Tag: People and Human Interest

Our Love of Pets

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

To truly know someone, it really all boils down to: Are they a dog or a cat person?

We now live in a world were pets are kept inside the house and treated ever so kindly, almost like a family member, in some cases.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about why we keep and love our pets.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2024/ep-240104

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “disposable income” mean? “First of all, on a very practical level, living standards are gradually increasing across that period, and it becomes more possible to keep pets if you have more disposable income.” Use this term in a sentence.
  2. What does “to fit the bill” mean? “In the Victorian era, dogs were very much the top pet, and you can see that the values that were often associated with dogs, so loyalty, trustfulness and, steadfastness… all of these qualities were also celebrated by the Victorians of key parts of the Victorian manly character, so dogs really fitted the bill.” Use this idiom in a sentence.
  3. What does “the idea someone has of themselves ” mean? “It was also the Victorians who first described Britain as a nation of dog lovers, a phrase they used to reflect the idea they had of themselves.” Use this expression in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. The British are well-known to be animal lovers. Do you think it is the same for the people in your country? Why or why not?
  2. What are the benefits and drawbacks of keeping a pet?
  3. Do you think attitudes to pets were based on economics? Explain.
  4. Share your opinion on this statement, “Your personality is reflected in your pet.”.
  5. What are your thoughts on creating social media accounts for pets/on pets being on socmed?

Everyone Loves the Underdog

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

We have heard of countless stories about how those people or teams who are in situations where they seem least likely to succeed or win actually end up winning in the end.

In sports, there are many stories of teams that were not expected to win, but have done better than predicted.

What is it about being an underdog that helps an individual or a team do better than expected?

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about how being the underdog can actually help one achieve success.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2024/ep-240328

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “underdog and top dog” mean? “Of course it’s not just the underdog playing, there are also top dogs, the most successful or powerful person or team.” Use these two terms in different sentences.
  2. What does “to look down one’s nose at (someone)” mean? “But some of these elite Premier League clubs will look down their nose at us and just think we shouldn’t be there, and we are there on merit and we’ve just gotta prove it this season.” Use this expression in a sentence.
  3. What does “choking” mean in this context, “No one expects underdogs to win and this gives them freedom to relax and play naturally. Top dogs, on the other hand, experience a lot of expectation, and this sometimes leads to choking.”? Use this word in this context in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does being an underdog help a person succeed or a team win?
  2. Do you tend to root for the underdogs too? Why or why not?
  3. Talk about a time you were or someone you know was an underdog.
  4. How can one overcome “choking”? How do you overcome it?
  5. What things cause someone to underperform?

Origins of the Word “Lesbian” 

B2 – Upper Intermediate

“Etymology” is derived from the Greek word etumos which means “true”. It is the study of the origin of words and how its meaning has changed over time. There are so many fascinating histories of words. One of them is the word “lesbian”.

In ancient Greece, Sappho was a revered singer and erotic poets. She often wrote songs about love, passion, and longing. Coincidentally, Sappho was from Lesbos and people from there were called “Lesbian”.

Watch the video and know more about the surprising origins of the word “lesbian”.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the verb “enrapture” mean? “More than 2,500 years ago, one of ancient Greece’s most celebrated pop stars and erotic poets enraptured listeners.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘enrapture’ in your own sentence.
  2. Define the word “licentiousness“. “One 2nd century Christian leader called Sappho ‘a whore who sang about her own licentiousness.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘licentiousness’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does the idiom “to reach across time” mean? “Sappho’s words reach across time and resonate today.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘to reach across time’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your thoughts on Sappho’s story.
  2. Share your opinion about how only fragments of Sappho’s works survived.
  3. What were the gender and social inequalities in ancient Greece? And how does this compare to modern times?
  4. Talk about a famous person from your country and their works that have endured the test of time.
  5. Talk about an etymology of a word or phrase that you find rather interesting and explain why you thought this was amusing.

A Piece of Advice to Your Younger Self

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Life is full of challenges and struggles that test our resilience and determination. Be it personal, academic, or professional obstacles, we all face difficulties at some point in our lives. These struggles can come in many forms, such as financial hardships, health issues, or relationship problems. There will always be a point in our life where we struggle and ask ourselves if we can survive. 

