Tag: B1 – Intermediate

Birds Clean Streets

B1 – Intermediate

Sweden has a problem with litter. Smokers produce a huge amount of litter per year. The government has a plan to help solve this problem and to lessen the costs of cleaning the streets.

Swedish officials have decided to work with crows, partnered with a machine, to throw away these cigarette butts. They believe that they are easy to teach because they are smart.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript below to learn more about how these clever birds help with Sweden’s litter problem.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/birds-clean-streets-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some government mandates for smokers in your city?
  2. How is the general trash situation in your city/neighborhood?
  3. What are other birds/animals that can be used for a similar purpose?
  4. Does your government also have inventions or initiatives that help clean the city? What are they?
  5. What are some other special or unusual abilities that animals are capable of doing to help humans? Can some abilities be taught?

Why People Like Crime

B1 – Intermediate

Do you ever wonder why so many people enjoy bad things? They like watching and reading about or listening to crimes and other morbid events.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about how much people like crimes.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/why-people-like-crime-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you like crime stories? Why or why not?
  2. Why do you think a lot of people enjoy these kinds of stories/shows?
  3. What might be reasons more women are interested in crime stories than men?
  4. Experts say that women are more interested in a killer’s thoughts. Do you agree or disagree with this? Explain your side.
  5. What’s the most heinous crime do you know of? How did you know about it?

The New York Times Buys Wordle

B1 – Intermediate

There is a new craze in town. It’s Wordle, a web-based word game. The New York Times also owns some online games that their users can enjoy playing. It’s no surprise NYT wanted to add Wordle to their numerous games that can be found on their website.

Read this article to know more about The New York Times’ acquisition of Wordle.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2202/220203-wordle-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is this a good investment for The New York Times? Why or why not?
  2. Have you tried playing Wordle? If yes, what do you think of it? If not yet, would you try it now that you know about it?
  3. What other online word games have you tried playing?
  4. Why do you think Wordle became very famous in such a short time since its release in October 2021?
  5. Do you think people would continue playing this if it isn’t for free anymore? Why or why not? 

Measles Outbreak in Europe

B1 – Intermediate

Measles is an infectious disease that has not been a very big problem in decades. However, there had been a huge increase in the number of people affected by this disease in Europe last year. 

Read this article about the new measles outbreak in Europe.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/health-medicine/new-measles-outbreak-in-europe.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why was there a massive outbreak of measles in Europe?
  2. How do you feel about the increase of measles cases in Europe?
  3. How can the government encourage parents to have their babies receive measles immunization?
  4. What other outbreaks have you had in your city/country the past few years? How did the ministry of health and/or the government manage the outbreak?
  5. What other vaccinations/immunizations do you know babies should get?

Freedom

B1 – Intermediate

Freedom is the ability to live one’s life, doing what one wants, living where one wants, eating whatever one wants, and learning whatever one’s heart wishes.

This means that freedom should be enjoyed in various aspects of life and that it is not only an essential term.

Let’s have a look at the transcript and hear the audio about freedom.

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

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is freedom for you? How important is it to you? Would you fight for your freedom?
  2. Do you feel that you have as much freedom as you want in your life? Why/why not?
  3. Do men or women have more freedom in your country? Cite examples to prove your point.
  4. Can freedom damage a country? Explain your point.

A Dress with a QR Code

B1 – Intermediate

Fashion industry has always been built on creativity and stylish expression. From simple to bizarre fashion trends, we’ve seen it all. However, an Egyptian smart designer has come up with something a little out of the ordinary that combines fashion, technology, and tourism.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the smart dress with its own QR code.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/a-dress-with-a-qr-code-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Describe the smart dress this designer created.
  2. What do you think of this creation?
  3. Do you think this is helpful to tourists? Why/why not?
  4. As a tourist, how important are travel guides for you to know places to visit?
  5. How else can QR codes be used?

People Swim in Icy River

B1 – Intermediate

Every year, hundreds of people swim in the icy waters of Vltava River in Prague, Czech Republic. It is a part of their tradition to remember Alfred Nikodém, the athlete who made winter swimming popular.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about ice swimming tradition in the Czech Republic.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/people-swim-in-icy-river-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of this tradition? Would you be interested to do this?
  2. Have you swum on icy water? How was it?
  3. Why do you think people go ice swimming?
  4. What are the good and bad things about winter swimming?
  5. What winter tradition/s do you have in your city/country?

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?