Tag: First Certificate FCE

Google’s Digital Ad Business Dominance

B2 – Upper Intermediate

No doubt, Google has dominated the world of technology and business. However, the U.S. government has alleged the company of abusing its digital advertising business dominance.

They claim that Google has anticompetitive, exclusionary, and unlawful ways to thwart their competitions.

Read the article to know more about the U.S. Justice Department’s antitrust lawsuit against Google.

https://www.voanews.com/a/us-eight-states-sue-google-on-digital-ad-business-dominance/6932101.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “thwart” mean, “The lawsuit says “Google has thwarted meaningful competition and deterred innovation in the digital advertising industry…” Use this word in your own sentence.
  2. Explain ”antitrust”. ”The lawsuit is the second federal antitrust complaint filed against Google, alleging violations of antitrust law in how the company acquires or maintains its dominance.” Use this word in your own sentence.
  3. What does the expression “by a long shot” mean, “While Google remains the market leader by a long shot, its share of the U.S. digital ad revenue has been eroding, falling to 28.8% last year from 36.7% in 2016. Use this idiom in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on this antitrust complaint against Google?
  2. In your own opinion, are antitrust laws good or bad? Explain your point.
  3. How can antitrust practices be prevented?
  4. Why is competition important in business?
  5. What are some antitrust laws in your country? Explain each of them.

Global Scramble to Tackle Deepfakes

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A lot of fraudulent activities flourish in the online world. Nowadays, AI deepfakes have been a crucial tool in spreading misinformation on the internet.

Read the article to know more about deepfakes and how the world struggles to fight against it.

https://www.voanews.com/a/seeing-is-believing-global-scramble-to-tackle-deepfakes-/6945185.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to rein in” mean, “Chatbots spouting falsehoods, face-swapping apps crafting porn videos, and cloned voices defrauding companies of millions — the scramble is on to rein in AI deepfakes that have become a misinformation super spreader.”? Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  2. What does ”deluge” mean? “Artificial Intelligence is redefining the proverb “seeing is believing,” with a deluge of images created out of thin air and people shown mouthing things they never said in real-looking deepfakes that have eroded online trust.” Use this word in your own sentence.
  3. What does “stymie” mean? “China recently adopted expansive rules to regulate deepfakes but most countries appear to be struggling to keep up with the fast-evolving technology amid concerns that regulation could stymie innovation or be misused to curtail free speech.” Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on the prevalence of deepfakes nowadays?
  2. How can deepfakes be prevented?
  3. How would you feel and would you know what to do in case you fall victim to a deepfake content?
  4. Share your thoughts on this, “With no barriers to creating AI-synthesized text, audio and video, the potential for misuse in identity theft, financial fraud and tarnishing reputations has sparked global alarm.”
  5. According to the Eurasia group, “AI tools are “weapons of mass disruption.” What is your opinion on this?

Ransomware Attacks in Europe

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In Italy, the recent ransomware attacks coincided with the widespread internet outage. At this point, it is difficult to say whether the two incidents are related. However, cybersecurity groups have warned of ransomware attacks that involve systems that are already in circulation.

Read the article to know more about the ransomware attacks in Europe.

https://www.voanews.com/a/ransomware-attacks-in-europe-target-old-vmware-agencies-say/6949349.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is ”ransomware”? “Cybersecurity agencies in Europe are warning of ransomware attacks exploiting a two-year-old computer bug as Italy experienced widespread internet outages.” Use this word in your own sentence.
  2. What is “hypervisor”? “A Friday technical bulletin from a French cybersecurity agency said the attack campaigns target VMware ESXi hypervisors, which are used to monitor virtual machines.” Use this word in your own sentence.
  3. What does “interfere with” mean, “The problem attracted particular public attention in Italy on Sunday because it coincided with a nationwide internet outage affecting telecommunications operator Telecom Italia, which interfered with streaming the Spezia v. Napoli soccer match …”? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How can ransomware attacks be prevented?
  2. In case of a ransomware attack, should an individual or company pay a ransom to get their data back? Explain.
  3. How would you feel and would you know what to do in case you fall victim to a ransomware attack?
  4. Has there ever been a nationwide internet outage in your country? What caused it and how was it resolved?
  5. How do you feel when an internet outage occurs/would occur in your area?

