Tag: Government

B1 – Intermediate

Catching joyriders, illegal road racers, and more aggressive drivers could be a problem for the police. They drive too fast. Police won’t be able to catch up with these law breakers if they drive slow cars.

The solution – the Czech Republic police have used a criminal’s Ferrari into a patrol car. Now this high-powered sports car can help police during high-speed chase. In Dubai, the police also drive fast cars to ensure their citizens’ safety.

Read the article about the police using a criminal’s Ferrari as patrol car. Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2207/220728-patrol-car-1.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you agree or disagree with police using seized supercars as patrol cars? Explain your point.
2. Do you think police presence on streets make people feel safe? Why or why not?
3. What do you think about high-powered cars? Would you like to own one? Why or why not?
4. Do you enjoy watching car races? Why or why not?

B1 – Intermediate

The war between Russia and Ukraine has substantially affected everyone around the world. The cost of living in United Kingdom has increased so much since the oil and gas prices have increased.

They now have this dilemma of “heating or eating”, parents have to choose between heating up and feeding their children. The basic necessity prices of food, heating, and transport have become quite unreasonable that even boiling potatoes is now a problem for some people.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about the worsening cost of living in the UK.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2203/220328-cost-of-living-crisis-4.html

Discussion Questions:

1. How has the war between Russia and Ukraine affect other countries?
2. What do you think will happen if this war continues?
3. Has this war affected you and your country in some way? Explain how.
4. Talk about your own lifestyle and the cost of living in the city you live in.
5. How can we prevent poverty? Can the government help?

B1 – Intermediate

Nick Ferrari, one of Britain’s most popular radio hosts, shames United Kingdom in their treatment of the refugees from Ukraine. Despite the fact that more than 79,800 Ukrainians applied for a visa, 40,900 visas only were issued and 12,000 refugees at most were accepted. A number of people say that United Kingdom is setting up the process of getting a visa too complicated for refugees to fail.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about UK’s refugee crisis response.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2204/220411-uk-refugee-response-4.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Why did Nick Ferrari call the government’s response to the Ukrainian refugee crisis “a disgrace”?
2. What are some of the struggles of the Ukrainian refugees in applying for a visa in United Kingdom?
3. Do you think that UK is setting up the process of getting a visa too complicated for refugees to fail? Explain.
4. Is Spain accepting refugees from Ukraine? What is the process to become a refugee in your country?
5. Are you open to accepting refugees in your own home? Why or why not?
6. How can we help Ukrainians in our own ways?

B1 – Intermediate

There are a lot of Royal Palaces in United Kingdom, Buckingham Palace is the most well-known and visited of all the royal residences since it is located in the heart of the capital.

A shocking news has been revealed that even though the London’s royal palaces has the highest of security measures, there were still plenty of crimes that were committed in these palaces and loads of those culprits were not unpunished.

As of today, Elizabeth II is the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Next to the throne would be Charles, Prince of Wales.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about how many crimes committed at the Royal Palaces have been left unpunished.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2204/220425-royal-palaces-4.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What kind of crimes happened in UK Royal Palaces?
2. Why did these crimes happen there even though these places are supposed to have the highest security measures in London?
3. Why are majority of those people who committed the crime left unpunished?
4. Are there some reports of any crime near or at the Royal Palace of Madrid or any Royal Palace in Spain? Name some.
5. What are the usual crimes in Spain and how are they punished? Are most of the guilty people punished?

B1 – Intermediate

The Japanese government appointed Tetsushi Sakamoto to be the “minister of loneliness”. Since Japan has been having problems with the high number of suicide in their country, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga created this role to help those people who are feeling lonely and isolated due to the coronavirus pandemic. They hope people could do activities that would improve interactions among themselves.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about the minister of loneliness.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2102/210225-minister-of-loneliness-1.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Why did the Japanese government appoint a minister of loneliness?
2. What is your opinion about a ministry of loneliness?
3. What organizations were formed in your country during the pandemic?
4. Do you think loneliness and isolation were a problem for many people in your country especially because of the pandemic? Why do you think this is?
5. How can we know if someone is experiencing anxiety or depression?
6. How can we help people who are dealing with negative thoughts?

B1 – Intermediate

A knighthood is awarded to a Briton who has shown exemplary service to his country. It is considered as one of the highest honors one can ever receive. 

Gavin Williamson was a former minister and was fired twice. Despite this, he was still given the said title.

Read the article about about an ex minister who was fired from his positions twice and then proceeded to receiving a knighthood.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2203/220307-uk-knighthood-4.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think about Williamson receiving a knighthood? Does he deserve the title?
2. Do you think it’s true that the award is for Williamson staying quiet about allegations about Boris Johnson before? Explain your opinion.
3. Should politicians who made mistakes be given another chance or awarded honors like this? Why or why not?
4. If there was a similar title in your country, who do you think should get it now and why him?

B1 – Intermediate

Afghanistan has encountered a huge crisis in their country. Afghans have enjoyed their freedom for the past two decades but this has suddenly changed. Due to the Taliban takeover last August, young human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Malala Yousafzai, urged countries to accept and protect Afghan refugees.

Read the article below to find out more about her plead from this lesson.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2108/210820-afghan-refugees-1.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Does your country accept refugees from other countries? What help does your government offer them?
2. What would be effective programs to help refugees seeking help in your country?
3. How effective is it being an activist?
4. Are there famous activists in your country? What do they advocate for?
5. What are some causes or movements that you advocate for?

B1 – Intermediate

In Japan, the government is thinking to give money to young people 19 years old and younger. It is a way to help families during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Read the lesson on Japan’s plans to give money to children.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2111/211108-cash-handout-4.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your opinion on this initiative?
2. Do you agree or disagree with the critics of this initiative? Share your opinion.
3. Should this money be given to everyone, including children from rich families? Explain your opinion.
4. If you received money from your government now, what would you do with it?
5. Describe the economic situation of your country during the pandemic.