Tag: B1 – Intermediate

Revenge Quitting

B1 – Intermediate 

There is a new workplace trend that is on the rise. It’s when an employee intentionally causes damage to an employer image to express dissatisfaction at work. This is called “revenge quitting”.

We are seeing an increase in revenge quitting because of dissatisfaction of employees with their place of work.

Read the article and be ready to talk about revenge quitting.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2509/250922-revenge-quitting.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “disgruntled” mean, “Disgruntled employees are posting details of their resignations online.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
  2. What does “handover” mean? “Examples of this are deleting data and files, not helping with the handover of duties, and exposing sensitive information.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
  3. What does “to vent rants” mean? “Other posts show workers suddenly walking off the job, viral resignation messages, or venting frustrations with rants against former bosses.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about revenge quitting?
  2. “Gen Z workers were more likely to engage in revenge quitting.” Why do you think this is?
  3. What can employers do to prepare or respond to such actions from dissatisfied employees?
  4. If you know a candidate did revenge quitting on their former employers, would you hire them? Why or why not?
  5. Talk about an example of revenge quitting that you know of. 

Young Europeans and University

B1 – Intermediate 

Based on a recent OECD report, young Europeans are among those who have the highest educational attainment in the world.

Ireland, Luxembourg, and Lithuania are the top European countries with the most number of university degree holders. While Czech Republic, Hungary, and Italy were on the bottom.

The gap across the EU when it comes to access to higher education is evident per this report.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about young Europeans’ access to higher education.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/young-europeans-and-university-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to play a key role” mean, “Family background plays a key role.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
  2. What does “gap” mean? “Denmark shows the smallest gap: 70% of young adults with graduate parents have a degree.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
  3. What does “obtain” mean? “In every country, young people whose parents studied at university are much more likely to obtain a degree themselves.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this, “Young Europeans have the highest university education.”? 
  2. Do you agree or disagree that family background is an important factor for a young person to go to the uni? Explain why. Is this true in your country? Talk about it.
  3. “The OECD report highlights major contrasts across the EU in terms of higher education access.” Share your views. 
  4. How accessible is higher education in your country? Why is this the case? 
  5. What might be the reasons young people won’t go to the uni?
  6. Do you agree or disagree, “A degree is linked to better chances of employment, higher salaries, and improved health.”? Share your opinion.

Campaign Against Carspreading

B1 – Intermediate 

There is a new global trend in the automotive industry. Manufacturers prioritize the production of wider, longer, higher, and heavier cars, such as Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and pickup trucks.

In the UK, there had been 10 times more of this type of cars compared to 20 years ago.

The Clean Cities Campaign (CCC) group wants to put an end to this.

Read the article about the campaign against carspreading.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2509/250904-carspreading.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “carspreading” mean? “Drivers are struggling to park because of carspreading, while people walking and cycling are more at risk.” Use the term in a sentence. 
  2. What are “urban spaces”? “Carspreading is when cars get too wide for urban spaces, causing congestion, increased risk of accidents, and more fuel consumption.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
  3. What does “to take up a lot of space” mean? “Bigger cars take up a lot more space, but the cost of parking has stayed the same.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the problems associated with large cars?
  2. What is your reaction to and thoughts on carspreading?
  3. Do you agree or disagree that new cars are too wide for urban spaces? Share your opinion.
  4. Do you think the CCC’s campaign against carspreading is necessary? Share your opinion.
  5. In Paris, they have tripled the parking costs for SUVs from €6 ($7) to €18 ($21) an hour which reduced the number of SUVs in the city. Do you think this should be done in your own city, too? Why or why not?

Energy Levels of Songs Affect Memories

B1 – Intermediate 

A new research has discovered that the tempo and mood of songs and the overall  energy levels of music are linked to the things we remember about the past.

