Tag: First Certificate FCE

Factors Driving High Employee Engagement

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Employee engagement shows how enthusiastic and dedicated your staff feels toward what they do. It is an essential factor to a company’s success as it is connected to how satisfied and high the team morale is. Some advantages to having engaged employees are better performance and increased productivity.

Read the article about factors that drive employee engagement.

https://www.gallup.com/workplace/284180/factors-driving-record-high-employee-engagement.aspx

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the word “engagement” in this context, “Teams with higher engagement are less likely to leave their organization.“? Use it in a sentence.
  2. Explain the phrase “record high” in the sentence, “Engagement levels reached a record high in 2019.”. Use it in a sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of the idiom “pie-in-the-sky“, “What would the world of work look like if organizations could double the percentage of engaged workers? This isn’t a pie-in-the-sky question — all evidence suggests it is possible.“? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Talk about the factors that drive high employee engagement.
  2. How can companies retain high employee engagement? How does your company?
  3. Share your opinion on this, “Changes in employee engagement are best attributed to changes in how organizations develop employees.“.
  4. What are the impact of high engagement among employees?
  5. Personally, how do you keep the level of enthusiasm and dedication you feel toward your job high?

Prepare for the Next Pandemic

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The COVID-19 cases may have declined significantly in the two years since the pandemic began, but our experiences are still fresh in our minds. We didn’t see that coming and were totally unprepared for it.

There have been a number of outbreaks in recent decades, thus future outbreaks of infectious diseases are regrettably unavoidable. If we are ready for them, we may be able to prevent them from spreading and becoming pandemics.


Read this article to learn how to prepare for the next pandemic.

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-03362-8

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “inevitable” mean? “Finally, governments must abandon the idea that spread of a respiratory pathogen is inevitable.” Use this word in a sentence.
  2. Based on the context of the sentence, “This necessitates the participation of the private sector alongside governments, given its role in vaccine research, production, and distribution.”, what does the word ‘necessitate’ mean?
  3. Explain the meaning of the word “emerge” in your own words. “It is crucial that we quickly obtain and share the genetic sequences of viruses as they emerge.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think the five ways to prepare for the pandemic in the article are effective? Why or why not?
  2. How else can we prepare for the pandemic?
  3. In your opinion, do you think doing these things would actually prepare us for the next pandemic?
  4. Are you physically, mentally, and financially prepared for future pandemics? How so?
  5. How does your national government prepare for pandemics?

Pros and Cons of Social Media

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Social media is undeniably one of society’s most valuable tools. Almost everyone has social media accounts and some even earn money through them. We can’t deny the fact that it has helped us a lot, especially with getting in touch with our family and friends who are far away from us. However, if not used correctly, it could do people more harm than good.

Learn about the benefits and drawbacks of social media by reading this article.

https://www.lifespan.org/lifespan-living/social-media-good-bad-and-ugly

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “lurk” mean? Use this word in a sentence.
  2. Explain the meaning of “facsimile” in your own words. Use it in a sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of the word “vulnerable“? Provide some synonyms of this word.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you use social media? If yes, how many hours a day do you spend using it? If not, why?
  2. Do you believe that social media is useful?
  3. How do you think will the world be without social media?
  4. Are social media websites widely used in your country?
  5. What do you think is the greatest benefit of using social media?
  6. In your opinion, what is the worst effect of social media on its users?

Chicago Will Give Money to Households In Need

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Lao Tzu, a Chinese philosopher, once said, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” The expression suggests that giving is not enough to help people in need. It is more beneficial to assist them in acquiring skills so that they can stand on their own feet. However, the city of Chicago will give $500 a month to 5000 households. These beneficiaries qualified as low-income families.

Read the whole article below to learn more about this story.

https://www.optimistdaily.com/2022/06/chicago-will-give-500-dollars-each-to-5000-households/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “bounceback” mean here, “This city will be spending $31.5 million on a year of this pilot program, which they hope will help Chicago in its Pandemic economic bounceback.”? Use it in another sentence.
  2. What is “oversight”? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “track record” mean? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on the initiative of GiveDirectly?
  2. According to the article, giving money to those in need has its own criticism. Do you agree with the drawbacks mentioned in the article?
  3. What are some other ways to help the people in need? Share your experiences and observations.

Ways of Dealing with Bad News

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We hear both positive and negative news every day. If we receive good news, we feel delighted. On the other hand, there are upsetting stories left and right. We’d better be prepared to deal with them.

The article below is a guide on how to deal with bad news.

https://www.optimistdaily.com/2022/03/expert-approved-ways-of-dealing-with-bad-news-part-i/

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What is “doomscrolling“? Use it in a sentence.

2. Explain “climate crisis”. Use it in a sentence.

Example sentence: The climate crisis impacts different sectors of society.

Question Prompt: Make a sentence.

3. What does the phrase “sink in” mean here, “Instead of letting a sense of powerlessness sink in, Harley Street coach and trauma expert Olivia James recommends focusing your energy on the positive action you can take.”?

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you agree with the suggestions from the article? Why or why not?

2. Think of some other ways people can deal with bad news. Explain why such ways are effective.

3. What was the last bad news you heard? How did you deal with it?

The Struggles of Workers with ADHD

B2 – Upper Intermediate

According to research, people with ADHD tend to be more inquisitive, innovative, revolutionary, and dynamic. They frequently think out-of-the-box , which can be greatly regarded and valued in the workplace.

