Tag: Government

Finland Joins NATO

B1 – Intermediate

Finland had not been a part of any alliance since 1945. However, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the country changed its position and decided to join NATO. 

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Finland joining NATO.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/finland-joins-nato-level-2/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does ”alliance” mean, “Since 1945, Finland wasn’t part of any alliance, but when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the country changed its policy.“? Use this idiom in your own sentence.
  2. What does “escalate” mean, “In a reaction, Russia said that it would increase its military activity in the northwest and that the fact that Finland joined NATO could escalate the conflict in Ukraine.“? Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  3. What does “pact” mean, “The NATO Collective Defense Pact says that if an attack on one NATO member happens, it is an attack on all.“? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the pros and cons of being a member of NATO?
  2. What is your opinion about Finland’s decision to join NATO?
  3. In your opinion, should Sweden and other countries do the same? Why or why not?
  4. One of the founding principles of NATO is that an armed attack on one member nation would be considered as an attack on all. Share your opinion on this.
  5. Share something you know about NATO.

Italy May Punish English Use

B1 – Intermediate

Having English skills has become increasingly important in today’s globalized world. Nevertheless, some people consider it a threat as it may harm their native language.

Read the article to learn more about Italy’s stand on the use of English.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2304/230406-anglomania.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is “Anglomania“, “He is worried about the growing number of English words in Italian. He called it Anglomania.” Make your own sentence.
  2. What does “fine” mean here, ” He wants people to get a fine if they use English words.“? Use this in your own sentence.
  3. What does “linguistics” mean, “A top Italian linguistics society, the Accademia della Crusca, said it totally disagreed with Mr. Rampelli’s idea.“? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about this new law?
  2. What are its potential consequences?
  3. Do you think you need the same law in your country? Why or why not?
  4. How important is English in today’s globalized world? What opportunities can you get by speaking English fluently?
  5. Do you think English is harming your country’s native language? Share your opinion.

Argentina Crisis

B1 – Intermediate

Argentina used to be a rich country. A century later, it isn’t the case anymore. The country has faced so many crises over the years and it has not been easy for the people. This year, inflation in Argentina could go up to 100%. 

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about the crisis in Argentina and what people are doing to survive it.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/argentina-crisis-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. How is Argentina affected by the economic crisis?
  2. What are some Argentines doing to survive this crisis?
  3. How is your country affected by the economic crisis?
  4. Have you any adjustments in your lifestyle/spending habits due to inflation? Cite some of them.
  5. What are your thoughts on barter clubs?

Nuclear Annihilation is One Mistake Away

B1 – Intermediate

With all the global issues and political tensions we are facing these days, the possibility of a nuclear war is very high. The UN has warned that one little misunderstanding could potentially start a nuclear annihilation.

It is imperative to find a way that these nuclear weapons are eliminated so we are sure that they could never be used.

Read the article about how possible it is for a nuclear war to break any moment. Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2208/220804-nuclear-annihilation-0.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to what the UN has said that “humanity is just one misunderstanding away from a nuclear war”?
  2. How can this be stopped?
  3. What national security issues is your country facing at the moment?
  4. Do you think countries with nuclear weapons would agree to eliminate them? Why or why not?

Free Period Products

B1 – Intermediate

For women, having their menstruation can be a nuisance. Nowadays, another problem they are facing is the high prices of these products that they use when they have their periods.

Scotland created a law that provides these types of products to women of all ages in their country for free.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Scotland providing free period products to its female citizens.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/free-period-products-in-scotland-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your reaction to this law. Is a law such as this necessary in every country? Why or why not?
  2. What is your reaction to this, “Some women have so little money that they can’t buy these products every month.”?
  3. What might be other problems women have with their physical hygiene?
  4. In your country, what other laws can the government create to help women in maintaining their health?

Police Turn Criminal’s Ferrari into Patrol Car

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?

The Great Barrier Reef

B1 – Intermediate

A lot of places in the world are amazing and they need to be protected. One of them is the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Tourists go here to the see incredible coral reefs.

However, the UN claims that the reef is dying. Australia disagrees with what the UN is saying. This statement is not good for their country’s tourism industry.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript to know about the UN and Australia and their position on the Great Barrier Reef’s state.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/the-great-barrier-reef-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think the UN was right in saying the reef is dying? Explain.
  2. What can you say about Australia’s reaction to this statement?
  3. What do you think is the best thing to do in this situation?
  4. What do you think about the GBR? Would you like to visit it someday? Why or why not?
  5. What are some UNESCO World Heritage Sites in your city/country? Do you think they are properly protected? Why or why not?
  6. Which is more important, protecting places like the Great Barrier Reef or the tourism industry in a country? Explain.

People Have No Money to Boil Potatoes

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?

UK’s Help for Ukraine Refugees a Disgrace

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?

Unpunished Crimes at UK Royal Palaces

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?