Tag: B2 – Upper intermediate

Crackdown on Same-Sex Parenting

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In Italy, same-sex couples believe the government is limiting their opportunities to start families, while the government argues against surrogacy, likening it to modern slavery. This anti-surrogacy law has increased challenges for rainbow families and hindered same-sex couples in their pursuit of legal parenthood.

Discover more insights about this issue by reading the full article.

https://www.aajenglish.tv/news/30317258/italys-crackdown-on-same-sex-parenting-leaves-children-bemused

Vocabulary Discussions

Explain the meaning of the highlighted words below and make some sentences.

1. Ginevra was indignant when, two weeks ago, an interviewer on a TV show asked her parents whether the twins missed having a mum.

2. Critics warn of the potential poverty bias against women who become surrogate mothers due to financial need.

3. Going abroad to have a baby is an emotional rollercoaster, and you might face hostility when you return to your home country.

Discussion Questions

1. What is the primary issue highlighted in the article regarding same-sex parenting in Italy? Compare it to the situation in your country.

2. Would you characterize Italy as a conservative society? Explain.

3. What are your personal views on surrogacy? Do you believe it should be accessible to same-sex couples?

4. How can Italian Government handle the situation better?

5. Are there rainbow families in Spain? If so, what are your thoughts and observations about these families?

Hobbies to Help You Relax and Have Fun

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Outside of a work performance realm, having a quality leisure time has shown to help people gain physical health and cognitive well-being.

Read the article to be inspired to take up a new activity that could help you relax and have fun at the same time, for example, baking or making jewellery.

https://brainmd.com/blog/main-types-of-hobbies/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of “virtuous cycle“? “Looking at hobbies through the prism of brain health, reveals a virtuous cycle.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “to look at something through a prism” mean? “Looking at hobbies through the [sic] prism of brain health, reveals a virtuous cycle.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “engrossed” mean? “If you’re engrossed in a creative hobby, the flow state can deliver feel-good benefits.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Are you into any interesting or unusual hobbies? Talk about them.
  2. Talk about a hobby that boosts your performance when you are trying to refocus on your job.
  3. Do you think this is true, “When you start a new hobby, you may not feel motivated to spend time on it. It might be difficult.“? Talk about a time when you were demotivated when you were starting with a new hobby and how it went eventually.
  4. What might be the benefits and drawbacks that can come from engaging in a hobby?
  5. What are your thoughts on this, “More than 100 years ago, having leisure time to pursue hobbies was a symbol of status. Perhaps it’s time to bring back a little of that mentality.“?

Summer Anxiety

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Relaxation, vacation, carefree days—these come to mind when we hear the word “summer”. As much as many people anticipate the summer season, some also dread it. The rise in temperatures and changes in routines may cause a phenomenon known as summer anxiety.

Read the article to learn about the causes of summer anxiety.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/more-summer-anxiety-stress_l_62f13f61e4b0ecfe3f72c18a

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to feed into something” mean? “For people with social anxiety, more social obligations may feed into anxiety, too.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does “false alarm” mean? “Anxiety can be triggered through thoughts, environment, or, in the case of summer heat, through a physiological false alarm.”. Make a sentence with this phrase.
  3. Define the word “throw off” mean here, ““What happens is it throws off our circadian rhythm,” which are 24-hour cycles that help control when we fall asleep and when we wake up.” Use this phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you personally experienced summer anxiety? If so, could you describe what it feels like for you?
  2. How does the change in routines and schedules during the summer months affect individuals experiencing anxiety?
  3. How does the pressure to have a “perfect” summer or meet certain social expectations contribute to summer anxiety?
  4. What do you think is the best way to handle summer anxiety?

Upcycle Leftover Food

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Food waste is an all too common problem in households and among food establishments. Leftover food at home are more often thrown away after some time. Fortunately, more and more people and businesses are using leftover food in another dish in the name of environmental sustainability and additional profits.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about the ways some US companies are upcycling their leftover food.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/us-restaurants-companies-upcycle-leftover-food-/7150515.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the word “upcycling“. “Malek’s ice cream company is among those at the start of a movement called upcycling.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does the word “seal” mean in this sentence, “The Upcycled Food Association gives out an official “Upcycling Certified” seal to qualifying products.”? Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
  3. Define the idiom “to gain ground“. “The movement is gaining ground as buyers want to know what is in their food, where their food comes from, and how it affects the environment.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is upcycling?
  2. What leftover food can be upcycled?
  3. How do you feel about restaurants upcycling their food? Would you buy them?
  4. Do you think upcycled food should cost less? Why or why not?
  5. What are other ways to fight food wastage?

Overcoming Vacation Guilt

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Holidays are intended to be moments of leisure, relaxation, and fun. However, loads of individuals experience feelings of guilt when they take time off from work or other obligations. Vacation guilt is an unfortunate trend that can reduce the perks of a well-deserved break.
Hence, various strategies aimed at helping those struggling with beating this guilt and fully acknowledging the advantageous features of taking holidays have been put together by therapists.

Click on the link to learn about therapist-approved recommendations for dealing with vacation guilt, as well as the significance of self-care.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/vacation-guilt-tips_l_64948bb3e4b095a2925c0334

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “second thoughts” mean in the sentence, “Even though you’ve booked that much-needed vacation, you may have second thoughts about actually taking the time off.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What does “weigh someone down” mean in the sentence, “So, how do you tackle the guilt that may be weighing you down and finally enjoy your vacation?”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  3. What does “draw the fine line between” mean in the sentence, “Setting clear boundaries will help you draw the fine line between taking time off on vacation and other responsibilities.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some common reasons why people experience guilt when taking a vacation?
  2. How do you overcome feelings of guilt when taking a vacation?
  3. What are some therapist-approved strategies for dealing with vacation guilt?
  4. How essential is the idea of going on a holiday in terms of your work-life balance?
  5. How frequently do you prioritize taking breaks and going on trips? Please share.

