Tag: First Certificate FCE

Attempt At Faux Chicken Tenders

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Over the years, consumer demand for chicken has skyrocketed. Although this may sound like a good thing for the economy, poultry farmers are facing production and supply issues. On the other hand, another demand has also been growing–the demand for plant-based products.

Beyond Meat is a producer of plant-based meat substitutes and that includes faux chicken tenders. They unveiled their first-ever vegan tenders 10 years ago. Now, they are attempting to release a much better version of the first one.

Click the link and know more about what Beyond Meat is up to.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/chloesorvino/2021/07/08/a-decade-later-beyond-meat-reveals-its-second-attempt-at-faux-chicken-tenders/?sh=7b97cfcd1dc7

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you heard about Beyond Meat or any other brands that sell plant-based meat substitutes?
  2. What is your opinion about plant-based meat substitutes?
  3. What are some benefits/dangers of consuming them instead of real meat?

Can Long-Distance Relationships Work?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We all know that long distance relationships are hard work. However, many couples maintain ties with their romantic partners who do not live in the same geographic area. They may experience strains in their relationships from being far from each but they make ways to keep themselves emotionally connected despite the miles between them.

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

https://www.verywellmind.com/long-distance-relationships-can-they-work-4174038

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of long distance relationships? Have you ever experienced this type of relationship before? Do you see yourself being in this situation?
  2. What are the pros and cons of this kind of relationship?
  3. In your personal opinion, do you think LDR can work?
  4. What are ways to make LDR work?
  5. Aside from distance, what are other common constraints romantic partners often have?

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?