Tag: B2 – Upper intermediate

Solar Panel Sales Boom

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As the saying goes, “When one man fails, another man rises in his shadows”. As the whole world falls to its knees due to the sharp increase in energy prices, the solar industry booms.

Read the article about the boost in solar panel sales. Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-62524031

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. What might be the good and bad things about using solar energy?
  3. Do you think solar panels are good investment? Why or why not?
  4. How does the solar energy sector fare in your country and why is this the case?
  5. What are your thoughts on using solar panels to generate energy in homes and buildings more in the foreseeable future?

Chip Shortage

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Technological products run because of computer chips, also known as semiconductors. However, there has been chip shortage nowadays. Because of this, there is a problem with the supply of some popular tech items.

Read the article to find out the reasons for this chip shortage, how tech firms are addressing this crisis, and how it affects us. Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-58230388

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why is there a chip shortage? What is reaction to/thoughts on this?
  2. How are tech firms dealing with this problem?
  3. How does this impact us? How does this affect you?
  4. Some tech firms stockpiled and ordered the chips in advance as the pandemic was beginning in 2020 which lead to the other companies to have problems acquiring the components. Share your opinion on what big tech firms did back there.
  5. How often do you buy new electronic gadgets or appliances?

Curiosity Behind Open Relationships

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Staying faithful to your partner or spouse is probably the oldest trick in the book when it comes to keeping a happy and harmonious relationship.

However, through the years, along with all the progressive changes that we have embraced as a society, perhaps our definition of a romantic relationship has also been evolving.

Open relationships are still not openly acceptable by everyone in the world, but it has been considered less and less obscure over the years. Furthermore, people’s interest in it has been gaining traction.

Read the article about the rising curiosity behind open relationships and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220725-the-rising-curiosity-behind-open-relationships

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on open relationships? What do you think about it becoming more and more mainstream?
  2. What might be reasons why open relationships interest a lot of people these days?
  3. Cite the advantages and disadvantages of being in a monogamous and non-monogamous relationship.
  4. Do you agree or disagree that “Dating-app trends and the pandemic effect help highlight the rise in interest in open relationships”? Explain your point.
  5. What is your reaction to this statement: “attitudes toward consensual non-monogamy are mostly negative overall”?

Moderna Suing Pfizer over Patent Infringement

B2  – Upper Intermediate

When the Covid-19 pandemic broke out in 2020, the pharmaceutical industry was put under a lot of pressure to immediately develop a vaccine that could hopefully stop the spread of this extremely contagious and deadly virus that was claiming millions of lives all over the world at that time. It was absolutely a race against time.

Top pharmaceutical firms have since developed the wonder vaccines that have helped curbed Covid-19 cases and societies transition back to normality. 

Fast forward to today, Moderna is filing a lawsuit against Pfizer for alleged patent disputes on the mRNA technology.

Read the article about Moderna’s lawsuit against Pfizer over patent infringement.

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-62691102

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on this case?
  2. How does your company protect itself from possible intellectual property and patent infringement?
  3. Talk about other patent infringement cases you know of.
  4. What do you know about mRNA and what are your thoughts on it?
  5. Which anti-Covid vax did you get and what side effects did you suffer from?

Social Media Bans Andrew Tate

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Many people are social media-famous. They use them as a venue where they have the liberty to say or do whatever they want.

With so many fans or followers watching their every action and statements, they have the power to influence people’s thoughts on different issues. So it is important that they are careful with the contents they create and publish on their social media channels.

Read the article to know who Andrew Tate is and why he was removed and banned on major social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-62602913

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on this person’s attitude toward women?
  2. “Tate was dangerous because he could change men’s opinions on women.” Do you agree or disagree to this? Why or why not?
  3. His account was removed from major social media platforms Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Do you think it is necessary for these socmed sites to do that? Why or why not?
  4. Tate thinks it is women’s faults if they got sexually attacked. What are your thoughts on his opinion?
  5. How responsible are social media influencers/celebrities for the things they say and do on their social media platforms?

Flexible Working

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Perhaps, there is a debate on how much change the pandemic has brought about in the way we work. Is our newfound work flexibility a boon or a bane for workers and the management?

Listen to this audio and read the transcript to know more about being able to work with so much flexibility.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-210715

Discussion Questions:

  1. Personally, what are your thoughts on flexible working?
  2. What sort of flexibility do you have at work?
  3. Is it possible for the 9-to-5 jobs to become a thing of the past? Why or why not?
  4. What might be the benefits and downsides of flexible work for employers and employees alike?
  5. How has the pandemic changed your way of working or your company’s work policies?

The Currency of Clout

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As the internet becomes more prevalent and its technology more and more developed, clout on the internet is also becoming more important than ever.

But what is clout? Clout is a measurement of how much influence or power someone has.

However due to recent circumstances, clout on the internet has become synonymous to bad people; although, it still has some good uses.

Watch this video as David Castain talks about the currency of clout.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your thoughts on how far some people are willing to go just so they could establish their reputation online?
  2. How can clout on the internet influence different sectors?
  3. Name some instances when your digital footprints can help to your advantage?
  4. Talk about some “clout chasers” you know of?
  5. Also name some “clout makers” and what they have done.
  6. How do you portray yourself on social media and/or LinkedIn?

Drought Hits Europe’s Rivers and Crops

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The scorching heat is an ongoing problem face by all of Europe. This extended drought has caused riverbeds to be exposed which has led to restrictions on water use in a lot of places.

Read the article to know more about the drought that’s been affecting Europe’s rivers and crops.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-62466990

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your reaction to this news.
  2. Talk about the good and bad effects of this drought on different European countries.
  3. Choose a photo from the article, describe it, and talk about how/why it caught your attention.
  4. Describe the drought in your country.
  5. “The boom in Spain’s intensive agriculture has fueled concern about its sustainability, given the pressure on water resources in hotter climatic conditions.” What is your opinion on this?

Israel-Gaza Conflict

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The extent of violence and level of tensions we have seen brought about by the Israel-Gaza conflict is at all-time high. A ceasefire mediated by Egypt has come into force. But until the status quo changes, the threats of future sieges still hold.

Read the article to know more about the root of the issue, the tensions between Israel and Palestinians now, and what the future holds for the two nations.

https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-44124396

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your thoughts on the Israel-Palestine conflict?
  2. The main issues which Israel and the Palestinians cannot agree on have already been identified but so far, the conflict still have not been solved. Share your thoughts on this.
  3. “Any future peace deal will need both sides to agree to resolve complex issues.” What are your thoughts on this?
  4. What do you know about the Gaza Strip?
  5. Any thoughts on America’s involvement in the Middle East peace plan?

Divorce Affects Your Finances

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Divorce is not pleasant. It is, nevertheless, the appropriate decision at times. But regardless of whether it occurs in your lifetime, everyone should be aware of what would happen to a couple’s money in the event of a divorce.

It might be challenging but crucial to have a clear grasp of finances throughout a divorce. You have power over your future when you have control over your finances.

Here are some things to consider if you’re thinking about getting a divorce, are already going through one, or rebuilding your life.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is the divorce rate high where you are from? Why do you think that is?
  2. How do you view divorce?
  3. In your country, how are marital assets divided after a divorce? What about the repayment of loans obtained prior to the divorce?
  4. How does divorce affect a person’s taxes?