Tag: First Certificate FCE

World Trade Center Subway Station Reopens

B2 – Upper Intermediate

People welcomed the first train rolled into the new WTC Cortlandt station. The train station was buried under the rubble of the Twin Towers on 11th September 2001 and now the new fully accessible station features a mosaic that uses words from the Declaration of Independence.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-45463886

Discussion Questions:

  1. In what ways do you think the re-opening of the subway station will be most beneficial?

2. How would Americans feel about the re-opening of the train station?

3. Do you think re-opening of this train station will bring back bad memories of the 9/11 attack?

 

Marketing a Country

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There are about 200 countries around the world. Each of which strives to get resources, improve trade activities, and garner attention.

Now, the bigger challenge is, how do you rise above everyone and let the world know that your country exists?

Read more about nation branding from the article below.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-45263511

Discussion Questions:

1. In your opinion, what are other ways to boost a country’s profile?
2. What do you think is your country’s image to the world?
3. What part of your country’s brand would you change?
4. Which country or countries do you have very good impression of?

Town Governed Through Twitter

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Social media has undeniably become a vital part of our societies. It is an essential tool for our daily activities such as communicating, socializing, accessing to news and information, and making decisions.

A small town in Spain takes the use of social media to new heights.

Read the article about Jun, a town governed via Twitter.

https://medium.com/@socialmachines/the-incredible-jun-a-town-that-runs-on-social-media-49d3d0d4590

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree or disagree with this idea? Why or why not?
  2. What do you think are the positives and negatives of using Twitter this way?
  3. How else do you think social media can be used in a positive way?

Button Batteries Kill

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Medical cases involving button batteries have been reported since the 1970s. Who would have thought that these tiny things in your remote control or car keys could be so dangerous?

Read the article to find out more.

https://theconversation.com/button-batteries-kill-heres-how-we-can-prevent-needless-child-deaths-from-battery-ingestion-101187

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the article, how do button batteries cause damage?
  2. What can parents do to prevent incidents with batteries from happening? How should parents child-proof their homes?
  3. How prevalent are button battery injuries among kids in your country? Why do you think that is?
  4. What other health-related issues are very common among children in your country these days?
  5. Have you or anyone you know had a medical emergency as a kid or involving a child? Please share.

How to Call in Sick to Work

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Everyone needs a time off from work for being under the weather. We are not machines that do not get run-down, so calling in sick to work is necessary. However, some people skip out work for some reasons, such as having a doctor’s appointment, not feeling like working, needing to relax, and catching up on sleep. Regardless if it is a genuine illness or not, be sure to follow the right steps for taking a sick day.

Read here: https://www.thebalancecareers.com/how-to-call-in-sick-to-work-4172109

Discussion Questions:

1. Talk about the process of filing a leave in your company.

2. Have you faked an illness just to take a day off?

3. What are some common fake reasons for taking a personal day? How can we lessen some of these crooked actions?

4. How can one motivate himself to go to work everyday?

Open-Plan Offices

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In recent years, companies have opted for open-plan offices to encourage employee interaction and collaboration. In a new study, however, having an open floor plan may in fact have the opposite effect and be counterproductive.

Read the article to find out more.

https://theconversation.com/a-new-study-should-be-the-final-nail-for-open-plan-offices-99756

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the article all about? Explain in your own words.
  2. What are the pros and cons of having an open floor plan? What about a closed one?
  3. Talk about the layout or floor plan of your own company/office. How do you think can communication and teamwork be improved in your company?

Four-Day Workweeks

B2 – Upper Intermediate

This headline may seem too good to be true. But a New Zealand company is saying otherwise. In fact, it may be a true solution to productivity problems.

Read the article to find out about this innovative experiment.

https://theconversation.com/working-four-day-weeks-for-five-days-pay-research-shows-it-pays-off-100375

Discussion Questions:

  1. Explain the article in your own words. What is your opinion about this New Zealand company’s bold move?
  2. Talk about your work schedule. Do you think applying this same technique can be beneficial for yourself and for your company? Why or why not?
  3. How can one achieve work-life balance? Provide some of your own personal tips.

Cash for Not Speeding

B2 – Upper Intermediate

From 2018 to 2019, Brabant, the Netherlands will be installing a dynamic speedometer. This would track whether drivers are following the 30 km/hr speed limit.

The project aims to make motorists attentive to their speed and at the same time, earn some cash for the benefit of their community.

Find out more about this new road safety scheme through the article below:

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/may/25/dutch-speed-camera-stop-drivers-limit-helmond

Discussion Questions:
1. What are your thoughts on this news? Do you think positive reinforcement would work in this case?
2. Do you agree that keeping the proper speed when driving reduces the occurence of road accidents?
3. What are other ways to achieve zero or reduced road fatalities?

Flying Car

B2 – Upper Intermediate

For decades, we have faced traffic congestion problems. One bizarre idea to help ease traffic jams on the roads is to invent cars that fly. Flying cars will no longer be just an imagination as flying cars could be on sale next year.

Read the full article and know more details about this invention.

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-44805697

Discussion Questions:

1. Would you like to own a flying car?

2. How would flying cars change our lives?

3. What do you think should be the requirements to be able to fly this kind of car?

 

Things Successful People Do Every Friday Afternoon

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A lot of (working) people would agree that Friday is the best day of a workweek. And why not? It serves as the welcome wagon to the weekend.

We have different habits, plans, and practices on a Friday afternoon. Some are fun and dynamic, while some are easy-breezy and laid-back. But, how do successful people spend theirs? Let’s find out.

http://www.businessinsider.com/what-successful-people-do-friday-afternoon-2016-10

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you usually end your workweek?
  2. What do you normally do on Friday afternoons?
  3. Do you agree that we should adhere to our routines to be more successful?
  4. How do your bosses and colleagues contribute to you having a perfect end-of-shift Friday?