Tag: First Certificate FCE

Being Bilingual Is Good for the Brain

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Being bilingual is like having a mental superpower. It’s not just about being able to order a croissant in French or salsa dance in Spanish; it actually does wonders for your brain. Research suggests that bilingualism can enhance cognitive abilities, improve problem-solving skills, and even delay the onset of certain age-related diseases. So, it’s not just about knowing two languages; it’s about giving your brain a serious workout.

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

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the word “suppress” mean? “Bilingualism has been shown to suppress the decline of cognitive functions as individuals age.” Use the word in a sentence.
  2. What does the phrase “the onset of” mean? “The onset of neurodegenerative diseases may be delayed by the cognitive benefits of being bilingual.” Make one sentence using this idiom.
  3. What does “cognitive reserve” mean? “Developing a strong cognitive reserve through bilingualism can provide a buffer against age-related cognitive decline.” Make one sentence using this phrase.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some massive real-world implications of bilingualism?
  2. What’s your take on the idea that being bilingual can enhance problem-solving skills and cognitive flexibility?
  3. In your opinion, how valuable is the ability to suppress the onset of cognitive decline through bilingualism?
  4. Do you believe that developing a cognitive reserve through being bilingual is a significant advantage in today’s fast-paced and demanding world? Explain your thoughts.

Get Paid to Move to Italy or Spain

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Yearning for a life under the Tuscan sun or along the vibrant coastlines of Spain? Your dreams may be closer to reality than you think. A growing number of picturesque towns in Italy and Spain are extending an extraordinary offer. Yes! They have generous financial incentives for those willing to call these charming locales home. From the enchanting streets of Italy to the lively shores of Spain, these towns are eager to welcome fresh faces, infusing their communities with newfound energy and vitality.

Click on the provided to explore more.

https://www.euronews.com/travel/2023/11/03/want-to-get-paid-to-move-to-spain-or-italy-here-are-the-towns-in-need-of-new-residents

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “dwindling” mean, “Across Europe, towns with dwindling populations have come up with a radical solution for enticing new residents by offering generous cash incentives.”? Give 2 synonyms and use “dwindling” in your own sentence.
  2. What does “get a slice of something” mean, “Get a slice of the quiet life in Rubia, Spain.”? Use this in your own sentence.
  3. What does “go off grid” mean, “Go off grid on a remote island in Ireland”? Use this in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do these towns plan to benefit from attracting individuals through such generous offers?
  2. Can individuals from any nationality or background apply for these incentives, or are there specific eligibility criteria based on citizenship or residency?
  3. What might be specific responsibilities or commitments expected from individuals who accept these incentives to move to these towns?
  4. What kinds of assistance or resources do these communities offer to newcomers in terms of inclusion, language learning, and finding work or housing? Please share.
  5. How have these towns been affected by demographic changes or population decline that has led them to take such measures?
  6. How do these towns plan to sustain and grow their communities in the long term after attracting new residents?

Friday 13th Superstitions on Seat Rows and Ticket Prices

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Several dates in the world of superstitions cause as much anxiety as Friday the 13th. Due to the unusual combination of the day and number, which has long been linked to bad luck, many people advise being cautious on this believed ominous day. Of the many myths associated with Friday the Thirteenth, two particularly intriguing ones are the avoiding of specific airline seat rows and the allegedly drop in prices for tickets to different events and services. Are these claims based on valid reports or are they just the result of urban legends?

Click on the provided link to find out.

https://www.euronews.com/travel/2023/10/13/very-superstitious-flight-prices-plummet-on-friday-13th-travel-search-engine-reveals

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “good deal” mean in the sentence, “Data shows you can usually find good deals when a Friday falls on the 13th of the month.”? Use this in your own sentence.
  2. What does “get away” mean in the sentence, “Bear in mind that Friday is one of the most popular days to travel so prices are usually higher due to demand as people get away for the weekend.”? Use this in your own sentence.
  3. What does “accident in the air” mean in the sentence, “Though there are superstitions surrounding the date, it isn’t any more likely that you’ll get into an accident in the air.”? Use this in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the origin of the superstition surrounding Friday the 13th, and why is it considered an unlucky day in many cultures?
  2. Are there any businesses or industries that are particularly affected by the superstitions surrounding Friday the 13th?
  3. How do different cultures and societies interpret and respond to Friday the 13th, and are there variations in beliefs and practices? Tell me more.
  4. Is traveling on Friday the 13th something you’d consider? Why or why not?
  5. Would you say that your culture tends to be superstitious? What’s your take on the belief that Friday the 13th is an unlucky date? Please share.

