Tag: First Certificate FCE

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The progressive income tax is one of those economic terms that gets bandied about, but few actually know what it means or how it works. Taxes are the price we pay for civilized society, the progressivity of taxes largely determines how that price varies among individuals. A progressive tax takes a larger percentage of income from high-income groups than from low-income groups and is based on the concept of ability to pay.

Watch the video about the progressive income tax.

Discussion Questions:

1. What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘tax’?
2. Describe your country’s tax system.
3. What changes would you like to see in your country’s tax system?
4.  How taxes are spent in your country?
5. Should poor people be exempted from paying tax? Explain your stand.

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?