Tag: First Certificate FCE

How IKEA Gets You to Impulsively Buy More?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

According to researchers, approximately 50 percent of purchases is unplanned. These purchases, especially from impulse buying, gives an opportunity for retailers to entice consumers to deviate from their shopping lists. One of the most effective ways to influence this is through a store’s architecture.

Architect Victor Gruen pioneered the first American shopping malls. He used light and space to dramatically stage goods in storefront windows. His designs were meant to capture the attention of passersby and convert them into customers. This conversion became known as the “Gruen effect.”

Watch the video below to learn how IKEA has mastered the “Gruen effect” and be able to answer the discussion questions:

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever been to IKEA? How often do you go there?
  2. What are some products or items have you bought from IKEA?
  3. What do you think of IKEA? How do you feel when you are in their store?
  4. What impulse buys did you regret?
  5. What are ways to prevent impulse buys?

Can You Really Trust Online Reviews?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Nowadays, everyone plasters their opinions over the internet. No longer do we have to wait for experts to give their stamp of approval on hotels, online stores (Amazon), |Trip Advisor and so many others as it had literally millions of reviews of anything we could think of because anybody could write what they think online. The big question is, how reliable could these reviews be in influencing our decision-making process in purchasing products online.

Watch the video and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

 

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your opinion on online reviews?
2. Do you read reviews online to help you make decisions?
3. Have you ever made a fantastic discovery out of a review online?
4. What kind of reviews do you trust and those that make you skeptical?
5. Share your good/bad experience with online reviews.

Why People Fake Serious Illness?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

For some people, being ill means being special. They crave for the attention and care that others willingly provide them. The feeling is so intense that they would like to stay in that condition. However, unfortunately for them, some illnesses just simply go away and ironically therein lies the rub.

Watch the video and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the difference between Munchausen syndrome and Munchausen syndrome by proxy?
  2. Why do people fake serious illness?
  3. Do you feel like you are given special treatment when you are sick? Does it make you linger to it a bit more?

Why are We Attracted to People Who Look Like Us?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We have heard the phrase: “opposites attract” before. Is it always the case though? When choosing our life/romantic partner, do we tend to abide by this idea or do we look for someone who we have more similarities with?

Watch the video and be able to discuss the questions that follow:

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is assortative mating? Do you agree with this study?
  2. What do you look for in a partner?
  3. Explain the experiment conducted discussed in the video. Were you surprised with the result of the said experiment?

Gaslighting

B2 – Upper Intermediate

If truth is universal, then why is it that there are many interpretations about the truth? Have you ever doubted your seemingly real perception of truth because someone manipulated you to think so? Some cult leaders and dictators tend to use this method called gaslighting.

Watch the video and find out more about gaslighting.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How is gaslighting defined?
  2. Who are at risk of becoming a victim of gaslighting?
  3. What are the signs one is being gaslighted?
  4. Is gaslighting considered a form of abuse? Share your thoughts.
  5. Is it possible for someone to be engaging in gaslighting behaviors and not know it or is it always done with intent? Elaborate on your ideas.

Why Cities are Full of Uncomfortable Benches

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In cities, architects purposely design uncomfortable benches. Defensive architecture is an urban design trend in which public spaces are constructed or altered to prevent people from using them in undesirable ways. It can come in the form of spiked or sloped benches to block homeless people from using them as a place to sleep. Critics argue that such measures reinforce social divisions and create problems for all members of the public, especially seniors, children, and people with disabilities.

Is it driving people and nature out of the cities?

Watch the video and be able to discuss the questions that follow:

 

Discussion Questions:

1. Is defensive architecture visible where you live?

2. Do you think it’s hostile? What do you think about it?

3. Cite some advantages and disadvantages of defensive architecture.

4. How are homeless people treated in your country?

5.  What does your government do to help them?

 

Jail Risk for Parents Who Raise Children as Vegans

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Vegans have a plant-based diet avoiding all animal foods such as meat including fish, shellfish, dairy, eggs, honey and they also avoid animal-derived materials, products tested on animals and places that use animals for entertainment.

It’s the individual’s choice to go vegan but is it unethical to force this on children?

Please read the article and answer the questions that follow.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/05/16/parents-raise-children-vegans-should-prosecuted-say-belgian/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of being vegan?
  2. What kind of diet do you have?
  3. Please state the pros and cons of being vegan.
  4. Is it unethical to force a vegan diet on children?

Social Media Killed the Retail Store

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Millennials do things differently. The influence in fashion has clearly changed due to social media and influencers around. They are changing the rules of brand marketing, redefining purchase habits, and revolutionizing the shopping experience. They have different priorities in terms of shopping habits, spending more on entertainment and experiences, such as dining and travel, than on products. The influence of minimalism also plays a role in this shift.

Read more about this on this article here:

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/social-media-killed-retail-store-how-millennials-have-changed-our-n1008371

Discussion Questions:

  1. How has social media changed your shopping habits?
  2. What are your priorities when shopping for things?
  3. Are you influenced by social media and famous celebrities/influencers when shopping?
  4. Which do you believe in more now – “dress for success” or “You’re not building wardrobes today. You’re building memories.” Explain your choice.

The Rising Popularity of Comfy Shoes

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Everyone seems to be wearing or owning a pair of comfortable shoes these days. Comfort shoes such as trainers are now on trend as trendsetters are popularizing them. Many believe that comfort is more important than style. But, if you could mix them, it would much better. There is a mass casualization known as streetwear trend happening over the years as what one of a fashion editor has said.

Listen to the podcast and learn more about this topic.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-190425

Discussion Questions:

1. What has caused people to wear comfy shoes recently?
2. Are you wearing or owning a pair of comfy shoes?
3. Do you prefer comfort over style? If so, why?
4. According to the podcast, what is the streetwear trend?

Spain Economy Is Booming

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Spain’s economy is performing strongly, continuing its impressive growth after its gross domestic product expanded by 3.2% in 2024. In 2025, the country has maintained a faster growth rate than the rest of the eurozone.

This economic success has been fueled by a combination of factors, including a thriving tourism sector, funding from the European Union, immigration, foreign investment, robust consumer spending, and relatively low energy costs.

Despite these positive trends, the benefits have not been shared equally by everyone. Issues such as high youth unemployment, political divisions, and pressure on the housing market raise concerns about whether Spain can sustain its current pace of growth in the long term.

Watch the video about the booming economy of Spain.

 Discussion Questions:

  1. What lessons can other countries learn from Spain’s recent economic performance?
  2. What are some economic challenges in your country? Explain.
  3. If you were a government adviser, what would be your top priority for maintaining economic growth while helping struggling groups?
  4. How can different countries address issues such as unemployment and housing affordability?
  5. Which is more important: strong economic growth or a more equal distribution of wealth?