Tag: First Certificate FCE

How AI Is Making Everything More Expensive

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Are you familiar with the cost of surveillance? where your personal consumption habits and demographics decide prices. By simply altering the costs of essentials like food, clothing, and services, many companies have been said to employ this pricing strategy to increase their profits in the face of minimal regional competition.

To find out more about surveillance pricing and AI price gouging, watch the video below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is “estimated conversion probability”? “Between 2000 and 2010, the massive collection of data such as cookies, IP location, and purchase frequency transformed how online retailers tracked consumers. Using this information, they developed models that adjusted prices based on each user’s estimated conversion probability.” Use this term in a sentence.
  2. What is “surge pricing”? “Powered by algorithms and artificial intelligence, surge pricing is now being used across a growing number of consumer industries, from theme parks to restaurants, retail outlets, and rock concerts.” Use this term in a sentence.
  3. What is “take rate”? “Research showed that the system significantly increased fares without an equivalent increase in driver earnings. Uber’s take rate in the United States rose from 32% to 42%.” Use this phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on surveillance pricing? As a consumer, what is your reaction to how many companies practice personalized pricing?
  2. Does this pricing strategy make sense for a large number of customers who are unaware that their purchasing patterns determine the costs of the products they purchase? Share your thoughts.
  3. Share your insights on this, “Companies defend these models as mechanisms of efficiency and optimization. Critics, on the other hand, argue that they deepen economic inequalities.“
  4. How can we control this price structure to prevent deception of customers?
  5. What benefits and risks does dynamic pricing have for customers?

China Bans Hidden Car Door Handles

B2 – Upper Intermediate

China has decided to ban hidden door handles after several deadly accidents. In some crashes, passengers and rescuers had difficulty opening car doors. These handles are common in modern electric cars because of their sleek design and aerodynamic benefits. The decision highlights growing concerns about balancing modern design with passenger safety and may influence safety standards in other countries.

Watch the video to learn more and be able to answer the questions below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the word “deem” mean? They simply deem these concealed door handles to be too unsafe. Use the word in a sentence.
  2. What is a “high-profile case“? There are a number of high-profile cases where an electric vehicle crashed in which the doors weren’t able to open because of these concealed doors. Make one sentence using the word.
  3. What does the idiom “to drive someone nuts” mean? Trying to figure out how to open the hidden door handles in a Tesla for the first time can really drive someone nuts. Use the idiom in your sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think banning hidden car door handles is the right decision to improve passenger safety? Why or why not?
  2. In your opinion, should car design focus more on safety than appearance and modern features?
  3. How can car manufacturers balance innovative design with safety requirements?
  4. Do you think other countries should follow China’s decision to ban hidden car door handles? Why or why not?

OpenAI Sora to Generate AI Videos of Disney Characters

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Disney’s new deal with OpenAI has caused concern in Hollywood. The agreement will allow OpenAI to use many of Disney’s famous characters in its AI tools to create videos and images.

While Disney says this partnership will bring new creative opportunities, many writers and actors are worried. They believe AI could reduce job opportunities and change the way movies and shows are made.

The deal has started an important discussion about the future of creativity and technology in the entertainment industry.

Read this article or watch the video to learn more.

https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/openai-disney-sora-ai-videos-rcna248617

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “to play whack-a-mole” in this context. “With OpenAI, Disney would be creating a legitimate avenue through which a generative AI program could deploy its characters, rather than playing whack-a-mole with every AI company, as Disney has done with other kinds of media in the past.” Make a sentence with this phrase.
  2. What does “sprawling portfolio” mean? “The deal is notable in part because Disney is famously protective of its sprawling portfolio of intellectual property, from the animated shorts of the 1920s to modern superhero and fantasy franchises.” Make a sentence with this phrase.
  3. What is the meaning of “to close the avenue for someone/something“? “As Disney seeks to open the path to copyrighted usage of its characters by OpenAI, it simultaneously appears to be trying to close the avenue for a top competitor: Google.” Make a sentence with this phrase.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why are writers and actors worried about this deal?
  2. Why do you think Disney decided to partner with OpenAI?
  3. Is this partnership more exciting or more dangerous for the entertainment industry? Explain your opinion.
  4. Should companies ask for permission before using characters or creative work in AI tools?
  5. Would you feel comfortable watching a movie mostly created by AI? Why or why not?

Emerging Risks Tied to Short-Form Video

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Short videos have become a big part of our daily lives. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts provide fast, entertaining content that keeps us scrolling for hours. While these videos may seem harmless and fun, they can have a powerful effect on how our brains work. From attention span and memory to dopamine and motivation, short-form content can change the way we think, focus, and process information. Understanding how short videos affect the brain is important so we can use them wisely and maintain a healthy balance in our digital lives.

