Tag: B2 – Upper intermediate

Nigeria Declared Car Horn-Free Day

B2 – Upper intermediate

Nigeria’s largest city  declared  a car “Horn-Free Day”  to raise awareness of noise pollution. Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola told reporters that the extent of the noise from car horns was enough to be a danger to people’s hearing. However, it seems not everyone is on board.

Nigeria declared car horn-free day

Discuss:

1. How do you feel about Governor Fashola’s opinion that the drivers in Europe don’t really use their horns that much?
2. Would you say that your city has this kind of noise problem?
3. How would you describe traffic in your city? What would you do to make it better?
4. What do you think are the different types of pollution in your country?

Obama’s Credit Card Issue

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Barack Obama had an embarrassing experience while dining at an expensive restaurant when his credit card was rejected. Obama told his credit card story on Friday while signing a new law to protect consumers from identity theft.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1410/141020-credit-cards.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “upmarket” mean? Use it in a sentence.“He was having dinner at an expensive restaurant in an upmarket area of New York.”
  2. What does “tighten” mean? Use it in a sentence. “In particular, the new law tightens the controls on credit cards.”
  3. What does “hacker” mean? Use it in a sentence. “It is easy for hackers to read them and put the information on other cards.”

Discussion Questions:

1. Have you ever experienced any problem with your credit card in the past? What was the problem and how were you able to solve it?
2. How do you protect yourself when using your credit card or using online or mobile banking?
3. Does your country have very strict rules when it comes to using and sharing credit cards, bank accounts and other personal details?

Retiring at 40

B2 – Upper intermediate

Do you ever dream of not having to go to work and not worry about money? Start planning to retire at the age of 40. Impossible?

Read on for a guide on how to achieve this seemingly impossible dream.

http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20140404-yes-you-can-retire-at-40

Discussion Questions:

1. Would you be interested in early retirement? Why or why not?
2. How do you picture yourself as a retiree?
3. Does your current company have pension or retirement plans for its employees?
4. Does your government have a comprehensive package for pensioners?
5. Do you think there is a disadvantage to retiring early?

Successful 20-year-old Owns a Chinese Factory

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Take a peek into the life of a young and successful man who started creating his products when he was 11 and now owns a factory in China:

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/20-old-brooklyn-successful-owns-133159062.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What were you doing when you were 20?
2. What do you think are the perks and pitfalls of being a young millionaire?
3. Are there many start up businesses in your city run and managed by young entrepreneurs?
4. If you became a multimillionaire, how would you manage your wealth?

Lego Ends Ties with Shell

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Lego had a partnership with Shell and made toys that had Shell logo on them. There were over a million people who emailed Lego asking it to end its deal with Shell that brought pressure to finally end its contract with the oil company.

Read the article about Lego ending its tie-up with Shell.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1410/141012-lego.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Give your opinion about Greenpeace’s move to pressure Lego from ending their contract with Shell.
  2. Do you think that parents have a responsibility in choosing the right toys to educate their children about preserving the environment?
  3. Are there specific projects to tackle environmental issues in your country? Talk about some that you know of.

India Removes 287 Laws

B2 – Upper Intermediate
 

The Indian government decides to dismiss laws that date back to the 19th century, when India was under British rule. The law minister is doing a clean up of India’s legal system and described some of the laws as bizarre and outdated.

 

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1410/141010-laws.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Give your opinion about India’s move in removing obsolete laws.
2. Are there laws in your country that you think are laughable or you find useless?
3. What are some of the current laws you have regarding Internet use, domestic violence and other social concerns?

Norway’s 12-year-old Child Bride

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B2 – Upper intermediate

Thea, a young girl from Norway, started writing about details of her wedding preparations. One day, her mom told her that she has to get married to Geir, who is 37 years old.

The truth about Thea, Norway’s 12-year-old child bride

Discuss:

1. What was your reaction while reading the article?
2. What is your opinion on the idea of child bride?
3. Why do you think other countries allow child brides?
3. What is your opinion on arranged marriages?
4. What do you think is the ideal age to get married?

Cartoon Gets Racism Warning

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Amazon, has put a warning on some of the ‘Tom and Jerry’ cartoons.  They have said that that the scenes were wrong when the cartoons were made 70 years ago, and are still wrong today.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1410/141004-tom-and-jerry.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How would you define the term “racism”?
  2. Do you think that racism can be seen in some cartoons? Give some examples.
  3. Do you witness racism in your workplace or in your community? How about in other TV shows?
  4. Why do you think racism is present in our society?

Where the Spanish Go for a Better Job

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Due to the economic crisis that the country has been experiencing, some Spanish have opted to find opportunities outside of their country.  Which countries do the Spanish usually go to find a better job?

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20141003-why-are-spaniards-fleeing-home

Discussion Questions:

1. Would you say that the situation is still the same now?
2. Have you ever considered immigrating?
3. If you would move to a different country for work, where would it be and why?
4. Do you have colleagues or friends from different parts of the world?

Curry Spice Repairs Brain Cells

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Scientists believe the spice turmeric could help the brain to heal itself. Researchers from the Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine in Germany examined the effects of properties found in turmeric on rats. Dr Laura Phipps, from the charity Alzheimer’s Research UK said that it was too early to decide whether or not the research will be groundbreaking.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1409/140928-curry-spice.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you familiar with the spice turmeric? What do you know about it?
  2. Do you think that turmeric can heal degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer? Explain.
  3. Have you tried Indian food or curry? Why or why not?
  4. What do you think are the other health benefits of herbs and spices we usually use for cooking?
  5. Do you take multivitamins or supplements to keep you stay healthy? Why or why not?