Gen Z Make Friends in the Pandemic Era

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Building a relationship early in your career is vital, especially for those who are migrating to a foreign city and have no existing connections. These friends focus on providing assistance during both personal and professional shocks, and in some cases, they even become lifelong friends.

While work has traditionally been a place to make connections, many of these young people have lacked chances as businesses shifted to hybrid, distributed, or remote-working concepts. While making friends as an adult can be tough in and of itself, hurdles have never been significantly greater, particularly for Gen Z.

According to experts, social circles have downsized generally speaking after a desolate period of time during the global epidemic  and in some cases, they were never established at all. This indicates that some young adults are searching for fresh ways to form relationships.

Generation Z, in particular, is using mobile innovations to build long-term strong ties in different manners that earlier generations did not. Put bluntly, young employees are increasingly becoming innovative in their approaches of making new acquaintances.

Read the article to know more about how Gen Z or zoomers make meaningful connections in the pandemic era.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20230201-can-gen-z-make-friends-in-the-pandemic-era

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “top of mind” mean, “For many, limited social networks have been top of mind, and they’re working on innovative ways to build the kinds of friendships older generations found more readily at places like offices.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What does “all walks of life” mean, “The 24-year-old grew up in Ireland, and was eager to “meet people of all walks of life.” Use this idiom in your own sentence.
  3. What does the idiom “to put one’s self out there” mean, “During the pandemic, I was shocked with how anti-social I’d gotten, how nervous I was to talk to new people and put myself out there”? Use this expression in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How did the pandemic take a toll on your friendships? Please share.
  2. During the lockdown, how did you maintain contact with your friends?
  3. How did friendship help us cope with the isolation during the lockdowns? Talk about it.
  4. Are you comfortable extending your social circle online? Why or why not?
  5. How has your way of meeting new people or making new connections changed over the years?
  6. What are the advantages and pitfalls of online friendships?

Brexit Causes Collapse in European Research Funding 

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Research grants guarantee ample financial support to reach the completion of a study. Without the proper funding, it is highly unlikely for major research to reach its conclusion or to even get started. Universities are one of the institutions where research studies are usually done. In order to do so, they need to receive research grants from their government or other external funding sources.

Let’s read the article to know more about the effects of Brexit on UK’s university research and development.

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/feb/04/brexit-causes-collapse-in-european-research-funding-for-oxbridge-universities

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define the word “high-catchet”, “He has taken his high-cachet European Research Council (ERC) advanced grant with him.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does the word “woo” mean in this sentence, “Although she was wooed to the US by what she calls “the best job in my field”, she says Brexit uncertainty was a big factor.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “wrangling” mean in this sentence? “The government has guaranteed it will cover all successful Horizon Europe grants applied for by the end of March, but after watching the political wranglings for more than two years, many academics are now leaving the UK, saying they no longer believe their vital European research partnerships will be protected.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How did Brexit affect higher education and research in the UK?
  2. What option is available to those who have received the grant in the UK?
  3. Does your government promote and invest in research and development? How?
  4. How did Brexit affect R&D in your country?
  5. Why should we invest in R&D?

Have A Calmer Sunday Night

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Weekends are a joy for employees after going through a tough week of work. As much as everyone loves the weekend, when the end of the weekend comes, most of us get the “Sunday Scaries”.

If you’re one of those who loathe Sundays, there are things you can do to make your Sunday evening and the rest of the week better and calmer.

Read the article to know more.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/sunday-night-routine-monday_l_63c99561e4b01a4363856a1b

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “hustle and bustle” mean, “For most people, the end of the weekend isn’t a welcome time; it marks the return to the hustle and bustle of the workweek and all of the tasks therein.”? Use this word in your own sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of “frenzy“? Give at least 2 synonyms.
  3. What does “start (something) off on the right foot” mean in the sentence, “Putting things in place to start your Monday on the right foot is a good way to ease some of your Sunday scaries.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you usually experience the “Sunday Scaries”? Talk about it.
  2. What do you think of the ways mentioned in the article?
  3. Which ones do you practice to lessen the “Sunday Scaries”?
  4. What are other ways to have a more relaxed Sunday evening?
  5. What activities do you usually do to have a relaxing weekend?

Artificial Womb Facility

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Science has made it possible for humanity to advance significantly, as evidenced by developments in reproductive and delivery technologies.