Read this article to learn more about this topic.

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/brain-rot-research-short-form-video-consumption-rcna245739

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “cornerstone” mean? “From TikTok to Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, short-form video content has become a cornerstone of just about every online platform, including LinkedIn and even Substack.” Make a sentence with this.
  2. What does “to crusade against something“. “James Jackson, a neuropsychologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, said there’s a long history of people crusading against new technologies and cultural phenomena, whether it’s video games or Elvis concerts.” Use this in a sentence.
  3. What’s the meaning of “parse“? “But it will take more research to parse the nuances, such as who’s most vulnerable, how permanent the effects are and which particular mechanisms cause harm.” Make a sentence with this. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do short videos influence memory retention compared to long-form content?
  2. Do you think watching many short videos can reduce our ability to focus on long tasks? Why or why not?
  3. How can we create a healthy balance when using social media?
  4. How has your own behavior changed because of short videos?
  5. Do you think children and teenagers are more affected than adults? Why?

Billionaires Building Bunkers

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Billionaires’ Bunker or El Refugio Atómico is a 2025 Netflix thriller series very rich families hiding in a luxury, high-tech underground shelter because they thought that a nuclear apocalypse was upon them.

It is not so far from what is happening in real life. We’ve seen how several billionaires seem to be preparing for doomsday by having their own bunkers built.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript talking about why billionaires are building bunkers.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260129

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “prepper mentality”? “Part of the prepper mentality is to question what you would do if the apocalypse happens.” Use the term in a sentence.
  2. What does “compromise” mean here, “No matter what happens, no matter what comes our way, if you’re a tech billionaire, you’re going to be able to live through that comfortably without compromising your lifestyle, without compromising the standard that you have.”? Use the word in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What does “to be kidding” mean here, “When you watch TV in the US – when you turn on a, kind of, US TV channel – what happens is that there’s usually some ads about freeze-dried food. I’m not kidding.” Use the idiom in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What comes to your mind when you hear the word “bunker”?
  2. Why do you think billionaires are building bunkers? Is it only a mere mark of societal status or they are preparing for something we do not know anything about? Share your thoughts.
  3. Would you consider building a bunker and preparing for disasters? Why or why not? If you had one, what would you like to put in it?
  4. What do you think you would do if the apocalypse happened?

Adult Children Affected by Grey Divorce

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

There are more couples getting divorce at a much later stage in their married life. When we thought that twilight divorces probably won’t affect a couple’s grown children, surprisingly, it does.

Read the article about the effects grey divorce have on adult children.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250912-how-grey-divorce-affects-adult-children

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “smoke and mirrors” mean? “Reflecting on the memories shared with their family, adult children may wonder: Was it all smoke and mirrors? Were they ever really happy?” Use the idiom in a sentence and give a synonym.
  2. What does “the bottom falls” mean? “All of a sudden, their parents are divorcing, and they feel like the bottom has fallen out of their lives.” Use the idiom in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What does “to become like an island in the sea” mean? “Women are basically the social directors of family life. When that goes away, men become like islands in the sea.” Use the idiom in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your thoughts on this, “Adults aged 65 and older are now the only age group in the US with a growing divorce rate.” Do you think there is a similar trend in your country?
  2. What might be reasons for later-in-life divorces?
  3. What is your opinion about how grey divorce affect adult children?
  4. Share your insight on this, “A parental divorce can be a difficult experience for any individual […] no matter the age, no matter the marriage duration.”
  5. What do you make of this, “Women are basically the social directors of family life still in 2025, and when that goes away men become like islands in the sea.”?

How Reading Changes The Way Your Brain Works

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The video “How reading changes the way your brain works” by BBC World Service explores how reading affects the human brain. Unlike speaking, reading is not a natural ability but a skill the brain has to learn. The video explains how learning to read rewires neural pathways and changes how we process information.

Through research and expert insights, the video shows that reading enhances cognitive functions, improves comprehension, and strengthens connections in the brain. It highlights the unique ways written language shapes our thoughts and mental abilities, demonstrating the powerful impact of reading on daily life.

Watch the video and know more about the news.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “neurotypical brain” mean? “Scientific studies indicate that a neurotypical brain is born with a circuitry that allows our eyes to see and our vocal cords to produce sounds, but it doesn’t innately have the ability to read.” Use the term in a sentence.
  2. What does “logographic writing system” mean? “Research indicates that learning logographic writing systems activates different areas of the brain.” Use the word in a sentence.
  3. What does “brainchild” mean? “The ability to read was once considered humanity’s brainchild, a major cultural invention.” Use the word in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you think learning to read changes the way you think compared to listening or speaking?
  2. The video says reading rewires the brain. Can you give an example from your own life when reading helped you understand something differently?
  3. Why do you think reading is considered a “cultural invention” rather than a natural skill?
  4. How do you feel digital media, like social media or texting, affects your brain compared to reading books?
  5. After watching the video, has your opinion about reading changed? What would you do differently in your reading habits?

