Tag: B1 – Intermediate

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?

Expensive Printer Ink

B1 – Intermediate

More and more, we are trying to go paperless. However, printers are still very useful to many people. Would you be surprised if we said you can buy a liter of printer ink for $846?

Read the article about the costliest liquid – branded printer ink.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2107/210727-printer-ink-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of a printer ink that costs $846 a liter?
  2. Why do you think this printer ink is so expensive?
  3. How much is your printer ink? Would you buy a very expensive printer ink like this? Why or why not?
  4. Have you got a printer or not? What do you usually print? 
  5. Should we limit or stop printing on papers already and just go fully digital?

Toxic Workplaces Increase Depression Risk

B1 – Intermediate

Being satisfied at school or at work can, at times, be challenging. Work environment satisfaction is determined by how much a person likes what he/she is doing.

 Having a negative and a toxic work environment can cause anxiety and depression which may lead to some mental and health problems.

Let’s read the article below to know more about toxic workplaces increase depression risk.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2106/210627-toxic-workplaces-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can workers do about toxic workplaces?
  2. How do bad workplaces affect people?
  3. What responsibility do managers have to create a positive workplace?
  4. What is your ideal workplace?
  5. How is your workplace like?
  6. Have you ever worked in a toxic workplace? How was it?

Scientists Warn of More Extreme Hot Weather

B1 – Intermediate

We all expect it to be warm in the summer. Climate scientists have warned that hot days are getting hotter and more frequent.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about it.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2107/210709-extreme-heat-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Has the weather in your country changed in any way? How?
  2. What will happen if the Arctic warms up?
  3. What do you think are the dangers of extreme heat?
  4. What is the best way to survive extreme heat?
  5. Would you rather experience extreme heat or cold? Why?

Adults Don’t Want Children

B1 – Intermediate

To have or not to have children is one of the most important decisions that someone can make. There are certain factors to take into consideration when choosing between parenting and living a child-free life such as financial security, own interest/desire for having children, and partner’s interest/desire for having children.

Let’s read the article below to find out why views on having children are changing.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2106/210621-child-free-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does having children change someone’s life?
  2. Do you want to have children? If so, when do you want to have them and how many do you want to have?
  3. Why do people decide not to have children?
  4. Do you think it is better to have children when you are older or younger?
  5. Most families in wealthy countries are having fewer and fewer children. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Why?
  6. Is it a good reason to have children to avoid being lonely later in life?