Tag: First Certificate FCE

Huge Health Benefit of Coffee

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Recent research published in Nature Microbiology reveals that coffee consumption supports the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Analyzing stool samples from nearly 22,867 participants, the study found that coffee drinkers had higher levels of the beneficial bacterium Lachnospiraceae asaccharolyticus. Coffee’s polyphenols, including chlorogenic and quinic acid, may act as prebiotics, encouraging the growth of good bacteria in the gut. A diverse microbiome is crucial for overall health, influencing immune cells, digestion, and potentially impacting conditions like obesity and heart disease.

Read the article to know why moderate coffee consumption, even with added milk or sugar, can promote beneficial gut bacteria.

https://www.foodandwine.com/coffee-gut-health-benefits-11693595

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “eye-opening” mean? “Recent research found a surprising link between coffee and gut health, and the findings are eye-opening.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
  2. Explain “gut health”. “As if coffee drinkers needed another excuse to keep brewing their favorite cup, new research suggests that coffee is beneficial for gut health.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. Explain the word “tout”. “Known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, coffee has long been touted for its many health benefits.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever noticed any changes in your digestion or gut health after drinking coffee regularly? Talk about it.
  2. Knowing that coffee may act as a prebiotic, do you think this will change how much or how often you drink it? Why or why not?
  3. Since coffee can support beneficial gut bacteria, do you think adding probiotics or fiber-rich foods to your diet could enhance the effect? Explain.
  4. Some people experience stomach discomfort from coffee—do you think the benefits outweigh the potential downsides for gut health? Explain.
  5. What are other ways to promote good gut health?

Inmates Learn to Code

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In an effort to break the cycle of incarceration, prisons are introducing coding programs to equip inmates with valuable tech skills. These initiatives aim to provide a second chance by preparing them for in-demand jobs in the tech industry. However, despite gaining technical expertise, many former inmates struggle to secure employment due to the stigma of a criminal record.

Read this article to learn about this coding program in prison.

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/28/business/inmates-coding-jobs/index.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to jump through the hoops” mean? “For Gaetz, and her students, jumping through the hoops is worth it.” Make a sentence with this.
  2. Define “to get hung up on something“. “Then he could hire whomever he wanted based on what they bring to the job today and not get hung up on anyone’s past.” Use this in a sentence.
  3. What is a “stumbling block“? “This lack of connection, activists say, is one of the stumbling blocks to reform.” Make a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your thoughts on this program.
  2. How can coding help former inmates reintegrate into society?
  3. What can be done to reduce the stigma of hiring former inmates?
  4. Should more prisons implement similar coding programs? Why or why not?
  5. What are the biggest barriers that formerly incarcerated coders face when job hunting?

The Five Balls of Life

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Brian Dyson, former Coca-Cola CEO, made some speeches in his lifetime that had left a mark on everyone and several of them have gone viral since.

One of them is the one about what he calls, “The Five Balls of Life”.

Find out what “the five balls of life” is about. 

Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://shinecoachingbarcelona.com/5-balls-of-life-brian-dyson-speech

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “irrevocably” mean? “You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls – family, health, friends and spirit – are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘irrevocably‘ in your own sentence.
  2. What does “pillar” mean here, “Connecting with these pillars of who you are is a great way to grow energy, confidence and clarity.”? Use this word in a sentence in the same context.
  3. What does “to be at a crossroads” mean? “If you find yourself at a similar crossroads in your career and life, take some real time to reflect on yourself.” Use this phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. In your own words, explain the five balls of life. Share your takeaway from this metaphor.
  2. Share your opinion on this, “You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back.”
  3. Is it really possible to juggle the five balls of life? How do you keep all of them in the air?
  4. How would you answer Dyson’s question, “What is education for? Is it for the pursuit of knowledge or for the pursuit of significance?“? Expand.
  5. Do many of us tend to use education for life or just as a living? Share your point of view.
  6. What is your own personal mantra when it comes to balancing work and life?

Why We Need Rites of Passage

B2 – Upper Intermediate

By the time we take our first steps and say our first words, we are leaving a mark of our time in this world. Each culture around the globe has identified certain events or achievements to commemorate life-changing moments, which we refer to as “rites of passage”.

