Tag: B2 – Upper intermediate

Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos Scandal, and Silicon Valley

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Elizabeth Holmes was once a trailblazing woman in business and medical technology in the Silicon Valley. She founded the start-up health technology company called Theranos. With promises of revolutionary blood tests that are performed using small automated devices and only very small amounts of blood are needed to be extracted from the patient, investments came pouring in. Now, Holmes is under trial for fraud.

The technology sounded amazing. Except, it was just make-believe. One might ask, so if it seemed nonsensical, why did so many people still fall for her hook, line, and sinker.

The Theranos scandal highlights the systemic problems with start-up culture on secrecy and the aggressive use ofNon-disclosure agreements (NDAs). 

Read the article about Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos, the problems with the start-up culture and what the Silicon Valley has learned from this scandal.

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-58469882

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on Holmes and Theranos’ fraud and how they were able to get away with it for years?
  2. What do you think about the product they were developing?
  3. Talk about the thin line between fraud and fake it til you make it culture.
  4. Is it really “fake it until you make it” in business? Explain your point.
  5. What are your thoughts on this: “Secrecy is important for these companies to succeed – but that culture of secrecy can also be used as a smoke screen”?
  6. How important are NDAs in your job/industry or for your company?
  7. What are things you would consider if you were to invest in a start-up?

How to Weigh Job Benefits

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When you finally got a job offer, after weeks or even months of job searching, you might want to think twice before accepting it. Not every job offer is the right one for you, so you’ll need to evaluate it carefully before accepting it. The hardest part when deciding whether to accept a job offer is weighing the benefits.

Watch the video below on how to weigh job offers.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What influences your choice of company to work for?
  2. In your opinion, what is the most important benefit offered by your company?
  3. What made you decide to accept your company’s job offer?
  4. If you can make a suggestion to your company, what benefit/s would you like your company to offer to its employees?

Is MSG Bad for You?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a controversial food-additive mostly used in Asian countries. It enhances the flavor of food. Some people claim that it could cause headaches, chest pains, or even brain damage. On the other hand, sources such as Food and Drug Administration (FDA) claim that it is safe for consumption.

Let’s watch the video below to know more about MSG and find out if it’s actually bad for us.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about the use of Monosodium glutamate (MSG) How do you usually season your food?
  2. Do you like eating Asian food? If yes, what’s your favorite?
  3. How conscious are you of the food that you eat and the ingredients you use for cooking?
  4. Do you think food nowadays is becoming more or less safe to eat? Explain your opinion.
  5. Should the government do more to regulate food safety?

Traffic Ticket

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Being a good driver starts with the knowledge of all traffic laws and it should be followed by obedience to all traffic laws. Hence, the rigorous driving examination drivers have to take in order to get a license. There are times when drivers are tempted to willingly violate a traffic rule just because no one is looking. But what happens when you are caught? Do you fight it or just pay the fine?

Listen to the audio about getting a traffic ticket and how to get away with it.

Traffic Ticket- Script

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why was the driver pulled over by the traffic police?
  2. How did he try to get out of a traffic ticket? Did it work?
  3. Have you ever been pulled over by a traffic officer before? Talk about your experience.
  4. Have you ever had traffic violations in before? What were they for? If not, why do you think that is?
  5. What is the usual process upon receiving a traffic ticket in your country?

Venice to Charge Tourists for Entry

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The city of Venice is going to impose an entrance fee for tourists in order to prevent a massive influx of visitors arriving in the city for various reasons. This decision have been met with different reactions from locals and tourists.

Watch the video and know more about this measure.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on this measure set by the Venice local government?
  2. What reasons do they have for imposing this measure?
  3. How can this affect businesses?
  4. Do you agree with the price they set simply for entering the city? Would this discourage tourists from going to Venice? Why or why not?
  5. Are there similar touristic sites in your country that have been degraded because of over-tourism? Talk about it/them.

Keeping Secrets from Your Partner

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Did you know that an average person keeps roughly 13 secrets? Let’s be honest. Everyone keeps secrets. But sometimes, the burden of having secrets can affect us in ways we might have never considered.

One of the significant concerns in many relationships involves secrets. But when does keeping a secret from your partner go from harmless to hurtful?

Let’s watch the video below to know how secrets affect a relationship.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you like knowing about and finding out secrets of your partner? Why or why not?
  2. Are you good at keeping secrets? Why or why not?
  3. How do secrets affect relationships? Is it healthy to keep secrets in a relationship?
  4. What’s the difference between privacy and secrets in a relationship?
  5. What kinds of secrets are dangerous?

Seizures

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The first detailed account of a neurological disorder related to epilepsy was dated back in the Babylonian era. In the olden days, with the absence of scientific authority, there were different beliefs and treatments used to treat this medical condition.

Let’s watch the video and find out more about the history and scientific evolution of seizure treatments.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is Miqtu? What are its symptoms?
  2. What belief did Babylonians have about it and what treatments did they and ancient Greeks recommend?
  3. What causes seizures? Do all seizure treatments/medication available at present effective for all patients experiencing them?
  4. What do modern scientists recommend when you encounter someone experiencing seizures?

Causes of Opioid Addiction

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Imagine a pill that can both induce pleasure and reduce pain. Would you take it only to relieve your pain or would you take it even in the absence of pain?

Let’s watch the video and learn more about the history and the current usage of opioid.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you know about opium?
  2. According to the video, how do opioid drugs affect the human body?
  3. What factors can lead to opioid addiction?
  4. Do you think substance abuse in general is a problem in your country? What measures are being done in your country to fight against addiction?
  5. What is your opinion on pharmaceutical companies producing and benefitting from opioid-like synthetic substances?

Cosmetics Contain Toxic Chemicals

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Many people, especially women, like wearing makeup. It is their way of enhancing their overall appearance and consequently boost their confidence. Cosmetics are one those products that people so commonly consume but we never stop to think whether they are safe or not. 

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about cosmetics containing toxic chemicals.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/half-of-us-cosmetics-contain-toxic-chemicals/5992067.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are PFAs and what are their effects?
  2. Do you think it’s possible for cosmetic companies to go PFA-free eventually? Why or why not?
  3. As a consumer, what is your reaction that cosmetics out there contains toxic chemicals linked with serious health conditions? Do you think you’ve used/consumed products that contain PFAs?
  4. Do you always check food and medicinal products? Do you think they are properly labeled?
  5. What other information do you wish to see on food and drug labels?
  6. Do you think the cosmetic industry has betrayed its consumers? Why or why not?

A Cleanse Won’t Detox Your Body

B2 – Upper Intermediate

“One green juice a day keeps the doctor away.”
It is said that detox diets can eliminate toxins from our body
and can help with weight loss but Dr. Jen Gunter explains these detox products don’t actually remove toxins and worse, could hurt our health even more.

Watch the video on how you can enhance your body’s natural detoxification.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on cleansing and detoxing? Have you ever done them?
  2. How do you take care of your liver?
  3. Why do we have to be careful with supplements?
  4. For you, what is the best self-care?
  5. What are the things you do or treatments you get to take care of your body?