Tag: B1 – Intermediate

Drones Save People

B1 – Intermediate

Lifeguards are people who help people who have problems while swimming in the water on a pool or on the beach. They have a lot of training so they can do their jobs rescuing people very well.

In Australia, lifeguards started using drones to help them save people who are drowning.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about how drones were used in saving two young boys.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/drone-saves-two-boys-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about using drones to rescue people? What are its advantages and disadvantages?
  2. Do you have a drone? Why or why not? Talk about your experience/s with drones.
  3. In what other situations can drones be useful?
  4. How do you make sure that you are safe when swimming?
  5. Have you ever been in a dangerous situation? Who helped you?

Same Charger for All Devices

B1 – Intermediate

These days, everyone is very dependent on gadgets like smartphones, tablets, cameras, etc. You normally need a different charger for every different device. 

The European Union wants to pass a law so charger ports will be the same for all our devices. This law is also an attempt at reducing electronic wastes.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the new EU law for universal charger for all devices.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/the-same-charger-for-all-smartphones-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on this new EU law?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having the same charger for all your gadgets?
  3. What other things can we do to reduce e-waste?
  4. Apple strongly opposes this law saying it is a restrain on innovation. Do you agree or disagree with Apple on this? Why?
  5. Among all your gadgets, which one is your favorite and why?

France Recalls its Ambassadors to Australia and US

B1 – Intermediate

French ambassadors to Australia and the US have been recalled. This is after a diplomatic row of “exceptional gravity” involving Australia cancelling a deal with France. After which, Australia planned to negotiate with the US.

Read the article about the diplomatic dispute between France and Australia and the United States.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2109/210920-ambassador-recall-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. In your own words, explain why France decided to pull out their ambassadors to Australia and the US.
  2. What do you think will happen to the diplomatic relations between the three countries now and in the future?
  3. Has your country had a diplomatic spat with other countries? What was the dispute about? How was it resolved?
  4. Why is diplomacy important between countries?
  5. Does your country have good foreign relations with most other countries? 

Scientists to Bring Back Mammoths

B1 – Intermediate

Woolly mammoths are big and hairy animals that look like elephants and haven’t roamed the Earth for thousands of years. Scientists have wondered if these mammoths can be cloned.

Let’s read the article below to know more about Woolly mammoths.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2109/210916-woolly-mammoths-0.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think bringing the woolly mammoth back is a good idea? Why or why not?
  2. What are the dangers of reviving the woolly mammoth?
  3. What do you think of the idea of de-extinction?
  4. How might this research improve our lives?
  5. If you were Ben Lamm, would you invest a lot of money on this kind of research? Why or why not?

Dangerous Egyptian Haircut

B1 – Intermediate

An Egyptian barber was given the nickname ‘The Joker’. He became famous for using unusual tools in cutting his costumers’ hair.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on a barber’s unusual haircutting tools and techniques.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/dangerous-egyptian-haircut-level-3/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about his style of cutting hair?
  2. What are the good and bad things about this barber’s way of working?
  3. Would you like to try getting a haircut from him? Why or why not?
  4. Talk about your favorite barber/hairdresser. Why do you like him/her?
  5. Barbers and salons were not considered essential business during the pandemic lockdowns. In your opinion, are barbers and salons essential business and should remain open during lockdowns? Why or why not?

Sweatshops

B1 – Intermediate

Big businesses always want to find ways to cut their costs. One of them is to employ the goods and services from and of sweatshops. The labor cost is extremely cheap but the ugly truth is, the labor condition of people working there is horrible.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about sweatshops.

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

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion of sweatshops?
  2. What are sweatshops for?
  3. Why are sweatshops a horrible place?
  4. Do you agree or disagree that big multinational companies have a big responsibility to make sure their goods do not come from sweatshops? Explain your opinion.
  5. Is it possible to end businesses such as sweatshops? Explain.

Sky Lantern Causes Fire

B1 – Intermediate

A sky lantern is basically a small hot hair balloon that is made out of paper. It’s simple, festive, and lovely, but it can also be dangerous. Some countries have banned the use of sky lanterns because they can be very dangerous.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript below about the catastrophic fire that happened in Brazil.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/sky-lantern-causes-fire-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the purpose of sky lanterns? Which celebration/s are sky lanterns used?
  2. Why are they dangerous?
  3. What festivals in Spain use light, fire, and/or lanterns? Describe it/them.
  4. What are other ways to celebrate festivals/events safely?
  5. What do you like doing during the festival in your city?

Nike Workers Get a Week Off to De-stress

B1 – Intermediate

It almost seem like the world has gone crazy! It is quite a very stressful time for everyone. 

When we are stressed at work, we usually take a day off to relax and disconnect. But, has your company ever offered you days off to do that? Nike did it for their workers. 

Read the lesson on Nike giving its workers one week off to help them de-stress. Then, be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2109/210903-de-stressing-at-nike-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about this initiative from Nike?
  2. Is it possible for your company to do the same? Why or why not?
  3. What does your company do to help workers who are very stressed out?
  4. What do you usually do to de-stress?
  5. “Taking time for rest and recovery is key to performing well.” Do you agree or disagree? Share your opinion.

Methane and the World’s Temperature

B1 – Intermediate

Methane is a natural gas commonly found and used in big oil and gas fields. Small quantities of it can also be found in Earth’s atmosphere. Methane is one of those gases that makes the planet warmer.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about methane gas and its contribution to the problem of increasing temperatures on Earth.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/methane-and-the-worlds-temperature-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are other things you know about methane?
  2. What other things do you know make the problem with global warming worse?
  3. What are some solutions to this problem with methane gas?
  4. Do you think oil companies will do what they are supposed to do to solve this problem? Why or why?
  5. Are you worried about global warming at all? Why or why not?

Snow in Bolivia and Peru

B1 – Intermediate

Bolivia and Peru are South American countries and as we all know, the weather in these countries is usually always warm. Hearing that it is snowing in these countries is a bit unusual.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about snowing in warm countries like Bolivia and Peru.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/snow-in-bolivia-and-peru-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this story?
  2. Why do you think it snowed in these countries?
  3. What weather changes have occurred in your country?
  4. Have you ever had any problems during winter or because of too much snow? Talk about it.