Tag: B2 – Upper intermediate

The Story of Rose Island

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The concept of an independent state has been a subject of great disputes among nations throughout history. The question arises: can a state truly manage itself without external interference? While some argue that independence leads to self-sufficiency and prosperity, others believe that it can result in chaos and instability.

Dreams and goals are the driving forces behind human progress. They provide us with a sense of purpose, motivation, and direction in life. Dreams are the visions we have for our future, while goals are the specific targets we set to achieve those dreams.

Dreams can take various forms – they may be personal, professional, or even societal. They represent our deepest desires and aspirations. Dreams give us hope and inspire us to work towards something greater than ourselves. They fuel our imagination and push us to think beyond the boundaries of what is currently possible.

Discover the rise and fall of Italian engineer Giorgio Rosa’s own sovereign state the Rose Island. In addition, watch the film when you have the chance.

https://www.myitaliandiaries.com/the-story-of-rose-island-4-life-lessons/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “tumultuous” mean? “Let’s not forget that 1968 was a year of tumultuous political protests, with young people rebelling against the establishment, and in such a scenario, Rose Island represented the ultimate act of freedom.” Give 2 synonyms and use ‘tumultuous’ in a sentence.
  2. What does “know-how” mean? “Let’s face it, building such a platform in the middle of the open sea was pretty complicated and required a great deal of technical know-how.” Give 2 synonyms and use ‘know-how’ in a sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of the idiom “hit the headlines”? “In the 1960s, the Riviera Romagnola was one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations and when the island officially opened to the public, it quickly hit the headlines as the hottest tourist attraction in town.”. Use the expression in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Talk about the 4 lessons we could all learn from “The Incredible Story of Rose Island.
  2. What are your thoughts about Mr. Rosa’s micronation?
  3. What is your opinion on one individual creating his own little country? What might the pros and cons be?
  4. What do you think about the Italian government declaring war against and destroying Rose Island?
  5. Do you agree with the UN’s decision “to move the border of territorial waters from 6 to 11 nautical miles away from the coast of the state in order to prevent similar cases from happening again”? Explain your point.

Largest Iceberg Breaks Free

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A23a is biggest and oldest iceberg on the planet. It is twice the size of Great London. The last time it broke off the ice shelf was in 1986. Then, in 2020, scientists started seeing the iceberg moving a little bit.

Recently, it’s been observed to be drifting away from Antarctica and making its way toward Southern Ocean. 

Read the article and also watch the short video of British Antarctic Survey glaciologist Oliver Marsh as he talks about A23a and its current state and course.

https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/worlds-largest-iceberg-breaks-free-heads-toward-southern-ocean-2023-11-24/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase ”calf off” mean? “Since calving off West Antarctica’s Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf in 1986, the iceberg — which once hosted a Soviet research station — has largely been stranded after its base became stuck on the floor of the Weddell Sea.” Use this expression in a sentence.
  2. What does the idiom “to gain steam” mean? “As it gains steam, the colossal berg will likely be launched into the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. This will funnel it toward the Southern Ocean on a path known as “iceberg alley” where others of its kind can be found bobbing in dark waters.” Make a sentence using this phrase.
  3. What does “to make a run for it” mean, “Why the berg is making a run for it now remains to be seen.”? Use this phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What comes to your mind when you hear the word ‘iceberg’?
  2. What are your thoughts on the biggest iceberg being on the move?
  3. What caused this move?
  4. What impact can this have on the surrounding environment?
  5. How do icebergs affect the Earth?
  6. What will happen if icebergs melt?

Never Meet Your Hero

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Everyone has an idol, someone they admire and look up to . So, when you get the opportunity to see or meet your idol, it’s a big deal, especially if they’re famous. It feels like a once in a lifetime opportunity for your dreams to come true.

Read the article to know if it’s actually good to meet your idol and face the reality? Or is it better to keep them in your head and admire from afar?

12 Reasons You Should Never Meet Your Hero

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “share the same brain“ mean? “You share the same brain.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “to exude an aura of“ mean? “He doesn’t exude an aura of greatness — in fact, he seems like a guy who watches a lot of sports on TV, leaving you to wonder: is this the pinnacle of mankind?” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “disenchantment” mean? “You’ll view his newest work with a sense of disenchantment — after all, he’s just some guy who was flip to you that one time.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why is meeting your hero a bad idea?
  2. What is the most important thing to remember when you are meeting someone you really look up to? Why?
  3. Who is your hero? If you met them, how would you feel? What would you do the first time you meet them? Or talk about the time you met your hero.
  4. Talk about who your mentor is (at work and in life). What lessons have they imparted to you?
  5. If you were someone’s hero, what might be things they can learn from you?

Why Go to Your High School Reunion

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The purpose of reunions is to give former classmates the chance to reconnect and reminisce about the good or not-so-good old days.

