Tag: FCE

Benefits of Being in an Interracial Marriage

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As globalization impacts our lives, the world and its people are becoming closer than ever; thereby forming interracial relationships. Interracial marriages are getting more and more common and it’s no longer bizarre when we see a mixed race couple in movies, TV, or in reality. Although it still incites a debate, many people view the topic of interracial marriage from a positive viewpoint nowadays.

Read the article and be able to answer the questions that follow.

https://rainbowprintables.com/benefits-interracial-marriage/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of mixed race relationships? Do you see yourself having this kind of relationship?
  2. What are the things do you agree and disagree with the article? Explain your answer.
  3. What do you think are the benefits and challenges of interracial marriages?

Airlines Suffer Pandemic-Driven Losses

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Perhaps one of the most hard-hit industries during the pandemic is the aviation sector. With traveling immediately getting banned in many countries, the world saw airlines struggle to stay afloat amidst pandemic-driven losses.

Read the article about how airlines cut costs to aid in pandemic recovery.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-united-arlns-results-idUSKBN29P2SN

Discussion Questions:

  1. What things has United Airlines done in order to manage through all their losses?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of furloughs?
  3. What are your thoughts on travel bans during the pandemic?
  4. International traveling is arguably one sector hardest hit by the pandemic and the one likely to be the slowest to recover. Do you agree or disagree? Elaborate. 
  5. Did your company have to employ cost-cutting measures during the pandemic? What were they?

Biodegradable Plastic

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Sad to say but humans have been continuously contributing to the environment’s degradation. For one, our excessive use of plastic materials pollute the earth so much. It might be high time to reconsider our actions and pay more attention to this environmental issue and start finding ways to resolve this problem before it’s too late.

Find out more about the new technology that could make plastic material compostable and degradable.

A new technique could make some plastic trash compostable at home

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the new technique that could make biodegradable plastic decompose? What do you think of this new technique?
  2. Why is this breakthrough important? 
  3. What are other ways to resolve our problem with plastic wastes?
  4. Do you practice composting? Why or why not?
  5. How much plastic do you think you consume? How can you reduce your plastic use?

Noise Pollution Bad for the Heart

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Noise pollution happens when there is an excessive amount of unwanted sound. It is something we can’t see, but it is present – from planes taking off and landing, machines, road vehicles, construction noise, etc. It is an invisible danger and has potential health effects.

But how exactly does noise affect our physical health?

Let’s read the article to know more about it.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210315-why-noise-pollution-is-bad-for-your-heart

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of noise pollution and its effects on our heart?
  2. What are some noises that disturb you the most? Why?
  3. How bad is noise pollution in your city?
  4. Would you describe your workplace as noisy? What about your home or neighborhood?
  5. In your opinion, will the level of noise increase in the future? Why or why not?
  6. What can you do personally to reduce your own noise pollution?

Antibiotic Resistance

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Antibiotics are medications that are supposed to fight the bacteria that attack one’s body. When they are not administered properly, organisms that are supposed to be killed by the antibiotic thrive and it makes it difficult or even impossible to treat the infection.

Antibiotic resistance is growing at an alarming rate. It is a global health crisis and experts are saying it could potentially lead to the next pandemic.

Read more about antibiotic resistance.

https://www.inverse.com/mind-body/antibiotic-resistant-bacteria

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you know about antibiotic resistance?
  2. What are your thoughts on what experts say that the next pandemic could stem from antibiotic-resistant bacteria?
  3. Why is it important to grow awareness about this problem as soon as possible?
  4. What information about antibiotics and antibiotic resistance are available to you at the moment?
  5. Would you say that this is a looming problem in your country as well?

Combat Staff Shortages by Relaxing Brexit Immigration Rules

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Some British companies are faced with the problem of shortage in workers. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) is pushing for the government to relax post-Brexit immigration rules if the government wishes to prevent putting the UK’s economic recovery from the pandemic in jeopardy.

Read about how changes in the Brexit immigration rules can help combat staff shortages in the UK.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jun/28/combat-staff-shortages-by-relaxing-brexit-immigration-rules-says-cbi

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on this solution to staff shortages in the UK? 
  2. Has your country struggled with the same problem especially because of the pandemic? What has the government done to address it?
  3. What are other ways to prevent a big problem with occupation shortages?
  4. What roles do you think belong to your country’s shortage occupation list?
  5. Would you consider working abroad after the pandemic? Why or why not?

Four-Day Workweek’s Overwhelming Success

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Throughout the years, governments and employers have been spending loads of effort to improve employees’ work-life balance.

One of the ideas is the four-day workweek that has been around for years even before the pandemic started. It is in which workers work fewer numbers of hours or days while still being paid the same amount. This concept is starting to gain international attention. In fact, some countries have started experimenting with it, one of which is Iceland.

Click the article and read how the four-day workweek experiment turned out in Iceland.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-57724779

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction and thoughts on this news? What does it mean for all workers around the world?
  2. How did the four-day workweek experiment turn out in Iceland?
  3. Do you think a four-day workweek at your office would affect your productivity?
  4. What are some effects of a good work-life balance?
  5. Do you think a four-day workweek will become the norm in the future? Why or why not?

New Blood Test May Be Able to Detect Cancer

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Researchers have announced a major breakthrough for cancer patients that could help detect common and frequent cancer forms including lung, breast, colon, and stomach cancer. The main goal of this new blood test is to help patients detect cancer at an early stage so they can be treated accordingly and immediately.

Getting the right treatment quickly can help patients avoid further complications. Could this promising medical breakthrough really find signs and symptoms of cancer even before they become a problem?

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/health-medicine/new-blood-test-may-be-able-to-detect-cancer.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can CancerSEEK  do? Despite the promising results, what problems do they still need to deal with?
  2. How can CancerSEEK affect the lives of cancer patients?
  3. What can you say about the healthcare facilities and services dedicated to oncology in your city/country? How innovative are the hospitals in your country when it comes to cancer treatments?
  4. What other medical breakthroughs in oncology do you know of?

Why You Should Never Visit The Dark Web

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The black market is a platform online, where goods and services are acquired or exchanged illegally. Now, we all wonder how different a black market is from the normal one.

In the black market, goods are most of the time sold, at a lower if not, the lowest price because they won’t remit or declare taxes to the state. Goods that are not legally permitted to be sold in the market are also made available easily in the black market such as illegal substances or smuggled products. There is a big question of whether we should visit the dark web and enter a black market depending on what reasons you have in mind.

Watch the video to learn more about the dark web.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever heard about the dark web? What are your thoughts on or experience with it?
  2. Have you ever tried getting into the dark web?
  3. Is dark web home to many “bad guys”?
  4. How dangerous is it to transact in this market?
  5. Are you willing to take the risk to get into a site on the dark web?
  6. Could we consider people who transact in black market criminals? Why or why not?

Roadside Assistance

B2 – Upper Intermediate

One of any driver’s worst nightmares is to be stuck in middle of nowhere because their car broke down. It’s a good thing there is roadside assistance to help you out in this situation. This service, however, isn’t free. In most cases, this service is covered by your car insurance package. If it isn’t, there are always companies willing to give you a hand for a price.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on roadside assistance.

Roadside Assistance

Discussion Questions:

  1. Who is the man calling and what is the reason for his call?
  2. What information did the operator ask from the caller?
  3. Have you ever needed roadside assistance before? Share your experience
  4. Do you have a specific hotline to call to for road assistance? How soon can they arrive after you called them?
  5. Do you have enough know-hows on basic car repair/troubleshooting? How important do you think it is to know about these things?