Tag: First Certificate FCE

Career Development

B2 — Upper Intermediate 

Career development is the process of improving skills, gaining experience, and setting goals to achieve professional success. It helps individuals grow in their chosen field, adapt to new opportunities, and reach their long-term career objectives. Continuous learning and self-improvement are important parts of career development.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about career development.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/office-english/260511

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of “to sound somebody out”? ”What you want to do is to sound your manager out  and see how they feel about your ideas.” Use the expression in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “insider knowledge” mean? “They can help you prepare. They’ve probably been through the process of being promoted if they’re your manager. So, they might have a bit of ‘insider knowledge‘ on those kinds of things.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “to check in with someone” mean? “You might want to send fairly regular emails such as ‘Just wanted to check in with you. Wonder if you had any opportunities coming up.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does career development mean to you, and why do you think it is important?
  2. What challenges do people commonly face in their career development and how can they possibly overcome them?
  3. Talk about some career goals that you have set for yourself and how have you been able to achieve them over the years?
  4. In your personal experience, how important is networking in one’s career growth? 
  5. How can managers or mentors influence career success?
  6. How can a person know when it is time to change careers?

Prenuptial Agreements

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A prenuptial agreement, also commonly called a “prenup”, is a legal contract signed before marriage that explains how assets and debts will be divided if the couple divorces. It helps protect financial interests, prevent disputes, and promote clear communication between partners. Many people view it as a practical tool for financial planning and security.

To learn more about the topic, watch the video below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to set forth” mean?“It sets forth the rights of each party to the property of the other in the event of divorce or death.”  Use this idiom in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “alimony” mean? “It can also impact support rights and obligations such as alimony upon divorce.” Use this term in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “enforceable” mean? “It is more likely that a court will consider a prenuptial agreement enforceable if each party is represented by counsel.” Use this word in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of prenuptial agreements in the event of a divorce?
  2. Should prenuptial agreements be encouraged for all couples or only for those with significant assets?
  3. Does discussing a prenuptial agreement before marriage imply a lack of commitment to the relationship? Share your thoughts.
  4. “Prenuptial agreements protect individuals and reduce conflict during divorce.” Do you agree or disagree?
  5. How do cultural and societal views influence people’s opinions about prenuptial agreements?

Ferrari Shares Slump After Unveiling First Fully Electric Car

B2 — Upper Intermediate 

Luxury sports car manufacturer Ferrari has launched its first fully electric vehicle, the Luce, priced at $640,000 (£474,320). 

In their efforts to take on Chinese EVs, they have been faced with serious backlash. Luce was highly criticized because some think that it betrays the brand’s legacy.

Consequently, shares of the company declined by over 8% on the Milan market and more than 5% on the New York market.

Read this article about Luce, Ferrari’s first ever electric car.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy22rddy5no

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning if something is “made in-house”? ”The firm said that all of the components are made in-house, so that the car can be repaired by the company well into the future, protecting the Luce’s resale value.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “a masterclass in something” mean? “Responses on social media to the launch ranged from describing it as “straight to the junkyard trash” to an “absolute masterclass in design”.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “to scale back on something” mean? “Supercar rivals like Lamborghini and Porsche have scaled back on their EV plans due to poor demand and intense competition from Chinese brands.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do you think about Ferrari’s electric car Luce? What are its promises and pitfalls?
  2. What is your opinion on Lamborghini and Porsche scaling back on their EV plans due to poor demand and intense competition from Chinese brands.
  3. What are some major obstacles of companies like Ferrari facing in shifting to EVs?
  4. Ferrari’s chief design officer Flavio Manzoni believes that critics are part of the innovation process. What is your insight on this?
  5. Do you think that the concept of an electric Ferrari with a new design is “polarising”? Will people eventually come to appreciate it? Share your views.
  6. What are your insights on this, “Yet Ferrari’s shares have dropped by more than 30% over the past year, mirroring a wider slump across luxury brands as inflation around the world has shaken demand for high-end goods.”?

Vitamin Patch

B2 — Upper Intermediate 

Vitamin patches are wearable supplements that deliver vitamins through the skin. People usually place the patch on their arm, shoulder, or another area of the body for several hours. These vitamin patches are wearable supplements designed to deliver vitamins through the skin in a simple and convenient way.

Barrière is a company seeking to innovate the supplement industry. Its slogan, “Wear your vitamins,” reflects its focus on wearable vitamin patches as an alternative to traditional supplements.

