Tag: First Certificate FCE

Harnessing the Power of AI to Detect and Treat Prostate Cancer

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing cancer care by augmenting diagnostic accuracy, personalized treatment planning, and predictive analytics. Machine learning algorithms trained on vast datasets can analyze medical images, genomic profiles, and patient records to identify subtle patterns indicative of cancer, enabling earlier detection and intervention.

Read the article to know more about how AI-powered decision support systems assist oncologists in devising tailored treatment regimens based on individual patient characteristics and disease dynamics, leading to improved survival rates and quality of life for cancer patients.

https://www.healio.com/news/hematology-oncology/20240208/researchers-aim-to-harness-the-power-of-ai-to-detect-treat-prostate-cancer

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to run in the background” mean? “The lab processed the slides and, as the slides were scanned, the computer algorithm was running in the background, confirming the diagnosis of cancer and quantitating it.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “training wheels” mean here, “This could help a pathologist who doesn’t read many prostate biopsies, or serve as “training wheels” for new pathologists.”? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “stratify” mean? “After digital pathology and AI, the next step is predictive methods to triage and stratify patients” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do researchers plan to use artificial intelligence (AI) in detecting and treating prostate cancer?
  2. What are the potential benefits and downsides of using AI for the detection and treatment of prostate cancer?
  3. How might harnessing the power of AI impact the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer in the future?
  4. Share your opinion on this, “AI is not meant to replace a pathologist because, at the end of the day, a pathologist is responsible for the diagnosis.“

Telehealth Transforming Healthcare Delivery

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Telemedicine has emerged as a transformative force in delivering mental health services, particularly in underserved communities and rural areas. With the proliferation of digital platforms and secure communication technologies, individuals can now access therapy sessions, psychiatric consultations, and support groups from the comfort of their homes.

Read the article to know why this not only reduces barriers to care, such as transportation and stigma, but also enhances the overall accessibility and convenience of mental health services, ultimately improving patient outcomes and well-being.

The Rise of Telehealth: Transforming Healthcare Delivery in 2024

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to pave the way for someone/something” mean? “Technological advancements in telehealth are paving the way for a healthcare delivery model that surpasses barriers and provides personalized care.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of the idiom “to gain traction”? “The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare diagnostics and treatment is gaining traction.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “underserved” mean? “Patients living in underserved areas can now easily connect with specialists without having to travel.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is telemedicine and how is it transforming healthcare delivery?
  2. What might be some benefits and drawbacks of telemedicine?
  3. How does telemedicine make it easier for people to receive healthcare services?
  4. Share your insights about some key trends in telehealth:
    • Remote Monitoring and Wearable Technology
    • Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare diagnostics and treatment
    • Mental health support apps

Hope for Cystic Fibrosis Patients

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Recent clinical trials have shown promising results with gene-editing techniques demonstrating the ability to address the underlying genetic mutations responsible for CF. While further research is needed, these developments signal a potential paradigm shift in the treatment of this debilitating condition, offering the prospect of personalized therapies tailored to individual patients.

Read the article to know more about these breakthroughs in gene therapy and how they brought new hope to individuals living with cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic disorder affecting the lungs and digestive system.

https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230626/New-hope-for-cystic-fibrosis-patients-as-groundbreaking-treatment-enters-clinical-trial.aspx

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Explain what “molecular prosthetic” is. “”With this method, people with CF could directly deliver this molecular prosthetic to their lungs where they need it most, hopefully increasing its efficacy and safety” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “spin-out” mean here, “Pioneered by scientists at Carle Illinois College of Medicine at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the Carver College of Medicine at the University of Iowa in partnership with the spin-out biotechnology company, cystetic Medicines, this promising inhalable molecular prosthetic is intended to improve lung function in people with CF who cannot benefit from current therapies.”? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “at the root” mean? “We’re hopeful that for those who have held their breath for far too long, this could be a first opportunity to regain ion-channel-like function in the airway and thereby address CF at its roots.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is gene therapy, and how does it offer hope for cystic fibrosis patients?
  2. What recent advancements have been made in gene therapy for cystic fibrosis?
  3. How might gene therapy change the way cystic fibrosis is treated in the future?
  4. What could this treatment mean for individuals living with cystic fibrosis and their families?

MIND Diet for Brain Health

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The study highlights the potential benefits of the Mediterranean diet in promoting both longevity and cognitive health.

According to research, they found that individuals adhering closely to the Mediterranean diet experienced lower rates of cognitive decline and a reduced risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Read the article to see the growing body of evidence supporting the role of dietary patterns in maintaining brain health as we age.

