Tag: B1 – Intermediate

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?

100 Years of the Word Robot

B1 – Intermediate

In the past few decades, there has been rapid progress in modern technology. In some cases, we’ve seen how science-fiction turned into reality. Some people are even warning us of the possible consequences of this fast technological changes.

This year, we celebrate the 100th year of the word “robot” and we have come to a point when such technology has become more common as robots are now being used in major industries.

Let’s get to know more about the origin of the word robot by clicking the link and listening to the audio.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/100-years-of-the-word-robot-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are robots used in your industry?
  2. What are some of the uses of robots?
  3. Do you think it is possible for a robot revolt to happen in the future?
  4. What do you think are the pros and cons of fast technological change?
  5. What are some science-fiction concepts in movies that turned into reality?

British Pubs and Coronavirus

B1 – Intermediate

Pubs are probably one of the first things you think of when you hear “the UK”. Going to pubs is a big part of not only the British culture but their day-to-day life.

However, due to the pandemic in 2020, restaurants and pubs had to be closed to prevent the virus from spreading among people.

The life that British knew was never the same.

Read the transcript and listen to this audio about British pubs and Coronavirus.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/british-pubs-and-the-coronavirus-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news? What about Lamb and Flag closing?
  2. How important are pubs in the UK?
  3. Do you have the same culture in your country? Talk more about it.
  4. Have there been many restaurants and pubs that had to close because they haven’t been able to recover financially in your country too? How does that make you feel?
  5. Talk about one favorite place you used to go to before but now has closed because of the pandemic. 
  6. Do you think we will go back to our old ways after the pandemic is ended or would some things change?

Electric Car Battery Charger

B1 – Intermediate

With the problems we have with global warming due to carbon emissions, the automotive industry has been keen on developing electric cars to replace petrol cars.

One of the problems with electric car as of now is that there are not a lot of charging stations available on the road and also, charging takes many hours.

Read the article about this new technology on electric car battery chargers and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2101/210124-car-battery-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of this car battery charger?
  2. What do you think about electric replacing petrol cars?
  3. What are the good and bad things about petrol cars?
  4. What are the good and bad things about electric cars?
  5. Which between the two do you prefer more? Why?

Organizers Say Tokyo Olympics Will Go Ahead

B1 – Intermediate

The Olympic Games is an international sports event that is happens every four years. Japan was chosen to host the next summer Olympic games in 2020, but due to the pandemic, the event was postponed and eventually canceled. Will Tokyo Olympics happen in 2021?

Let’s read the article below to find out plans for Tokyo Olympics.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2101/210130-tokyo-olympics-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Should the Tokyo Olympics go ahead in July? Why/why not?
  2. What will happen the Games does not go ahead?
  3. How would cancelling the Games affect Tokyo?
  4. Do you think the Games could sacrifice people’s lives? Explain further.
  5. How has the coronavirus affected the sports world in Spain?
  6. What would it be like without the Olympics?

Full Moon Gives Bad Night’s Sleep

B1 – Intermediate

Can’t sleep? Look outside your window. See, it’s full moon. That’s why. Is there a connection?

Full moons happen once a month and it is the phase where the moon is round and completely illuminated. It symbolizes growth, completion, and height of power and apparently, affects people’s sleep!

Let’s read the article below to learn more about this new discovery on the relationship between a full moon and a bad night’s sleep.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2102/210201-full-moon-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What effects does the Moon have on us?
  2. What do you think about this news?
  3. What are your sleeping patterns like? How do lights affect your sleep?
  4. What conditions do you need to sleep well?
  5. What do you do if you have troubles sleeping?

Digital Nomad Work Visa in Caribbean Islands

B1 – Intermediate

Digital nomads are workers who often work remotely from places to places. They do not have a permanent base. Because of technology and globalization, this kind of work style and lifestyle has become more popular. 

One problem that digital nomads have is sometimes, they can’t stay for as long as they want in one place because of visa restrictions.

But, in some Caribbean Islands, this won’t be a problem anymore. They have a new visa program for digital nomads.

Know more about it from the article below.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2010/201004-digital-nomad-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can you say about this work visa for digital nomads in the Caribbean?
  2. What are the benefits of countries from giving digital nomads a visa to stay long-term?
  3. What do you think are the good and hard things about being a digital nomad?
  4. One of the requirements for the digital nomad visa is a minimum annual income of $50,000. Do you think this amount is high or low? Share your thoughts.
  5. Would you like to try the digital nomad life? Why or why not?