Tag: B1 – Intermediate

Brain Implant Lets Man Write Using Thoughts

B1 – Intermediate

Despite the advancement of technology, our society still does not have disability inclusion. Policies to include disabled people are still not enough. A lot of them still have a hard time finding permanent jobs.

However, recent technological advancements could help change this. Scientists from Stanford University have implanted sensors inside a paralyzed man’s brain. Such sensors let his mind to write. The success of this research could be a game-changer for a lot of paralyzed people out there.

Click the link and read the article to know more about this brain implant.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2105/210516-brain-implants-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What did the scientists do to the patient that allowed him to write his thoughts?
  2. How important is the ability to communicate by text?
  3. What do you think of this medical advancement?
  4. What could be the possible implications if this project becomes successful?
  5. Do you agree that our society needs to be more disability inclusive? Why or why not?

Pour Cold Water

B1 – Intermediate

We usually see people in movies stop whatever they are doing when someone throws water on them. This somehow relates to the phrase “pour cold water” that started out literally and now used more figuratively. When someone talks about an idea or a plan, the other discourages it for some reason.

Learn more about the expression “pour cold water” in the video below.

https://www.theidioms.com/pour-cold-water-on/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does “pour cold water on something” mean?
  2. What were the things have you done but people discouraged?
  3. Do you regret any of those actions? Why or why not?
  4. What do you do when someone disapproves of your plans?
  5. Do you say your disapproval when someone has a bad idea? Why or why not?

Two Heads Are Better Than One

B1 – Intermediate

There is an old saying that goes “two heads are better than one”. It means that two people thinking together can come up with a better solution to a problem than a single person. It could also be more than two people working together. This phrase was first seen in the Bible and then was published in some books later on.

Let us hear more about the expression “two heads are better than one” in the video below.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does “two heads are better than one” mean?
  2. Do you prefer working alone or with another person or other people?
  3. What are the pros and cons of working with someone?
  4. Can a person get their goals in life on their own? Why or why not?
  5. What are your experiences when you needed help from others?

Playing with Fire

B1 – Intermediate

We often hear this idiom “playing with fire”. Literally, we know that fire is dangerous and we could get hurt or destroy stuff. Thus, this phrase means doing something risky or dangerous.

We can also relate this to the story in Prometheus. In Greek religion, he is one of the Titans and also called the God of Fire. He disobeyed the Gods and stole fire to give it to humans. This is a good deed but he was still punished by Zeus in the end.

Let us hear more about the expression “playing with fire” in the audio below.

http://www.idioms4you.com/complete-idioms/playing-with-fire.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does “if you play with fire, you might get burned” mean?
  2. Are you always cautious or do you like doing taking risks? Why is this?
  3. What is the most risky thing you have ever done in your life? Did you end up “getting burned”? Given a chance, would you do it again? Why or why not?
  4. What do you do when you can not achieve your objectives?
  5. What fun activities can we do that are not dangerous at all?

Tie the Knot

B1 – Intermediate

The phrase “tie the knot” is quite known globally which refers to marriage. There are a lot of theories where the origin of this phrase came from but one surely stands out.

Tying the knot comes from centuries-old wedding tradition called the hand-fasting ceremony. In this ancient Celtic practice, the couple literally ties the knots of cloth around their hands binding them together making them one.

Let us hear more about the expression “tie the knot” on the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoUTRZGfVRg

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “tie the knot” mean? What other similar expressions related to marriage do you know of?
  2. How important is marriage in your country?
  3. What are the pros and cons of marriage?
  4. Are there any interesting wedding traditions in your country?
  5. What is the difference between being single and being married?

Levi’s Baggier Balloon Jeans

B1 – Intermediate

Levi’s Jeans spoke about the latest trend in baggier jeans. Consumers are now looking for a more comfortable, more relaxing denim during this pandemic.

Let’s read about the baggier ‘balloon’ jeans trend according to Levi’s.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2104/210412-levis-jeans-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of jeans?
  2. Are baggy or skinny jeans better?
  3. Will jeans ever go out of fashion?
  4. What was your best ever pair of jeans?
  5. How important is it to be fashionable?

No Loss of Marks for Spelling Mistakes

B1 – Intermediate

Problems in spelling, punctuation, and grammar are some troubles students face. Students in a university in England has said that teachers will be more flexible in grading their students’ writing.

Let’s read the article to know about marking for spelling mistakes.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2104/210414-spelling.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about the article and the university’s new policy?
  2. What are the best ways to learn to write properly?
  3. How should schools help people with learning disorders?
  4. How important is it to spell English words or even words in your native language correctly?
  5. How much importance is given to writing skills at schools in your country?
  6. Do you think you learned writing properly at school? Why or why not?

Insect Ice Cream

B1 – Intermediate

Ice cream is a popular dessert among kids and adults. It has many flavors. But have you heard of an insect ice cream?

Despite a long tradition of eating insects in some countries, the image of eating insects is not for everyone.

However, a restaurant in South Africa is becoming popular because of an interesting dessert on their menu: maggot ice cream!

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about insect ice cream.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/insect-ice-cream-level-1

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of this ice cream? Would you like to try it?
  2. What is your favorite dessert? Do you like ice cream?
  3. Have you tried any exotic ice cream flavors before?
  4. Have you eaten insects before? What did it taste like?
  5. In general, what is your opinion on extremely strange flavors/food?

Loose Cannon

B1 – Intermediate

Have you noticed someone in your circle with mood swings and sudden emotional outbursts? This individual is like a ticking time bomb waiting to go off. It is tough to be around this kind of people.

Let’s watch the video and find out what we call them.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/english-in-a-minute-loose-cannon/5982410.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does being a loose cannon mean?
  2. Who is the loose cannon in the video? What did he do?
  3. Do you know anyone who is a loose cannon? How do you deal with him/her?
  4. How can we control our temper?

To Keep Your Cool

B1 – Intermediate

If you keep your cool in a stressful situation, you manage to remain calm and composed. Now, if you lose your cool, then that would be the opposite, you get angry or enraged in difficult circumstances.

Let us hear more about the expression ‘to keep one’s cool’ in the audio below.

http://www.idioms4you.com/complete-idioms/keep-your-cool.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does “keep one’s cool mean”?
  2. How do you react to difficult situations?
  3. What do you do when you are stressed?
  4. Have you ever lost your cool before? Talk about that situation.
  5. What would you do if someone goes ballistic over something very trivial?