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/07/18/health/mind-diet-study-results-wellness/index.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “rub” mean in this context, “But here’s the rub — the brains of the control group who were not eating the MIND diet also improved to a similar degree.”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “a battery of something” mean in this context, “A battery of cognitive testing was done when the study started and repeated at set intervals, while regular blood tests measured biomarkers, such as beta carotene, which indicated how well each person was following the MIND diet.”? Use it in a sentence.
  3. Define “biomarker“. “A battery of cognitive testing was done when the study started and repeated at set intervals, while regular blood tests measured biomarkers, such as beta carotene, which indicated how well each person was following the MIND diet.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What specific findings were highlighted in the recent study regarding the Mediterranean diet’s impact on longevity?
  2. How did researchers measure brain health in participants of the study?
  3. What are some potential benefits of the Mediterranean diet for the brain, according to the study?
  4. What advice might be given to people interested in trying the Mediterranean diet based on these findings?

Tire Companies Love Electric Vehicles (EVs)

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The tire business is characterized by slow change and growth and low margins. Fortunately, electric vehicles (EVs) might be a gamechanger for the tire industry in the future.

Tire companies are looking forward to earning 50% more. They are also expecting more EV users to change their tires 20% more often.

Watch the entire video below about why tire companies love EVs.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define the phrase “regenerative braking”. “EVs, however, deliver about two thirds of their energy to the wheels, more if there are energy recovery technologies like regenerative braking.”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does the term “differentiated product” mean in the sentence “One of the main ways that tire companies compete with each other is by creating a differentiated product.”? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the phrase “compound annual rate” mean? “Analytics form AlixPartners says the total market for EV tires is expected to grow at a 33% compound annual rate through 2031.”? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the video all about?
  2. How do tire manufacturers view tires as commodities in the market?
  3. From a business perspective, should tire companies consider deliberately reducing the lifespan of tires to increase profitability?
  4. How do electric vehicles (EVs) impact the tire industry?
  5. As tire companies benefit from electric vehicles, which other industries do you think might be affected by this trend?

Crackdown on Sick Note Culture

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

In the UK, the number of people filing for disability claims has been continuing to increase in the last decade. 

Prime minister Rishi Sunak hope to put an end to the ‘sick note culture’, which refers to “over-medicalising the everyday challenges and worries of life” and the rise of recipients of sickness and disability benefits.

Read the article and find out Prime minister Rishi Sunak’s crackdown on the “sick note culture” in the UK. Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://theconversation.com/rishi-sunak-wants-to-cut-the-cost-of-sicknote-britain-but-weve-found-a-strong-economic-case-for-benefits-228561

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “sick note culture” mean, “Prime minister Rishi Sunak has announced a crackdown on sickness and disability benefits in order to end a “sick note culture” and “over-medicalising the everyday challenges and worries of life”, in part because he claims that “good work” can actually improve mental and physical health.”? Use this term in your own sentence.
  2. What does “means-tested” mean, “There is a tendency in announcements, too, to conflate means-tested incapacity benefits with non-means-tested disability benefits, such as the personal independence payment.”? Use this term in a sentence.
  3. What does ”cradle-to-grave” mean, ”Just as the social economist Lord Beveridge proposed in his 1942 report, we need cradle-to-grave social security that supports that ambition, rather than forced participation in harmful insecure employment.”? Use this expression in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What factors might have contributed to the rising number of people who claims for sickness and disability benefits? 
  2. Do you think the same thing could be occurring in your own country? Expand.
  3. What are your thoughts on sick note culture?
  4. What is your opinion on the crackdown on it?
  5. What is good system to identify those people who really need the sickness and disability benefits?
  6. Share your thoughts on this, “Prime minister Rishi Sunak wants to focus on “what people can do with the right support in place, rather than what they can’t do.”?
  7. Share your thoughts on this, “Most people who get social security don’t really deserve any help.”.

AI Brain Study Brings Hope to Childhood Trauma Survivors

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Traumatic childhood events can linger in our minds even through adulthood. These traumatic events such as physical and mental abuse, a serious unfortunate accident or a natural disaster may scar children for the rest of their lives. Recently, AI was used to reassess the effects of childhood trauma on the human brain.