Read the article about how the energy levels of music affect what we remember.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2508/250828-music-and-memory.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “recall” mean? “It even made people recall romantic experiences.” Use the word in a sentence. Give 2 synonyms or similar expressions.
  2. What does “sort” mean in this sentence, “The researchers asked 233 people about the sorts of memories they had after listening to music.” Use the word in a sentence. Give 2 synonyms or similar expressions.
  3. What does “characterize” mean? “Acoustic songs were associated with memories that were more vivid, unique, and characterized by complex emotions like romance.” Use the word in a sentence. Give 2 synonyms or similar expressions.

Discussion Questions:

  1. “High-energy music made people remember funny and happy events” while “slower and acoustic music brought back memories of calmness and sadness” and romantic experiences. Does the same thing happen to you? Share your own experience. 
  2. Share your thoughts on this, “The feelings people had for music affected their memories.”
  3. How has the music you used to listen to when you were young changed through the years? 
  4. Talk about one song and the memory you associate it with.

El Salvador Cracks Down on School Discipline

B1 – Intermediate 

Former army captain Karla Trigueros has been appointed as the new minister of education in El Salvador.

Along with this appointment is the implementation of stricter rules and discipline among the schools across the country. Some of the initiatives have something to do with the students’ appearance and conduct. 

Read the article about El Salvador’s new school policies.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2508/250825-school-discipline.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “role model”? “One of her first edicts was to require all school principals to become role models.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “veer” mean?  “It was concerned that the country was veering back to the days of military dictatorship.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “to straighten someone out” mean? “However, many parents are supportive of the new rules. One said: That’s how you straighten children out from a young age.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to and opinion on El Salvador’s education minister’s new school policies?
  2. What are your thoughts on Trigueros inspecting schools wearing army fatigues?
  3. Do you agree or disagree with a leading teachers’ union when they likened the new policies to “regrettable militarization” of the schools? Share your opinion.
  4. What are effective ways to discipline school children from a young age?
  5. How has school discipline changed in your country over the years?

The Tech and La Sagrada Familia

B1 – Intermediate 

La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is without a doubt one of the most fascinating pieces of architecture in the world. The Spanish architect and designer Antoni Gaudí began this project in the 1880s and until today, isn’t finished yet.

Modern-day architects employ 3D scans, models, and printing to understand Gaudí’s original plans and designs and to rebuild parts of the basilica that had been destroyed during the Spanish Civil War. 

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the use of technology to improve the design and structure of the world-famous La Sagrada Familia.

Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/the-tech-and-la-sagrada-familia-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to feel close to someone” mean? “Gaudí designed the church to make people look up and feel close to God.” Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. In architecture, what does “ruled surface” mean? “He used special shapes and ruled surfaces in his designs, based on geometry.” Use this term in a sentence. 
  3. What does “panel” mean here, “Engineers used a modern method with stone panels and steel cables to solve this.” Use this word in a sentence. Give another meaning of “panel”.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about using technology to continue working on La Sagrada Familia?
  2. Share your thoughts on this, “The basilica is now close to completion and will soon be the tallest church in the world.”.
  3. Talk about your experience visiting La Sagrada Familia or any similar structure.

Jeans Video Sparks Race and Genetics Debate

B1 – Intermediate 

American Eagle is involved in a big controversy after the questionable use of the words “jeans” and “genes” in an advertisement.

It was supposed to be a witty wordplay, but many were quick to dismiss it as racist.

Read this article about the issue involving American Eagle’s jeans advertisement with actress Sydney Sweeney.

Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2508/250804-jeans-genes-wordplay-4.html

Watch the advert here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AK8s3iqL99c

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “meltdown”. “The critics say Ms Sweeney is white, blue-eyed, and blonde. A former Fox News host called the criticism a leftist meltdown.” Use this term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “to create a storm” mean? “A video from the  jeans maker American Eagle has created a storm.” Use this idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “to run amok” mean? “The White House called it an overreaction, and that attacking the ad was cancel culture run amok.” Use this idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about this American Eagle jeans advertisement?
  2. American Eagle says “the advert is and always was about the jeans” and not about genes. Do you believe them? Why or why not?
  3. How can this issue impact the brand?
  4. Do you think that the actress Sydney Sweeney also holds some level of accountability on this issue? Share your opinion.
  5. Share your thoughts on this, “Humanity can be improved by focusing on desirable genes”.
  6. Talk about another controversial advert.

