McDonald’s Potato Shortage

B1 – Intermediate

Undoubtedly, one of McDonald’s most important products is their french fries. But nowadays, they are having problems getting enough supply of potatoes in Japan.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about McDonald’s Japan’s potato shortage and how they managed.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/mcdonalds-does-not-have-enough-potatoes-level-2

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on McDonald’s solution to their problem?
  2. What do you think would happen if you had the same potato shortage problem in your country? 
  3. Have you ever gone to a restaurant and they unfortunately do not have the dish you wanted? How was your experience then?
  4. Has there ever been a shortage of any produce or product in your city/country? What product was it and how long did it last? What did you do at the moment?
  5. How much do you like potatoes? How important are potatoes in your country’s cuisine?

Hainan Towers Building Permit

B1 – Intermediate

Evergrande Group is a big Chinese real estate company. They have built many buildings in Danzhou City, China including properties in a man-made resort island. 

However, there is a big problem. The government says the company does not have building permits so these buildings are illegal and they need to be demolished.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the Evergrande Group’s building permit problems.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/hainan-towers-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think will happen to the company?
  2. How can they resolve this problem?
  3. Would you buy a house in a man-made island? Why/why not?
  4. What problems do real estate companies have in your country?
  5. Do you know any buildings that had to be demolished? Why was it torn down?

Big Insect Problem

B1 – Intermediate

Insects are very important part of the ecosystem. However, a new study reveals their number is dramatically decreasing. 

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the problem with insects extinction and its effects on us.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/big-insect-problem-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why are insects important?
  2. What is your reaction to this news about insects becoming extinct?
  3. How will this affect us/our planet?
  4. How interested are you in insects? Share interesting facts you know about them.
  5. Imagine the planet without insects. How would that be like?

Fashion Faux Pas

B1 – Intermediate

Even the biggest and most successful brands make mistakes. They do things or create products that offend people. The Spanish clothing retailer Zara has been in the middle of such controversy recently. They have produced kids’ shirts with design that looks a lot like the uniform Jewish prisoners wore in Nazi concentration camps.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Zara’s and some other fashion brands’ faux pas.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/fashion-faux-pas-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to Zara’s faux pas?
  2. What was your reaction to the other brands like HM, Gucci, and Adidas’ faux pas?
  3. Why do you think these mistakes happen? How could companies let such thing occur?
  4. Do you think it is for marketing so people would talk about their brands? Share your opinion.
  5. Talk about other companies/brands that you know committed a faux pas.

Australia’s Aboriginal Flag

B1 – Intermediate

Every country has its own national flag. A flag is not just an ordinary piece of fabric but a symbol of freedom, dignity, and one’s country.

Read the lesson on Australia’s Aboriginal flag below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2201/220127-aboriginal-flag-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why are national flags important?
  2. Should everyone have a flag of their country in their house? Explain.
  3. Talk about your national flag. What do you know about the history of your country’s flag?
  4. Can people freely display and use flags to celebrate certain cultures or communities? Explain your opinion.
  5. Have there ever been any controversies revolving a flag/flags in your country? Talk about it.

Tonga Cleans Up After Tsunami and Volcanic Eruption

B1 – Intermediate

Tonga is known as the “Friendly Island” because of the welcoming attitude and hospitality locals show their tourists. Most of the islands are classified as high islands because they have been raised above sea level by repeated volcanic activity. Other islands were formed by more explosive volcanoes.

Let’s read the article below to know more about Tonga’s efforts in cleaning up after the undersea volcano eruption.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2201/220120-tonga-tsunami-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How long do you think it will take Tonga to recover?
  2. What can you do to help the people of Tonga?
  3. What would life be like with no Internet in a country?
  4. Have you ever experienced a natural disaster? How would you cope if a natural disaster hit your town?
  5. Talk about helping in cleaning up a city or a place after a disaster.

The History of the Michelin Star

B1 – Intermediate

A Michelin Star is awarded to outstanding restaurants. As a result, restaurants around the world strive to earn this. They take into account the quality of the ingredients, the mastery of flavor and cooking techniques, the personality of the chef as represented in the dining experience, value for money, and the consistency between inspector’s visit.

The origins of the Michelin Guide trace back to the turn of the 20th century. Surprisingly, its inspiration has very little to do with cuisines.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on the history of the Michelin Star.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/the-history-of-the-michelin-star-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about the origin of the Michelin Star?
  2. What do you think about how getting or losing of a star affects a restaurant dramatically?
  3. Have you been to any Michelin Star restaurants? How was your experience? Would you recommend this restaurant? Why or why not?
  4. If you haven’t been to such restaurants, would you consider going there? Why or why not?
  5. What do you think should be considered when giving or taking a star away?
  6. What’s your opinion on a Michelin inspector’s job?

Minister Swims for Hours after Helicopter Crash

B1 – Intermediate

A Madagascar police minister was lucky enough to be one of the few to survive after their helicopter crashed into the Indian Ocean. He was one of only two men to survive the accident by swimming for so many hours.

Read the lesson about Serge Gelle’s incredible story of survival. Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2112/211227-survival-swim-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this story?
  2. What do you think about the two men?
  3. Have you ever been involved in an accident? Share your experience.
  4. Share an experience where you have ‘beaten the odds’.
  5. When a situation is very difficult and hopeless, what do you try to do?

Lickable TV Screen

B1 – Intermediate

Has this ever happened to you? You were watching TV and you saw a very delicious dish/food on the screen and you wished you could taste it?

Japanese professor Homei Miyashita has invented a TV screen that can imitate food flavors. Images you can taste indeed!

Read the lesson about lickable TV screen below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2112/211230-lickable-tv-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about this invention?
  2. How helpful is this technology?
  3. What other technologies would you like to see in televisions?
  4. How important is TV to you?

Extreme Weather

B1 – Intermediate

There is nothing we can do to prevent natural calamities from occurring. In 2021, we have seen many unusual natural disasters that happened in new places. This must be a sign that our weather is becoming more and more extreme.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about extreme weather in 2021.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/extreme-weather-in-2021-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some examples of extreme weather you have experienced in your country last year?
  2. What do you think of this/these occurrence/s?
  3. Why do you think this is happening?
  4. Is there anything we can do about extreme weather? Explain.
  5. How prepared is your country for natural calamities? Elaborate.