Tag: Business

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?

Industrial Zones in Egypt

B1 – Intermediate

The Suez Canal in Egypt is an important way that connects Asia and Europe. Egypt is developing four new industrial zones along the canal and in one of them, a new city where workers can live and so they don’t have to travel far to get to work.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the new industrial zones in Egypt. Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/new-industrial-zones-in-egypt-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of all the developments they are planning for the canal?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a new city near the industrial zones?
  3. Talk about the most important industrial area/s in your city/country. 
  4. How do these areas help your country’s economy?
  5. What are other things you know about the Suez Canal and Egypt?

Investments

B1 – Intermediate

Everyone of us wants to live a comfortable life and be financially stable. Having a stable income gives you peace of mind, but some people also choose to take the risk and invest their money.

Nowadays, people have become more curious about investments. Many are looking for ways to grow their money and achieve their financial goals. Are you one of those people?

Listen to the thoughts of one person about investments on this link.

https://listenaminute.com/i/investments.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is an effective way to handle one’s money?
  2. Have you ever thought of investing your money? Please elaborate.
  3. Where is it best to invest? Where is it risky?
  4. What are some common forms of investment in your country?
  5. Do you know someone who invested their money? How was their experience?
  6. Do banks offer a good opportunity for money to grow? Why or why not?
  7. Should courses on investments be more available? Please explain.
  8. What are some other forms of investment not related to money?

Dollar Stores Are Full of Toxic Products

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As many people struggle to make ends meet, they try to find solutions to the rising household costs. Consequently, dollar stores have become popular nowadays. However, evidence shows that the chemicals present in products that can be found in such shops are harmful to the environment and endangering human health.

Read the article to learn more about how dollar stores are full of toxic products and be able to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.treehugger.com/dollar-stores-toxic-products-5235538

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you have dollar stores in your country? What do you think about these stores?
  2. Why do you think they are as popular as they are in your country?
  3. Have you ever bought anything from a dollar store before? Why or why not?
  4. Would you change your mind about or habit going to dollar stores after reading this article? Why or why not?
  5. What are your priorities and standards as a shopper? Explain why each factor matters to you.

Problems in the Sugar Industry

B1 – Intermediate

Another industry is now feeling the effects of the conflicts in Ukraine. As Ukraine is one of the main producers of sugar beet which is a plant used to make sugar, there could be a shortage in the supply and increase in prices of sugar soon.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the problems in the sugar industry.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/problems-in-the-sugar-industry-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about this news?
  2. How is the stop of sugar harvest in Ukraine affecting the sugar industry?
  3. What will happen if this problem persists?
  4. What products are running out of stock and/or increasing prices in your country as a consequence of the war in Ukraine?
  5. How important is sugar in our day-to-day lives and in industries?

Expensive Chicken

B1 – Intermediate

Chicken is an inexpensive type of meat. It is probably one reason it is a staple food in almost all countries. But between the crisis in Ukraine and bird flu, chickens’ prices might increase a lot.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the rising prices of chicken.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/expensive-chicken-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why is chicken’s price going up?
  2. What might be the consequences of some countries stopping chicken exports?
  3. What is your government doing to ease the food price costs and safeguard the country’s food supply?
  4. What is your favorite meat and why? What would you do if your favorite food suddenly becomes very expensive?
  5. In your country, what other commodities have increased their prices? How are you affected by this?

Plant-Based Milk

B1 – Intermediate

Plant based milk is a lactose free substitute to cow milk. They are low in fat and rich in vitamins and minerals. Common plant milks are almond milk, coconut milk, rice milk, and soy milk.

This type of milk is gaining popularity in the recent years.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about plant-based milk.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2205/220502-plant-based-milk-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of plan-based milk? Elaborate.
  2. Are there any bad things about dairy milk?
  3. How will the war in Ukraine affect food prices?
  4. Why are more people turning to veganism?
  5. What do you think of the rising prices of food?

Indonesia Bans Palm Oil Exports

B1 – Intermediate

Due to global food inflation, Indonesia has decided to take some measures to ensure the availability of food products in their country. One of them is to stop the export of palm oil.

More than half of the palm oil supply in the world comes from Indonesia.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Indonesia’s plans to ban export of palm oil.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/indonesia-bans-palm-oil-exports-level-3/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the reasons Indonesia is banning palm oil export?
  2. What is your opinion about this economic decision?
  3. How is this going to impact other countries?
  4. How has your country been affected by the recent crisis?
  5. What are some economic decisions that your country has made amidst the recent crisis?

What Fans Want These Days

B1 – Intermediate

Fans love and suppor their celebrity idols so much. They would do anything for them, even to buy or pay for things that would remind them of their favorite stars.

Cameo, a US company founded a website where a fan can message a celebrity and get selfies and videos from them directly.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the website Cameo.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/what-fans-want-these-days-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about the website ‘Cameo’? Talk about the good and bad things about it.
  2. How is this website helpful to celebrities and their fans?
  3. Would you like to be a member of this platform? Which celebrity/celebrities would you like to a get a selfie or personalized videos from?
  4. How would you feel about getting a personalized greeting from your idol say, on your birthday or Christmas?
  5. If there is something your idol owns and could give to you, what would would it be and why?
  6. Why do you think fans spend so much time, money, and efforts for their favorite celebrities?

Ten-Minute TikTok Videos

B1 – Intermediate

TikTok is a social media platform where one can create, share, discover new and short videos. This app is used to express ones thoughts and opinions, knowledge and facts, and even get entertained by others singing, dancing, and also lip-syncing.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about it.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2203/220303-10-minute-tiktok-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about this change on TikTok?
  2. Which is better – TikTok or YouTube? Why?
  3. Which are better – movies or social media videos? Why?
  4. What social media platforms do you like and dislike?
  5. What do you use social media for?
  6. Why are longer videos more popular with older people? Explain.