Tag: First Certificate FCE

Shrinkflation

B2 – Upper Intermediate

During times of inflation, companies usually increase the price of their products, but some don’t. They choose to sell the product at the same price, but with less contents inside of their containers or packaging. This is colloquially known as “shrinkflation”.

This might sound like a normal thing for companies to do, but after the periods of inflation are over, companies typically don’t go back to their old ways.

To find out more, let’s watch this video about shrinkflation.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on shrinkflation?
  2. In the long run, do you think that this practice would be a problem? If so, how could we spread awareness?
  3. Have you personally experienced shrinkflation? How did you feel about it?
  4. Are you meticulous/savvy when it comes to the products you buy? What are some things you do to make sure you are getting value for your money?
  5. Now that you have heard of this practice, would you be a bit more mindful about buying products, their prices and contents? Why or why not?
  6. What are other ways to help companies deal with inflation without passing the burden to their customers too much?
  7. How did companies you have worked for in the past try saving money?

How to Avoid Being Starstruck

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Most people have idols. These are people they look up to and admire greatly. Most of them are popular people such as movie stars, athletes, musicians and even social media personalities. How do you think fans would react when they encounter their idols face to face?

Let’s read the article and learn some tips on how to avoid being starstruck.

Seven Tips on How to Avoid Being Starstruck

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does to be “starstruck” mean?
  2. Do you agree with the tips mentioned in the article?
  3. Is there anyone you’ve been really star-struck about meeting?
  4. Are people from your country very fond of celebrities?
  5. Who are the biggest celebrities in your country and why do you think they are very popular and well-liked?

The Sky-High Cost of Returning to the Office

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The pandemic enforced the idea of working from home for a huge number of companies. Many have realized that this setup is possible for their roles and have gotten used to it. However, with eased restrictions, companies are now requiring most of their employees to return to the office.

The transition back to the old ways has not been so easy. The increasing prices of fares, petrol, food, and clothing, which are related to an employee’s daily work-related activities, have placed a burden on their finances. Even with salary increases, these were still inadequate to meet their spending demands.

Read this article below to learn more about the impact of transitioning back to the office.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220420-the-sky-high-cost-of-returning-to-the-office

Discussion Questions:

1. What was your work setup before and during the pandemic?
2. What is your current work setup?
3. What would be a preferable alternative work setup for your current role?
4. What are the pros and cons of working from home?
5. What are the pros and cons of working in the office?
6. Has your company introduced a hybrid work setup? What would that be like?
7. What are some work-related costs you shell out daily and monthly?
8. How else can companies help employees with the transition and these increasing work-related costs?

Myths about Food Bloggers

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A food blogger has already become a popular job nowadays, but some people still don’t understand how to earn money by just posting food photos, recipes, or pretty much anything that’s food-related. That’s why there are a lot of myths about this job.

Read the article to check if your vision of food blogging was correct.

What do Bloggers Really Do?: 7 Myths About Food Bloggers

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is there any information that surprised you about food blogging?  What was it?
  2. If you decided to become a food blogger, what direction would you choose? Why?
  3. What ideas for food blogs can you think of?
  4. What food blogs, if any, do you follow? What attracts you about these blogs?
  5. Share your thoughts on this statement: “Food Bloggers can’t be trusted because their food is free.”

Conformity Bias

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Conformity bias refers to our tendency to go along with a group and to be influenced by those around us. It occurs when we model our behavior to fit the behavior of others rather than using our own judgement.

Watch the video to know what conformity bias is and see how it works and be able to answer the questions that follow.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is conformity bias? Cite some examples.
  2. How does conformity affect decision-making?
  3. What should we do in order to maintain independence in the face of the pressure to conform?
  4. Share an experience you had about conformity bias.
  5. What is your opinion on groupthink?

Rhetoric: How Persuasive Are You?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Giving persuasive speeches is a skill. One has to be able to deliver their messages clearly and effectively to convince people.

In the past, these were done face-to-face in front of a huge audience. Nowadays, people can do it with just a simple tap on their gadgets. Either can be effective in inspiring and influencing people into certain decisions or actions.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript to know more about what rhetoric is.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2022/ep-220414

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some instances that you have used rhetoric?
  2. What are some good qualities of rhetoric?
  3. Where can rhetoric be effective or useful?
  4. Who are some famous people who are good at rhetoric?
  5. What skills should you possess to deliver good rhetoric?
  6. Are there other ways to persuade people? What are they?
  7. Is social media affecting the way leaders and other people connect with the public or general audience?
  8. How has rhetoric shaped our history in both good and bad ways?

Selfie Addiction

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Selfie is a fun way to capture one’s precious moments. However, for others they take way too numerous selfies which leads to an obsession. A new study shows that addiction to selfies could be an indication of a mental disorder. This new behavioral addiction is called “selfitis”.

Watch the video to learn more about selfitis and be able to answer the questions that follow.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about selfies?
  2. What is the impact of selfie in your life/the society/our relationships/our wellbeing?
  3. Why do some people become obsessed with taking photos of themselves?
  4. What are the dangers of “selfitis”?
  5. Do think selfitis is an indicator of a mental disorder? Explain your point.

Why You Should Try to Be More Selfish

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The risk for most individuals isn’t that they disregard others in the name of their own wants; rather, it is that they continuously put true inner growth on hold in favor of the notion of so-called respectable judgment.

Watch the video and discover why sometimes, we need to be more selfish.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your concept of selfishness?
  2. Do you consider yourself selfish? Why or why not? What would you say is the most selfish thing you’ve ever done?
  3. When is okay to be self-absorbed? Explain.
  4. What are the good and bad things about putting yourself first?
  5. What is your take on this statement: “The world won’t fall apart if we neglect some of our commitments.“?

Unusual Things That Are Common in Other Countries

B2 – Upper Intermediate

One of the characteristics that distinguish humans from other members of the animal world is our tendency to develop conventions. Thousands of diverse cultures have sprung up around the world since the beginning of civilization.

Sometimes, there normal things that are customary in other countries but are very different from what we are used to.

Here are 10 incredible customs from all over the world.

https://brightside.me/wonder-places/10-unusual-things-that-are-common-in-other-countries-796969/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Name some points from the article that you found really unusual and explain why you think they are rather bizarre.
  2. Have you ever experienced culture shock? Share your experience and how you dealt with it.
  3. Have you ever felt confused by the actions of someone from another culture? What was that practice and how did you and that person bridge the gap between your customs?
  4. Do you think “when in Rome, do as the Romans do” is always good advice? Why or why not?
  5. If foreigners visit your country, what are things that might surprise them?

Ways to Fight Mental Health Stigma

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Generally speaking, our culture isn’t very acceptant of people with mental disabilities. So, if someone ends up being diagnosed with a mental health disorder like depression, a majority of them will clam up in a social situation. It’s because of the social stigma that they’re afraid to open up to people, fearful that they’re just going to be told to be happy, smile, get over it and move on — a gross oversimplification of a very real mental disability.

Read the article to know why it is crucial to care for mental health and how to help others manage their feelings and emotions to get back on track.

https://www.nami.org/blogs/nami-blog/october-2017/9-ways-to-fight-mental-health-stigma

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do all people value the body the same as the mind? Explain.
  2. What prevents people from opening up to others and learning how to overcome problems?
  3. What are the ways to get over a mental health problem?