Tag: B2 – Upper intermediate

What is a Paraben?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When people buy their personal hygiene and cosmetic products, they normally check the label for the ingredients and the expiry date of these products. As consumers, we prefer our products to have longer shelf life to ensure its effectiveness and safety. There are certain substances that ensure the longevity of these products. However, there are risks in exposure to these substances in high doses.

Let’s read the article and know more about some of these substances.

https://theconversation.com/what-is-a-paraben-and-why-are-so-many-products-advertised-as-paraben-free-198994

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “spruik” mean, “A lot of the endocrine disruptor stuff you hear on social media about parabens is usually from someone trying to spruik a “natural” or “clean” alternative, so you might not be seeing the full picture.” Use this word in a sentence.
  2. What does “without a second thought” mean? “Many things we use every day without a second thought – like aspirin, nylon, and silicone cookware – are synthetic.” Use this idiom in a sentence.
  3. What is “shelf life“? “They work by preventing the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi to improve product shelf life and safety.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are parabens? Which products contain them?
  2. Why are parabens used in certain products?
  3. According to the article, why are people hesitant to use products containing parabens?
  4. Do you opt for paraben-free products? Why or why not?
  5. Share your thoughts on the writer’s statement: “I’d take a small amount of a well studied, and well-regulated, chemical in my skincare products over mould any day.“.

Obesity Crisis

B2 – Upper Intermediate

People’s health has declined a lot through the years as a result of many contributing factors. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global obesity epidemic is worsening. Thus, almost one-third of the world’s population is now overweight or obese.

Read the article to learn about the causes of this obesity crisis.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2303/230313-world-obesity.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “sedentary” mean, “These include an increased consumption of highly processed foods, greater levels of sedentary behavior, and a lack of healthcare services to assist in weight management.”? Use this word in your own sentence.
  2. What does “repercussion” mean, “Immediate action must be taken to avoid serious repercussions in the future.”? Use this in your own sentence.
  3. What does “adolescent” mean, “The fastest rising rates are among children and adolescents.”? Give two synonyms of this word and use them in your own sentences.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the current status of the global obesity epidemic according to the World Health Organization?
  2. How has the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the worsening of the obesity problem?
  3. What health risks does obesity potentially pose?
  4. What programs and policies to address obesity has your national government implemented?
  5. What are ways to prevent obesity?

The Willow Project

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The oil drilling in the Arctic has brought so much talk these days, as many disagree because of its potentially catastrophic effect on the environment.

How this initiative will impact the struggling environment in particular is a topic of considerable discussion.

To discover more about the subject, please read the article below.

https://carnegieendowment.org/2023/03/16/willow-project-and-race-to-pump-last-barrel-of-oil-pub-89298

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to give (sth/sb) the green light” mean? “Even as the Bureau of Land Management gave Willow the green light, the Department of the Interior said it would restrict future drilling in other parts of Alaska.” Make your own sentence using this idiom.
  2. Do you know the meaning of “outlier“? “Biden’s failure to restrict the development of domestic fossil fuel resources does not make the United States an outlier.” Please make a sentence using this word.”
  3. How about “to be choked off“? “Some Chinese industrialists want to export electric cars and ensure their country’s supply of foreign oil can’t be choked off, and Texas executives know that they can get rich by building wind turbines.” Kindly make your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about this drilling project in Alaska?
  2. Why do you think there are so many people opposed to this project?
  3. What effects might this project have on the environment?
  4. Do you believe it will irreparably destroy our fragile planet? Share your opinion on this.
  5. Share your thoughts on this: “Willow is only one project. But if you add up all the individual projects, you get the “existential threat” that is our climate crisis.“

Diagnostics Apartheid

B2 – Upper Intermediate

According to a recent report by the People’s Vaccine Alliance, some wealthy countries have been hoarding testing tools for Mpox and COVID-19.

This has lead to “diagnostics apartheid” wherein vaccines have not been readily available to everyone and the lack of testing in developing countries have been more apparent.

