Tag: B1 – Intermediate

Facebook Changes Name

B1 – Intermediate

Facebook has been in the middle of controversies recently. In order to save the company, they have decided to change its name. 

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Facebook’s name change.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/facebook-changes-name-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about Facebook changing its name?
  2. Do you think this could help save their company?
  3. What advice can you give Mark Zuckerberg?
  4. What business moves can a company do to save their company if their situation is getting bad?
  5. Are you a Facebook user? Why or why not?

Four Seasons

B1 – Intermediate

Do you sometimes wish it could be summer all year round? Summer times are relaxing and fun. But as delightful as it is, we need the other seasons as well.

The different amounts of sunlight around the Earth during the year creates the seasons. The Earth’s orbit, rotation on its axis, and its tilt are all the reasons for spring, winter, autumn, and summer.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the four seasons.

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

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s your favorite season? What do you like about it?
  2. What is the best season to visit your country and why?
  3. Does summer feel hotter than it used to? Is autumn shorter or longer? How have the seasons changed?
  4. Do you always shop for new clothes when the season changes? Why or why not?
  5. If you could eliminate one season so that it no longer existed, which would you choose?
  6. John Steinbeck said, “What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.” Do agree that we need winter so that we appreciate summer? Explain your thoughts.

85-year-old woman finishes college

B1 – Intermediate

Going back to school isn’t just for children. Even parents and grandparents can go back to school too. They say age is not a barrier to education.

In life, things don’t always happen the way we want them to be. We may delay some things like education to prioritize more important things. But it’s definitely never too late to learn and pursue our dreams.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on how an 85-year old woman was able to finish college.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/85-year-old-woman-finishes-college-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree that it’s never too late to graduate from college? Explain your answer.
  2. Would you do the same as what Jihad Butto did if you were older and need to finish your education? Why or why not?
  3. Why do students drop out of school?
  4. What might be some challenges faced by an elderly person returning to college?
  5. Do you agree or disagree with the saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”?
  6. What advice can you give elderly people so they can manage their anxieties about going back to school?

More People Eat Insects

B1 – Intermediate

Eating bugs and insects are considered gross and disgusting but lots of people around the world eat them in different types and flavors.

Meat is one of the best source of protein. However, there are other certain insects that can be good source of protein too.

Let’s read the article below to know more about eating insects.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2109/210927-eating-bugs-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. In general, what do you think about eating bugs?
  2. Do you agree or disagree that eating insects will soon be widely accepted? Explain your opinion.
  3. Would you eat food from insects if it didn’t look like insects? Why or why not?
  4. How would you feel about seeing food items from insects in supermarkets?
  5. How will eating insects help the planet?

Vegetarianism

B1 – Intermediate

Vegetarians do not eat meat, fish, and poultry. People of all ages and backgrounds choose to be vegetarians. Among the many reasons for being vegetarian are health, environment, and animal welfare. The decision to adopt a meat-free diet can be a complex choice.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on vegetarianism.

https://listenaminute.com/v/vegetarianism.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you a vegetarian? If not, have you ever considered becoming one?
  2. What reasons do people have for becoming vegetarians?
  3. How do people generally react to vegetarians or vegans in your country?
  4. Have you ever visited a vegetarian restaurant? What was the food like?
  5. Would you marry a vegetarian if it meant you could not cook meat at home?
  6. Can you cook any vegetarian dishes? Talk about something you can make.

Energy from Peat

B1 – Intermediate

Peat or turf is a brown matter that looks like dirt. It is formed by the partial decay of vegetable or organic matter. They now have a new use. They are made into batteries. These batteries are more environment-friendly.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on sodium-ion batteries produced from peats.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/energy-from-peat-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Compare and contrast lithium-ion to sodium-ion batteries.
  2. What kind of batteries do you usually use? Do you think they are good for the natural world?
  3. What do you normally use batteries for?
  4. Why is it important to find energy sources that are better for the natural world?

People Buy Jeans Again

B1 – Intermediate

For almost two years now, the world has been living through the Covid-19 pandemic. This means there have been many restrictions in the activities that we could do.

However, with the progress we have made to end the pandemic, the restrictions have been relaxed more and more. And because of this, people can go out again and do things almost as normally as before, including going out and dressing up again. Now, we go shopping for nice clothes again. This made the sales of clothing companies like Levi’s to increase again.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on Levi Strauss & Co.’s sales going up again.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/people-buy-jeans-again-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. Have you shopped more after the pandemic restrictions have been relaxed? Why or why not?
  3. Do you think that businesses in your city/country are recovering now? Elaborate.
  4. What businesses suffered the impact of the pandemic? How have they been affected?
  5. Do you like wearing jeans? Why or why not?

Supermarkets Go Green

B1 – Intermediate

Much of our wastes come from supermarkets. It’s all the plastic packagings used in every single product they sell. But Britain’s largest supermarket Tesco plans to go green. It’s going to be good for the environment but not for the consumers’ budgets. As these changes are more expensive. Customers are not so happy about this.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on supermarkets going green.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/supermarkets-go-green-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about Tesco going green?
  2. Would it be possible for all supermarkets to do the same? Why or why not?
  3. Do you agree or disagree that not a lot of customers care about the natural world and most only care about low prices? Why? 
  4. Do you care more about the environment or low prices of products? Why?
  5. What other things can supermarkets do to save the environment?

Lost at Sea

B1 – Intermediate

Being lost at sea can be the worst nightmare. The view of the sea in every direction is simply a glistening sheet of nothingness.

Let’s read the article below on how two men survived the sea despite the odds and what their experience was.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2110/211011-lost-at-sea-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about the article you have read?
  2. What would you say about the character of the two men?
  3. How would you feel if you were lost at sea?
  4. What do you think you would do when you try to ‘get away from it all’?
  5. When was the last time you had a nice break? Share that moment.

Boxer for President

B1 – Intermediate

Manny Pacquiao is a professional boxer, basketball player, actor, and singer. At the age of 16, he was already a top junior boxer.

He entered politics, even won as congressman and is currently a Philippine senator and has announced that he would be running for President in the 2022 elections.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about this boxing legend and his political aspirations.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2109/210923-boxing-legend-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How can boxing skills help someone to be a good president?
  2. What do you think of Pacquiao’s other successes?
  3. What advice would you give Manny Pacquiao?
  4. For you, what should be the qualifications for presidential candidates?