Tag: B1 – Intermediate

Happiness Is… Family?!

B1 – Intermediate

Almost everyone belongs to a family. We can’t imagine to exist without someone else who cared for us when we were young.  We need a family.

What else is the meaning of family to you? The following article lets you know the response of other teens and young adults about how their families make them happy.

Read the article below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

What makes teens and twenty-somethings happy? According to a survey, spending time with family made people in this age group the most happy. Time with friends came in second place, and time with a boyfriend or girlfriend came in third place. Almost no one said money brought happiness.

Seventy-three percent said that a good relationship with their parents made them feel good. In addition, when they looked for a role model, almost half of the people who took the questionnaire mentioned one of their parents. Moms ranked higher than dads, though.

Some of the discoveries were less positive. White people generally felt happier than black people or Hispanics in all economic categories. And as for stress, kids had a 10% higher rate than adults. Younger respondents said school stressed them out the most. Older people were worried about jobs and finances.

The survey also wanted to know whether today’s youth will remain happy in the future. Sixty-two percent of teens believed the future will bring more happiness. However, they also expect to have a more difficult life than their parents.

Source: headsupenglish.com

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the top three things that make you happy? Why are they the most important things to you?
  2. Who is your role model in life? Why do you look up to them?
  3. What are some things that worry or stress you out? Why are you stressed out by this?
  4. Do you think the future will bring more happiness for everyone? Why or why not?
  5. Do you agree or disagree that we could have a more difficult life than our parents? Elaborate on your stand.

Food in Britain: The Borough Market

B1 – Intermediate

Whether you dabble in cooking and culinary arts or just love to eat, food really brings people together. And, in the Borough Market, you’ll see different kinds of people with different tastes.

Watch the video then feel free to answer the quiz on the right side of the video. Be prepared to have a speaking activity.

http://www.eslvideo.com/eslvideo_quiz_lowint.php?id=25938

Discussion Questions:

1. What were some of the dishes in the video that you would like to have?
2. Have you been to the Borough Market? Have you visited a similar market?
3. Would you like to try a full English Breakfast?
4. Describe your favourite dish.
5. What are some cuisines that you haven’t tried but are interested in trying?

Are There Hidden Truths in Dreams?

B1 – Intermediate

Would you still continue you trip or your planned activity, even if you had a bad dream about it the previous night?

Read the article below to get some information about dreaming and how it affects people.

http://www.english-online.at/science/dreams/hidden-truths-unconscious.htm

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you remember any of your dreams?
2. Do you believe in the interpretations of dreams?
3. Share some of the nightmares you’ve had in the past. Share some of the good ones as well.
4. Has a dream ever influenced your thoughts?

Bullfighting – A Big Attraction in Spain

B1 – Intermediate

It is no secret that Spain is famous for its bullfighting. Thousands of tourists get excited to watch a real bullfight in the arena.

Read the article below and express your thoughts about bullfighting and how activists are trying to stop the sport.

http://www.english-online.at/culture/bullfighting/bullfighting-in-spain.htm

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think of bullfighting as a kind of entertainment?
2. Do you think bulls should be eaten after being killed in the arena?
3. Is it possible to completely wipe out the industry of bullfighting?
4. Are there other historical activities in your country that should be stopped?

Ancient Mummy Wearing Adidas Boots

B1 – Intermediate

We have heard many stories and have watched a number of films about time travel. But is time travel really possible?

Read the article below about a mummy wearing a specific footwear that has made many people think about time travelling.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1604/160415-time-travel.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think this story is believable? Why or why not?
  2. If given a chance, would you time travel? Why or why not?
  3. Which period of time would you like to go back to? Why?

Jealousy, Prejudice, and Short People

B1 – Intermediate

We have all heard of the expression “walk tall” to signify confidence and pride. Or how you can “feel ten feet tall”  when you feel extremely good, like right after getting a promotion.

This light-hearted article shows a very interesting study of how our actual height can play a role in our success.

Read the article below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

A recent study discovered that short people are more likely to feel jealous. The research questioned more than 500 men and women from Denmark to Spain. They then used the data to discover which characteristics made people feel uncomfortable. Men and women were intimidated by money, strength, looks, and charm. However, shorter people felt more nervous than taller people.

In regards to evolution, this conclusion makes sense. Women who are average height or taller have the best health, popularity, and fertility with men. In addition, the study said taller men often have more success with women.

Other similar studies about height and modern culture agree. For example, tall men are more successful in business. In another study, a look at Fortune 500 companies showed that 58% of the CEOs were taller than six feet (169 centimeters), but only 14.5% of the US population was six feet. Moreover, taller people received better salaries than shorter people. One inch adds more than $750 to a person’s salary each year.

The study finished by stating that prejudice towards shorter people isn’t conscious.

Source: headsupenglish.com

Discussion Questions:

1. Would you consider yourself a jealous person? Why/not?
2. Do you agree or disagree? Taller people enjoy more success in life.
3. If people from other countries were interviewed, would the results be the same?
4. Do you have any prejudices? Please explain.

Money Can Buy Happiness

B1 – Intermediate

A new study from Cambridge University suggests that money can buy you happiness. If money can indeed buy happiness, what will you buy to make you happy?

Read the article below then share your thoughts.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1604/160411-money-happiness.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What is the relationship between money and happiness?
2. What does ‘retail therapy’ mean?
3. How would you describe your shopping habits?
4. Do you prefer online shopping or do you still like going to the store?

McDonald’s All-You-Can-Eat Fries

B1 – Intermediate

The addition of all-you-can-eat fries to the menu is just one of many recent changes at McDonald’s. New CEO Steve Easterbrook took over as boss last year. What can you say about this offering? Do you think this will boost the company’s profits?

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1604/160419-all-you-can-eat-fries.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Will unlimited fries be a danger to the health of the people or do you think that people will always have the choice when it comes to their health?
  2. What changes would you suggest to McDonald’s/fast-food restaurants’ menus?
  3. Should McDonald’s and such restaurants consider their customers’ health more? Explain.
  4. What do you think fast-food restaurants of the future be like?

Teens, Television, and Depression

B1 – Intermediate

Watching TV can be fun. But too much of it can lead to more harm than good.

Read the article below to know the connection between depression and watching too much TV. Be ready to express your thoughts about it.

http://www.english-online.at/society/teens-depression/television-habits-teens.htm

Discussion Questions:

1. Would you consider yourself a TV addict? If yes, how much time do usually spend watching TV?
2. Do you agree that too much TV may lead to depression?
3. What do you think are other causes of depression?
4. What are some of the social activities that you enjoy doing with friends and family?

Near-Earth asteroids – How Dangerous Are They?

B1 – Intermediate

Space agencies have started looking at the skies for near-earth asteroids that could potentially hit Earth. They believe these asteroids can be a threat to our planet.

Read the article below to get some interesting facts about asteroids.

http://www.english-online.at/news-articles/science/near-earth-asteroids-how-dangerous-are-they.htm

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you feel about the possibility that one day the world would be hit by a big asteroid?
2. If the Earth were to be destroyed, what are the things you’d do before it happens?
3. Other than asteroids, what other threats does the Earth face?