Tag: First Certificate FCE

Dating Has Changed Through History

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In the modern era of dating, arranged marriage and old-fashioned courtships are considered outdated. People now resort to dating apps for finding the right person for them. No doubt, dating now differs from what it used to be in the past.

Read the article to know how dating has changed throughout history.

https://www.thelist.com/162252/how-dating-has-changed-through-history/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the idiom “to take the guesswork out of something”? “Sure, people still meet in bars, through friends, or even at work, but dating apps have taken a lot of the guesswork out of modern dating.” Use this expression in a sentence.
  2. What does the phrase “equal playing field” mean? “In today’s world of dating, it’s an equal playing field, for the most part.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the word “fraught” mean? “The famed author was known for being able to perfectly capture how it felt to be in love, even in a time when relationships were fraught with drama and the pressures of social class.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think dating now is different from what it used to be in the past? Share your thoughts.
  2. Why do you think dating apps have become so popular nowadays?
  3. Do you think men and women have different views on where to meet a prospective partner? Explain.
  4. Share your views on this statement, “Choosing a partner on a dating app is the same as choosing a fridge in a shop — there’s nothing romantic about it.”.
  5. What are other ways to meet a potential partner?
  6. What is your idea of an ideal date?
  7. What was the most memorable date for you and why?

Autumn Heat in Europe

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As the calendar flips to autumn, Europe has been wrapped by a surprising and unthinkable phenomenon. Temperatures remain unusually warm, breaking records across the continent. From the sun-soaked vineyards of France to the packed streets of Germany the persistent heatwaves challenge the normal image of a European September. This unwavering autumn heatwave serves as an urgent warning that our world’s climate continues to evolve in unpredictable ways, necessitating a vigilant eye on the changes that shape our planet.

Click on the link to learn more about the extraordinary weather patterns that has caused this unforeseen extension of summer and the possible effects it may have on both the environment and the population.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/oct/01/autumn-heat-continues-in-europe-after-record-breaking-september

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “a great many” mean, “”A great many” monthly records had been broken across the country during an “exceptional” month, Météo-France said, with the temperature average higher than in July and August, and heatwave alerts issued in September for the first time.”? Give 2 synonyms and use ‘a great many’ in your own sentence.
  2. What does “pre-industrial levels” mean in the sentence, “Scientists say climate change driven by human activity is pushing global temperatures higher, with the world at around 1.2C of warming above pre-industrial levels.”? Use this in your own sentence.
  3. What does “to be modelled by something” mean in the sentence, “We’re seeing them in spring and September, even October, as modelled by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC).”? Use this in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What role does climate change play in the occurrence of this record-breaking September heatwave? Give me more insights.
  2. How has this long autumn heatwave affected you and/or your country?
  3. What possible effects could this extended heatwave have on the agriculture and natural ecosystems in the affected areas?
  4. How are European authorities and organizations addressing the potential impacts of this extended heatwave on public health and safety?
  5. Share your thoughts on this statement, “Scientists say climate change driven by human activity is pushing global temperatures higher.“.

Employee Resource Groups

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In the fast-paced setting of modern corporate culture, the worth of professional experience can be overshadowed by a greater emphasis on youth and innovation. A quiet revolution, however, is taking place in a few select companies across the United States, where a fresh point of view is becoming apparent. These progressive business organizations are cognizant of the wealth of knowledge, skill, and perspective that middle-aged and senior employees can contribute to the company. They have made a brave move by creating committed Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) intended particularly for this group in an environment where such appreciation can be hard to find.

Click on the link to learn more about how these groups are not only remarkable, but also a prime example of the significant impact that inclusivity and valuing diversity of age can have on a company’s success and advancement.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/age-erg-employee-resource_l_65144e33e4b0fa72d69d630f

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “entrenched” mean, “Ageist stereotypes are deeply entrenched in society: Older age still gets automatically associated with physical and cognitive decline at work.”? Use this in your own sentence.
  2. What does “umbrella company” mean in the sentence, “Since then, Sages has grown into a business resource group within the umbrella company of Publicis Groupe; it has over 300 members.”? Use this in your own sentence.
  3. What does “sandwich generation” mean in the sentence, “Tom Hamrick, the group’s president, said what separates his ERG from others at the company is that members are part of the “sandwich generation”.”? Use this in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What motivated these companies to establish dedicated Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) for middle-aged and senior employees?
  2. How do these ERGs differ from more traditional diversity and inclusion initiatives within these companies?
  3. Can you provide examples of specific programs or activities that these ERGs organize to support midlife and senior employees? Please share.
  4. What benefits have these companies observed as a result of creating spaces that value the contributions of older employees? Expand on that.
  5. What challenges, if any, have these companies encountered in establishing and maintaining these specialized ERGs? Tell me more.
  6. Share your thoughts on this, “Being older at work is still seen as something to hide.”..

