Tag: B2 – Upper intermediate

Should I Follow my Dreams

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Following our passions can be exciting and fulfilling, while duty may seem like the responsible choice for stability and security. But how do we strike the right balance?

Here’s an article that offers a fresh perspective on this topic and challenges traditional notions of safety.

https://theschooloflife.com/should-I-follow-my-dreams

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the word “high-wire” in the sentence, “Meanwhile, passion is a high-wire act.”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. Explain the meaning of “penury” in the sentence, “We constantly fear penury and humiliation.”. Use it in a sentence.
  3. What is meant by “onerous” here, “A decade of mixed results on a passion project is inherently less onerous than unspectacular returns for a whole career in a hateful field.”? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What aspects of the article caught your attention the most?
  2. How do you reconcile between practicality and passion?
  3. How do you define safety in the context of career choices? Is it solely based on financial stability, or does it involve other factors such as job security, fulfillment, and personal satisfaction?
  4. What are your thoughts on the idea that pursuing what we love, even if it may involve risks and failures, can ultimately lead to mastery and success?
  5. Have you seen someone choose a safe career path but end up feeling unfulfilled? How did that experience shape your perspective on safety when making career choices?

The Rise and Fall of Podcasts

B2 – Upper Intermediate

If you’re curious to learn more about the surging popularity of podcasts, I highly recommend checking out the full article below. The article explains why podcasts have become a popular source of entertainment and information for people worldwide. Dive into the world of podcasts to uncover why they have become a global phenomenon. Happy reading!

https://www.deseret.com/entertainment/2023/2/9/23592684/decline-of-podcasts

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the expression “tables have turned” in the sentence, “Since 2004, this form of entertainment has boomed in popularity, but last year, the tables seemed to have turned.”? Use this idiom in a sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of the phrase “to gain traction” here, “The origin of podcasts is rooted in the late 1900s, but 2004 was the year where podcasts started to gain traction.”? Use it in a sentence.
  3. Explain the meaning of “free-fall” in the sentence, “Coming up on almost two decades after the invention of modern podcasts, it seems that podcasts might be in free-fall.”. Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you listen to podcasts? If so, what types of podcasts do you enjoy and why?
  2. In what situations do you prefer listening to podcasts over watching videos, or vice versa?
  3. What was the last podcast you listened to, and what was it about?
  4. Do you think the popularity of podcasts will continue to grow in comparison to videos? Why or why not?
  5. Do you think the decline in podcast creation is a temporary trend, or do you believe it’s indicative of a larger shift in consumer preferences for audio entertainment? Why?

Building a Personal Brand

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Whether one has got a big online presence or not, that can still be considered as personal brand. How we shape it lies in our own hands. Going through the process of building a personal brand might be intimidating, but it can most definitely be a concrete path to not only professional, but also personal development.

It is important to know how to build a brand that encapsulates what you do, who you want to share your your talents and expertise with, and what kind of impact you wish to create in your industry.

Learn more on how to create a personal brand that you are happy about through this video.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “personal brand”. “In our connected world, every single one of us has a personal brand, whether we like it or not.” Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  2. What does “stumped” mean, “If you’re stumped, think about how you can stand out from the crowd in your industry.“? Give a similar word or phrase and use ‘stumped’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does ”to stand out from the crowd” mean, “If you’re stumped, think about how you can stand out from the crowd in your industry.”? Give a similar word or phrase and use ‘to stand out from the crowd’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How important is personal brand important?
  2. People often think of personal branding as bragging, self-promotion, and all about yourself thing. Do you agree or disagree? Explain.
  3. What specific talents or expertise would you like to acquire and what impact do you think it will have on your career if you had them?
  4. What do you think is the biggest impact you’ve created on others so far in your years of being in your profession?
  5. Try to come up with your own mission statement containing the following: who you are, what you do, who you do it for, and the transformation you can create in people’s lives.
  6. What are your thoughts on this: “70% of hiring professionals have rejected a candidate because of something they found online.”?

Every Job Is An Opportunity

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A job is more than a paycheck. It’s a platform for learning, growth, and advancement. By seeing every job as an opportunity, individuals can unlock their full potential, extract valuable lessons, and make the most out of their career journey.

