Tag: B1 – Intermediate

Shoot Yourself In the Foot

B1 – Intermediate

Some people try hard to be cautious with their words and deeds in order for things to go as planned. No matter how careful we are there are still some moments when we unwittingly make a situation worse for us.

Let’s listen to the audio about the expression “shoot one’s self in the foot”.

http://www.idioms4you.com/complete-idioms/shoot-yourself-in-the-foot.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does the idiom “shoot yourself in the foot” mean? Do you have a similar expression in your language?
  2. Have you ever shot yourself in the foot? What happened? What did you do to get out of that situation?
  3. What can you do when you ‘shot yourself in the foot’?

Colosseum Opens Again

B1 – Intermediate

Traveling is something that everybody misses doing. Most of us have not been able to travel for nearly a year because of the pandemic.

Here’s a good news to all travel enthusiasts: The Colosseum in Rome has reopened after things got a little better in Italy.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about the Colosseum and its reopening.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/colosseum-opens-again-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does this news make you feel? 
  2. Have you ever visited The Colosseum or Rome? What can you say about it?
  3. Do you think it is fine to open important tourist spots again now? Why or why not?
  4. Would you like to travel again soon? Why or why not? Where would you want to go?
  5. Talk about one important touristic place in your city/country. How was it affected by the pandemic?

Smart Gym

B1 – Intermediate

More and more people wants to stay healthy. Exercising is one sure way of achieving this goal. So more people have been going to the gym now, more than ever. 

However, because of the Coronavirus pandemic, people had to stay in their homes. This is when smart gyms became popular. And it might be here to stay.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about smart gyms.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/smart-gym-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of smart gyms? 
  2. Would you like to use one? Why or why not? If you are already using one, share your experience.
  3. What are the good and bad things about smart gym?
  4. What are the gyms like in your city/country?
  5. Which do you think will be more popular in the future, physical or smart gyms? Explain your choice.

A Lake Is Full of Fish Again

B1 – Intermediate

Lakes have many uses for humans. However, what happens when a lake dries up?

This is what happened to Lake Dojran, a lake that is located in North Macedonia and Greece. It is one of the largest lakes in Macedonia.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about Lake Dojran and the efforts in reviving it.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/a-lake-is-full-of-fish-again-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. Do you think we are taking care of nature enough? 
  3. How can we take care of our lakes, rivers, seas, etc.?
  4. Share a similar problem you have in your country. What was done to solve that problem?

Lost Cause

B1 – Intermediate

People always say to never surrender but sometimes there is no reason to try anymore. There are certain things that we need to give up and move on from.

Let us hear more about it in the video.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/english-in-a-minute-lost-cause/6007555.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does the idiom “lost cause” mean?
  2. Have you ever given up on something or someone?
  3. What are the signs that says you need to move on?
  4. How do you move forward after a lost cause?
  5. What are the things that you never back down from?

Jeff Bezos Stepping Down as Amazon CEO

B1 – Intermediate

Amazon is the first online bookseller and the largest internet-based store in the world based in Seattle, Washington. It is known for selling virtually anything online and its lightning-fast shipping.

Amazon was founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994 and after 27 years, he has decided to step down as the CEO of the company.

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

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2102/210205-jeff-bezos-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of Bezos’s decision to step down as Amazon CEO?
  2. What do you think would happen to Amazon after this?
  3. What should Amazon do in the future?
  4. What does it take to make an Internet business successful?
  5. What is the impact when important people in the company leave their job?

World’s Smallest Reptile Discovered in Madagascar

B1 – Intermediate

Reptiles are cold-blooded animals that live both in land and water. Their bodies react to the temperature of their surroundings and their scales protect their bodies.

Scientists have discovered the world’s smallest reptile in Madagascar.

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

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2102/210209-reptile-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What comes to your mind when you hear the word ‘reptile’?
  2. Why is this discovery important?
  3. How are reptiles different from other animals?
  4. What do you think of animals becoming endangered?
  5. Should more money be spent on finding more nano-chameleons? Why/Why not?

London’s Thinnest House

B1 – Intermediate

London is a pretty amazing city. It is one of the most multicultural cities in the world. There are too many places to go to and restaurants to dine in but it can be also be the most expensive city in the UK due to housing costs.

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

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2102/210211-london-property-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in a five-storey house? Would you like to live in a house like that?
  2. How would you describe your house?
  3. Is it better to have a spacious house or a tiny house? Why?
  4. What is your ideal house?
  5. How are the prices of properties in your city? Are they low, average, or too high? Why do you think this is the case?

Professor Lectures for Two Hours Online On Mute

B1 – Intermediate

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected various aspects of normal life including going to school and the office. As a result, schools were forced to conduct classes online.

A University professor gave a 2-hour lecture online but did not notice that he was on mute the whole time.

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

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2102/210213-online-lecture-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is better face-to-face classes or online classes? Why?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of online classes?
  3. If you were the professor, how would you feel if this happened to you? Explain.
  4. If you were one of the students, how would you feel or what would you have done?
  5. Talk about anything funny or embarrassing that happened to you while doing a presentation at work.

No Free Meals for Poorer Children

B1 – Intermediate

In some countries, giving free school meals is one program that many public schools have. This is to be sure that children get proper nutrition while they study. It is also a way to help children who comes from poor families.

Read more about the UK government voting not to give free school meals to poorer kids.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2010/201028-free-school-meals-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What did the UK government do? Do you agree or disagree with the UK government’s decision? Support your stand.
  2. Are school meals completely free in schools in your country? How are the food like? 
  3. Why are these school meals important to children?
  4. How else does your government try to improve children’s conditions in schools?
  5. What was your school like? How was the food at your school cafeteria?