Tag: First Certificate FCE

How Insurance Companies Make Money

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The idea behind the insurance company’s revenue model is a contract between an insurer and a person, business, or organization in which the insurer guarantees to pay a certain sum of money in the event that the insured loses a specific asset, typically due to damage, illness, or, in the case of life insurance, death.

Let’s look at how insurance businesses generate income and why risk-based revenue has been so successful over time.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the idiom “swashbuckling” mean? Use it in a sentence. “From swashbuckling pirates to ferocious fire that ravaged the world’s greatest city, insurance has had a colorful past.”
  2. What does the word “whet” mean? “If these questions whet your curiosity, then stay tuned to today’s episode.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the word “gamble” mean? Use it in your own sentence. “Insurance companies make money because they evaluate the risk and decide whether it is worth the gamble.”

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are common types of insurance policies in your country?
  2. What kind of insurance do you possess?
  3. Have you had a bad experience with insurance companies?
  4. Do you believe that a person has to have every type of insurance policy?

Inflation and Interest Rates

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Based on a general correlation, interest rates and inflation are inversely correlated. Lower interest rates normally result in more inflation, whereas higher interest rates typically result in lower inflation.

Watch the video to understand the logic behind this relationship.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the idiom “rainy day” mean? Use it in a sentence.
    “They don’t go out as much, they don’t have lots of holidays, and [sic] instead put their money away for a rainy day.”
  2. What does the word “subsequent” mean?
    “Subsequent supply chain problems have arisen.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the word “inverse” mean? Use it in your own sentence.
    “Interest rates and inflation has an inverse relationship.”

Discussion Questions:

  1. In your own words, explain the inverse relationship between inflation and interest rates.
  2. What comes to your mind when you hear the words “inflation” and “interest rate”?
  3. Is inflation evident in your country? Cite examples of evidence.
  4. What policies has your government used to combat inflation?
  5. Has the interest rate increased in your country? How do you feel about it?

Ways to Increase Motivation and Get More Done

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Productivity largely depends on motivation because it’s challenging to complete tasks if you don’t have the desire to perform them.

However, a lot of people have trouble finding and maintaining motivation at work, which can result in a decline in productivity. How you boost motivation so that you accomplish more now presents a difficulty.

Watch this video on ways to increase motivation to get more done.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Give 1-2 synonyms of the word “plummet“. Use them in sentences.
    Many people struggle to get and stay motivated at work which can cause their productivity to plummet.
  2. What does the phrase “cut back” mean?
    Look for changes you can make in your daily routine to promote better sleep. These can be things such as cutting back on caffeine and powering down your devices.
  3. What does the phrase “carve out” mean? Use it in your own sentence.
    Try to carve out at least 30 minutes per day for exercise.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you a motivated individual? How can you say so?
  2. What do you consider to be the most crucial of the methods described in the video?
  3. What are things that motivate you?

Buy the Dip

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Purchasing an asset when its price declines, often as a result of external events, is referred to as “buying the dip” in the context of investing. In expectation of a price recovery for that asset, investors then “buy the dip.”

People may tell you to “buy the dip” while the stock market is declining. Does it, however, make sense?

Watch the video about buying the dip.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. How do you interpret the term “blue chip” in trading?
    This is the last 12 months of a blue chip stock price.
  2. What does the idiom “bang for the buck” mean?
    Since the shares are essentially on sale, you get more bang for your buck.
  3. Use the phrase “in hindsight” in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you feel about investing in the stock market?
  2. If you are a trader, would you buy the dip?
  3. Which of the investing strategies mentioned in the video would you most likely employ if you were a stock market investor?

Metaverse to Affect the Future of Work

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Technology has come a long way compared to when it was first invented, and it keeps improving and making our lives easier and more convenient with every passing year. In recent years, a concept in technology called “the metaverse” became popular and is said to be people’s future workspace.

Read the article to learn how metaverse could change the future of work.

https://www.techtarget.com/searchcio/tip/How-will-the-metaverse-affect-the-future-of-work

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “onboarding” mean? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “overlay” mean? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “galvanize” mean? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of the metaverse?
  2. What is your opinion on the metaverse workplace?
  3. Do you think there are more advantages to it than disadvantages? Explain your point.
  4. How can the metaverse workplace be beneficial to employees and businesses alike?

Keeping New Year’s Resolutions

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A new year brings hope that we can leave the previous behind and look forward to a better one. It is also right around this time when we take the chance to also make some New Year’s resolutions.

However, be careful for this glimmer of hope not to die down along the way.

