Tag: First Certificate FCE

Snow in Bolivia and Peru

B1 – Intermediate

Bolivia and Peru are South American countries and as we all know, the weather in these countries is usually always warm. Hearing that it is snowing in these countries is a bit unusual.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about snowing in warm countries like Bolivia and Peru.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/snow-in-bolivia-and-peru-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this story?
  2. Why do you think it snowed in these countries?
  3. What weather changes have occurred in your country?
  4. Have you ever had any problems during winter or because of too much snow? Talk about it.

Sinkhole in China

B1 – Intermediate

It’s basic knowledge that you have to look in front when driving to prevent accidents. A motorcyclist eyes weren’t on the road and he didn’t notice a big sinkhole and fell into it.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about a sinkhole.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/sinkhole-in-china-level-3/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this story?
  2. Have you ever seen a sinkhole? What was your impression of it?
  3. Why do you think sinkholes appear?
  4. Do you sometimes get distracted when driving? What causes you to lose focus?
  5. What do you do to stay focused while on the road?

Seizures

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The first detailed account of a neurological disorder related to epilepsy was dated back in the Babylonian era. In the olden days, with the absence of scientific authority, there were different beliefs and treatments used to treat this medical condition.

Let’s watch the video and find out more about the history and scientific evolution of seizure treatments.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is Miqtu? What are its symptoms?
  2. What belief did Babylonians have about it and what treatments did they and ancient Greeks recommend?
  3. What causes seizures? Do all seizure treatments/medication available at present effective for all patients experiencing them?
  4. What do modern scientists recommend when you encounter someone experiencing seizures?

Causes of Opioid Addiction

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Imagine a pill that can both induce pleasure and reduce pain. Would you take it only to relieve your pain or would you take it even in the absence of pain?

Let’s watch the video and learn more about the history and the current usage of opioid.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you know about opium?
  2. According to the video, how do opioid drugs affect the human body?
  3. What factors can lead to opioid addiction?
  4. Do you think substance abuse in general is a problem in your country? What measures are being done in your country to fight against addiction?
  5. What is your opinion on pharmaceutical companies producing and benefitting from opioid-like synthetic substances?

Cosmetics Contain Toxic Chemicals

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Many people, especially women, like wearing makeup. It is their way of enhancing their overall appearance and consequently boost their confidence. Cosmetics are one those products that people so commonly consume but we never stop to think whether they are safe or not. 

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about cosmetics containing toxic chemicals.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/half-of-us-cosmetics-contain-toxic-chemicals/5992067.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are PFAs and what are their effects?
  2. Do you think it’s possible for cosmetic companies to go PFA-free eventually? Why or why not?
  3. As a consumer, what is your reaction that cosmetics out there contains toxic chemicals linked with serious health conditions? Do you think you’ve used/consumed products that contain PFAs?
  4. Do you always check food and medicinal products? Do you think they are properly labeled?
  5. What other information do you wish to see on food and drug labels?
  6. Do you think the cosmetic industry has betrayed its consumers? Why or why not?

A Cleanse Won’t Detox Your Body

B2 – Upper Intermediate

“One green juice a day keeps the doctor away.”
It is said that detox diets can eliminate toxins from our body
and can help with weight loss but Dr. Jen Gunter explains these detox products don’t actually remove toxins and worse, could hurt our health even more.

Watch the video on how you can enhance your body’s natural detoxification.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on cleansing and detoxing? Have you ever done them?
  2. How do you take care of your liver?
  3. Why do we have to be careful with supplements?
  4. For you, what is the best self-care?
  5. What are the things you do or treatments you get to take care of your body?

Ethical Problems with Human-Monkey Chimeras

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Netflix’s new sci-fi series entitled “Sweet Tooth” is a story about a world where crossbreeding between humans and animals is possible. In real-life, it is a lot more complicated.

Although the development of the first ever human-monkey embryos proves to be a massive achievement in science, it might be cause for some ethical issues in the long run.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about chimeras and the ethical issues surrounding their development.

https://theconversation.com/first-human-monkey-embryos-created-a-small-step-towards-a-huge-ethical-problem-159355

Discussion Questions:

  1. Does it make sense to make chimeras? Elaborate on your opinion.
  2. Do you think it was a good idea to destroy the produced human-monkey hybrid? Support your stand.
  3. Why is it important to continue researches on chimeras in the future? 
  4. How do you feel about chimeras? 

Wellness Retreat for the Rich at a Swiss Alps Resort

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The pandemic has put most of us in some very challenging circumstances. It hasn’t been at all easy for any of us. 

Wouldn’t it be nice to be spending the government-mandated lockdowns in a luxurious suite that costs $46,000 per night while enjoying panoramic views of the Swiss Alps?

Read the article about Bürgenstock Resort in Switzerland.

https://www.insider.com/swiss-alps-luxury-resort-burgenstock-ambanis-2020-12

Discussion Questions:

  1. How would you feel about staying at The Bürgenstock Resort?
  2. Any thoughts on how the rich lived through the pandemic?
  3. Where and how have you been spending the pandemic? 
  4. How/Where would you have liked to have spent the lockdown?
  5. Have you been to the Alps? Talk about your experience.

Boy Band Diplomacy

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The South Korean boy band BTS has become phenomenal global sensation. There is no doubt, they have taken the world by storm. They have brought their country a lot of honor, putting South Korea on the map.

Read the article on South Korean government delegating public diplomacy roles for the world-famous boy band members.

https://www.insider.com/south-koreas-president-taps-bts-presidential-envoys-for-un-meetings-2021-7

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can you say about SK government’s decision to delegate a boy band as presidential envoys to international meetings?
  2. Should celebrities be given such roles? Why or why not?
  3. The SK government plans to hold various activities with BTS to help promote international cooperation in tackling global issues. What do you think of this idea?
  4. How would you feel if your government decided to do the same? And if they really did, who’d be the best bet for such a role?
  5. How can celebrities help in addressing global problems?
  6. Who are some celebrities in your country that are known to be putting huge efforts in certain causes? How are they contributing to your country?

Tobacco Company CEO on Cigarette Bans

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Isn’t it a bit ironic to hear the chief executive of a tobacco company speaking against the very product that they sell? Philip Morris International CEO Jacek Olczak has said that cigarettes should be banned and that he can see his company ending decades of selling cigarettes.

Read the article about Olczak’s statements on cigarette bans and smoke-free world.

https://www.businessinsider.com/philip-morris-international-ceo-said-cigarettes-should-be-banned-2021-7

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can you say about Olczak’s statements against cigarettes, given that he is the CEO of a tobacco company?
  2. “We can see the world without cigarettes”. Do you think this is possible or not? Why?
  3. Imagine a world where cigarettes were obsolete. What would it be like?
  4. What do you think about Philip Morris International’s plans to buy Vectura Group, a pharmaceutical company that manufactures asthma inhalers?
  5. What are your thoughts on some tobacco companies of trying to position themselves as anti-smoking while still selling tobacco products?