The Government of Spain Approves Pension Increase

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The Spanish Government has approved a new package of measures that combines a pension increase for 2026 with the extension of key social protection policies, reinforcing its commitment to protect purchasing power and support vulnerable groups. The decision was adopted by the Council of Ministers as part of broader efforts to respond to inflation and rising living costs.

The measures include pension revaluations in line with inflation and the continuation of the so-called “social shield”, which covers protections against evictions, safeguards for essential utilities, and targeted aid for low-income households. Together, these actions aim to strengthen social cohesion and ensure economic stability for millions of residents across Spain.

Read the article and know more about the news.

https://www.lamoncloa.gob.es/lang/en/gobierno/councilministers/paginas/2025/20251223-council-press-conference.aspx?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “foreclosure” mean? “Furthermore, the suspension of evictions and foreclosures for vulnerable families without alternative housing is extended throughout 2026, as are the compensation payments from the affected landlord or property owner.” Use the word in a sentence.
  2. What does “unwavering” mean? “With this measure, Saiz said, ‘the government is fulfilling an unwavering commitment: to offer the more than 9.4 million pensioners in our country the certainty that if prices rise, their pensions will also rise to help them cover their daily expenses’.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “purchasing power” mean? “We will continue to increase the purchasing power of citizens and, at the same time, we will continue to reduce the inequality gaps that still exist.” Use the word in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you think the pension increase will impact the daily lives of retirees in Spain?
  2. In what ways could the government’s “social shield” measures help families who struggle with housing and energy costs?
  3. Why do you think the government chose to give early retirement options to firefighters and environmental agents? How could this affect public safety?
  4. How could the combination of pension increases, social measures, and public transport improvements improve the overall quality of life for different groups in Spain?

The Restaurant of Mistaken Orders

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Lately, some restaurants are trying new ways to change how we think about hospitality. Instead of focusing only on perfect service, they show the importance of kindness, inclusion, and accepting mistakes. These efforts remind both workers and customers that mistakes can bring connection and understanding, not just problems.

Let’s read the article and know more about how restaurants are redefining service, building empathy, and creating new experiences for everyone.

The Restaurant of Mistaken Orders: Celebrating a Language of Inclusion in Tokyo’s Kitchen

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “to go astray” mean? “Orders may go astray, but the purpose is never lost.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “to raise one’s eyebrows at” mean? “Why raise our eyebrows at the difference between sizzling steak and gyoza?” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
  3. What is the meaning of the phrase “to soften the pitch“? “The website doesn’t soften the pitch: “You may think it’s crazy.” Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think the concept of the Restaurant of Mistaken Orders reveals about how society views mistakes and imperfection?
  2. How does this restaurant challenge traditional ideas of what “good service” means?
  3. What does this project suggest about the abilities of people with dementia that society often overlooks?
  4. How could similar initiatives help reduce stigma around dementia in other countries?
  5. If you visited the restaurant, how do you think you would react to receiving the wrong order?

Consumer Attitudes Toward AI-Generated Ads 

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the way companies connect with consumers, especially through advertising. While AI promises efficiency and personalization, not everyone is convinced. Many people feel uneasy about ads created by machines, raising questions about trust, authenticity, and the future of marketing.

Let’s read the article and know more about how AI in advertising is being received, what challenges it faces, and what this means for the future of consumer engagement.

NIQ research uncovers hidden consumer attitudes toward AI-generated ads 

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to push the boundaries of ” mean here? “As Gen AI continues to push the boundaries of creative industries, NielsenIQ (NIQ), the world’s leading consumer intelligence company, unveiled groundbreaking new research on how the consumer brain processes AI-generated advertisements—with critical implications for advertisers navigating the opportunities and challenges of this emerging technology.” Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.
  2. Define the phrase “halo effect” mean? “These sentiments suggest that AI-generated ads may create a negative halo effect that could dampen consumer perceptions of both the ad and the brand.” Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What is the meaning of the idiom “fine line between“? “Our neuroscience-driven approach reveals how consumers nonconsciously process AI-generated content and highlights the fine line between innovation and discomfort.” Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do you think many consumers feel turned off by AI-generated ads?
  2. In what ways could companies make AI-generated ads feel more authentic or trustworthy?
  3. How might cultural differences affect how people perceive AI-generated advertising?
  4. What ethical concerns arise when businesses use AI to personalize ads?
  5. How might AI-generated ads “give themselves away” compared to human-created ads?