Read the article below to know why it’s good to attend class reunions.

https://lifehacker.com/why-you-really-should-go-to-your-high-school-reunion-1848779696

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the phrase “to say the least”? “Receiving an invitation to your high school class reunion can be emotionally complex, to say the least.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “brown-noser” mean? “That tracked with my personality at the time, as I was obsessed with being successful in extracurriculars and generally being a pretentious brown-noser.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “cutthroat” mean? “Once you have a beer and get some hugs from old friends, your mind won’t be on cutthroat competition.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree that school reunion is boring and stressful? Why or why not?
  2. What are the good and bad things about school reunions?
  3. Do you enjoy going to class reunions? Why or why not?
  4. How often do you meet up with your ex-classmates? Why is this the case?
  5. Were you a lazy or hard-working student? Talk about it.

Lockdown Drills for School Shootings

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Drills are conducted for us to be prepared for unforeseen events such as natural disasters or school shootings, which we have unfortunately seen happening in the US.

Now, schools are conducting lockdown drills for children to know exactly what they need to do when such unprecedented event happens.

However, some of these drills are so realistic that they trigger unpleasant reactions from trauma.

To learn more about the lockdown exercise, watch the video below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “out of sight” mean? “Lock down. Locks. Lights. Out of sight. This is a drill.” Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of “one wrong move“? “If we do just one wrong move then we can be like goners.” Kindly create you own sentence.
  3. What does “siege” mean? “Although there is evidence hiding behind a locked door saves lives, it is very unlikely a child would be involved in a Columbine style siege.” Please make your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think lockdown drills at schools are a good idea? Explain.
  2. What are the pros and cons of these lockdown drills?
  3. How do drills prepare you and your family/community for an unprecedented event?
  4. Talk about the different drills conducted in your school or community.
  5. What are some necessary drills that should be run in your country? What significance will it bring to your community?

Airports on High Alert after Bomb Warning

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There’s no denying that practically everyone aspires to travel as much as possible.

An airport bomb threat is a grave concern that poses a significant risk to the safety and security of air travel. With the increasing number of terrorist activities around the world, airports have become prime targets for such threats. The consequences of an airport bomb threat are far-reaching, not only causing panic and chaos among passengers, but also disrupting the entire aviation industry.

Read the article to see how airport security procedures are impacted by bomb threats.

https://www.voanews.com/a/philippine-airports-on-high-alert-after-anonymous-bomb-warning-/7299417.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the idiom “to beef up”? “On Friday the aviation regulator released to media a Wednesday memo of the order given to airport security managers to beef up security, thoroughly inspect baggage and conduct round-the-clock surveillance after receiving the email threat.” Give 2 similar expressions and use “to beef up” in a sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of the idiom  “round-the-clock”? “On Friday the aviation regulator released to media a Wednesday memo of the order given to airport security managers to beef up security, thoroughly inspect baggage and conduct round-the-clock surveillance after receiving the email threat.”  Give 2 similar expressions and use “round-the-clock” in a sentence.
  3. What does “flag carrier” mean in aviation, “A source at Philippines Airlines, who declined to be identified because they were not authorized to speak to media, said the flag carrier was operating “business as usual.“? Make a sentence using this phrase.

    Discussion Questions:

    1. What happened after the airports received a bomb threat?
    2. If you are an avid traveler yourself, how does this news make you feel?
    3. When you are at an airport, do you always feel safe? Why or Why not?
    4. How do airports in your country handle safety and security?
    5. Talk about any untoward incident you’ve encountered while at an airport..

    The End of the Mediterranean Beach Holiday

    B2 – Upper Intermediate

    The beach is one of the most visited places during the holidays. A summer getaway seems incomplete without taking a trip to the coast.

    As the years pass, the climate has been noticeably getting worse. That said, staying under the sun may be more harmful to us as heat waves have been recurring. Hence, beach travels to the Mediterranean might come to an end.

    Read the article to learn more about the possible end of the Mediterranean beach holiday.

    https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20231016-is-this-the-end-of-the-mediterranean-beach-holiday

    Vocabulary Questions:

    1. What does “tighten one’s belt” mean? “Part of this could be down to consumers tightening their belts, with the ETC finding that nearly a quarter of respondents expressed concern about the rise of travel costs.” Use this in a sentence.
    2. Define “driven by something“. “We believe it’s partly driven by the cooler climate, which makes walking and cycling delightful rather than a sweat.” Make a sentence with this phrase.
    3. What does “fare” mean in this context? “Other regions fare better: the same climate scenario would see a 16% annual rise in tourism to west Wales, for example.” Give two synonyms and make a sentence with this word.

