Tag: First Certificate FCE

Historic Landing on the Dark Side of the Moon

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The first country to successfully launch a probe on the dark side of the moon that is never visible from the earth is China. The moon has been one of the subjects of human research and explorations for centuries. How will this great technological feat impact our space explorations in the future?

Read on to find out more about China’s successful moon mission.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1901/190107-dark-side-of-the-moon.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the things that you know about the moon?
  2. How big of an achievement do you think this is?
  3. What are the pros and cons of creating settlements on the moon?
  4. What do you think the future of space exploration will be?
  5. How interesting is the idea of settling in outer space for you?

Solutions to Deforestation

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Deforestation is considered to be one of the contributing factors to global climate change. Ending it is our best chance to conserve wildlife and defend the rights of forest communities. Many believe that to counter deforestation, people simply need to plant more trees. Though a massive replanting effort would help alleviate the problems deforestation causes, it would not entirely solve them. Nowadays, many people are campaigning for a deforestation-free future.

Read some of the solutions to deforestation and be able to answer the discussion questions that follow:

Solutions to Deforestation

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is deforestation and why does it exist?
  2. What are the damaging effects of deforestation?
  3. Are there any benefits? Cite some advantages if there are any.
  4. What do you think about the solutions mentioned in the article?

Americans Struggling to Make Ends Meet

B2 – Upper Intermediate

For millions of people around the world, the United States is known as the land of milk and honey. The “American Dream” is something that many aspire to live. There is however, a side to America that people do not know about.

From fast food workers to shuttle bus drivers, many Americans aren’t able to afford housing or pay the bills on current wages. For many, working three jobs is not enough to make ends meet.

Watch the video to learn more about the struggles of the common American.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is the video all about? What problems average Joes are confronted with these days? How does it compare to the plights of the middles class in your country?

2. What is the difference between the American middle class in the 70’s/80’s and today? Also talk about how it was and is like in your country in this context.

3. Talk about the gap between the rich and poor in your own country. How do you think this gap can be bridged?

New Exercise Trend Helps Environment

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Running is a very popular exercise nowadays. Isn’t it frustrating to see garbage everywhere? A new fitness trend combines the famous workout running and picking up trash on the streets.

“Plogging” is a combination of the Swedish word “plocka” and the word “jogging”. It originated in Sweden.

Find out more about plogging. Listen to the audio and read the transcript.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/new-exercise-trend-also-helps-environment/4691101.html

Discussion Questions:
1. What is your opinion about plogging?
2. Why is it important to take care of our health?
3. What things do you do to stay healthy?
4. Why is it necessary to care for the environment?
5. What things do you do to help save the environment?

Expert Cleaning Tips

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Keeping your room or house clean can be tedious and time-consuming. Unfortunately, household chores are a must and you have to do them if you want to live in a neat and comfortable environment.

In this video, you will learn about seven great tips to make sure that you are cleaning your space the right way.

 

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the 7 tips described in the video?

2. Do you like cleaning? How do you clean your room/house? How often do you do so?

3. Share some of your own house cleaning techniques / maintenance tips.

Christmas Celebrations in Different Countries

B2 – Upper intermediate

Christmas is fast approaching. This occasion is widely celebrated almost in every country around the world. Do you wonder why and what is this season all about? For Christians, it’s about the birth of Jesus Christ the son of God and some say it’s for gift giving. Most of the time, it means Santa Claus is coming to town to deliver presents. A few would say they just go along with the global celebration.

Watch the video below and see how Christmas is celebrated across the globe.

 

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you celebrate Christmas in your country?
  2. How much do you like to celebrate Christmas?
  3. Are there unique Christmas traditions you can share?
  4. What is the meaning of this season to you?
  5. Talk about the best Christmas holiday you’ve ever had.

Tattoo Artist Is the Last of Her Kind

B2 – Upper intermediate

A tattoo is a form of body modification where a pattern or design is made by inserting ink and dyes into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment. Though for many it is a painful process, it remains a very popular one that lots of people get done.

Meet Whang-Od, the last remaining Mambabatok, a tattoo artist who uses a thousand-year old method using traditional hand-tapping motions.

Discussion Questions:

1. Who is Whang-Od? What does she do?

2. What are your thoughts on tattoos?

3. Do you know of any ancient or traditional forms of art from your country?

The Pecking Order

B2 – Upper Intermediate

By definition, hierarchy is a way of organizing people, in which people or groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority. When is hierarchy bad and when is it not?

Let’s listen to know the answer and learn how chickens’ pecking order work as well.

Discussion Questions:
1. What did you learn from the chickens’ pecking order?
2. According to the audio, what is the best hierarchy? (Do you agree?)
3. When is hierarchy bad?
4. Talk about your workplace pecking order.

Throw in the Towel

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When things don’t turn out the way you wanted them to be despite your hard work and determination, quitting is probably something you would consider to do next. For some, quitting is not in their vocabulary. Is it really that bad to just give up? Are some dreams just aren’t worth chasing?

Read this lesson about the expression “throw in the towel”.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak/ep-181119

Discussion Questions:

1. What does “throw in the towel” mean?

2. When is it right to give up? Do you think twice before doing so?

3. What do you do when you feel like giving up?

4. Share your own experience wherein you had to throw in the towel.

How Do Vampire Bats Survive on Blood?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Have you ever wondered how vampire bats live? Scientists have recently discovered how these “flying mice” can survive on a blood-only diet.

Watch the video to find out more about these creatures and also learn some vocabulary associated with their “bloody” lifestyle.

Discussion Questions:

1. According to the video, how do vampire bats live only on blood?

2. What comes to mind when you hear the words “vampire”, “bats” and “blood”?

3. Do you know of any vampire legends/folk stories from your country? Tell us about them.