Tag: First Certificate FCE

Banning Smartphones for Children Under 13

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© User: 3dman_eu / pixabay / CC0

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Kids born in the late 1990s and early 2000s are born in the digital age. Some kids as young as 2 years old already knows how to turn on a phone and use some apps. Young children learn how to use devices or gadgets such as mobile phones very easily these days but is it beneficial for them to start using cell phones at a young age?

Let us read the article below first and then answer the questions that follow.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/colorado-moves-to-ban-smartphones-for-children-under-13/3906933.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think about the proposal?
2. Why do you think the proposal only targets phones with internet access?
3. What “mental effects” might constant smartphone use have on children?
4. Would you agree that a child’s smartphone usage is a “family matter?” Why? Why not?
5. Do you agree that children under the age of 6 should only watch an hour of videos a day? Why? Why not?
6. Do you think that the children of today will be completely dependent on digital devices by the time they grow up? Why? Why not?

The Impossible Burger

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A Silicon Valley start-up Impossible Foods make burgers entirely from plants. The burger is made from all natural ingredient and a special ingredient called heme. Heme makes the meat smell, sizzle, bleed, and taste gloriously meaty.

A butcher, a cardiologist, a vegan and a technology reporter put the burger to a test. Let’s find out what they think of it:

 

Discussion Questions:

1. How did the people in the video react?
2. What do you think of the Impossible Burger? What makes it special?
3. How much do you like burgers? Would you try this burger?

 

Pakistani Farmers Get Tips via Text

B2 – Upper Intermediate

One problem farmers face is overwatering. It would help them a lot if they could get an advice regarding the proper amount of irrigation water to prevent them from overwatering their fields.

Farmers are now getting tips via text messages in Pakistan to make sure they get access to information for their irrigation needs in the quickest time possible.

Click on the article for more information on this way of disseminating information to farmers:

https://www.voanews.com/a/pakistan-farmers-get-tips-via-text/3917603.html?src=voa-editor-picks

Discussion Questions:

1. How does this new program help the farmers?

2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the said program?

3. Should farmers rely on this technology?

4. What are other ways to help farmers better?

 

 

 

No Wi-Fi, No Problem

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Have you ever imagined a world without internet? Can you live or work in such an environment? Well, there’s a place in the US where they don’t have any wi-fi or even an internet connection.

Let’s read more about the lifestyle of the people living in this place and start a discussion.

https://www.voanews.com/a/no-wi-fi-no-internet-no-problem/3784710.html

Discussion Questions:

1. How would you feel about living in a town with no internet service? Why?
2. What do you imagine the lifestyle of Green Bank residents is like?
3. Do you think it is difficult for Green Bank residents to stay informed? Why? Why not?
4. How do you think the priorities of people living with and without the internet differ?
5. Are there any populated areas in your country with no internet access?

French “Right to Disconnect” Law

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B2 – Upper Intermediate

Work-life balance is a global issue now since we are constantly asked by our employers to be always online. The pressure and stakes are high. If we don’t follow them, we might not get the promotion we’ve long been aiming for or worst-case scenario, lose our jobs. But is all this worth the stress?

France had declared a new law that allows employees to have the right to disconnect. Some say it is what every country needs but is it really possible (to be TOTALLY disconnected from work)? Let’s read and start a discussion about the topic.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/french-disconnect-law/3661695.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What can cause a lot of stress according to this article?
2. What do you think about this new French law?
3. What are the advantages of this law for the employees? What are the disadvantages of this law for companies?
4. What new laws do you have in your country?

Making Someone Redundant

B2 – Upper Intermediate

If one is ever made to be redundant, their employer must treat them with fairness and act in accordance with their contract and legal redundancy rights. That includes making sure they’re consulted, following the right selection process, and giving them sufficient notice period.

Everyone should know their rights when faced with this situation.

Watch the video and read the transcript about making someone redundant.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/english-at-work/50-language-used-making-someone-redundant

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is work redundancy common in the workplace in your country? Talk about some instances you know of.
  2. What are the rights of an employee who has been terminated due to redundancy?
  3. In your opinion, how long should the notice period be?

Compulsory Voting

 B2 – Upper intermediate

There are currently 32 countries with compulsory voting around the world. They include Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Uruguay, Singapore, Cyprus, Greece, and others. Of these 32 countries, 12 aggressively enforce their mandatory voting laws with penalties of varying kinds, including nominal penalties and small fees of as low as $15 and the deprivation of government services or the freezing of one’s bank account.

Listen to this podcast to know more about exercising our right to vote:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-150813

Discussion Questions:

1. Are you a voter? Why is important to vote? Should it be made compulsory?

2. Does compulsory voting contradict the concept of free will?

3. Do you agree with some people who choose not to vote as a form of political expression?

Why Do We Dream?

B2 – Upper intermediate

Dreaming is a part of our everyday lives and yet we don’t know much about it. While we don’t fully understand its purpose, a couple of theories might shed some light on this matter.

Watch the video below to find out why we dream.

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the video, what are the possible purposes of dreaming?
  2. What do you usually dream about?
  3. What do you think the usual things you dream of mean?
  4. Do you think dreams can be interpreted? Explain.

Why Do We Age?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Aging is a natural process that we are very well aware of. However, the process itself is still poorly understood. How and why exactly do we age?

Watch the video to find out.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the factors that contribute to aging?
2. Like Jeanne Louise Calment, would you like to live for 122 years? Why or why not?
3. How long do you think is the ideal lifespan?
4. Do you think it is possible for people to not age at all?

The Pros and Cons of Pesticides

B2 – Upper Intermediate

For many years, people have relied on using pesticides in order to prevent agricultural catastrophes. However, it is not without consequences. What are the negative effects of using pesticides?

Watch the video below to find out.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using pesticides?
2. After banning DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane), do you think Paul Hermann Müller’s Nobel Prize should have been revoked?
3. Are there strict regulations regarding the use of pesticides in your country?
4. What do you think will happen in the event of an agricultural catastrophe?
5. Can you think of alternatives to chemical pesticides not mentioned in the video?