Watch the video about vitamin patches and how Barriere is trying to disrupt the US supplement market.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of “cost prohibitive”? ”We’ve done user trials. There’s one trial available, but it’s been cost prohibitive and it’s unfortunately not required to sell in America.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What is the meaning of “clinical efficacy”? “From what I see, we are choosing convenience over clinical efficacy.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “bioavailability” mean? “The assumption is that because they’re so small, they’re going to penetrate the skin. Therefore, you will have bioavailability of these supplements and herbs.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using vitamin patches?
  2. What are your thoughts on this supplement? Would you try a vitamin patch instead of taking supplements by mouth? Why or why not?
  3. Do you trust new health trends easily, or do you prefer to do more research first? Explain your answer.
  4. The FDA has declared that it plans to end its war on vitamins. What are your thoughts on this?
  5. How important is marketing for health products like vitamin patches?
  6. Could wearable health products become more popular in the future? Why or why not?

Ube: The Purple Food Taking Over Your Feed

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Following the popularity of bright green matcha, a new food trend has become an internet sensation: the vibrant purple ube or purple yam.

Although it has only recently become popular internationally, ube has been popular in its native country, the Philippines, for a long time.

To find out more, watch the video below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to come on the back of something” mean? “I think it is because of its color, coming on the back of big trends with matcha or acai bowls.” Use this idiom in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “commonplace” mean? “So, like you said, it’s been around for thousand of years and it’s super commonplace in Filipino kitchens.”  Use this expression in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “slow burn” mean? “It’s a slow burn trend that really took off at the end of 2025 and into this year.” Use this term in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you heard or seen anything about this purple food known as “ube”? Tell us about your experience.
  2. Why do you think it’s becoming a trend nowadays?
  3. Talk about a local food from your country that gained global recognition.
  4. What other food trends or food items have become popular in your country?
  5. How does increasing demand help the country of origin develop sustainability?
  6. Who benefits from the trend that gained global attention?

Stopping the Latest Ebola Outbreak in DR Congo Is So Difficult

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Ebola is a severe and often deadly viral disease that affects humans and other primates. It is caused by the Ebola virus and spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person or contaminated objects.

The World Health Organization has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo a public health emergency of international concern.

This outbreak is especially difficult because it involves a rare strain of Ebola that currently has no vaccine, and infections have been reported in a conflict-affected region.

Read the article about Ebola and why stopping the latest outbreak in DR Congo is so difficult.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz72p75zg4qo

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “organ failure”. “As the disease progresses, vomiting and diarrhoea develop and it can lead to organ failure.” Use the term in a sentence.
  2. What does “porous” mean here: “A further complication is that the outbreak is taking place in a conflict zone, with a quarter of million people displaced from their homes and people moving across porous borders into neighbouring countries.” Use the word in this context in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “to bolster” mean? “Several African countries are tightening border screenings and bolstering health facilities.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What makes the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo difficult to control?
  2. Why do you think Ebola outbreaks are so dangerous compared to other diseases?
  3. What do you think is the most effective way to stop the spread of Ebola in the long term?
  4. How important is international cooperation in responding to outbreaks like Ebola?
  5. What challenges do healthcare workers face when treating Ebola patients?
  6. How can misinformation or fear impact efforts to stop an Ebola outbreak?
  7. What lessons has the world learned from past Ebola outbreaks?

UN Lowers Forecast for Global Economic Growth 

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A recent global finance story reports that the United Nations has lowered its 2026 global economic growth forecast from 2.7% to 2.5% because of rising oil prices and instability in the Middle East. Economists warn that higher energy costs could increase inflation worldwide and slow down consumer spending and investment.

Read the article to learn why countries that are heavily dependent on imported fuel may be affected the most.

https://apnews.com/article/un-global-economic-forecast-growth-inflation-oil-e79c64aeb599030c308e6c93eaf9b350

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “plunge” mean? “Economic growth in the region is projected to plunge from 3.6% in 2025 to 1.4% in 2026, “driven not only by the energy shock but also by direct infrastructure damage and severe disruptions to oil production, trade and tourism.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “strategic reserve” mean? “In Asia, the U.N. said China’s diversified energy mix, sizable strategic reserves and government actions are providing a buffer, so its economic growth is only expected to slow from 5% in 2025 to 4.6% this year.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “resilient” mean? “In the United States, the economy is expected to remain “comparatively resilient” with 2% growth forecast this year, broadly similar to 2025, it said.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you think rising oil prices affect everyday people around the world?
  2. Why do you think global economic growth is slowing down this year?
  3. In your opinion, which countries are most vulnerable to higher fuel costs? Why?
  4. Have you personally noticed any increase in prices related to fuel or transportation recently?
  5. What do you think governments can do to help people during economic slowdowns and inflation?

