Tag: B2 – Upper intermediate

Fear Over Eating Disorder Care

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There is a commonly held view that eating disorders are a lifestyle choice. Eating disorders are considered serious illnesses that can affect a person’s eating behaviors. Some people, mostly young girls, go too far with their aspiration to become slim.

Watch the video and read the article on how Japan is tackling the issue of eating disorders.

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-36095287

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are causes of eating disorders and how do they affect people who have them?
  2. What should be done to prevent this from happening and to help those suffering from it?
  3. Why is there a stigma around eating disorders and their families and what are the consequences of these to them?
  4. Who should be held responsible for illnesses like eating disorders? Explain your point.
  5. Why is it important to spread awareness about this health issue?

3D Printing: Turn Your Head into Chocolate Lollipops

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Imagine your head as a chocolate. Now, you can actually have it done and enjoy watching your friends eating a candied version of your head.

Click on the link below and express your thoughts about this start-up company and their sweet idea.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-35040661

Discussion Questions:

1. Explain the process of making the 3D chocolate heads.
2. What do you think of this start-up company?
3. What is your opinion of 3D printing? Do you think it has its own limitations?
4. If you were throwing a party, would you give out chocolate heads as sweets or souvenirs?
5. Would you like a candy version of yourself on a stick?

Getting Paid to Play

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We’ve all seen ads of odd jobs for big bucks. Getting paid to watch videos or to answer surveys. But most of them turn out to be hoaxes. Too good to be true.

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

David Storey of Australia purchased a private island for $26,500. The sum may sound like a ridiculously cheap price. However, the island cannot be reached by any boat or plane because it’s virtual. In other words, the place doesn’t exist in the real world. It’s part of a computer program for players in the role-playing game, Entropia. The island was recently recognized as the priciest virtual object ever purchased with real money by Guinness World Records.

You now may wonder if Storey is a little bit crazy. However, don’t judge him so quickly because the twenty-seven-year-old graduate student currently earns more than $100,000 per year from the game. He is able to mix recreation and work. He runs the island like a rare game preserve, where hunters are taxed to use the land. He then exchanges the virtual money, known as Entropian dollars, for real cash. There are similar businesses online, like an asteroid space resort and a space station. If either of these properties were sold, they could earn hundreds of thousands of dollars!

People who are unfamiliar with online role-playing games may see the whole concept as ridiculous. Yet you have to give kudos to the gamers who have been able to succeed in an often competitive virtual world. David Storey and others like him don’t just live from paycheck to paycheck. If they did so, then the money would suddenly dry up if they quit playing to take a vacation or deal with a personal crisis. Instead, these individuals are making a lot of money. Even the most cynical individual has to respect the money earned. Gamers like Storey are getting paid to play.

Source: headsupenglish.com

Discussion Questions:

1. Would you want to get paid for playing a video game? Why/not?
2. Would you want to get paid for doing something you really love? Why/not?
3. How is buying a virtual object different from buying luxury goods you don’t really need?
4. Are people like Storey just very lucky, or do they have some special quality?
5. If someone you knew wanted to make money online, what sort of advice would you give?

China Airlines to Blacklist Rowdy Passengers

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Flight delays are definitely unpleasant experience when traveling. But how do you react to it? Some people take it too far – causing even bigger problems at the airports, with the airlines and fellow passengers.

It’s time something is done about this. Read on how some Chinese Airlines are trying to address the problem on misbehaving air commuters.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35462707

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think blacklisting passengers is a good idea?
2. Have you ever been on a flight with an unruly passenger? Talk about this incident.
3. What are other actions/behaviors that should cause someone to be banned from airports or airlines?
4. Should aviation laws in your country be toughened to address problems with trouble-causing passengers?

Musician Cancels Show Over Transgender Law

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B2 – Upper intermediate

Bruce Springsteen, a famous rock musician cancelled a concert in North Carolina, because of the state’s laws on transgender issues. He’s one of the many artists who are fighting against discrimination and partiality.

Read the article below and express your thoughts about the issue.

http://www.voanews.com/a/bruce-springsteen-cancel-north-carolina-concert-transgender-law/3277096.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Are transgender people socially accepted in your country?
2. Have you heard of any act of discrimination against them?
3. Should transgenders be given equal rights in the society?

Four Young Entrepreneurs Making the World a Better Place

B2 – Upper intermediate

The younger generation definitely has the edge when it comes to developing technology. Four young entrepreneurs are highlighted in this article, showcasing their talents and how they are sharing it to the rest of the world.

Read the article to know more about them and their innovations.

http://blogs.voanews.com/techtonics/2016/03/18/four-young-entrepreneurs-making-the-world-a-better-place/?from=lister

Discussion Questions:

1. What can you say about these four young people’s innovations?
2. What were some of the things you were busy with when you were in your teens and 20s?
3. How would you define success?

The End of the Spanish Siesta

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Siesta. It can’t get more Spanish than that. If sushi is to Japan, then siesta is to Spain. Although part of the Spanish culture, a radical proposal to end the practice has been raised.

Read the article to know more about schedule change.

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35995972

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is taking a siesta necessary in the workplace?
  2. How do you feel about the proposal in the article?
  3. What is your opinion on lessening the working hours for Spanish workers?
  4. How would you describe an ideal working schedule?

Your New Favourite Bookshop

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Events such as literary talks, philosophical gatherings and open mic storytelling… How do these sound to you?

When you visit Libreria, you would surely be brought back to a time when you used to love reading paper books. But for some gadget-dependent individuals, there might be a problem when you come to this library. You are not allowed to use your mobile phone or tablet. And if you were caught doing so, you will be requested to stop.

Read more about Liberia, a bookshop where customers are banned from using mobile phones and tablets inside the shop.

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20160324-could-this-be-your-new-favourite-bookshop

Discussion Questions:

1. What can you say about Libreria?
2. Do you enjoy going to libraries? Why or why not?
3. Are there places in your city/country where you can go for digital detox?
4. Where do you like to go when you want to unplug from the hustle and bustle of your modern life?

Is Social Media a Distraction?

B2 – Upper intermediate

There is no doubt that a lot of us have become dependent on social media to get updated with current events and the latest trends from every corner of the world. But is social media doing us more harm than good?

Listen to the podcast then be ready to answer discussion questions.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-160331

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you feel about the “rule of three” mentioned in the audio file?
2. Do you and your friends or family have a similar rule?
3. Do you think social media is doing us more harm than good?

Brain-Dead Man Dies after Drug Trial

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In France, an experimental drug intended to treat mood, anxiety, and movement disorders went shockingly wrong, resulting in the death of one participant and hospitalization of others. Biotrial says correct procedures were followed at every stage of the trial. So what went wrong?

Read the article below to get more information then express your thoughts.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35337671

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s your take on this issue?
  2. When a clinical trial goes wrong, who do you think is to blame? And why?
  3. Would you be willing to be participate in a drug trial? Why or why not?
  4. Should scientists stick to animal testing? Why or why not?
  5. In your opinion, has drug trial safety improved over the years? Explain.