Skin Gets Crepey as You Get Older

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Our physical features undergo transformations as we get older and one obvious shift is the gradual occurrence of crepey skin. The concept refers to skin thinning and wrinkling that has the look and feel of crepe paper. Although crepey skin is an inevitable consequence of the aging process, appreciating its deeper causes will allow us to gratefully acknowledge the nature of our bodies complexities and potentially take proactive steps to prevent it.

Click on the link to uncover more about the underlying causes of crepey skin and the best ways to care for our skin as we get older.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/crepey-skin_l_648227d3e4b025003edc406e

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “snaps right back” mean in the sentence, “The elastic fibers, they start off very strong. Twenty-something-, 30-something-year-olds, their skin snaps right back.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What does “ward off” mean in the sentence, “Wearing sunscreen may seem like the obvious way to ward off crepey skin, but Francis said another method may be more effective.”? Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  3. What does “last line of defense” mean in the sentence, “I always tell people, think of sunscreen as your last line of defense.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is crepey skin and how does it differ from other signs of aging?
  2. Can genetics influence the likelihood of developing crepey skin? If so, how?
  3. What are some preventive measures individuals can take to minimize the appearance of crepey skin?
  4. How significant is maintaining healthy skin to you?
  5. What is your personal skincare routine like? Please share.

Commuting Is Bad for Your Health

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The perils of commuting have long been underestimated, often viewed as an inevitable part of modern life. Whether it involves traveling by car, bus, train, or any other means of transportation, the daily commute has far-reaching effects on our physical and mental well-being. Despite being a routine aspect of many people’s lives, commuting, especially in crowded urban areas, takes a toll on our health that cannot be overlooked.

Watch the video and explore the various reasons why commuting is detrimental to our overall well-being.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the expression “be killing someone” means? “The constant traffic during rush hour is killing me; it adds significant stress to my daily commute.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of “grueling“? “Enduring the grueling journey on overcrowded trains leaves commuters physically and mentally drained.” Use the word in a sentence.
  3. What does the idiom “take its toll on” mean? “The long hours spent commuting every day can take a toll on one’s health, resulting in increased stress levels and reduced overall well-being.” Make a sentence using this idiom.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some of the negative effects of commuting on our physical and mental health?
  2. From your perspective, what measures could be taken to create healthier commuting environments and alleviate the negative impact on our health?
  3. Do you think employers should offer flexible work arrangements to minimize the health risks associated with commuting? Why or why not?
  4. Overall, why is it important to recognize the detrimental effects of commuting on our health and take steps to address them?
  5. Talk about some of your daily commute stories.

Is It Worth Having Kids

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Children are usually perceived to be the ray of sunlight to many families, but is it always the case? Taking into account the various aspects of parenting them, that ultimately result in the significant occurrence of the opposite consequence such as opting not to have them at all.

Take a look at the video below to learn more about the value of having of kids.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “financial implications” mean”? The financial implications are big.” Use it in your own sentence.
  2. Do you know what “to miss out on something” mean? “…so I almost felt like I’m missing out something on something...” Use it in your own sentence.
  3. What does ” motherhood penalty” mean? “...but for women, the dip is much bigger and their earnings rarely recover…this is known as the motherhood penalty.“ Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s your stance on having kids?
  2. Would it make families happier? Explain.
  3. How does the cost of raising kids affect your plans to have them now, later, or not at all?
  4. What is it like to be a parent? Kindly share the process and experience of this very challenging journey.
  5. How does parenting shape the society we are currently living in?

Schools of Philosophy

B2 – Upper Intermediate

According to Aztec Philosophy, the meaning of life was to live in balance with nature and make sure that the energy keeps flowing.  But the meaning of life is different for everybody.

Read the article to know more about the 10 schools of Philosophy that may help us find the light and the meaning of life. 

https://bigthink.com/thinking/10-schools-of-philosophy-and-why-you-should-know-them/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the word “slur“? “The word “hedonistic”, when used as a slur, relates to this school only in that many hedonistic thinkers also saw pleasure as the key to a good life.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of the word “construe”? “While happiness is often construed as pleasure and the green light is often given to depravity by this school, Greek thinker Epicurus was also a hedonist and tied it to a virtue ethics system based around moderation.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of the word” snockered”? “Most hedonistic philosophers would say you should read a book rather than get drunk, as reading is a higher kind of happiness than getting snockered.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. In your opinion, how can philosophy help us understand the meaning of life?
  2.  Are there similarities in any of these viewpoints? What are they?
  3. What is your philosophy in life and why?

Your Family Tree Explained

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Let us explore the significance of terms like “great” and “grand” in describing your ancestors and their connections. Explore this fascinating topic and gain a deeper understanding of your familial bonds.

Here’s a video that unravels the mysteries of family tree relationships.

Vocabulary Questions:

Explain the meaning of the highlighted words below and make some sentences.

1. Your siblings’ children are your nieces and nephews, collectively – niblings, and you are their aunt or uncle.

2. When you get married, you get everyone’s favorite in-laws.

3. The cousin number is the same as the “G” rule: it tells you how many in-betweeners until the connection on the family tree.

Discussion Questions:

1. Is it important for you to learn about your family tree and ancestors? Why or why not? 

2. How far back can you trace your family tree? Do you know any ancestors beyond your grandparents?

3. How can understanding one’s family tree help in developing a sense of identity and belonging? 

4. What are some common methods for researching and documenting a family tree?

5. Do you enjoy connecting with relatives or distant cousins? If yes, how do you go about it?