Tag: First Certificate FCE

Kids Getting Older Younger

B2 – Upper Intermediate

New technology may be exposing children to more data, attempting to make them more cognitively sophisticated. Is it causing them to mature more quickly or more slowly than generations past? To see if they are undoubtedly growing up much quicker is a matter of interpretation. It may also be necessary to refresh what we consider are the accomplishments of transformation and what it tends to mean to leave the nest.

Let us read the full text to find out if children nowadays grow up quite quickly.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220324-kgoy-kids-getting-older-younger

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is unlimited access to news, social media, and other privileges forcing the present generation into emotional maturity before they reach adulthood? Share your two cents on this.
  2. Do you agree or disagree that children now are more savvy than previous generations? Explain your stand.
  3. Do you think we’ve become obsessed with technology? Why or why not?
  4. How does technology affect children’s learning and development?
  5. What are the benefits and drawbacks of technology in education and to the new generation?
  6. Should we blame technology or failed parenting for KGOY?

Baby Girl Born from Frozen Embryo

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A baby girl has been born from a human embryo that was frozen 24 years ago. It is the world’s longest-known frozen embryo that has been used to birth a child. According to doctors, frozen embryos can develop just as effectively as fresh ones.

Read this lesson about an embryo frozen for more than two decades and the birth of a baby girl from it.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/health-medicine/baby-girl-born-from-embryo-frozen-24-years-ago.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about embryo cryopreservation?
  2. Is this technology popular in your country? Why do you think this is the case?
  3. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of embryo freezing?
  4. Is this the future of human reproduction? What are your thoughts on this?
  5. Is this something that young people should consider doing at their prime? Why or why not?

US Life Expectancy Drops Because of Opioid Abuse

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Life expectancy in the United States has fallen for the second year in a row. The surge in opioid-related mortality, particularly among young individuals, is one of the key reasons.

Read the article on how opioid abuse has affected the life expectancy in the US.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/health-medicine/us-life-expectancy-drops-because-of-opioid%20abuse.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. What is the life expectancy in your country?
  3. In your opinion, what are the factors affecting life expectancy?
  4. Do you use a lot of painkillers? What kind?

Netflix Reaches Almost All Countries in the World

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Netflix is one of the most popular streaming services in the whole world today. It was once only accessible in 60 countries. But more recently, it has expanded to over 130 countries worldwide. Millions of additional subscribers are expected to join the company in the near future.

Read the article about Netflix.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/entertainment/netflix-reaches-almost-all-countries-in-world.htm

  1. Do you use Netflix? Why or why not?
  2. What is the most used streaming platform in your country?
  3. How would you compare Netflix to the other platforms that you use?
  4. China is the only major country, where Netflix has not yet made its services available. What is your opinion on this?
  5. How can Netflix maintain its popularity?

Instagram Celebrates 5th Anniversary

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Instagram, the world’s most popular photo-sharing app, is five years old. Instagram’s success can be attributed to a variety of factors. For starters, you can publish photos and videos on other social media platforms. Facebook paid a billion dollars for Instagram in 2012. As a result, the social media behemoth has poured millions of dollars into making Instagram even more appealing to users.

Read the article about Instagram and how it was founded.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/entertainment/instagram-celebrates-5th-anniversary.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you use Instagram? Why or why not?
  2. What do you think of this app?
  3. What changes did you notice after Facebook bought Instagram?
  4. In your opinion, what factors led to the success of Instagram?
  5. Do you think Instagram will eventually lose its importance and appeal to its users? Discuss your opinion.

Death Sentence of a Man with Learning Disabilities

B2 – Upper Intermediate

One of the basic principles of a civilized country is that the punishment should fit the crime. There are different forms of punishment depending on the severity of the crime committed. However, when the offender is not of sound mind or has intellectual disabilities the same punishment may not fit the crime.

Read the article on how Singapore court upholds death sentence of man with learning disabilities.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/29/singapore-appeal-court-upholds-death-sentence-for-nagaenthran-k-dharmalingam

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree with the Singaporean court’s decision on this case? Explain your stand.
  2. What is the punishment for drug traffickers in your country?
  3. How should offenders with disabilities be dealt with in the criminal justice system?
  4. Has there been any controversial legal case in your country that has drawn massive condemnation? Talk about it.

The Benefits of Boredom

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Boredom is often perceived as a negative emotional state. We perceive our environment as tedious and lacking of stimulation. But it can actually be a good thing. It can actually be a catalyst for action.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the benefits of boredom.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2022/ep-220217

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree with the benefits of boredom stated in this material? Why or why not?
  2. Time seems to pass more slowly when you are bored. What activities do you find the most boring?
  3. How does boredom make you feel? What do you do when you are bored?
  4. Do you think that now we have too many entertainment choices? Why or why not?
  5. Is boredom necessary? Explain your answer.

Russian Athletes Face Backlash

B2 – Upper Intermediate

War is never good and it results in unspeakable crimes against humanity. Generally, ordinary people do not support wars. However, there are some who do and this is made even more controversial when these popular personalities such as athletes do it in an international sports event.

Read the article about Russian athletes expressing their support for the invasion of Ukraine.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/mar/23/russian-athletes-face-backlash-after-wearing-z-symbol-at-putin-rally

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of Russian athletes openly supporting the war?

2. What is your opinion on some major sport organizers banning athletes from countries at war?

3. Talk about some sports personalities you know of who have received backlash for publicly supporting controversial actions or ideologies?

4. Is it fair for sponsors to pull out because this? Explain your point.

Plant-Based Diets

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Plant-based diets are getting extremely popular among communities and if you do your research, you’ll find that they are the way of life for many athletes and environmentalists.

Maybe you’re not a person who knows a lot about nutrition, though. This can make it hard for you to understand who or what sources you can trust.

Read the article to know more about veganism.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/plant-based-diet-food-list-meal-plan-benefits-more/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have plant-based diets become more popular in your country recently? Why do you think this is? Share your observations on this trend.
  2. Do you think all vegetarian products are healthy? Explain your point.
  3. Why is a plant-based diet considered to be healthy?
  4. What are considered to be the biggest challenge for a vegan?
  5. What are your thoughts on plant-based diets?

Y2K or the Millenium Bug

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Right before 2000, people were anticipating the start of a new millennium.

However, people started getting worried about that year due to a possible computer bug, that would cause many problems to banks and electricity. This bug was called “Y2K”.

But what exactly is Y2K? To find out more, let’s watch this video.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you remember Y2K? If you do, were you terrified of what was going to happen then?
  2. In your opinion, were people stocking up and taking most items from stores an overreaction?
  3. Did the government not take enough time to properly research about Y2K? What is your stance on that past situation?
  4. How did you think Y2K would have affected the world, if it did happen?
  5. What do you think would happen if a bug such as the Y2K were to emerge at present time?