Best Accounting Skills

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Being an accountant seems to be a challenging job. When accountants report financial data, they have to follow specific rules. These rules are also called accounting principles.

Read the article to know the principles and skills of an accountant. 

https://www.ottawa.edu/online-and-evening/blog/july-2021/10-best-accounting-skills

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the word “diverse”? ” While they analyze and report on a wide range of data, accountants also interact with diverse clientele and break down financial information into language that the average person can understand.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of the word “tangible” “Employers are also looking for soft skills, or the less tangible abilities that help you excel on the job.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What is the “compliance”? “Other types of software with which the general accountant should have expertise include database reporting, financial reporting and analysis, financial statements, compliance, and project management. ” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What skills do you think are the most important for an accountant?
  2. Which of the mentioned skills do you have?
  3. What skills would you like to gain or develop?

Restaurant Charges Parents Extra for Rowdy Children

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Restaurants always value and prioritize a calm and peaceful dining experience for their diners. As easy as it may seem to achieve this, there are still some factors that hinder them. One of those would be rowdy children. As a result, a restaurant has taken an unusual step of charging parents for misbehaving kids, in order to ensure a pleasant environment for the rest of their patrons.

Read this article to learn about this restaurant’s new policy.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/restaurant-surcharge-bad-parenting_l_6543c278e4b0cde80b8bfd95

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “at one’s disposal“. “Of course, we all have at our disposal at least one device capable of successfully pacifying our children, whether they’re stuck on an airplane or waiting for their chicken tenders.” Make a sentence with this phrase.
  2. What does “on the verge of” mean? “A kid who hasn’t had a nap and is basically on the verge of meltdown” isn’t going to be able to handle the demands of a restaurant as well as a contentedly well-rested child.” Make a sentence with this.
  3. What does “to mind one’s manners” mean? “Perhaps you remember being instructed as a child to “mind your manners.” Make a sentence with this idiom.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on this restaurant’s idea? If you were a restaurant owner, would you implement a similar policy to maintain a peaceful atmosphere? Why/why not?
  2. How do you think can this policy affect the restaurant?
  3. Share other ridiculous rules that some places of business you know of have.
  4. Do you think the practice of charging extra for unruly children helps or hinders the overall dining experience for families? Explain.
  5. What alternative approaches could restaurants consider to address disruptive behavior by children?
  6. What other solutions can you think of to maintain a peaceful dining experience for all patrons without implementing such a policy?

Parentifying Your Children

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Parenting is a complex and demanding role that comes with its own set of challenges. As parents, it’s only natural to want the best for our children, but sometimes, in our pursuit of nurturing, protecting, and equipping them for what lies ahead, we may unintentionally engage in a phenomenon known as “parentification.”

Click on the link provided to learn more about the term.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/parentification-parentified-children_l_6536b883e4b0689b3fbd8ac2

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “extreme end of this spectrum” mean in the sentence, “On the more extreme end of this spectrum, they might be facing serious poverty or war or living under a violent regime or in a neighborhood where kids have to grow up too fast.”? Use this in your own sentence.
  2. What does “to be born out of something” mean in the sentence, “Other ways in which parentification comes about is born out of a parent’s need for emotional support.”? Use this in your own sentence.
  3. What does “to be not afforded something” mean in the sentence, “They may struggle with being assertive and advocating for themselves, feelings of guilt, depression, and a sense of loss and grief over the childhood they were not afforded the opportunity to experience.”? Use this in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is parentification and how does it manifest in parenting?
  2. Why is parentification considered a problematic phenomenon in child development?
  3. What are some common signs that a child may be experiencing parentification? Tell me more.
  4. Are there specific strategies parents can employ to avoid unintentionally parentifying their children? Please share.
  5. How can parents strike a balance between nurturing their children and allowing them to develop age-appropriate independence?

Laser Pointer Incidents on the Rise

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Laser pointers are typically used in business and school presentations. It is a pointing device that makes it easier for the audience to follow what the speaker is discussing.

Unfortunately, some people tend to use it for other purposes that could be fatal to a lot of people travelling by plane.

