Tag: C1 – Advanced

An Incredible Little Apartment

C1 – Advanced

Christian Schallert’s 258 square foot apartment doesn’t look big enough to be a comfortable home, but he did an awesome job of designing it to make it feel bigger than the actual measurement would suggest.

Read the the article then watch the video to view the whole apartment.

Man Shows Off Incredible Transformation Of 258-Square-Foot Apartment

Discuss:

1. How would you describe your house/flat?
2. What do you think about his apartment’s design concept?
3. Talk about your dream house.

No More Playing Hooky

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C1 – Advanced

Should attendance in class be mandatory, or should students be allowed to play hooky as long as they can keep their grades up?

Technology and financial uncertainty are two factors that have changed the methods of calling the roll in universities and colleges across America, all in the hopes of tuition well spent, student loans paid and higher graduation rates.

Read on, and weigh in with the issue.

Cracking Down on Skipping Class

Discuss:

1. What is meant by “playing hooky”? Have you ever played hooky?
2. Is attendance an accurate predictor of success in university?
3. What are the consequences of skipping classes to students? To parents? To the colleges and universities?
4. Can you suggest other ways of getting students to class on time and driving down absenteeism?

Boosting your Happiness

C1 – Advanced

Every human  in the planet wants to be happy. This is considered the ultimate goal anywhere in the world.  Watch the video and read the article below to know more about the effect of happiness and unhappiness  in life.

7 ways to boost your happiness

Discuss:

1. What is your opinion about the study and advice in achieving happiness?
2. Have you done any of the practical suggestions mentioned in the article? Which ones are you currently practicing?
3. In your opinion, what other activities can help a person’s well-being?

Eating Disorders Affect Men Too

C1 – Advanced

We commonly relate eating disorders to women. However, over the last 15 years, this has changed. The number of men suffering from eating disorders has significantly increased to 27%.

Read the article below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/jan/18/are-more-men-getting-eating-disorders

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your reaction to the rise of men who are being diagnosed with eating disorders. What do you think causes these disorders?
  2. Why do you think eating disorders have long been perceived as an issue affecting women and girls?
  3. What can we do to help people battling these conditions?

What’s your Dawn Wall?

C1 – Advanced

Imagine a 3,000-foot (900-meter) high rock formation. Now picture free climbing, or climbing up this gargantuan natural structure with just your hands and feet. Impossible? Not anymore. The Dawn Wall, an imposing rock structure in Yosemite Park, is possibly the world’s toughest free climb, and in 2015, Kevin Jorgeson and Tommy Caldwell were the first free climbers to make it all the way up.

Sometimes challenges in life feel uncannily similar to a steep climb. Have you scaled your own Dawn Wall lately?

Discuss:

1. What “projects” are you currently taking on? Which one seems like a climb up the Dawn Wall?
2. In the video, Kevin Jorgeson is described as someone following his bliss. What does it mean to “follow one’s bliss”? Are you following your own bliss?
3. What qualities should a person possess to succeed in life?
4. How do you approach life’s difficulties?
5. What recent personal success are you most proud of? How did you celebrate this achievement?

Your Typing Style Can Reveal Your Emotions

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C1 – Advanced

A new computer program can now recognize people’s emotions based on how they type. Read the article below to know more about a concept called “the singularity”.

 

Your Typing Style Can Reveal Your Emotions

 Discuss:

1. Would you want to use this program for yourself? Why or why not?
2. Other than as a teaching tool, how else can this program be useful?
3. In your opinion, can computers completely measure human emotions accurately?
4. Why do you think people would want to create technology that can read human emotions?

 

Korean Air Executive Went Nuts Over Nuts

C1 – Advanced

Heather Cho resigned as an executive of Korean Air after a nut incident. She was said to have gone furious at the head steward for serving her macadamia nuts in a packet instead of a plate.

Read more about this incident and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30461979

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you feel about the said executive’s behavior?
  2. Have you ever heard of similarly over-the-top behavior?
  3. Some say the pilot could have refused the executive to avoid the delay caused by the incident. If you were in the pilot’s position, what would you have done?
  4. If you were in the steward’s shoes, what would you have done?
  5. Talk about a similar incident you’ve witnessed onboard or at the airport.

Behaviors That Could Kill Your Career

C1 – Advanced 

Does your job feel like a dead end? It’s easy to look around and blame company politics. But what if the problem is you?

Let Jack Welch help you evaluate yourself. Read the article on ten pitfalls that could stall your career.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20141110044443-86541065-10-behaviors-that-could-kill-your-career

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you guilty of any of these behaviors?
  2. What is the danger of over-committing?
  3. Do you have colleagues who have a rigid attitude? How do you deal with them?
  4. How can we fix or solve complacency?
  5. What are some methodologies, immediately actionable practices, and respected credentials does your company employ?

Blood Test May Predict Suicide Risk

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C1 – Advanced

A recent study found a simple blood test that can help identify a person’s risk of committing suicide. Read the article below to know more about a specific gene that has helped the study.

 

 

 

Blood Test May Predict Suicide Risk By Studying Levels Of Gene Mutation SKA2

Discuss:

1. Do you think this kind of test can be useful in your country? Why or why not?
2. How else can this test be useful?
3. What psychological disorders do you know of? Please briefly discuss them.
4. Do you think more studies should focus on psychological disorders? Why or why not?

Foodini Food Printer

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Lazy old days won’t be the same once you have a 3D printer that will just give you what you are craving for. ‘Foodini’ is an innovative machine that will print real food without taking your time preparing it. It was introduced by Natural Machines.

https://edition.cnn.com/2014/11/06/tech/innovation/foodini-machine-print-food/index.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Would you like to taste food straight from your printer? Why or why not?
2. Do you think food items processed by ‘Foodini’ are healthy? Explain your thoughts.
3. Will this machine be a helpful one? Is it worth buying, especially when it costs top dollar? Explain.
4. If you could invent something related to food, what would it be?
5. What are some of the food inventions that you truly enjoy and/or would like to try?