Let’s read the article and find out more about this AI brain study.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-essex-68424853

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the idiom “to win/hit the jackpot” mean? “Valerie always wondered why she reacted to situations differently to other people, and said this research was “like winning the jackpot.” Give example sentence using this expression.
  2. What does “to mean something to someone” mean in this context? “Kari, who was sexually abused as a child, said she had “no words to describe what [the research] means to me“.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. Define “brain rewiring“. “It brings hope because the right treatments can help to reverse that brain rewiring.” Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the study, how does childhood trauma change the brain?
  2. What are the long-term effects and physical symptoms associated with childhood trauma?
  3. What coping mechanisms are used to manage the aftermath of childhood trauma?
  4. How does this study help people who are dealing with childhood trauma?

Japanese Cherry Blossoms May Disappear

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In the peaceful scenery of Japan, every year, the blossoming of cherry trees marks the start of spring, enchanting many with their short-lived beauty. Yet, there is a serious danger lurking beneath their fragile petals: the possibility that these famous trees may vanish by the end of the century. With climate change on the rise, causing changes in ecosystems and upsetting delicate harmony, the future of Japanese cherry blossoms, also called “sakura,” is uncertain.

Watch the video to learn more and be able to answer the questions that follow.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the word “boon“, mean? “While it may be a boon for snap-happy tourists, the early spring foreshadows a darker reality.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘boon’ in your own sentence.
  2. What does the word “snap-happy” mean? “While it may be a boon for snap-happy tourists, the early spring foreshadows a darker reality.” Use this word in your own sentence.
  3. What does the word “foreshadow” mean? “While it may be a boon for snap-happy tourists, the early spring foreshadows a darker reality.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘foreshadow’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you feel about the potential disappearance of Japanese cherry blossoms by 2100? What impact do you think it would have on Japanese culture and identity?
  2. What do you believe are the main factors contributing to the decline of Japanese cherry blossoms, and how do you think this issue should be addressed?
  3. In your opinion, what role should governments, communities, and individuals play in preserving iconic natural landmarks like Japanese cherry blossoms?
  4. How might the loss of cherry blossoms impact tourism and the economy in Japan and other regions where they are cherished?

AI Helps Make Wine

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In California and Oregon’s vineyards, AI is leading a quiet revolution in winemaking. It is reshaping the process of growing, harvesting, and transforming grapes into exquisite wines.

AI technologies enable remote monitoring of vineyard conditions and fine-tuning flavor profiles in the cellar. This unlocks new possibilities for winemakers, enhancing quality, consistency, and consumer appeal.

Read this article to learn more about how AI is revolutionizing the traditional practices of viticulture and winemaking.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-68788080

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “boots on the ground” mean in this context? “We’re always boots on the ground. But the data helps us make informed decisions based on science, as opposed to just feelings. Feelings aren’t bad, but we like to use data.” Make a sentence with this expression.
  2. Define “chemical makeup”. “The software does this by analyzing a wine’s chemical makeup, and quickly comparing it to a database of the taste preferences of 248 million US wine drinkers.” Use this in a sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of “anathema”? “For wine traditionalists, the use of AI in winemaking, be it in the vineyard or the winery, is an anathema.” Make a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on the use of AI to make wine?
  2. According to the article, what are the pros and cons of using AI in winery?
  3. How do you think advancements in technology, such as AI, are impacting traditional industries like viticulture and winemaking?
  4. Share your thoughts on this, “Feelings aren’t bad, but we like to use data.”
  5. Do you think AI technology will become increasingly prevalent in the wine industry, or do you believe traditional methods will continue to dominate?

Quiet Quitting the Next Phase of the Great Resignation

B2 – Upper Intermediate

After the big changes in the job market caused by the Great Resignation, there’s a new thing called ‘Quiet Quitting’ that’s changing how people leave their jobs. Instead of making a big fuss, more and more workers are leaving quietly. This shows that people are thinking more about what really matters to them in their careers.

Watch the video and know why people are leaving quietly and what it means for how people think about work nowadays.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “quiet quitting” mean? “Quiet quitting is a trend that has been dominating social media especially TikTok.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “to go above and beyond” mean? “Quiet quitting is referring to a situation where employees are making a choice to not necessarily go above and beyond what they’re being asked to do.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does ” to stay under the radar” mean? “They are not giving their all anymore, they just stay under the radar.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think quiet quitting is a legitimate response to dissatisfaction with work or is it an irresponsible way of handling professional relationships? Why?
  2. In your opinion, what factors contribute to the increasing prevalence of quiet quitting in the context of the Great Resignation?
  3. What are some potential consequences of engaging in quiet quitting for both the individual and the organization they are leaving?
  4. What strategies can organizations employ to prevent or address the phenomenon of quiet quitting among their employees?