Emotional Support Alligator Barred from Entering a Stadium

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Anxiety, depression, and many more mental health issues have become all too common problems for most people who live a fast paced life. While medication and therapy sessions could be enough for some, others need more support and for this, they turn to emotional support animals.

Let’s read the article and know more about emotional support animals and the challenges their owners face.

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/09/29/sport/wally-alligator-emotional-support-barred-philadelphia-phillies-spt-intl/index.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the verb “blossom” mean in this context? “Wally is Henney’s emotional support animal and has blossomed into an internet sensation, amassing a large social media following, due to his relaxed nature and willingness to engage with all.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. Define the word “harness“. “Wally can be seen sharing hugs at schools, police stations and hospitals with Henney leading him around by his harness.” Use it in your own sentence and give two synonyms.
  3. What is the meaning of the word “overabundance“? “There was an overabundance of gators in that area.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the difference between emotional support animals and service animals?
  2. What is your stand on undomesticated emotional support animals? Should they be allowed in public places?
  3. What is the process of certifying or registering emotional support animals in your country?
  4. If you were to get an emotional support animal, what would it be and why?

The Benefits of Doing Nothing

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In our bustling society, the notion of “doing nothing” may appear unconventional, or to some extent, unacceptable. However, these moments of idleness, free from work and responsibilities, can indeed be beneficial. Embracing the art of doing nothing offers an effective means to relieve the pressures and stresses of the modern world.

Listen to the audio to learn the benefits of doing nothing.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2023/ep-230615

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “necessity is the mother of invention” mean? “Boredom is the mother of invention, an idea based on the famous proverb, necessity is the mother of invention.” Make a sentence with this proverb.
  2. Define “lounge about”. “Of course, some animals have a reputation for lounging about – lions, for example, can sleep up to twenty hours a day!” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  3. What does “as busy as a bee” mean? It may not look it, Neil, but I’m actually as busy as a bee!” Use this expression in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why is it important to find moments of idleness in our busy lives?
  2. What are some potential health benefits associated with taking breaks and doing nothing?
  3. What are the societal pressures that make it challenging for people to prioritize downtime?
  4. Have you personally experienced the positive effects of taking moments to do nothing in your life? If so, how has it benefited you?
  5. What are some of your favorite activities or practices that you consider as “doing nothing” and find relaxing or rejuvenating?

Can You Stop a Disaster?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In a world where both natural and human-caused catastrophes seem to be becoming more prevalent, the issue of whether we are able to prevent or decrease these disastrous events becomes critical. “Can you stop a disaster?” reflects our common search for answers, resilience, and readiness in the face of impending disasters.

Watch the video or read the transcript to learn whether it’s possible to prevent a disaster.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2023/ep-230803

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “within one’s grasp” mean? “Fortunately, ways to limit the damage are within our grasp.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. Define “act of God”. “But Roy isn’t the only victim of an unpredictable natural event, sometimes called an act of God.” Make a sentence with this phrase.
  3. What does “hundredfold” mean? “Bangladesh has seen a hundred fold decrease in cyclone deaths since the introduction of its new monitoring and alert system.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever faced a natural disaster, and what impact did it have on you and your community?
  2. Do you believe we can prevent or reduce the effects of natural disasters, or do some events remain beyond human control, like Roy Sullivan’s lightning strikes?
  3. How do you see technology’s role in disaster management? Do you think advanced or simpler solutions are more effective?.
  4. Can you share how your community prepared for or responded to natural disasters, and how well did these efforts work?

Work Love Bombing

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In the dynamic world of employment, companies are embracing fresh methods to attract and keep top talent. This includes the coined concept of “workplace love bombing,” where organizations go all out to woo potential hires and shower current employees with affection and rewards.

Read the article to learn about workplace love bombing.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20230705-work-love-bombing-when-companies-come-on-too-strong

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “a knot in one’s stomach” mean? “The experience sat like a knot in my stomach the whole time, and I couldn’t bring myself to accept the offer, worried I was being sold a position that wouldn’t materialize and didn’t quite fit my skill set.” Use this idiom in a sentence.
  2. Define “wind up”. “Too much pressure can set up workers to fail if they hold out for roles that never materialize or wind up in jobs where promises don’t match the reality.” Make a sentence with this phrase.
  3. What does “in the fold” mean? “When I had reservations about the role and questions about the corporate culture, she was dismissive, only returning to how much the managers wanted me in the fold as soon as possible.”