Read the article to know more on how to keep your New Year’s resolutions.

https://www.voanews.com/a/an-annual-battle-keeping-new-year-s-resolutions-/6895882.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “set someone up for something” mean? “That feeling of hope can dissipate amid day-to-day stressors but there are ways to set goals without feeling like you’re setting yourself up for failure.” Use it in your own sentence.
  2. What does “follow through” mean? Use it in your own sentence.
  3. Give 1-2 synonyms of “endpoint”. Use them in your own sentences. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why might be reasons people make New Year’s resolutions? Do you make them yourself? Why or why not?
  2. Do you agree or disagree on this, “People should also reflect on their progress to see how far they’ve come rather than only focusing on the endpoint.”? Explain your point.
  3. Share your thoughts on this, “if people know why they’ve set goals, they’re more likely to reach them.”
  4. What are some things you want to change this year and why is it that you want to make said changes?
  5. How can one make sure that they follow through on their goals?

Europe Feels the Winter Heat

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Looks like winter didn’t come as expected this time around. In some European countries, it didn’t snow as much as the usual. This could be a preview on how winters are going to be like in the years to come. This change could be brought about by the continuous rise in the temperatures around the world. 

The consequences of this could extend not only all through out the tourism industry.

Read the article to know more about how Europe felt a warmer winter this time.

https://www.voanews.com/a/snow-is-a-no-show-as-europe-feels-the-winter-heat-/6909079.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “blanket” mean in this sentence, “Mild weather has left many regions of Europe that would normally be blanketed in snow at this time of year bare, and winter sports resorts are fearing for the future.”? Use it in your own sentence.
  2. What does “grapple with” mean? “In the Swiss village of Adelboden, organizers of Saturday’s ski World Cup race grappled with above-freezing temperatures to ensure athletes could compete in the popular event while spectators basked in the blazing sunshine.” Use it in your own sentence.
  3. What does “soar” mean? “Michael Hayboeck of Austria soars through the air at the fourth stage of 71th Four Hills ski jumping tournament in Bischofshofen, Austria, Jan. 6, 2023.” Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news? How was the last winter in your country like? Talk about some changes in the the climate that you noticed.
  2. How does this change in the winter weather impact Europe?
  3. How is tourism like in your country in winter?
  4. Do you like traveling in winter? Why or why not?

Croatia Switches to Euro

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Croatia is one of the most ideal tourist destinations in Europe, with more than a thousand islands and islets. With the country’s recent entry to Eurozone, it has adopted euro as its currency. It is a good news for tourists and local people alike when it comes to avoiding the hassles of currency exchange.

Let’s read the article and know more details about the newest member of the European Union.

https://www.voanews.com/a/croatia-switches-to-euro-enters-borderless-europe-club-/6899542.html

Vocabulary:

  1. What does “milestone” mean? Use it in your own sentence.
  2. What does “demise” mean? Use it in your own sentence.
  3. What does “bid farewell” mean in this sentence, “At midnight local time (2300 GMT Saturday) the Balkan nation bid farewell to its kuna currency and became the 20th member of the eurozone.”? Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the economic benefits Croatia will gain by entering Europe’s passport-free zone?
  2. How do you think this entry affects other EU countries?
  3. What possible short-term problems could this have on Croatians?

Google To Give People More Power Over Their Personal Data

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In the last two decades, the internet has been a widely used platform for the advertising industry. It reaches large audiences at a much cheaper cost. Brands splash their ads in different websites that are suitable to the user’s precise interests. They use the users’ data to give us the ads that we are looking for.

Let’s read the article and find out more about the new user privacy protection measure when using Google.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/may/19/privacy-by-design-google-to-give-people-more-power-over-their-personal-data

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “pushback” mean? Use it in your own sentence.
  2. What does “opt out” mean? Use it in your own sentence.
  3. What does “watchdog” mean in this sentence, “Just last month the Australian competition watchdog won a court case against Google…”? Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What new privacy strategy Google offers? How does it work?
  2. What is your opinion on third party companies purchasing user’s data easily?
  3. What do you think of the possibility of Google monetising future privacy features?

Parents Sever Ties with Their Children

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A parent’s and child’s relationship should be one of mutually beneficial, unbreakable love that endures all ups and down. Regrettably, some parents may find it challenging to keep this bond going. Ultimately, a parent could perhaps decide to leave their roles because they feel they have passed the tipping point. Some parents who choose to cut off contact claim that they do so for their own well-being and security.

But were you aware that some children also constantly try to behave similarly to their parents? Yes, children do estrange themselves from their parents as well. For what reasons?

Follow the link to learn more.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20221207-the-parents-who-sever-ties-with-their-children

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “cut off ” mean? Use this word in a sentence.
  2. What does “ re-kindle” mean in this sentence, ”An attempt to rekindle their romance ended just before she died.”? Use this word in a sentence.
  3. What does “ordeal” mean here, “Without the help and understanding of my daughter, I don’t know where I’d be, as this has been a very lonely ordeal,” she says.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do parents lose touch with their kids?
  2. Is it acceptable to detach oneself from kinship? Explain.
  3. Is there even an appropriate time to sever ties with your family? Explain.
  4. Why do children estrange themselves from parents?
  5. What does a toxic parent-child relationship entail?