Read the article on how rich countries’ hoarding of medical test kits has caused inequality in access to testings in developing countries.

https://www.euronews.com/next/2023/02/02/health-experts-warn-of-a-diagnostics-apartheid-as-rich-countries-hoard-testing-tools

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “burdensome” mean, “… developing countries were left unable to buy supplies because of high prices and in the case of COVID-19 and “burdensome intellectual property rules” on PCR test components.”? Give 2 synonyms of ‘burdensome’. Also try to use this word in your own sentence.
  2. What does “apartheid” mean, “This research clearly lays out the system of diagnostics apartheid that emerged, where people in developing countries could not afford the price of tests…”? Use this word in your own sentence.
  3. What does “glimmer” mean here, “After the collective trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have a glimmer of hope.”? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on wealthy countries hoarding testing tools for Mpox and COVID-19?
  2. What are the consequences of diagnostics apartheid?
  3. Is the expansion of access to diagnostic tools for all diseases a good resolution? Share your opinion.
  4. Share your stand on: “In the next pandemic – and in the remainder of this one – testing needs to be made available as a matter of human rights.”.
  5. Do you think the same inequality will be repeated in the next health crisis? Explain your thoughts.

Telemedicine Booth

B2 – Upper Intermediate

If you find yourself in a situation where it is hard to find or set an appointment with your general practitioner (GP in your area, then “Consult Station” could be a solution.

Inside this hi-tech teleconsultation cabin, patients take their own physical checkup all the while a physician remotely guiding them via a video call. 

Read the article about this futuristic telemedicine booth.

https://www.euronews.com/next/2023/02/04/cant-find-a-doctor-this-hi-tech-telemedicine-booth-offers-hands-on-checkup-medical-desert

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to have two schools” mean, “Asked what doctors made of the technology, she said there were two schools.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What does “enthused” mean, “But others are very enthused at the prospect of saving time.”? Give 2 synonyms of ‘enthused’. Also try to use this word in your own sentence.
  3. What does the expression “to give something a go” mean, “But not everyone in the village is willing to give it a go.”? Give 2 synonyms of ‘to give something a go’. Also try to use this phrase in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on this technology? Do you see it shooting off, especially in your country, in the near future? Why/why not?
  2. “Elderly people were put off by the very idea of not seeing a doctor in person.” What are your thoughts on this?
  3. What are the pros and cons of a telemedicine booth?
  4. France struggles with a shortage of doctors. Does your country suffer from the same problem? Share some things you know about this issue.
  5. What do you think are reasons for shortage of GPs/doctors in some countries?
  6. Share your thoughts on: “Why can everyone work from home, but not doctors?”. 

Doomscrolling

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Although it is no surprise that bad news can cause some mental issues such as distress, anxiety, and depression, they still are what catch people’s attention. Despite their negative effects on our wellbeing, they still get consumed way more than positive or neutral, developmental news.

Generally, people around the globe like doomscrolling. This is when someone uses a lot of their time consuming negative news stories on the internet.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about doomscrolling.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2023/ep-230209

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to feel ick” mean, “We go searching out for bad news, looking for things that will make us feel ick inside.”? Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  2. What does “on tap” mean, “Is it a result of 24/7 doom on tap on our phones?”? Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  3. What does the expression “to make up for something” mean, “The little good news we do hear doesn’t make up for the depressing news.”? Use this phrase in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you tend to doomscroll? Why/why not? What type of news stories are you usually more drawn to? And why?
  2. What might be the reasons people are attracted to bad news?
  3. What are some effects bad news might have on an individual?
  4. How can one protect oneself against bad news?
  5. What is your opinion on this statement: “We’re conditioned to believe that negative experiences shape us more than joyous ones.”?
  6. Share your thoughts on this statement: “The modern world has become one in which the media are ubiquitous, pervasive, and cannot be switched off.”.

Menstrual Leave

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Dysmenorrhea is a medical term used for menstrual cramps. Some women experience excruciating pain during their monthly period. The pain can be so tremendous that they may not be able to perform even mundane tasks. Recently, Spain passed numerous laws including the paid menstrual leave.

Let’s read the article and know more details about this new law in Spain and other countries that are already enforcing it.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/02/17/spain-paid-menstrual-leave-countries/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “contest” mean? “Menstrual leave legislation is contested, even among women.” Use it in your own sentence.
  2. Define the word “proponent“. “It is “becoming more common and contemporary proponents argue they can advance gender equality by normalizing menstruation.” Give two synonyms and one antonym.
  3. What does the word “gauge” mean?”… it is not easy to gauge the impact of these policies as yet.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your stand on Spain’s paid menstrual leave?
  2. Will this level the playing field in terms of gender equality or exacerbate gender discrimination?
  3. What other sexual and reproductive rights laws have been passed in your country recently?
  4. Do you agree that menstrual leave is perceived as a workplace entitlement? Why or why not?
  5. According to the article, what are the reasons other countries put forward in passing their menstrual leave?

