Tag: B2 – Upper intermediate

Trafficked into Prostitution

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Human trafficking, by definition, is the trade of humans, mostly for the purpose of sexual slavery, forced labor or commercial sexual exploitation for the trafficker or others. Millions of people are being trafficked at any given time.  Prostitution is akin to trafficking and is a social problem difficult to abolish.

Watch the video to know about Ope’s story then read the article for extra information.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-32235112

Discussion Questions:

  1. It is said that “Prostitution is the world’s oldest profession.” Would you agree or disagree?
  2. What are your thoughts on human trafficking and prostitution?
  3. How big a problem is prostitution for a country?
  4. Should prostitution be legalized? Explain your stance.

Treadmills Linked with Fatalities

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Dave Goldberg was a very successful entrepreneur who died of a severe head trauma after falling off a treadmill. The cause of the fall isn’t clear yet. Some people would call Goldberg’s death a freak accident.

Read the article below to have more information on how dangerous some exercise equipment can be.

http://www.livescience.com/50744-dave-goldberg-treadmill-accidents.html

Discussion Questions:

1. After reading the article, do you think using a treadmill is that dangerous?
2. What other considerations do we need to take before we use any exercise machine?
3. Do you know of any other gym-related accidents?

Vocabulary: Phrasal Verbs with COME

B2 – Upper intermediate

Read the list of phrasal verbs with the word “come” and be ready to discuss them with your teacher. You’ll be using them in sentences as well.

Vocabulary: phrasal verbs with “come”

Discuss:

1. What are some of the interesting things (facts, food or culture) that you’ve come across with?
2. When was the last time you came down with something? How serious was it? What do you do stay healthy?
3. Have you ever cancelled an event or a meeting because something came up?
4. Who comes up with vacation ideas in your family?

Vocabulary: Phrasal Verbs with PUT

B2 – Upper intermediate

Read the list of phrasal verbs with the word “put” and be ready to discuss them with your teacher. You’ll be using them in sentences as well.

Vocabulary: phrasal verbs with “put”

Discuss:

1. Have you ever put something off because of an emergency?
2. What are some of the reason you’d be put off by something like a film or a topic?
3. What commodity prices have been put up recently?
4. Have you ever put someone up during their vacation? Has anyone done the same for you?
5. What are some of the things that you can put up with and some things that you can’t?

Are You a Shopaholic?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Shopping is fun. For women, mostly, it is a time to bond with friends and family members. On the other hand, if you let your impulse get the best of you, your love for purchase can do you more harm than good.

Read the article below to know more about the facts of being a shopaholic.

The lives of some people revolve around shopping, as they repeatedly make purchases regardless of need or available money. Some of these people make impromptu purchases. Some of these people have closets with unopened purchases. Some of these people have racked up overwhelming amounts of credit card debt. If this sounds like you, then you may be a shopaholic.

A recently administered test to determine the predilection towards compulsive buying reveals that 9% of people fall into this category. Another recent test revealed a slightly smaller percentage of 6%. This new data concludes an increase in the number of shopaholics from just fifteen years ago, as well as determines that men remain just as prone to the shopping urge as women. The test consisted of six statements which people answered on a 7-point scale, from strongly agree to strongly disagree. Some statements included:

* Much of my life centers around buying things.

* I buy things I didn’t plan to buy.

* Others might consider me a shopaholic.

Compulsive buying obviously leads to financial problems such as an empty bank account and maxed out credit cards. Yet these unneeded and unwanted purchases may be the manifestation of more serious problems, namely depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. What’s more, relationships and family harmony also deteriorate because of disagreements over the purchases. Shopaholics may then hide their purchases, as well as the accompanying costs, and thus add to the strain. It’s a problem that affects people of all income brackets.

Researchers suggest that shopaholics felt better when they were shopping, even when they realized the associated harm.

Source: headsupenglish.com

Discussion Questions:

1. Based on the information in the article, would you consider yourself a shopaholic?
2. Do you know anyone who might be a shopaholic?
3. Do you agree that women and men suffer from the problem equally?
4. Do you agree that anxiety and low self-esteem cause compulsive buying? Why/not?
5. What solutions are there for people who are shopaholics? How can they be helped?

Venice – City of Canals

rialto-bridge-canale-grande-venice

B2 – Upper intermediate

Some say that Venice is the romance capital of the world.

Read the article below to know more about the city itself and the life and history of this tourist spot.

Venice – City of Canals

Discuss:

1. Describe some of the beautiful places that you’ve visited in the past.
2. Do you often travel? What do you like most about travelling?
3. Have you been to Venice? If you have, describe your trip. If you haven’t, is this city on your bucket list of places to visit?

Tower of David

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Venezuela is famously known for its beautiful people. But, like any other country, Venezuela struggles with poverty and citywide housing shortage. The Tower of David is a glimpse of some issues that the country is facing.

Discussion Questions:

1. Is poverty an issue in your country?
2. How is your government taking care of the housing needs of the citizens?
3. What do you think are some of the best ways to address poverty in the middle of an economic recession?

Chinese Kids Driving Supercars

B2 – Upper intermediate

In Southern California, a group of wealthy Chinese teenagers have a very interesting way of getting together. Watch this short video and express your thoughts about it.

Discuss:

1. What thoughts came in to your mind while watching the video?
2. In your country, how do the rich and famous “flaunt” their lifestyles?
3. If you were a wealthy person, how would you spend your money?

Fast Japanese Train

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It is known that transportation in Japan is modern and highly developed.

Let’s look at this fast Japanese train. Be ready to talk about the different modes of transportation you have in your country.

Read the article then watch the video included.

http://www.newsinlevels.com/products/fast-japanese-train-level-3/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on these fast trains in Japan?
  2. What is the most common form of transportation in your country?
  3. Do you think your country needs a fast train like Japan’s maglev train? Why or why not?
  4. Talk about how you normally get to work.

US Love Affair with McDonald’s Waning

B2 – Upper Intermediate

More and more Americans are turning their backs on McDonald’s. With lower sales for six straight quarters, one of the largest fast-food chain’s new British CEO’s main task now is to entice Americans to remain drawn to eating their burgers, among their other food products.

Read the article about how Americans’ love for McDonald’s is waning.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-32573204

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are reasons for fast food becoming less craved for by many?
  2. How much do people love fast food in your country? Why do you think it’s that way?
  3. Do you agree that people are more health-conscious nowadays? Explain your point.
  4. What are the pros and cons of fast food?
  5. Talk about your own diet / eating habits.