Let’s read the article and know more about the threats this kind of incidents pose to planes.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/technology/laser-pointer-incidents-on-the-rise.htm

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the word “shine into” mean? “In February, a Virgin Atlantic flight to New York JFK had to return to London Heathrow because a laser light had been shone into the cockpit.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
  2. What does “to target a particular person or thing” mean? “Pope Franciscus’ flight from Cuba to Mexico was targeted by a laser beamer during landing.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
  3. What does the phrasal verb “carry something out” mean? “Most attacks are carried out by young men or boys, who are often not aware of the dangers of laser instruments.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. How does laser pointing affect aviation safety?
  3. Given the possible danger laser pointing pose to aircrafts, do you think the selling of this item should be strictly regulated?
  4. What might be airline measures for pilots to reduce the severity of this incident?
  5. How can these incidents be stopped?
  6. Have you heard of laser pointing incidents involving aircrafts in your country? How did it end?
  7. Share your thoughts on this: “According to psychologists, playing around with guns and other weapons is something that typically attracts males.“.

Supporting vs. Enabling

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Distinguishing “supporting” and “enabling” is crucial in relationships and personal growth. Both of these ideas involve lending a hand to others but they have different outcomes.

Read this article to learn the difference between supporting and enabling.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/supporting-enabling-difference_l_64c004ffe4b00356919b39ae

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “cross the line”mean? “People often do not realize that they are crossing the fine line between support and enabling.” Give a synonym and write a sentence using “cross the line”.
  2. What does “teeter into” mean? “But sometimes people’s attempts at support teeter into more harmful territory: enablement.” Give a synonym and write a sentence using “teeter into”.
  3. What does “swoop into” mean? “It sends the signal that life is perfect, that everyone else will swoop into clean up the mess and reinforces entitled behavior.” Give a synonym and write a sentence using “swoop into”.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the key difference between supporting and enabling when it comes to helping someone in need?
  2. Are there situations where enabling might be necessary or justified, and if so, what distinguishes them from situations where support is more appropriate?
  3. How does setting healthy boundaries play a role in differentiating between support and enabling?
  4. What are some instances of enabling actions that might be misinterpreted as support?
  5. How do you find a balance between giving support and letting a friend or family member to face the repercussions of their actions when faced with constant mistakes or poor choices?

Thalidomide Malformed Children

B2 – Upper Intermediate

An Australian doctor named William McBride published a letter in The Lancet in 1961. This letter indicated the connection between thalidomide and its impact on the development of an unborn child. This was the first public findings on the harmful effects of this drug.

Let’s read the article and know more about this drug and how it devastated tens of thousands of families in the past.

https://www.english-online.at/health_medicine/thalidomide/thalidomide-victims.htm

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the adjective “malformed“. “Thousands of other babies survived but their limbs, eyes, ears and internal organs were severely malformed.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. Define the word “lawsuit“. “After a series of lawsuits Thalidomide was withdrawn from the market.” Use it in your own sentence and give two synonyms.
  3. What does the word “withdraw” mean here? “After a series of lawsuits Thalidomide was withdrawn from the market.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is thalidomide and what was it used for?
  2. How did it affect the offspring of the mothers who took them?
  3. According to the article, what is the drug used for at present?
  4. Given the enormity of its ill-effects, do you think it should be completely banned? Why or why not?
  5. Talk about a drug that had been withdrawn from the market due to its adverse effects on patients.

Electric Roads Charge Cars as You Drive

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Buckle up for a glimpse into the future of electric vehicles, where the roads themselves are the charging stations. Imagine cruising along highways, not just as a driver, but as a participant in a dynamic energy exchange. The concept of electric roads is reshaping the landscape of sustainable transportation, offering a seamless and continuous charging experience as you journey from point A to B. In this electrifying revolution, the asphalt beneath your tires becomes a conduit for power, propelling us towards a greener and more efficient tomorrow.

Watch the video about electric roads and be able to answer questions that follow:

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What’s the meaning of the expression “take a spin”? “How about we take a spin on the newly upgraded highway with electric roads and experience the seamless charging as we drive?” Use it in a sentence
  2. What does the expression “give it a go” mean? “Curious about the future of electric cars? Why not give it a go and test drive on the electric roads to witness the revolutionary charging technology in action?” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What doe the phrase “tamper with” mean? “It’s crucial not to tamper with the delicate infrastructure of electric roads to ensure a smooth and safe charging experience for all drivers.” Make one sentence using the phrase.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you think electric roads that charge cars while driving could revolutionize the convenience and practicality of electric vehicles?
  2. In your opinion, what potential impact could electric roads have on addressing the range anxiety often associated with traditional electric vehicles?
  3. From an environmental standpoint, how do you see electric roads contributing to a more sustainable future compared to traditional charging infrastructure?
  4. In your view, what are the key factors that might influence the public’s acceptance and adoption of electric roads as a mainstream technology for electric vehicles?