Japanese Walking Helps to Live Longer

B1 – Intermediate 

As we all know, Japan is one of the countries with the longest life expectancy among its people. It could be because not only do they have a very healthy diet, but they also love walking.

“Japanese Walking” has become a fitness trend on Tiktok. Basically, you walk quickly for three minutes then gradually slow down for three minutes and then repeat it five times.

Read this article about the health benefits of Japanese walking.

Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2508/250807-japanese-walking.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “life expectancy”. “Japan is often reported as having the longest life expectancy.” Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “to come up (with something)” mean? “Researchers at Shinshu University in Matsumoto, Japan came up with the name in 2007.” Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “jargon” mean? “He said he wanted “to make fitness advice and scientific jargon a lot more accessible.” Use this word in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on Japanese Walking?
  2. Do you and people in your country enjoy walking? Why or why not? How is walking beneficial for you?
  3. Talk about a fitness trend that is very popular in your country.
  4. Describe your fitness routine.
  5. Do you follow and listen to fitness experts on social media? Why or why not?
  6. What are other things we should do to increase our life span?

Zoo Asks for Unwanted Pets to Feed to Big Cats

B1 – Intermediate 

The Aalborg Zoo in northern Denmark has requested pet owners to donate their unwanted pets. They plan to feed pets such as chickens, guinea pigs, rabbits, and small horses to some zoo animals.

Read this article about the zoo’s request to pet owners to donate their unwanted pets to make them as feed for the zoo’s captive predators.

Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2508/250811-zoo-pet-food.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to put down” mean? “The zoo said that the practice of putting down animals to be used as feed was common in Denmark.” Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym. Also, give another meaning of “put down”.
  2. What does “waiting list” mean? “There is so much interest in helping the zoo that there are waiting lists to donate horses.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  3. What does “tax deduction” mean? “Donors can even receive a tax deduction based on the animal’s value.” Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your opinion about this news.
  2. Talk about the good and bad thing about this scheme.
  3. What is your thought about putting down animals to be used as feed?
  4. What are your thoughts on this, “Unwanted small creatures as food is practical because nothing goes to waste, and we ensure the natural behaviour, nutrition and well-being of our predators.”?
  5. Do you think that there will also be so much interest in helping zoos this way in your country? Why or why not?

Chinese Baby Companies Have Problems

B1 – Intermediate 

From 1980 to 2015, China used to have the one-child policy. Even when they allowed couples to have up to three children in 2021, many couples still decide to delay having children, have less kids, or even not have children at all.

As a direct result, the population is declining. At present, some Chinese companies that produce children’s products have to continue thinking of ways to diversify their product lines as the birth rate in their country continue to go down which only means a smaller and smaller market for their products.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about companies that produce children’s products having problems due to declining birth rates in China.

Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/chinese-baby-companies-have-problems-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “margin” mean here, “Market analyst Shaun Rein warns that companies in the baby industry will face declining margins, bad revenues, and falling stock prices.”? Use this word in a sentence. Give a synonym. Also, give another meaning of “margin”.
  2. What does “stock” mean here, “Market analyst Shaun Rein warns that companies in the baby industry will face declining margins, bad revenues, and falling stock prices.”? Use this word in a sentence. Give a synonym. Also, give another meaning of “stock”.
  3. What does “reluctant” mean? “While the limit has been raised to three children in 2021, couples are still reluctant to have babies.” Use this word in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to and opinion about children products companies’ problems in China?
  2. What solutions do you think companies can come up with to deal with this problem?
  3. How has your company diversified its products/services over the years?