Impact of Life Coaches

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Believing in the magic of life coaching is now a new trend in the world of hard-working and successful people. The use of life coaching is quite a contentious issue. Some people can’t live without a mentor, while others think that it’s nonsense and a waste of money.

Please read the article to know the reasons why people find life coaching helpful.

The Powerful Impact of Life Coaches: What You Need to Know
https://leaders.com/articles/personal-growth/life-coach/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “uncharted waters” mean, “Navigating uncharted waters when making a career change”? Use it in your own sentence.
  2. What does the word “adversity” mean, “In her research she found, “Individuals who experienced more positive emotions than others, over time became more resilient to adversity, as indexed by increases in broad-minded coping.”? Use it in your own sentence.
  3. What does the word “instigate” mean, “From experiencing better mental health to becoming more productive, they can instigate transformation in your life.”? Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Would you consider seeking the expertise of an actual life coach? Why/why not?
  2. Have you ever tried independent strategies to achieve your goals? Which ones?
  3. What problems would you like to solve with the help of life coaching?
  4. How important is it for you to work only with certified specialists?
  5. Who do you consider are your life coaches?

Househusbands Embarrass their Wives

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Living without a traditional job is now the new lifestyle. Nowadays, people choose not to make a career and decide to try a different way of living. Moms and dads have also been shifting roles.

Although it isn’t very new, being or having a househusband is still something that not everyone is willing to flaunt this domestic arrangement out in the open.

Please read the article to know more about the househusbands of Wall Street.

When Stay-at-Home Husbands Are Embarrassing to Their Wives

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the idiom “at the top of the heap” mean, “I’ve been covering the elite echelons of big law firms for over 10 years, and I can tell you that many of the women who make it to the top of the heap often have a man at home who’s shepherding the kids around town, planning the meals, and otherwise keeping the hearth fired up.”? Use it in your own sentence.
  2. What does the word “ambivalence” mean, “All of this points to our entrenched ambivalence about changing gender roles. Men in these situations often feel alienated, particularly if they are surrounded by stay-at-home moms.”? Use it in your own sentence.
  3. What does the word “bow out” mean, “Though three couples were happy to speak to me on the record about their arrangement, many more bowed out about going public.“? Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think that being a househusband is an alternative lifestyle to having a regular job? Why?
  2. Why are househusbands less common than housewives?
  3. What are your thoughts on this reversed domestic gender roles?
  4. Share your opinion on this statement: “We simply haven’t evolved to the point where a househusband is considered desirable.“.
  5. How are fathers better at being in-charge of raising the children and taking care of everything domesticity-related?
  6. Do you know any proud stay-at-home dads? What can you say about their lifestyle?

Artificial Intelligence in Classrooms

B2 – Upper Intermediate

China is at the forefront of using artificial intelligence (AI) in classrooms and it has implemented various AI-based technologies to enhance education.

It aims to provide personalized and immersive learning experiences, improve teaching effectiveness, and enhance student engagement and achievement.

However, the use of AI in education also raises concerns about data privacy, bias, and ethical issues. These are some of the challenges that need to be addressed for AI to be used effectively in classrooms.

Watch the video to learn more about how AI tech is being used in the classrooms. Be able to answer the questions that follow.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the expression “a glimpse of something” mean? “Some schools offer glimpses of what the future of high tech education might look like.” Use the idiom in a sentence.
  2. What does the word “consent” mean? “School says it wasn’t hard for them getting parental consent to enroll kids into what is one of the world’s largest experiments in AI education.” Give an example sentence using this word.
  3. What does the expression “doze off” mean? “This fifth grader whom we caught dozing off in class, told us his parents punish him for low attention scores.” Use the phrase in your own sentence and give two synonyms of ‘doze off’.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of using AI in classrooms?
  2. Should AI tech be enforced in classrooms more? Explain your stand.
  3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using AI tech in education?
  4. Would you like your child to be immersed in this kind of education or would you prefer them having the traditional method? Explain your answer.