Discover 5 reasons why every job can be a stepping stone towards career dreams. Despite feeling uninspired sometimes, jobs offer growth opportunities. Don’t miss this eye-opening article by Jakob Sauppe!

https://possibilitychange.com/every-job-is-an-opportunity/

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What is the meaning of the phrase “Achilles’ heel” in a sentence “Every one of us has an Achilles’ heel in our work lives.” Use it in a sentence.

2. In a sentence “If you made a positive, memorable impression, that could be your ticket to moving up.”, explain the meaning of the word “ticket” and use it in a sentence.

3. Explain the idiom “right off the bat” in the sentence “I sincerely doubt many people turn out successful right off the bat.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree that every job is an opportunity? Why or why not?
  2. What other values did you learn from the article?
  3. How can you use your job as an opportunity to improve?
  4. How does the mindset of viewing every job as an opportunity to excel impact your approach to your work and your overall job performance?
  5. Share success stories of individuals who turned challenges into opportunities for career growth.

Stop Consuming, Start Creating

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The article you are about to read will encourage you to break free from the endless cycle of consumption and take intentional steps toward self-expression, innovation, and personal fulfillment.

Explore how the author benefited from adopting a “stop consuming, start creating” mindset and how it led her to a more fulfilling and purpose-driven life.

https://possibilitychange.com/start-creating/

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does the word “ball game” mean in the sentence “Until this artistic awakening, I had taken lessons in piano and dance, but doing my own thing was a completely different ball game.”? Use it in a sentence.

2. What does the term “muse” mean in the sentence “Music was my first muse.”? Use it in a sentence.

3. Explain the meaning of the expression “to show somebody the ropes”, “Ask someone to show you the ropes.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. According to the author, what happens when you shift from a consumer to a creator?

2. Are you a consumer or a creator?

3. What do you think is the role of creativity in problem-solving and innovation?

4. Can creativity be developed and nurtured, or is it something people are born with? Explain.

5. What would you stop consuming, and what would you create instead?

Disney’s Magic Spell Wearing Off

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In a world where cinema sales are falling, pay TV subscribers are cancelling their subscriptions, and online streaming are making film companies lose revenues, Disney bases its hopes on their loyal fans who would watch just anything they produce and release.

Read the article about Disney’s struggles to boost its share price.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-64632514

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does ”give something a leg up” mean, “Jessica Reif Ehrlich, an analyst at Bank of America, says the resonance of Disney’s brands give it a leg up on its competitors, but investors have yet to be convinced.”? Use this idiom in your own sentence.
  2. What does “to bank on” mean, “That’s the kind of commitment that Disney is banking on as it tries to forge a profitable path in a world of falling cinema sales, pay TV cancellations and money-losing online streaming.“? Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  3. What does “playbook” mean, “Will the traditional playbook be enough?”? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your reasons Disney’s magic is wearing off?
  2. Will the traditional business playbook be enough for Disney to stay afloat?
  3. How has your cinema habits changed after the pandemic?
  4. What do you think about film franchises and spin-offs?
  5. Give your opinion on this: “The rise of streaming has fractured audiences, making it difficult to generate the kind of buzz that propels people to pay for entertainment.”

Lucky Rituals Bring Success

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The habits or rituals that lead to rich and famous people to their success are secrets everyone is dying to know, thinking it could hopefully bring them the same fortune.

Read the article about superstitious learning and how the eccentric habits of high-flying individuals bring them success.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220708-superstitious-learning-can-lucky-rituals-bring-success

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “gospel truth” mean, “Some of their behaviours will have been acquired through superstitious learning – and we may then follow their advice as if it were the gospel truth.”? Use it in your own sentence.
  2. What does “rife” mean, “Creative tasks are especially rife with uncertainty – which may explain why thinkers like Gates, Beethoven and Dickens adopted such specific behaviours to get their thoughts flowing.“? Use this word in your own sentence.
  3. What does “spurious” mean, “It is notoriously difficult to get a new paper accepted by a prestigious journal, she says, and researchers will often find spurious reasons for their successes and failures.”? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on superstitious learning?
  2. Give a benefit and a downside of over-imitation.
  3. People sometimes attribute success to something so random rather than their own talent or hard work. Share your thoughts on this.
  4. What are some rituals that you think bring you luck and success? Where did you learn this from? 
  5. Have you ever taken a famous and successful person’s idiosyncratic rites and rituals in the hope that you can somehow achieve the same success? Share about it.
  6. Why do successful people follow eccentric habits?

