Tag: B2 – Upper intermediate

The Volkswagen Scandal

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It has been more than a decade since car makers started focusing on producing diesel vehicles thinking that these cars are excellent for the environment. According to some recent scientific evidences, this is not exactly the case, and there are even pleads to decrease the number of diesel cars in several cities.

Diesel sales were already waning. Needless to say, this controversy came at a bad time. Find out more about this scandal from this BBC article.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-34324772

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are thoughts on this “diesel dupe” scandal involving Volkswagen?
  2. How has this accusation affected the company and other car manufacturers?
  3. How can a company that’s been involved in a scandal win back their customers’ trust?
  4. If executives and managers wilfully misled officials or their own superiors, should heads roll? Explain your stand.
  5. Talk about what you know about emissions test in your country.

Social Media are Changing Relationships

B2 – Upper intermediate

Social media networks have helped people share pieces of their lives to the community.  But what is the effect of social media networks to our relationship to other people?

Read the article below and be ready to express your thoughts.

Social media networks are changing our way of having relationships

Discuss:

1. What springs to mind when you hear the term ‘social networking’?
2. What are the pros and cons of social networking?
3. Are social networking sites for people who aren’t good at meeting people face to face?
4. Have you ever tried to find friends on a social networking site?

Poverty In a Rich World

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We are living in a wealthier world. The number of people living in extreme poverty has halved in recent decades. More people own cars and mobile phones. But why do we still see poverty?

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

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/features/6-minute-english/ep-150305

Discussion Questions:

  1. How big is the problem of poverty in your country?
  2. Would you say that there is a big gap between the rich and the poor where you are from?
  3. Are you able to see your taxes at work? Why or why not?
  4. What are ways for government to solve poverty?

Are Models Too Skinny?

B2 – Upper intermediate

Should skinny – or very thin – models be stopped from working on the catwalk? We’ve accepted the norm of fashion models to have very slim and slender figures.

Listen to this podcast on how thin is too thin for catwalk models then express your thoughts.

Are models too skinny?

Discuss:

1. Summarize the discussion about skinny models.
2. Do you think that agencies should be responsible for their models?
3. Do very skinny models really give out a negative impression on children and young adults?
4. How would the fashion industry change if female models were not as skinny?

Low Levels of Vitamin D Might Hurt Your Brain

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As we know, vitamins are essential to our health and vitamin D helps protect the body from diseases like diabetes and cancer. A study says it might also prevent brain diseases called dementia.

Read the article below and be ready to talk about health.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/low-levels-of-vitamin-d-might-hurt-your-brain/2974167.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you have a strict diet? Why or why not?
2. The article mentions dementia. What do you know about dementia?
3. How do you think poor memory affects one’s life?
4. Do you think taking supplements is a good idea, or should you get your vitamins from just food? Explain.

Bizarre Lessons in Indian Textbooks

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Education is an enlightening experience we all deserve to have. Countries worldwide aim to have high literacy rate thus proper education should be catered to the citizens. However, in India, some textbooks were found with worrying information.

Read the article below to check some of the bizarre information in their textbooks.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-34336826

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think about the article? Discuss the mentioned erroneous lessons.
2. What is the best way to rectify this issue?
3. Have you read history books that were erroneous?

Amazon – Largest Internet Company

B2 – Upper intermediate

Online shopping has gained popularity over the years. It is efficient, hassle-free and you don’t have to leave the comforts of your own home. Amazon is one of the most popular internet shopping sites in the world. It operates its own websites in Europe, Asia and South America.

Read the article below to know a little more about Amazon.

Amazon.Com – The World’s Largest Internet Company

Discuss:

1. Do you shop online?
2. Which online shopping sites do you often visit?
3. What is the most popular online shopping site in Spain?
4. What do you think of Amazon.com?

Rent a Foreigner in China

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In China, being Caucasian can open doors to a Hollywood style career. With thousands of high-rise apartment units to sell, housing developers have turned to talent agencies that specialize in renting out foreigners to clients. A white face is supposed to make a place “truly international”  which should then translate into sales.

Read more and see how the Chinese use image to solve the real estate glut and in the process transform the average Joe into a celebrity of sorts.

https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-chinas-rent-a-foreigner-industry-2017-6

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do you think the Chinese associate white people with prestige?
  2. Do you think foreigners being made to pretend to be people they are not is acceptable? Share your thoughts on this.
  3. Can you think of an experience whereby you were treated in a special way because you are a foreigner?
  4. Would you agree to be a foreigner for rent in China? Why or why not?

Denver Allows Pot in Bars and Restaurants

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Smoking pot. It’s been a controversial and long-running issue in the United States. But the city of Denver is trying to move forward albeit with some challenges.

Read the article about Denver becoming the first city to allow marijuana in bars and restaurants.

https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/denver-becomes-first-city-in-us-to-allow-pot-in-bars-restaurants/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Explain the situation of Denver when it comes to smoking marijuana? How different is it from Amsterdam?
  2. What is the intention of legalizing marijuana in bars and restaurants?
  3. What is your take on legalizing marijuana?
  4. How do you feel about legalizing other practices such as prostitution and illegal drug use?

If We Could See Inside Others’ Hearts

B2 – Upper intermediate

Everyone goes through different things in life everyday. One could be shocked and sad of a bad news, others could be determined and hopeful for better days.

Would you treat them differently if you could see what they are going through?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wl2_knlv_xw

Discuss:

1. How would you explain the words sympathy, empathy and apathy?
2. Would you consider yourself a sympathetic person?
3. How do you handle social and emotional stress?
4. When going through a difficult situation, do you prefer sharing your problems or do you prefer keeping it to yourself?