Shoulder Season

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Shoulder season is the period between a destination’s peak tourist season and off-peak season. During this time, travel demand is moderate, so hotel prices and airfare are usually lower than during peak season, but higher than during off-peak periods.

Travel rates often differ during peak, off-peak, and shoulder seasons, so successful hotels prepare for these fluctuations and adjust their strategies accordingly. 

Read the article about shoulder season and how hotels can avoid losing business during these periods.

https://www.cvent.com/en/blog/hospitality/what-is-shoulder-season

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Differentiate “peak season”, “off-peak season” and “shoulder season”. “From peak season to off-peak season to shoulder season, successful hotels anticipate the fluctuations that are likely to happen and strategize accordingly.” Use the terms in sentences.
  2. What does “to leave a stone unturned” mean? “Leaving any stone unturned can leave revenue on the table.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “to simmer down” mean? “Restaurants, area attractions, and local tourism booms in the area, and then simmers down.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of traveling during shoulder season?
  2. Talk about a time when you traveled during shoulder season.
  3. Share your insights on this, “Seasonal travel grows in proportion to the general growth of tourism in an area.”
  4. What challenges do hotels face during shoulder season?
  5. Do you think discounts and promotions are effective during shoulder season? Why or why not?
  6. Should hotels lower their prices significantly during shoulder season? Explain your opinion.

Women More Likely to Die in Crashes

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It is commonly stated that men are more likely to die earlier than women. However, there are several scenarios in which the opposite is true. Filmmaker Eve Van Dyke discovered this during a trip in November 2024 that ended in a car crash. She noticed that the women sustained worse injuries than the men involved in the accident. As it turns out, that was not merely a coincidence. In the United States, women are 17% more likely than men to die in car accidents and 73% more likely to suffer serious injuries.

To find out why, watch the video below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “descent into the rabbit hole” mean? “
    If my descent into the rabbit hole taught me anything, it’s going to take a lot more than that to change the course of women’s car safety.”     Use this idiom in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “sheer callous” mean?“Either it’s sheer calluses or indifference or they don’t bother to find out how their cars behave.”  Use this expression in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “to sideline someone/something” mean? “NHTSA has been sidelining female dummies for nearly 50 years.” Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think cars are designed for men rather than women? Share your insight.
  2. What are your thoughts on women experiencing more severe road accident injuries than men? What do you think are the reasons for this?
  3. Do you believe that authorities have neglected women’s safety despite calls for greater consideration of this issue? What is your opinion?
  4. How common is it for women to be involved in vehicular accidents in your country? What factors might contribute to these accidents?
  5. Should authorities implement significant changes to the existing policies to better protect women from deaths or injuries resulting from vehicular accidents? Share your insights.

A Multi-Million Dollar Plot to Change What You Eat

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Having a healthy and balanced diet is an important part of living a robust life. However, the definitions of “good” and “bad” food are constantly changing. This is not only because the technology used to measure the healthiness of food has improved. Different sectors of the food industry continuously seek to promote their own products while criticizing foods that do not align with their interests. And the influence of the food industry does not end with biased research; it extends all the way to the highest levels of government and the law itself.

To find out more, watch the video below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to rag on someone/something” mean? “I hate to rag on avocado, but they have a powerful board, and they fund an incredible amount of research.” Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “blanketed nutrition space” mean? “And big food has blanketed nutrition space with so much money, it’s created a bunch of fun secondary problems.”  Use this expression in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “amuse-bouche” mean? “The industry-funded studies, the conflict of interest that’s all kind of amuse-bouche for where the industry’s real influence lies.” Use this term in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How might corporate interests conflict with public health goals?
  2. Do you think nutrition advice based on research funded by large companies is reliable? Explain your stance.
  3. Are you also confused by the nutrition advice you have heard over time? Give examples of when this has occurred.
  4. How can marketing strategies shape people’s perception of “healthy” and “unhealthy” foods? Do you think “health food” labels are always reliable? Why or why not?
  5. Do you believe food companies are always honest in their health claims? Why or why not?
  6. How can people protect themselves from misleading food marketing?