Entrepreneurs Regret Starting Businesses

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Becoming your own boss might sounds promising. However, this road may not be all that everyone ever dream about because starting your own firm comes with a lot of risks and responsibilities. Some entrepreneurs admit that they would have taken a different route if they could.

Read the article about the regrets some entrepreneurs have with quitting their day jobs to start their own businesses.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20230402-the-entrepreneurs-who-regret-starting-businesses

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does ”to take the plunge” mean, “But if the 54-year-old could go back, he may never have taken the plunge.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What does “to hang one’s own shingle” mean, “Of course, there are plenty of success stories, and many people who hang their own shingles would never look back.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  3. What does “to follow one’s footstep” mean, “Still, Schreim is cautious about encouraging anyone else to follow in his footsteps.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some benefits of starting your own business?
  2. What are some risks of putting up your own firm?
  3. Being an entrepreneur isn’t an easy lifestyle. Share your thoughts on this.
  4. Do you think starting your own business would equal freedom? Why or why not?
  5. What things one should consider and keep in mind when starting their own business?

Don’t Quit Your Job to Start a Business

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There has never been as much information about personal finance as now. You can easily have passive income sources, for example, selling
online or trading currencies.

Read the article on how to start your own business and tap into your hidden talent while having a regular job.

https://www.entrepreneur.com/starting-a-business/why-you-shouldnt-quit-your-job-to-start-a-business/312133

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define the word “sizeable“. “Having the ability do what you love, when you want and on your own terms is certainly attractive, especially when you could potentially build it into a sizeable income.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. Define the word “maverick“. “”Entrepreneurs” are rarely the modern-day maverick who suddenly decide one day to quit their jobs and pursue their dreams.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. Define the word “to get something off the ground“. “By building your business while working full- or part-time, you will have the cash flow in the short term to get your enterprise off the ground.” Give a synonym of “to get something off the ground” and use this expression in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on starting a business while still keeping a day job?
  2. Have you tried following the advice given? How did it go?
  3. What other tips can you add to the post? Do you know someone who has a corporate full-time job while running a business? Describe his/her lifestyle.
  4. Have you ever considered how you might live without a regular job?
  5. What are the pros and cons of being your own boss?

Making Friends After 60 Is Really Hard

B2 – Upper Intermediate

People’s social circles may change as they age, such as the loss of friends due to relocation, illness, or death. As a result, seniors may feel withdrawn and alone. Unfortunately, making friends later in life particularly for those over the age of 60 can be exceedingly difficult but not at all impossible.

Seniors may face issues such as limited social interaction opportunities, access to technology, stigma, and shifts in their social circles. But on the other hand, they can improve their social connections and overall quality of life by being proactive and seeking out new social opportunities.

Relationship building later in life may necessitate greater effort and commitment, but the advantages associated with social connection are well worth it.

To gain additional knowledge, access the link and read the entire article.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/making-new-friends-60s-advice_l_641ca16ae4b0a3902d35c9b7

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “mesh well” mean, “If you can offer that connection and companionship, there is someone out there with those needs whose personality would mesh well with yours, and that person would want you as a friend.” ? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What does “to tap into sth” mean, “To find your people as an older adult, tap into your interests. That might mean signing up for an art class, getting a part-time job, looking for a book club at the local library, trying a new activity like pickleball, or joining a religious, political or volunteer group for a cause that’s close to your heart.” Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  3. What does “going to bag” mean, “ “ Hey, you want to go have lunch?’ — if you’re not feeling quite up to it, you’re probably going to bag,” she said.” ? Use this expression in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What societal factors contribute to the difficulty of making friends in later life?
  2. What is social isolation and how does it affect seniors?
  3. What are some effective strategies for older adults to meet new people and build connection?
  4. How can seniors maintain existing friendships and strengthen social ties?
  5. In what ways can family members and caregivers facilitate social interaction for seniors?
  6. What are the community programs or resources available to help seniors build social connections in your country?