Tag: health and medicine

Monkeypox Virus

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Just as we thought the COVID-19 pandemic is about to end, there is a new virus that has spread through Europe and North America. It is the monkeypox that started in Africa.

Let’s watch the video and find out more about this emerging viral disease.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is monkeypox? Where did it originate? How does monkeypox spread? What are its known symptoms?
  2. What is your reaction to this new virus?
  3. What is your government doing to protect its people from this virus?

Replace Forks with Chopsticks

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It is said that there is a link between health and the use of chopsticks. Chopsticks are crafted pair of equal length sticks used for eating that are popular in Asian countries such as China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Thailand.

Read the article to know why using chopsticks is better for our health and be able to answer the questions below.

https://www.sakara.com/blogs/mag/why-you-should-be-using-chopsticks

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you feel about what is said in this article? Do you agree that using chopsticks is better for our health? Why or why not?
  2. Have you used chopsticks before? What do you think of chopsticks as utensils?
  3. Would you like to try using chopsticks to help you achieve better health? Why or why not?
  4. How do you compare the way people normally eat in your country with those from other countries?
  5. What do you do in order to prevent yourself from overeating?

Left Brain Right Brain is a Myth

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We assume that people think differently. Someone is very good at science and another is good at arts. Do you think this depends on a person’s being left- or right-brained?

We have all heard that the cerebral hemispheres are responsible for different activities. However, is it really true?

Watch the video and find out if the theory of left- and right-brained thinking is true or not.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Was any information mentioned in the video shocking for you? Explain.
  2. What is your attitude to the “brain dominance” tests after having discovered this new theory? Will you rely on them?
  3. Do you believe that people will one day learn all the secrets of how the brain functions?
  4. What is one proof that the left- and right-brained thinking theory is false based on the video? What are your thoughts on this?
  5. Are you left- or right-brained? What are your qualities that make you as such?

Eye Drops Could Replace Reading Glasses

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It is not a secret that as we grow older, our vision gets worse, and because of this, we typically wear glasses or contacts.

However, most people describe wearing these as uncomfortable, but continue to be necessary.

But recently, an eye drop called Vuity has been created to help improve short-range vision and make the person using it comfortable.

To find out more about Vuity, let’s watch this video below.

Discussion Questions:

  1. In your opinion, will Vuity be helpful to many people? Explain.
  2. Compare and contrast this eye drop to glasses or contacts.
  3. Can this eventually replace glasses? Why or why not?
  4. Do you believe that Vuity’s side effects make it unusable or dangerous? Explain.
  5. If you had the opportunity, would you try Vuity? Why or why not?
  6. How do you take care of your eyes?

Baby Girl Born from Frozen Embryo

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A baby girl has been born from a human embryo that was frozen 24 years ago. It is the world’s longest-known frozen embryo that has been used to birth a child. According to doctors, frozen embryos can develop just as effectively as fresh ones.

Read this lesson about an embryo frozen for more than two decades and the birth of a baby girl from it.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/health-medicine/baby-girl-born-from-embryo-frozen-24-years-ago.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about embryo cryopreservation?
  2. Is this technology popular in your country? Why do you think this is the case?
  3. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of embryo freezing?
  4. Is this the future of human reproduction? What are your thoughts on this?
  5. Is this something that young people should consider doing at their prime? Why or why not?

US Life Expectancy Drops Because of Opioid Abuse

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Life expectancy in the United States has fallen for the second year in a row. The surge in opioid-related mortality, particularly among young individuals, is one of the key reasons.

Read the article on how opioid abuse has affected the life expectancy in the US.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/health-medicine/us-life-expectancy-drops-because-of-opioid%20abuse.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. What is the life expectancy in your country?
  3. In your opinion, what are the factors affecting life expectancy?
  4. Do you use a lot of painkillers? What kind?

Sleep and Light

B1 – Intermediate

Sleep is essential for all humans and animals. Without sleep, our bodies won’t have the time to rest and recharge. However, it’s not only about the number of hours that matter, but also the conditions under which we sleep.

Researchers have discovered that sleeping with the lights on can cause serious health problems. Now, sleeping in the dark not only makes sense, but could also have huge benefits on our overall health.

Read the article below to learn about the effects on our health when we sleep in a brightly-lit room.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2203/220324-sleeping-with-the-light-on-1.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the conditions that allow you to sleep well?
2. Is the number of hours you sleep important to you? Why or why not?
3. How do you feel after a day or two without proper sleep?
4. How many days do you think, you can last with only a few hours of sleep?
5. Are apps that monitor sleep effective and helpful? Why or why not?
6. Do you monitor your sleeping patterns? Why or why not?
7. How do you deal with low energy during the day because of lack of sleep?

Plant-Based Diets

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Plant-based diets are getting extremely popular among communities and if you do your research, you’ll find that they are the way of life for many athletes and environmentalists.

Maybe you’re not a person who knows a lot about nutrition, though. This can make it hard for you to understand who or what sources you can trust.

Read the article to know more about veganism.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/plant-based-diet-food-list-meal-plan-benefits-more/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have plant-based diets become more popular in your country recently? Why do you think this is? Share your observations on this trend.
  2. Do you think all vegetarian products are healthy? Explain your point.
  3. Why is a plant-based diet considered to be healthy?
  4. What are considered to be the biggest challenge for a vegan?
  5. What are your thoughts on plant-based diets?

Digital Detox Leads to Better Health and Lifestyle

B1 – Intermediate

People in this present generation are probably the most dependent on digital or electronic devices such as mobile phones, tables, and laptops. We use them so much that sometimes, we forget to “live”.

Read the article about the dangers digital devices bring to people and how digital detox can be beneficial to our health and lifestyle.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2203/220314-digital-detox-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about digital detox? 
  2. Would you be interested to do it too? Why or why not?
  3. Do you agree or disagree that people should consider digital detox? Explain.
  4. What are the negative effects of being too addicted to digital devices?
  5. What is the worst effect of digital devices to you?
  6. Do you know anyone with “nomophobia”? Describe him/her.

Plant-Based Diet Helps the Heart

B1 – Intermediate

Your parents probably told you when you were young that you have to eat your vegetables because they’re good for you. However, a new study found that we may not be greatly reducing the risk of heart attacks by eating a lot of veggies because there are many other factors that may affect our heart.

Read more about the study on how plant-based diet helps our heart.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2203/220310-plant-based-diet-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree or disagree that people should eat lots of vegetables? Explain.
  2. What are the other things that can affect our heart?
  3. Money and lifestyle also affect the heart. What is your opinion on this?
  4. How important is eating vegetables to you?
  5. What can you tell someone who doesn’t like eating vegetables too much/at all?