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s your take on workplace love bombing?
  2. How should employees handle overwhelming or skeptical feelings when faced with a company’s love bombing?
  3. Have you ever felt a company was overly aggressive in trying to hire or keep you? How did that impact you?
  4. How can companies balance making their workplace appealing while keeping expectations realistic?
  5. Have recruitment tactics affected your job acceptance or rejection, and what factors were crucial in your decision?

Hard and Soft Skills to Place Your Bets On

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We all need to upskill because nowadays, recruiters pay attention not only to our hard skills, but also our soft skills.

Read the article to know the top skills you’ll need to get your desired job and to know the differences between hard and soft skills.


https://www.siliconrepublic.com/careers/skills-for-2021-hard-soft-zety

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Explain the meaning of the idiom “to place one’s bet on someone/something“. “What are the hard and soft skills to place your bets on this year?” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of the word “upheaval“? “Again, these soft skills have become crucial to working life in the upheaval of 2020.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. Differentiate “soft skills” and “hard skills”. “Recruiters and hiring managers showed a preference for soft skills over hard skills, with 61pc of respondents saying they were more important.” Use them in sentences.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your top 3 hard and soft skills that you most often use at work?
  2. What are some hard and soft skills that you lack? How do you intend to gain them?
  3. What is one skill you have that sets you apart from others?
  4. Recruiters and hiring managers think soft skills are more important and they prefer people with better soft skills than with a lot of hard skills. What are your thoughts on this?
  5. Why are soft skills important in one’s career?

Do Opposites Really Attract?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In the world of relationships, the the timeless concept of “opposites attract” has long been a source of fascination and debate. Recent scientific research, however, has helped shed new light on this idea, and is encouraging us to take a look at some of our assumptions when it comes to the nature of romantic relationships.

The topic of this article goes deep into some of the results of an innovative research study that assesses the question of whether partners are more likely to be similar or different, debunking common belief and offering fresh perspectives into the intricate interaction of personalities in intimate relationships.

To find out more, click on the link provided.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/do-opposites-attract-a-new-study-may-have-given-us-the-answer_l_65037cabe4b045a142a48f2c

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the idiom “birds of the same feather, flock together” mean, “Our findings demonstrate that birds of a feather are indeed more likely to flock together.”? Use this in your own sentence.
  2. What does “nitty gritty” mean, “82% and 89% of traits examined were similar among partners, ranging from political leanings and the age you lost your virginity to nitty gritty physical traits like whether people needed to wear glasses or their waist circumference.”? Use this in your own sentence.
  3. What does “high strung” mean in the sentence, “For example, there was little evidence of partner correlations for irritability, nervousness, or being ‘high strung’ — characteristics which potentially could play an important role when deciding whether you want to enter into a relationship with somebody else.”? Use this in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s your take on this subject?
  2. What is the basis for the idea that people with different personalities are attracted to one another?
  3. How has this traditional belief been challenged in recent times?
  4. In what ways can partners with shared values build a solid foundation for their relationship? Explain.
  5. Does the latest study on relationship similarity suggests that partners must be completely similar to one another? Why or why not?

Friendships Change After Parenthood

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Friendship is an essential part of human connection, offering support, mutual understanding, and shared memories that lead to one’s personal development and a sense of well-being. Even so, the nature of friendships tends to shift significantly after one becomes a parent. While it is generally believed that the biggest drive to this sudden change is the all-consuming demands of parenthood, there are more complex psychological and societal factors at work.

Through the provided link, you can learn more about how friendships and shifting priorities become more complicated after having children.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/friendships-parents-child-free_l_65031c76e4b008b66733cd20

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “succumb to a slow fizzle” mean in the sentence, “When a new parent and their child-free friend have unrealistic expectations for what’s to come, it’s a perfect recipe for the relationship to succumb to a slow fizzle.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What does “in the picture” mean in the sentence, “It’s hard to make plans once kids are in the picture, but structural issues in our society compound the problem. ”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  3. What does “both sides of the fence” mean in the sentence, “Chris Choy Bush, a mother of one in Minneapolis, feels that for her and her partner, having a child later in their lives was an advantage, as they got to experience this challenge from both sides of the fence: first as the child-free couple and then as the new parents.”? Use this in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does the arrival of a child impact the dynamics of friendships?
  2. What are the potential challenges in bridging the gap between parents and childless friends?
  3. Why is it important to recognize and address these changes in friendships for parents?
  4. Why is it helpful for parents to have a support system that includes both other parents and friends without children? Tell me more.
  5. Are there people in your circle who are at a similar life stage? Please share.