder in not only removing stains from teeth, but also repairing enamels. Ultimately, it is supposed to be good for oral health.

Read the article about a teeth-whitening ceramic powder.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2602/260202-white-teeth-powder-4.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “widely sought after” mean? “White teeth are widely sought after.” Use the phrase in a sentence and give a synonym.
  2. What does “a must-have” mean? “Movies, ads, and social media have made perfectly white teeth a must-have.” Use the phrase in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What does “to rid of something” mean? “Researchers have tested a teeth-whitening ceramic powder to rid teeth of stains.” Use the phrase in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What comes to your mind when you hear the phrase “white teeth” and why?
  2. What do you think about this teeth-whitening powder? Do you think it can replace the chemical whiteners? Share your opinion.
  3. Is having white teeth also very important for people in your country? Why do you think this is the case?
  4. How can people achieve good oral health?
  5. What are other dental hygiene habits that you are familiar with?

World’s Next Superfood: Bamboo Shoots

B1 – Intermediate 

Superfoods are the types of foods that are full of nutrients and are supposed to be very good for your health. 

We see a lot of information about superfoods everywhere. The most recent superfood that people are talking about is bamboo shoots.

Read the article about bamboo shoots being a potential superfood.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2601/260129-bamboo-superfood.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “emerge from” mean? “However, people may not know that bamboo shoots are harvested as they emerge from the ground, while they are still soft.” Use the phrasal verb in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “stalk” mean here, “We do not eat the hard, woody stalks.”? Use the word in a sentence. Give another meaning of “stalk”.
  3. What does “contain” mean here, “However, raw bamboo shoots contain toxins and must be cooked before eating.”? Use the word in a sentence. Give another meaning of “contain”.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What comes to your mind when you hear the word “superfood” and why?
  2. Are superfoods really beneficial, or just marketing? What is your opinion?
  3. Talk about other superfoods that you know of and what their benefits are.
  4. What are the benefits that we can get from bamboo shoots?
  5. Would you be interested to try bamboo shots? Why or why not?

Stem Cell Research

B1 – Intermediate 

Stem cells are special human cells that can develop into many different types of cell. They can be muscle or brain cells. They can also be used to fix tissues that have been damaged.

More research on stem cells is important in regenerative medicine because it could allow the body to repair itself by replacing dysfunctional cells with healthy ones that are grown in the lab.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about someone’s opinions on stem cell research.

https://www.listenaminute.com/s/stem_cell_research.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to be all for something” mean? “I am all for stem cell research.” Use the expression in a sentence and give a synonym.
  2. What does “to play God” mean? “They say it is unethical and that it is playing God.” Use the idiom in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What does “to be leading” mean? “Britain seems to be leading the world in this research.” Use the phrase in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about stem cell research?
  2. What are some of the medical potentials of stem cells?
  3. What are some ethical issues with it?
  4. Some people view stem cell research “as unethical and that it is playing God. Other people say we will create Frankenstein’s monster“. What is your point of view?
  5. Do you think your country is investing enough money in stem cell research? If so, do you agree with it? If not, do you think that the government should?

Number of Children Affects Lifespan of Mothers

B1 – Intermediate 

Research found that women’s number of children could have an effect on their rate of ageing as well as their lifespan. It could even make them at lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

Read the article about a study on the link between reproduction and women’s rates of ageing and longevity.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2601/260126-having-children-and-lifespan.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “wear and tear” mean? “The “wear and tear” and physical demands of multiple childbirths can negate this lowered risk.” Use the expression in a sentence and give a synonym.
  2. What does “longevity” mean? “Another factor that could increase longevity is the increased social support a mother receives from the state for having children.” Use the word in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What does “lifespan” mean? “A new study suggests that the number of children a woman has might affect her rate of ageing and her lifespan.” Use the word in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your thoughts on this: “The number of children a woman has might affect her rate of ageing and her lifespan”.
  2. What do you think of this: “Having a smaller number of pregnancies could have favourable effects on a mother’s health”?
  3. What is your opinion about this: “The finding of shorter lifespans of women who never gave birth was surprising”?
  4. Do you agree or disagree: “Another factor that could increase longevity is the increased social support a mother receives from the state for having children.”? 

Risk-Taking in Young Chimpanzees and Teens Is Similar

B1 – Intermediate 

Teenagers want to try new and risky things. They think they have the freedom to do so because their parents or carers do not supervise them or tell them what to do as much as when they were little.

A research looks at the reason children and young chimpanzees take more risks.

Read the article about a research on how young chimpanzees’ thrill-seeking behavior is similar to that of human children.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2601/260115-risky-behaviour.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “supervise” mean? “She believes it is because they are at an age when parents supervise them less.” Use the word in a sentence and give a synonym.
  2. What does “old-fashioned” mean? “The website ScienceAlert said that “some anthropologists argue for increasing children’s access to thrill-seeking play, including the old-fashioned monkey bars, as a way to help them develop motor skills and skeletal strength”.” Use the word in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What does “thrill-seeking” mean? “The website ScienceAlert said that “some anthropologists argue for increasing children’s access to thrill-seeking play, including the old-fashioned monkey bars, as a way to help them develop motor skills and skeletal strength”.” Use the word in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What comes to your mind when you hear the word “risk”?
  2. In your own words, explain why teenagers like taking risks.
  3. Do you agree or disagree that “Teenagers are well known for doing crazy things.”? Explain.
  4. Did you also have a risky behavior as a teenager? Talk about some crazy or risky things you did at that age.
  5. How can teenagers’ risky behavior be controlled?