    Discussion Questions:

    1. How do you feel about the potential decline of the Mediterranean beach holiday and what impact might it have on your future travel plans?
    2. In what ways might over-tourism be contributing to the decline of the Mediterranean beach holiday experience?
    3. What measures can be taken to ensure the sustainability and longevity of the Mediterranean beach holiday industry?
    4. What factors do you consider when choosing a beach holiday destination? Are environmental concerns a priority for you?
    5. Have you ever been on a Mediterranean beach holiday? If so, which destination did you visit and how was your experience?

    Mushrooms: Medicine or Myth

    B2 – Upper Intermediate

    Though they are neither plant nor animal, mushrooms never fail to fascinate and strike with wonder.

    Aside from being a great ingredient for cooking, mushrooms have also long been considered best for human health. Perhaps the key factor in the medicinal mushroom industry’s boom in the recent years.

    Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the benefits of mushrooms as medicine.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2023/ep-231012

    Vocabulary Questions:

    1. Explain what ”have a moment” means. “I think these mushrooms are very much having a moment right now, they’re kind of labelled as ‘super brain drugs’, so things are gonna potentially help with lessening anxiety, improving potentially depression.” Give 2 similar expressions and use this idiom in a sentence.
    2. What does the word “overblown” mean? “Dr. Leeming thinks some of the claims made about mushrooms are overblown.” Give 2 similar expressions and use this word in a sentence.
    3. What does “a fair amount” mean, “Lots of people absolutely want there to be scientific proof for health claims on food and drink because there still is a fair amount of scepticism, distrust, and general confusion around functionality.”? Give 2 similar expressions and use this phrase in a sentence.

    Discussion Questions:

    1. What might be the reasons mushrooms are having a moment right now?
    2. Are medicinal mushrooms becoming more and more common in your country too? Why do you think this is the case?
    3. Cite some benefits of medicinal mushrooms.
    4. What are your thoughts on the health claims on mushrooms?
    5. Would you give medicinal mushrooms a go? Why or why not?
    6. Should ancient knowledge about medicinal plants be kept alive? Explain your stance.
    7. Share your thoughts on this, “Some trust this [ancient knowledge about medicinal plants] wisdom more than modern medicine.”.

    What Multitasking Does to Your Brain

    B2 – Upper Intermediate

    Ever wondered what happens to your brain when you’re multitasking? It turns out, our brains are more like jugglers than seamless multitasking machines.

    In this brief exploration, we’ll uncover the effects of multitasking on our cognitive functions and delve into why it might not be the brain’s favorite act.

    Watch the video to learn more and be able to answer the questions that follow.

    Vocabulary Questions:

    1. What does the idiom “under one’s nose” mean, “Being able to filter out irrelevant detail is an amazingly useful tool, but it means we can miss things that are right under our noses.” Write a sentence using this expression.
    2. What does “to miss something” mean? “When attention is overloaded, we miss things, and the result is nearly always that we perform tasks less well than we would doing them one at a time.” Use the phrase in a sentence.
    3. What does the expression “to make it through to something” mean, “Not everything will make it through to conscious awareness.” Use the phrase in a sentence.

    Discussion Questions:

    1. Do you believe that multitasking enhances or hinders your overall productivity and efficiency? Explain.
    2. Do you think our brains are naturally wired to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, or is it a skill that can be developed over time? Share your insights.
    3. How would you weigh the importance of focus and concentration against the allure of multitasking in a fast-paced work environment?
    4. In your experience, do you find that multitasking helps or hampers your ability to retain information and learn effectively?
    5. What consequences do the pressure to multitask in today’s society has long-term?

    Artificial Intelligence to Become Sentient

    B2 – Upper Intermediate

    In 2022, software engineer Blake Lemoine was fired from Google after blowing the whistle on the firm’s artificially intelligent chatbot “LaMDA”. He thought the AI ‘has come to life’. 

    But Google was quick to respond saying Lemoine’s claims that the advanced AI chatbot was sentient were nothing short of baseless.

    The question remains, though. Will computers eventually become sentient?

    Watch this video and find out about computers gaining consciousness.

    Vocabulary Questions:

    1. Explain what ”reframe” means. “We have to be very careful about how we talk about that and reframe these things as tools.” Use this word in a sentence.
    2. What does the expression “state of affairs” mean? “It’s a sad state of affairs for us.” Use it in a sentence.
    3. What does “means to an end” mean, “We must treat others as ends in and of themselves rather than means to our own end.”? Use this idiom in a sentence.

    Discussion Questions:

    1. What are your thoughts on how the AI describes itself and how it has started having a sense of a soul at the beginning of the video?
    2. How about the app that lets you chat with what seems to be a girlfriend?
    3. Share your views about the possibility of AI gaining consciousness.
    4. What does David Chalmer mean when he said “subjective experience” instead of “consciousness”?
    5. What are the pros and cons of sentient AIs?