To find out more about the rites of passage we commemorate, please watch the discussion below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Explain “radar of consciousness”. “This is something that often ends up on my radar of consciousness because I have many males in my audience.” Use this term to make your own sentence.
  2. What does “twiddling of thumbs” mean? “It’s not about the twiddling of thumbs. We are passing on to you the obligation of adulthood.” Create a sentence using this idiom.
  3. What is the meaning of “frown upon“? “This has become rather you know frowned upon in our kind of politically correct woke world.” Use this phrasal verb in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How important is it to commemorate the transitions in life? Explain.
  2. What are your thoughts on involving pain as part of the rite of passage?
  3. What are rites of passage do you know and celebrate?
  4. How does your community and family celebrate or honor the important milestones in your life?
  5. What kind of celebration of coming of age would you like to have? Which customs, themes, rituals, or activities would you like to incorporate in your culture? Why these rites?

Skype Shutdown

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Skype is known for revolutionizing internet-based communication. It was founded in 2003 offering free voice calls between PCs and economical rates for calling landlines and mobile phones.

However, this legendary service is scheduled to be retired on May 5, as Microsoft transitions its focus to the more up-to-date Microsoft Teams Free platform.

Let’s read the article and know more about this iconic application shutting down.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/technology/software/skype-is-shutting-down-after-two-decades/ar-AA1zZV5l?ocid=BingNewsSerp

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “free tier” mean? “Skype will “no longer be available” to use starting in May, the company confirmed on X, telling users that their log-in information can be used on Microsoft Teams’ free tier in the “coming days.”” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does the phrase “ill-fated” mean? “Microsoft integrated the service into its other products, such as Office and its ill-fated mobile operating service Windows Phone.” Use it in a sentence and give 2 synonyms.
  3. What does “catch on” mean? “Skype launched in 2003 in Estonia and quickly caught on as a way to make free calls worldwide, a notable perk considering international calling on traditional phones used to be expensive.” Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on Skype shutting down?
  2. Have you had much experience with Skype? What are your thoughts on its strengths and weaknesses?
  3. What video calling apps do you use most often? And why is it your call app of choice?
  4. Can you think of any apps that were once staples in your routine, but have since fallen out of favor? What lead to it becoming less popular than before?
  5. Which of your frequently used apps would you be most upset to lose access to? And why?

The Economic Contribution of Cinema to Tourism

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Movies do more than just entertain—they inspire people to explore new places. Whether it’s a stunning landscape or a charming city street, film locations often spark curiosity and turn into real-life travel destinations. This trend, known as movie tourism or set-jetting, has boosted tourism in unexpected places, bringing both opportunities and challenges. While it helps local economies, it also raises concerns about overcrowding and sustainability.

Read this article to learn how the film industry influences travel.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/economic-contribution-cinema-tourism-bulut-bagci-uddpf

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “backdrop” mean? “For example, movies like “The Lord of the Rings” series sparked a tourism boom in New Zealand, with many fans wanting to experience the landscapes that served as the backdrop for the films. Make a sentence with this word.
  2. Define “intertwine“. “Cinema and tourism are two industries that have long been intertwined, with each influencing the other in various ways.” Use this in a sentence.
  3. What’s the meaning of “multifaceted“? “The relationship between cinema and tourism is a complex and multifaceted one, with each industry influencing and benefiting from the other in various ways.” Make a sentence with this word.

Discussion Questions:

  1. In what ways does the film industry shape people’s travel decisions?
  2. What difficulties do popular filming locations experience as a result of increased tourism?
  3. How can destinations balance the benefits of movie tourism while ensuring sustainable tourism practices?
  4. Do you think movie tourism has more positive or negative effects? Why?
  5. How do movies represent different cultures, and do they inspire you to learn more about other countries?

How Coca-Cola Used You To Win

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Coca-Cola’s “Share a Coke” campaign brilliantly transformed a simple idea—printing popular names on Coke bottles—into a viral marketing phenomenon. By making the experience personal and shareable, Coca-Cola not only boosted sales, but also reconnected with young adults, turning an ordinary product into a social experience.

Watch the video to know more about it and be able to answer the questions below.


Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “fizzle out” mean? “In early 2010, Coca-Cola’s sales were fizzling out particularly in Australia where young adults weren’t drinking Coke.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does the idiom “cherry on top” mean? “Every single word was reviewed and approved by Senior Management and the cherry on top, they had to design a brand new font specifically for this campaign.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “strike gold” mean? “Among young adults, consumption of Coke jumped by 7%. It wasn’t long enough that Coca-Cola realized they had struck gold.” Use it in a sentence.


Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think the success of the “Share a Coke” campaign was primarily due to personalization, or were other factors equally important? Why?
  2. Some critics argue that Coca-Cola’s campaign was clever but didn’t lead to long-term brand loyalty. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
  3. In your opinion, should more brands adopt similar personalized marketing strategies, or does this approach lose its impact when overused?
  4. How did the “Share a Coke” campaign change consumer behavior, and what lessons can other brands learn from it?
  5. What role did social media play in making the campaign go viral, and do you think it would have been as successful without it?





How Banks Magically Create Money

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Everyone was curious about the origins of money and how it flows through our economy. Did you know that a government facility in Washington, DC, converts paper into cash every hour of the day in order to meet demand? But there’s a catch: most of the money exists digitally.

See the video below to learn more about how banks magically create money.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Explain “type into existence“. “Before it ever reached your bank account, it changed hands countless times, passing through people, governments and businesses all after being simply type into existence.”  Create a sentence using this term.
  2. What does “hard to come by” mean? “To make transactions easier, people started to pay using more commonly used items like cattle, grain and salt. Everyone needed these things, but they were hard to come by and that’s what made them valuable.” Use this idiom to make your own sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of “intrinsic value“? “The paper itself has no intrinsic value but it became as good as gold.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘intrinsic value’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does money work and evolve?
  2. When did the entire idea of money started to change?
  3. What’s the bank role in money processing?
  4. What does “new money” mean?
  5. How do banks actually generate revenue?
  6. What are “bonds,” and what role do they play in the banking system?

Walking Backwards Good for Your Health and Brain

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Walking is by far the most accessible and simplest form of exercise. People who don’t like indoor workouts prefer to just take a walk as their form of exercise. But what if you can spice this up by walking backwards? Walking backward, also known as retro walking, is the latest social media workout obsession. There are a lot of claims as to the benefits of this unusual form of workout.

Let’s read the article to find out the benefits of retro-walking.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20231110-why-walking-backwards-can-be-good-for-your-health-and-brain

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “grain of truth” mean? “So it seems there is more than a grain of truth in Harmon’s claim to superior ankle strength, even if it was likely he took a few train journeys along the way.“ Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does the word “cohort” mean? “And in another study led by Dufek, a cohort of five athletes self-reported a reduction in lower back pain after periods of backwards walking.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
  3. What is the meaning of “incongruous“? “It found that participants stepping backwards had the fastest reaction times, perhaps because their brains were already used to performing an incongruous task.”Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on the benefits of retro-walking?
  2. Would you feel comfortable walking backward in public? Why or why not?
  3. Do you like going for walks? Do you prefer walking alone or with others? Speak about this.
  4. Are there any new and unusual forms of exercise you’ve recently tried? Talk about it.
  5. What is most challenging type of workout for you? Why?

Spain Introduces Three-Year Tourist Ban

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Tourism ban is a topic that has gained traction in recent years, particularly due to the rapid changes in environmental conditions, cultural impacts, and the effects of global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. While tourism is essential for many economies around the world, there are strong arguments for placing restrictions or even banning certain forms of tourism to protect local communities and the environment. 

By recognizing the importance of preserving local integrity and ecosystems, societies can work toward creating a more sustainable tourist landscape that benefits everyone involved. The challenge lies in finding the balance between enjoying travel and protecting the places that make it special. 

Watch the video to see how Spain is dealing with tourist overcrowding.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to sit out” mean here, “Don’t think Barcelona is sitting this one out.”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does  “to come with a price” mean? “Well, it turns out that those Instagram photos with endless sunshine and vibrant street scenes come with a price.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the word “grumble ” mean? “Spaniards are starting to grumble about their once Charming neighborhoods being taken over by tourists and who can really blame them.” Use it in a sentence and give 2 synonyms.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does overtourism affect a city/country? Talk about the benefits and drawbacks.
  2. What could be the social and economic consequences of a ban on tourism in popular destinations?
  3. What are your thoughts on “Local only.” areas?
  4. How might a tourism ban affect local culture and heritage in places that heavily depend on tourism?
  5. What alternatives to tourism might local communities explore if tourism were banned or significantly restricted?
  6. Is overtourism really a problem for a city/country? Why or why not?