Tag: B1 – Intermediate

Sinkhole in China

B1 – Intermediate

It’s basic knowledge that you have to look in front when driving to prevent accidents. A motorcyclist eyes weren’t on the road and he didn’t notice a big sinkhole and fell into it.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about a sinkhole.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/sinkhole-in-china-level-3/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this story?
  2. Have you ever seen a sinkhole? What was your impression of it?
  3. Why do you think sinkholes appear?
  4. Do you sometimes get distracted when driving? What causes you to lose focus?
  5. What do you do to stay focused while on the road?

Non-Fungible Tokens

B1 – Intermediate

Non-fungible means there is only one of that thing. Non-fungible token is an item or a product that has no copy. When you buy an NFT, you get a certificate even though it only exists in the digital world. 

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on non-fungible tokens or NFTs.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/people-like-non-fungible-tokens-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of NFTs?
  2. Would you be interested to buy an NFT? Why or why not?
  3. What might be the reasons people buy NFTs?
  4. What are the good and bad things about NFTs?
  5. What is one thing you would like to be non-fungible and only you own it? Talk about it.

Alcohol-Free Bars

B1 – Intermediate

Drinking is probably one of the most social things we humans do. However, more and more people are becoming uninterested in drinking. Then alcohol-free spirits and bars increase their popularity.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on alcohol-free bars.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/alcohol-free-bars-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What might be reasons people prefer alcohol-free spirits?
  2. Would you enjoy going to an alcohol-free bar? Why or why not?
  3. Talk about your favorite bar. What do you like most about this particular bar?
  4. What are the most common alcoholic drinks people drink in your country?
  5. Do you think people will drink alcohol less and less in the future? Why or why not?

New Zealand Apologizes for Immigration Raids

B1 – Intermediate

In the 1970s, there was a shortage of workers in New Zealand. Thousands of people from the South Pacific islands of Tahiti, Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji moved there to work.

But then, police raided the Islanders’ homes who they suspect were illegally overstaying in the country. They were then deported back to their respective countries. Their families who were left behind in NZ were placed in government care homes.

Read the lesson on the New Zealand government’s apology to Pacific Islanders for the inhumane raids that happened in the 70s. Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2108/210804-dawn-raids-0.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to the discriminatory immigration rules in NZ in the past?
  2. Has anything similar ever happened in your country too? Talk about that time.
  3. What can you say about the NZ government’s apology to the Islanders? How is this going to impact the Islanders?
  4. What normally happens to people who illegally stay in your country when they are caught by the police? What about their families?
  5. Given a chance, which country would you like to immigrate to?

Timber Shortage Increases House Prices

B1 – Intermediate

Timber is one important material in building construction. However, due to climate change, there is a shortage in its supply. This shortage causes the price of timber to increase. Thereby, increasing the prices of new houses too.

Read the article about global timber shortage and its effects on the housing industry.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2108/210806-timber-shortage-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can you say about the problem with timber shortage in the world?
  2. What else can be done to solve the problem with timber shortage?
  3. According to DIY stores, home projects have created extraordinary demand for timber. What do you think of this? 
  4. Have you done any DIY reformations in your house during the lockdown/pandemic, too? Talk about it.
  5. Is your country also committed to planting more trees just like the UK? Explain.

Cuba Allows Owning of Private Businesses

B1 – Intermediate

Since 1959, businesses in Cuba have been owned by the state. After a very long time, Cubans will be able to legally own a private business again.

Read the article about the changes in owning businesses and the economy in Cuba.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2108/210810-cuba-business-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about this change?
  2. This change was possible because of the people’s protests. Do you think that the people have succeeded in getting what they were demanding from the government? Explain.
  3. Is it a good or a bad thing when businesses are owned by the state? Explain.
  4. Do you think that Cuba’s economy will start recovering now? Elaborate.
  5. At this moment, what are people protesting for in your country?

G7 Leaders Promise a Better World

B1 – Intermediate

The Group of Seven or G7 was founded in 1975. Its member countries are seven of the world’s most developed economies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Leaders of the said countries meet every year and talk about different global problems.

During the 2021 summit, the G7 leaders created the Build Back Better World or B3W.

Read the lesson for more information on this plan.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2106/210615-g7-summit-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on organizations like G7? Would you like your country to be part of the G7? Why or why not?
  2. What do you think about the ‘Build Back Better World’?
  3. Do you think they can keep their promise of a better world? Why or why not?
  4. Among these four areas – climate, health and health security, digital technology, and gender equity and equality – which should the G7 prioritize? Why?
  5. What other global issues do you think the G7 should focus on?

Woodland for City Kids’ Better Mental Health

B1 – Intermediate

City kids do not enjoy the natural surrounding countryside children do. According to results of a new study, for better mental health and thinking skills of children who live in cities, they should visit and experience nature too.

Read this article on how woodlands or natural environment is good for children’s mental health.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2107/210723-woodland-0.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree or disagree that natural environment is important for a child’s development? Elaborate.
  2. What are other things important to children’s development?
  3. Do children who are closer to nature behave better? Why or why not?
  4. Describe the environment you grew up in?
  5. Do you enjoy “the sights, sounds and smells of a forest”? Why or why not?

Flavonoids Cut the Risk of Dementia

B1 – Intermediate

Because people are able to live longer now, more illnesses affect the elders. One condition common among old people is dementia. It is a condition that greatly affect an old person in the late stages of their life. There are ways to reduce the risk of having dementia.

Read this lesson about flavonoids and how good they are for our brain health.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2107/210731-flavonoids-0.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What comes to your mind when you hear the word ‘dementia’?
  2. What are other ways to prevent dementia?
  3. Do you think flavonoids are really effective in improving our brain health? Why or why not?
  4. What do you do to make sure your brain is healthy in the long-term?
  5. What is something you would never want to forget?

Tax on Sugary and Salty Snacks

B1 – Intermediate

The UK has had more and more problems with obesity in the past few years. The government needs to a find solution to end this national health issue. A way that they have thought of is to tax foods that are sugary and salty. The media calls it the ‘snack tax’.

Read the article about the UK government’s plan to put taxes on unhealthy snacks as a way to fight obesity in the country.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2107/210719-snack-tax-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on the UK government’s plan to tax unhealthy snacks?
  2. How would you feel if your government did the same thing in your country?
  3. What are ways to motivate people to eat healthy?
  4. How can we make a better food system for our children and grandchildren?
  5. What are ways to fight obesity?