EctoLife is a conceptual, theoretical design for what could be the world’s first artificial womb facility. It was created by Berlin-based science communicator and molecular biotechnologist Hashem Al-Ghaili. The project exists only as a futuristic thought experiment and is not a functioning facility.

To find out more about this artificial womb facility, let us watch this video.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is meant by “from the comfort of one’s zone“? “You can track your baby’s health from the comfort of your zone.” Use it in your own sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What is the meaning of “haptic“? “Using a wireless haptic suit connected to your baby’s growth pod, you will be able to sense their kicks in the womb.” Use it in your own sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What is a “bioreactor“? “The second bioreactor is designed to eliminate any waste products created by the babies.” Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your initial thoughts about such growth pods?
  2. Do you believe that science has gone too far with this kind of tech? Explain your thoughts.
  3. In your opinion, what are the worst and best parts of an artificial womb facility?
  4. What ethical concerns do you think artificial wombs raise for society?
  5. How might artificial womb technology change the traditional concept of pregnancy and parenthood?
  6. Do you think governments should regulate or limit the use of artificial wombs? Why?
  7. How do you think society would change if artificial wombs became a normal part of childbirth?


Run Away and Join the Circus

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Have you ever considered drastically changing your career? Do you know anyone who has done it? Modern life requires constant change and flexibility. That is true for one’s career and any other aspect of life. 

Watch the video and hear an incredible story from a woman who has dared to make significant changes in her life.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the phrase “to be on the road“, “I never looked back and I’ve been on the road ever since.“? Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.
  2. What is the meaning “on one‘s toes“? “You have to be ready for anything. You have to live on your toes because you never know what’s going to happen.” Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What does “in one’s wildest dream” mean? “Whatever you want to do in your wildest dreams, do it. Anything is possible.” Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your thoughts on her story on how she became a trapeze artist.
  2. Do you know any stories of people who have given up their careers or profession and started something new? What do you think made them do that?
  3. Would you do the same? What career would you change your present one for?
  4. What do you think of this statement: “Whatever you want to do in your wildest dreams, do it!“?

Lazy People Are More Likely to Succeed

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It might surprise you to find out that a person can be more productive if they are lazy. Bill Gates has often been quoted as saying, “I always choose a lazy person to do a hard job because a lazy person will find an easy way to do it.”

Read the article to learn about the benefits of doing nothing and how to take advantage of it.

https://tipsmake.com/7-reasons-why-lazy-people-are-more-likely-to-succeed

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the word “paradoxical“, “This may sound paradoxical in this age and lifestyle today.”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of the word “crammed” in this sentence, “They have many ideas because their minds are not crammed with common thoughts and responsibilities.”? Use it in a sentence.
  3. Give 2 synonyms of “to some extent“? Use this phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the benefits of a lazy employee according to the author?
  2. What are your thoughts on this, “Lazy people can really do a lot of work and being lazy is sometimes an advantage.”?
  3. Share your thoughts on this statement: “In order to  achieve great success in life, besides the natural talent, you have to know how to spend time wisely.”
  4. How can working with lazy co-workers impact your work?
  5. What are some technologies or tools you use that let you relax a little at work?

Stay Positive at Work

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Having a positive mindset at work is beneficial. It can improve one’s mood, boost confidence, help focus on future goals, and thereby, increase productivity in the workplace. By maintaining a positive outlook, one can focus on areas of improvement rather than work challenges. Make daily tasks at work enjoyable as positivity can influence not only you but also your co-workers.

Watch the video to explore how you start incorporating more positivity in your work life.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the idiom “cut someone some slack” mean? “Cutting yourself some slack will be an aid in finding motivation to learn and grow from your mistakes.” Use it in your own sentence.
  2. Give 1-2 synonyms of the “drawback“. Use them in sentences. “If you focus on the drawbacks of your role, it’s going to seem impossible to stay positive at work.“
  3. What is the meaning of the phrase “to reap the rewards of something“? “Use these strategies to reap the rewards of staying positive at work.” Use this idiom in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s your attitude towards your work? Are you usually positive or the opposite? Why or why not?
  2. How do you stay positive and motivated to get things done at work?
  3. Which strategies mentioned in the video that you think are helpful in your work life?