Tag: B1 – Intermediate

Air Bridges Allows More People to Travel

B1 – Intermediate

With the pandemic greatly affecting most countries’ economy, governments are finding ways to restart the economic activities again. 

One way is by having air bridges. Another word for it is “travel bubble”. Find out more about air bridges or travel bubbles by reading the article below.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2006/200624-air-bridges-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to this article, what is an air bridge? What is the old meaning of it?
  2. What is your opinion about air bridges?
  3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having travel bubbles?
  4. Do you agree that opening the economy to people from other countries will be advantageous?
  5. How has the pandemic affect the economy of your country? How is your country recovering from the crisis?

China and India Agree to Peace Over Border

B1 – Intermediate

Tensions between India and China are not new. These two countries have been in conflict for decades over territories and fought a bloody war in 1962 and have since engaged in several small skirmishes.

Both sides see the area as strategically important, economically and militarily.

Let’s read the article below.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2006/200610-border-dispute-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you know about the skirmishes on the China-India border? What would have happened if the skirmishes led to a war?
  2. How do you think the China-India relationship should develop?
  3. Has there ever been any trouble along your country’s borders? Talk about this dispute.
  4. What sources of tension are there between your country and others?
  5. Can all border disputes be resolved cordially?

Scientists Discover the World’s Cleanest Air

B1 – Intermediate

There’s nothing quite like opening the door and breathing fresh, clean air but how clean is the air you’re breathing right now?

Due to increasing concentration of poisonous gases in the environment, the air is getting more and more toxic day by day. These gases are also the cause of many respiratory illnesses and other diseases.

Let’s read the article below.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2006/200606-clean-air.html

Questions Discussions:

  1. How important is it for you to have perfectly clean air?
  2. What will our air be like in 50 years from now?
  3. How clean is the air where you live? What damage have humans done to the air in your area?
  4. What activities do you do that creates pollution?

Planning an Event

B1 – Intermediate

Working with a group of people can be both challenging and advantageous. Some prefer to work by themselves while others think sharing responsibilities could be the fastest way to get the job done.

In this lesson, you will find how the team managed to delegate each task effectively in order to plan an event.

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/skills/reading/intermediate-b1/planning-an-event

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Give 1-2 synonyms of “organise“. Use them in your own sentences.
  2. What is an “emcee“? Use this word in your own sentence.
  3. What does “book” mean in this sentence, “I can do that if someone books the speakers.”? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. If you were part of this team, which task/s do you think you would prefer to do and why?
  2. Talk about a time when you had to organize/plan an event.
  3. What are some rewards and challenges of planning an event?
  4. How are tasks usually divided in your project teams?
  5. Why is delegating tasks important?
  6. Do you prefer to work by yourself or with others? Why?
  7. What are your thoughts on this, “Democratic leadership is one of the most popular leadership styles because it involves input from the entire team and fosters employees’ sense of ownership in their work.”?

No Screaming in Japanese Amusement Parks

B1 – Intermediate

Amusement parks are by far one of the most thrilling places on earth. As you wait in a long line to get in, you can hear numerous kids, adults, and tourists shouting at the top of their lungs due to a tremendous jaw-dropping drop on their beloved rollercoasters.

But what if you are not allowed to scream, shout, or laugh during the ride? What would you do?

Let’s read the article below.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2005/200531-amusement-parks.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What images are in your mind when you hear the word ‘amusement’?
  2. What do you think of rollercoasters and haunted houses?
  3. Should everyone talk more quietly and wear masks?
  4. What is the “new normal” in the world today?
  5. What coronavirus guidelines are there in your country?

Herd Immunity

B1 – Intermediate

There are many infectious diseases that has been affecting all of us. Because it is not simple to fight infectious diseases, in some cases, reaching herd immunity is the only way to manage the said diseases.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript to learn more about herd immunity.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/herd-immunity-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is herd immunity?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of reaching herd immunity?
  3. What is your opinion about giving the disease to all people to make everyone immune to it? Do you agree to this way in order to deal with a health problem like coronavirus?
  4. What are some illnesses that affected people in your country previously and how were they managed?

Cuckoo Completes Epic Migration

B1 – Intermediate

Cuckoo birds are birds that are popular for their parenting skills. They have a habit of laying their eggs in the nests of other species and letting other birds raise their babies for them. Several weeks later, young cuckoos are ready to migrate and fly to Africa and find their real parents.

Read the article below and learn more about Cuckoo birds.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2005/200529-cuckoo-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you know about Cuckoo birds?
  2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word ‘cuckoo’?
  3. What do you think of migration? Where would you migrate to if you could?
  4. Where would you go if you traveled to 16 countries?
  5. What is your favorite bird and why?

Thousands of Stolen Artwork Found

B1 – Intermediate

On May 20, 2010 Pablo Picasso’s Le pigeon aux petit pois was stolen from a museum in Paris. The thieves must have gotten nervous and panicked. The $123 million painting was later found in a trashcan. Thankfully, it was retrieved. However, many other artworks that are stolen are never recovered.

Trafficking of stolen artworks is a big problem but with the cooperation of the Interpol, national police forces, and customs some pieces of art have been recovered.

Read more about problems with art theft from the link below.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2005/200511-artwork-0.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can you say about the good job that the police have done?
  2. What is your reaction that some art were stolen when some countries were at war?
  3. Why do think art theft is a big problem?
  4. What is your favorite piece of art and why?
  5. Name another artwork that you know has been stolen.

Multiculturalism

B1 – Intermediate

Every culture has something interesting about it. When people from different cultures live in one place, the city becomes a melting pot or multicultural. The world has become smaller because of multiculturalism. It is now very common to see cities that are melting pots of different cultures.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about multiculturalism.

https://listenaminute.com/m/multiculturalism.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about multiculturalism?
  2. What are the good and bad things about a multicultural city?
  3. Do you live in a multicultural city? Have you ever been to a multicultural city? Talk about your experience.
  4. Which culture do you find most interesting? Why?
  5. What is most interesting about your culture?

Your Other Half

B1 – Intermediate

Every person has their own important person in their lives, like someone they are romantically involved and a special person whom they share intimacy with. The term “other half” can mean a partner, spouse (husband or wife), boyfriend, girlfriend, or lover. It is used when you don’t want to be too specific.

Watch the short video to learn more about the expression ‘your other half’ and be able to answer the questions that follow.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you have a significant other? If yes, how did you meet? If no, what qualities do you look for in a partner?
  2. Tell us something about your other half.
  3. What are the things that you have in common and those that you differ from?
  4. What are the pros and cons of having your better half in your life?
  5. How would you compare the times you were/are with and without a partner/spouse?