Tag: B1 – Intermediate

Divorce Exam

B1 – Intermediate

The number of couples getting divorced is increasing in China. The government is taking actions in order to reduce it.

Click the link below to read more about this:

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1806/180605-china-divorce-4.html

Discussion Questions:
1. What is your reaction to this?
2. Do you think this would be effective in your country?
3. What might be other ways to reduce the number of divorce in a country?

Man to Swim Across an Ocean

B1 – Intermediate

A man hopes to become the first to swim across the Pacific Ocean.

Read on to find out about his goal, how he prepared for this, and some challenges he might face during his attempt.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1806/180607-pacific-ocean-2.html

Discussion Questions:
1. What are Lecomte’s reasons for doing this?
2. What do you think about his goal?
3. What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do?

Getting a Driver’s License

B1 – Intermediate

Driving is a privilege and along with it is its responsibilities. In order to get a driver’s license you must have the necessary driving skills and knowledge and obedience to the traffic rules. All these should be enforced especially after you get your license and start to hit the road.

 

Discussion Questions:

  1. How easy or hard is it to get a driver’s license in your country? Speak about the process.
  2. Do you have a driver’s license? If yes, how long have you been driving? Talk about your experience getting your driving license.
  3. Explain why getting a driver’s license is an important thing.
  4. What age is the perfect time to get a driver’s license? Explain why.
  5. Are you familiar with all the traffic rules? Why is it important to know all the traffic rules?
  6. Have you ever gotten a traffic ticket? Share about it.

Chinese Buy Fresh Air

B1 – Intermediate

China is one of the many countries that suffer air pollution. To have a breath of fresh air, local citizens are buying bottled fresh air from Canada.

To know more about this, let us watch the video below.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about buying bottled fresh air?
  2. If you lived in China, would you consider buying one?
  3. How is the environmental condition in your country?
  4. How can we reduce air pollution?
  5. What can large cities do to improve their air quality?

Minimalism

B1 –  Intermediate

In an era when we can shop whenever and wherever, why do some people choose not to?

Minimalism is a lifestyle where you just own what is necessary in order to focus on more important things, interesting isn’t?

Lets take a look on how Japanese people practice this lifestyle.

http://www.businessinsider.com/inside-japans-extremely-minimalist-homes-2016-6

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is minimalism?
  2. What are the pros and cons of being a minimalist?
  3. What do you think about minimalism?
  4. Would you like to try living as a minimalist? Why or why not?
  5. How popular is minimalism in your country? Why do you think this is?

Lack of Pencil Holding Skill

B1 –  Intermediate

Nowadays, it’s very common for parents to give kids access to computer tablets like iPads at a very young age. After all, early exposure will help our children understand the world better. Well, it turns out there is increasing evidence that allowing kids access to computer tablets at an early age may be counterproductive.

Read this lesson on how technology reduces children’s ability to hold a pencil.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1804/180404-pencils.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your view on this: “Children are not using pencils, so they now lack the muscle strength in their hands to be able to write properly.“?
  2. Do you know anyone who has had skills delay because of early exposure to gadgets? Talk about them.
  3. Do you think kids should never have access to gadgets? Explain your stand.
  4. According to the article, “Technology may be causing bigger problems.“. What do think are some of these problems?
  5. What other skills have we lost because of technology or too much dependency on gadgets?

Sleeping Late

B1 –  Intermediate

Do you always sleep late? If staying in bed till late morning interests you, better watch out for yourself. This is not a recommended practice by health experts. Even doctors all over the world suggest to strictly avoid sleeping late. Sleeping late not only makes your body subject to various health problems, but also disturbs your daily routine and increases stress. Your physical and mental health both will be greatly affected.

Read the article about a new study that found that going to bed late may be bad for our health.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1804/180416-sleeping-late.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What time do you usually go to bed? Why? Do you wish you slept earlier/later? Explain.
  2. What does sleep mean to you?
  3. Do you always get enough sleep? Why is that?
  4. What are you like when you don’t get enough sleep? Describe.
  5. How have your sleeping patterns changed over the years? Describe.

How does food affect your mood?

B1 –  Intermediate

Food is one of our necessities in life, but little do we know or we aren’t conscious enough that it impacts our moods. Sugary food is one of the so many examples of how our mood changes once we have an intake.

https://www.healthline.com/health/mood-food-can-what-you-eat-affect-your-happiness

Let’s talk!
How does food affect your feelings?
Do you crave for a particular food depending on how you feel?
What foods do you eat when you are sad?
What foods do eat when you are happy?
What are your food habits?

Change the World by Making Your Bed

B1 –  Intermediate

Did you ever think that you could change the world by…making your bed? Yes, it may sound silly and irrational. Howbeit, this simple housework could have a deeper message to tell. Watch the snippet of U.S. Navy Adm. William H. McRaven’s speech about why we should make our bed.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some simple housework and office tasks that you do every day? How do you feel after you carry out those tasks?

2. What do you consider your biggest accomplishment so far? What do you want to accomplish by this year and how do you believe you can attain them?

3. What three things would you change about the world if you could?

4. In your own way, how could you change the world?

7 Ways To Lead a Simple, Happy Life

B1 –  Intermediate

In this generation, we are proud to have a busy life. We wear it like a badge. We think that being productive means staying longer at work or doing more activities. Constantly being on the go can take its toll in our physical and emotional state. At some point, we need to stop and rethink the way we live.

Read the article below and learn how to lead a simple and happy life.

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/284139

Questions for discussion:

  1.  Are you an active person? What are your daily activities?
  2.  What are the disadvantages of being too busy?
  3.  What do you think about the article?
  4.  Among the 7 ways of living a simple and happy life, what do you think is the easiest and hardest to do?