Read this article and find out what people answers if they are asked to advice their younger self.

https://www.juliebjelland.com/hsp-blog/if-you-could-give-a-piece-of-advice-to-your-younger-self-what-would-it-be

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the verb “meander” mean? “You were always on the exact right path, even if it may have meandered and had its own timeline.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘meander’ in your own sentence.
  2. What does the noun “to brush something off” mean, “Your instincts are right. Trust them. Don’t brush them off.”? Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘to brush something off’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does “to work hand in hand” mean? “Don’t ignore your heart. Just because everyone is complimenting your head (logical thinking), doesn’t mean you can’t also listen to your heart. They can work hand in hand.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘to work hand in hand in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What piece of advice would you give your younger self?
  2. What struggles did you have before and how were you able to overcome them?
  3. Choose a piece of advice from the article to give to your younger self. Explain why you think the young you needs to hear this word of wisdom.
  4. What do you think Paula Prober mean when she said, “You are scuba diving through life while others are simply water skiing.“?
  5. When things get tough, what words of wisdom do you always remember, and who said them?

Jeff Bezos Got Rich When He Understood This

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Career and passion go hand in hand when it comes to finding fulfillment and satisfaction in your professional life. While some people are fortunate enough to have a career that aligns perfectly with their passion, many others struggle to find the right balance between what they love to do and what they need to do to make a living.

Finding the perfect balance between career and passion can be a daunting task. It requires self-reflection, goal-setting, and a willingness to take risks. It may involve changing career paths, pursuing further education, or starting your own business. It may also require making sacrifices, such as working long hours, moving to a new city, or taking a pay cut.

Are you living your life on the correct path? Do you ever wonder where you’re headed? Watch this video and learn something.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “hot passion of the day” mean? “Do something you’re very passionate about and don’t try to chase what is kind of the hot passion of the day.” Make a sentence with this idiom.
  2. What does “bluff something out” mean? “Will you bluff it out when you’re wrong or will you apologize?” Make a sentence using this phrase.
  3. What does “dogma” mean? “Will you follow dogma or will you be original?” Make a sentence using this word.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What did you learn after watching the video?
  2. What choices have you made that makes you proud?
  3. What do you think is your calling?
  4. Share your thoughts on this, “If you don’t love your work, you’re never going to be good at it.“
  5. Why do you think Bezos said, “All the curious from the ages would have wanted to be alive most of all right now?“

Reading Books: A Habit Everyone Should Cultivate

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Reading books has been a cherished pastime for centuries, providing a gateway to new worlds, ideas, and perspectives. From the ancient scrolls of Egypt to the modern e-books of today, books have played a crucial role in shaping human knowledge and understanding.

Reading books is not just a leisure activity but a powerful tool for self-improvement and enlightenment. It is a timeless practice that continues to shape individuals and societies alike.

Discover some of the reasons you should take up reading as a new hobby by reading the article.

Reading books: A habit that everyone should cultivate

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “cultivate” mean here, “Reading is a habit that everyone should cultivate.“? Use this word with the same context in a sentence.
  2. What does the idiom “to keep the fire burning” mean? “At first, it ignites the sleeping will within us to be the best version of us; and once it does, reading books keeps that fire burning for us not to lose our enthusiasm.” Use this in a sentence.
  3. What does the noun “treachery” mean? “Without the element of treachery, but with the pure intention of discovering, picture yourself as the explorer Ferdinand Magellan who is in an expedition, but for words instead of spices.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘treachery’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the six points mentioned in the cited article to encourage you to read regularly?
  2. Could you give me one more reason for establishing reading as a habit?
  3. What book do you recommend, and why?
  4. How different do you think reading will be in the future?

The ‘Ninis’: No School, No Job and No More Bank of Mum and Dad?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Parental obligations usually end legally when the child reaches the age of 18. By law, parents are required to support their young children by providing them food, shelter, clothing, education, etc. However, parents feel responsible for their children’s actions or inactions even if they are already grown-ups.