However, ADHD sufferers encounter a variety of challenges at work. Interpersonal conflict, increased absenteeism, decreased productivity, high error rates, an unwillingness to adapt, and the lack of consistency are a few examples. These things could result in disciplinary measures, suspensions, layoffs, pay loss, and worst, dismissal.

Read the article about the struggles of workers with ADHD.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20221209-the-silent-struggles-of-workers-with-adhd

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “tick up ” mean? Use this word in a sentence.
  2. What does “squirmy” mean in this sentence,” We started to laugh as I mentioned that I get a little squirmy when my boys catch frogs and salamanders.”? Use this word in a sentence.
  3. What does “wind up” mean here, “Epstein felt she “should be able to do what everyone else can do”, so she wound up “torturing” herself, balancing perfectionism with a feeling of being incapable of performing as expected.”

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do people with ADHD struggle and survive at work?
  2. What kind of jobs suit people with ADHD? What do people with ADHD excel at?
  3. Should an applicant declare ADHD diagnosis on their job application? Explain your point.
  4. What are the benefits and drawbacks of disclosing an ADHD diagnosis at work?

Transgender Islamic School

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The right to education and worship are basic human rights. Schools should promote equality, diversity, and inclusion. In some countries and educational institutions, not all sexual diversities are welcomed.

Let’s read the article and find out more about this transgender school in Indonesia.

https://www.voanews.com/a/indonesia-transgender-islamic-school/4033393.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “reverberate” mean? “The school’s closure was one of the darkest points in a larger anti-LGBT hysteria that seized Indonesia in 2016, with its effects still reverberating.” Use it in your own sentence.
  2. What does “hiccup” mean in this context? “ But for Ibu Shinta, the 2016 episode was only a hiccup in the history of Pesantren al-Fatah, which turns nine years old on Thursday.” Use it in your own sentence.
  3. What does “fluctuate” mean in this sentence, “She said there are about 42 members in total, but the weekly attendance fluctuates between seven and 25.”? Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions

  1. What is your opinion on this transgender school?
  2. Aside from religious studies, what other activities does the school offer to its students?
  3. Do you have schools for special groups of people in your country? What are they?
  4. How does the school system in your country promote diversity and inclusivity?

Arms Trade Growth Stunted by Supply Chain Issues

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The pandemic’s lingering consequences can now be felt even in the arms industries. Despite demonstrating growth in the past year, this boost was still greatly stunted by worldwide issues in supply difficulties.

Read the article to know more about how supply chain issues has severely limited the growth in arms trade.

https://www.voanews.com/a/growth-in-arms-trade-stunted-by-supply-issues-report/6862357.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “sourcing” mean? “Disruptions from both labor shortages and difficulties in sourcing raw materials were slowing down the companies’ ability to produce weapons systems and deliver them on time.” Use it in your own sentence.
  2. What does “gauge” mean? “By how much was at the same time harder to gauge, Tian said pointing to two factors that would impact demand.” Use it in your own sentence.
  3. What does “hamper” mean in this sentence, “With the supply crunch expected to worsen, it could hamper these efforts.”? Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on this news about the stunted growth of the arms trade due to supply chain issues?
  2. “The top 100 arms companies sold weapons and related services totaling $592 billion in 2021, 1.9% more than the year before.”. Share your reaction to this statement.
  3. “The worsening security environment means “countries are looking to procure more weapons.” What is your opinion on/reaction to this?
  4. What will be the result of the trend of private equity firms buying up arms companies?

India May Become World’s Third Largest Economy

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As most countries in the world struggle with slowing growth due to the economic turbulence caused by the Russia-Ukraine war, some economies are gaining momentum and might be able to overtake some of the world’s biggest economies.

For example, India’s economy has remained remarkably “navigating the storm”.

Read the article to know more about how India could possibly become the third largest economy in the world by the end of this decade.

https://www.voanews.com/a/forecasts-show-india-may-become-world-s-third-largest-economy-by-2030/6875735.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to move to better pastures” mean? “There are good projections for the Indian economy. Plus, even in our friends’ circle, a lot of people are changing jobs, moving to better pastures.” Use it in your own sentence.
  2. What does “to put something on track” mean? “India’s economy is posting the fastest growth among major economies putting it on track to become the world’s third largest before the end of the decade.” Use it in your own sentence.
  3. What does “wave” mean in this sentence, “As companies record strong growth and hand out pay hikes, there is a wave of optimism among professionals.”? Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is contributing to the Indian economy’s growth?
  2. “A lot of changes are happening across the world, and we hope that some of them will be beneficial for the Indian economy.” Do you think it is possible for India to become the third largest economy? Explain.
  3. How is your country doing amidst this global economic turbulence?

Steve Jobs’ Motivational Speech 

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Steve Jobs gives the listeners a reason to care. He talks about his own experience and is not ashamed to share his failure with his audience. He uses intriguing and provocative questions about getting fired from a company he himself founded. The question sparks the audience’s strong feelings such as confusion, annoyance, or even anger.

Watch this Steve Job motivational speech.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “devastating” mean? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does this statement mean “Sometimes life’s going to hit you in the head with a brick.”?
  3. What does the expression “to dawn on (someone)” mean? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Does the speaker use intriguing, provocative questions? Why does he use them?
  2. What do you find interesting/useful/helpful or useless/boring about the speech? Why?
  3. What does failure teach you?
  4. Share your thoughts on this statement, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.”.