Tag: B1 – Intermediate

Workers Must Take Lunch Breaks

B1 – Intermediate

A health group in the U.K. workers must take lunch breaks and exercise to stay active at work. A study says that a lot of people continue to work during their lunch breaks. This is not good for our health.

Read about the importance of taking lunch breaks from the link below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1406/140608-lunch-breaks-1.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to get some air” mean? “They went shopping or got some air.” Use this expression in a sentence.
  2. What does “to take time off” mean, “People get sick and take time off work.” Use this expression in a sentence.
  3. What does “full-time” mean, “A spokeswoman said full-time workers spend a lot of time travelling to and from work.” Use this word in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your opinion on working lunches?
2. Why is taking a break in the middle of the workday important?
3. What do you usually do during your lunch break?
4. Do you agree that we need to find ways to be more active at work?
5. What does your company do or offer to help you stay active?

Google Will Check for Depression

B1 – Intermediate

Google has joined America’s National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to check people’s mental health online.

Read about what Google will do to check if people are depressed from the link below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1708/170826-depression-1.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your opinion on what Google will do?
2. This questionnaire will only be available in America. Would you like it to be available in Spain/Europe too?
3. Why do you think people with symptoms of depression have many years of delay before getting treatment?
4. Do you think a chat box to psychological services would help?
5. Do many people in your country know about depression and other mental health problems?

90-year-old Starts Elementary School

B1 – Intermediate

Priscilla Sitienei, 90, is the world’s oldest elementary school pupil. She wasn’t able to go to school when she was a little girl. Now, she hopes to be a model for the children in her village. She wants to inspire them to get an education.

Read about the oldest elementary student from the link below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1501/150128-elementary-school-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of this headline?
  2. Would you do the same if you were Priscilla?
  3. Do you agree or disagree with what she said that “With education, you can be whatever you want.” and that “education will be your wealth.”?
  4. How can we motivate children to study?
  5. What memories do you have of your elementary school days?

Malaysia’s 92-year-old Leader

B1 – Intermediate

Mahathir Mohamad, 92, is Malaysia’s next prime minister and the world’s oldest elected leader.

He is known as one of Malaysia’s strongmen. He has ended 60 years of rule of the Barisan Nasional (BN) party.

Read about the oldest leader from the link below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1805/180512-oldest-leader-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree or disagree that there should be an age at which all leaders must start with/retire from their political careers? Explain.
  2. What are the most important things for a leader to have (e.g. experience, charisma, qualifications, youth, etc.)?
  3. What is your opinion about having a 90-plus-year-old leader in your country?
  4. How are younger/older leaders better leaders?
  5. Would you be a good leader? Why or why not?

Child Grooms

B1 – Intermediate

UNICEF’s newest report finds that over 23 million young boys are forced to get married even before they turn 15. Most stories we hear about child marriages involve girls but in Africa, Latin America, Asia and nations in the Pacific, child grooms are very common.

Read about child grooms from the link below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1906/190610-child-grooms-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this report?
  2. How does getting married at an early age affect an individual?
  3. What do you think is the best age to get married? Why?
  4. What are the best things about childhood?
  5. Do you know anyone who got married at a very young age?

Road Rage

B1 – Intermediate

Road rage means violent anger due to the stress of driving a vehicle in difficult conditions like traffic jams. Did you know that it is a mental disorder?

Read about road rage from the link below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.english-online.at/society/road-rage/road-rage-aggressive-behaviour.htm

Discussion Questions:

1. What causes road rage?
2. What can we do to prevent road rage?
3. What do you think about the software that can help prevent road rage?
4. Have you ever witnessed drivers in road rage?
5. Do you hear news about road rage in your country?

Ecotourism

B1 – Intermediate

Ecotourism is the alternative to mass tourism. It began in the 70s. At present, it is a fast-growing part of the tourism industry. It is because a lot of people are finding out about it.

Read about ecotourism from the link below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.english-online.at/travel/ecotourism/ecotourism-sustainable.htm

Discussion Questions:

1. What is ecotourism?
2. What are the advantages of ecotourism?
3. What are examples of ecotourism in your country?
4. Talk about your experience going on an ecotouristic trip.

Global Population in 2100

B1 – Intermediate

The UN writes a report about the world’s population. The UN predicts that the number of people will grow in the future.

Read and watch the video about the global population.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/global-population-in-2100-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your own prediction on the world’s population?
2. What are the reasons the population will increase, decrease, or stop growing?
3. Talk about the population of your country.

Health Care Changes

B1 – Intermediate

In America, health companies must now tell patients how much their health care costs before anything. This way, patients can find places which would cost them the least.

Read and watch the video about some health care changes in the US.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/health-care-changes-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your opinion on this executive order?
2. What are some health care changes you’ve had in your country recently?
3. What changes do you hope to see soon?
4. How is health care like in your country?

Machu Picchu Airport

B1 – Intermediate

Machu Picchu is the most touristic place in Peru. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

An airport is being built near this landmark to help tourists reach it more easily. But not everyone agrees with this construction project.

Read more about it and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1906/190614-machu-picchu-2.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your opinion on the construction of this airport?
2. Would you like it if the same thing is done near a very historical place in your country?
3. What are the pros and cons of building this airport near Machu Picchu?
4. Have you been to Machu Picchu or any World Heritage Site or any of the 7 Wonders of the World? Kindly talk about that trip.
5. Why is it necessary to preserve historical places such as Machu Picchu?