Let’s read the article and know more about these young adults in Spain whom parents can’t seem to get rid of.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/shortcuts/2016/jun/06/spain-ninis-no-school-job-bank-mum-dad

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the word “bankrolling” mean? “Spain’s Nini generation are the equivalent of the UK’s Neets – but they may be about to experience some tough love from their bankrolling parents.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. Define the word “upkeep“. “Instead, their parents have been required to pay for their upkeep.” Use it in your own sentence and give two synonyms.
  3. What does the expression “to squabble over something” mean? “You know how divorced couples often squabble over who gets custody of the children?” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. In your opinion, what factors contribute to these young people becoming “ninis”?
  2. How can this be prevented or resolved?
  3. What is your stand on the parents’ right to abandon their “nini” children?

Creativity Is a Process, Not an Event

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Creativity is not a singular moment, but a continuous and iterative journey. It challenges the notion that creativity occurs only in spontaneous events. It involves a deliberate and evolving process.

The summary highlights the importance of consistent effort, exploration, and refinement in fostering creativity, urging individuals to view it as an ongoing journey rather than a one-time occurrence.

Read the article below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

Creativity Is a Process, Not an Event

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “train of thought” mean? “The falling apple was merely the beginning of a train of thought that continued for decades.” Use it in your own sentence. 
  2. What does the idiomatic expression “eureka moment” mean? “It is a symbol of the inspired genius that fills your brain during those “eureka moments” when creative conditions are just right.” Use the expression in your own sentence.
  3. What does the expression “to wrestle with something” mean? “Newton isn’t the only one to wrestle with a great idea for years.” Give 2 synonyms and use ‘to wrestle with something’ in a sentence. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share a personal experience when you had a “eureka moment” or a flash of creative brilliance. How did that moment influence your perspective on creativity?
  2. Discuss the notion that creativity is a process that requires years of commitment and deliberate practice. How do you approach the long-term development of your creative skills or talents?
  3. The article suggests that being in the top 1 percent of intelligence doesn’t necessarily correlate with being fantastically creative. How do you perceive the relationship between intelligence and creative thinking? Share examples that support or challenge this idea.
  4. Share practical strategies mentioned in the article, such as constraining oneself, writing more, broadening knowledge, and embracing positive thinking. Which strategies resonate with you, and how do you apply them in your creative pursuits?
  5. How does maintaining a positive mindset contribute to thinking more broadly and making creative connections between ideas in your experience?

After 60, Alone, Happy

B2 – Upper Intermediate

People’s viewpoints on romantic love typically shift as they age, leading some aged individuals to choose a life free of being in search of such attachments.

For these people, abandoning their quest for affection is not a sign of withdrawal, but rather an intentional choice based on an overwhelming feeling of confidence and contentment with their independence. They find satisfaction in their freedom and autonomy, liberated of the social demands and pressures that surround romantic relationships.

Visit the link for additional information.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/may/16/a-new-start-after-60-alone-for-the-first-time-in-my-life-i-learned-how-to-be-happy

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “a feel good story” mean in the sentence, “And it’s a feel good story that shatters all of our stereotypes.”? Use this in your own sentence.
  2. What does “in the greater world” mean in the sentence, “Rather than feeling lonely, she has realized that “there is so much connection available in the greater world,” said Ms. McCollough, who lives in Ludlow, Mass.”? Use this in your own sentence.
  3. What does “a pang of loneliness” mean in the sentence, “Occasionally, she feels a pang of loneliness, coming home to her silent house after a family get-together.”? Use this in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How has your perspective on romantic relationships shifted as you’ve gotten older? Tell me more.
  2. What are some of the benefits you’ve experienced from being single and focusing on yourself? Please share.
  3. How do you maintain a sense of fulfillment and happiness while being unattached romantically?
  4. Have you faced any societal pressures or judgments regarding your decision to prioritize your own happiness over finding a partner? Please share.
  5. What advice would you give to others who may be considering giving up the search for romantic love in favor of self-assurance and satisfaction?

Having a Doppelganger

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A doppelgänger, derived from the German words “doppel” (meaning double) and “gänger” (meaning goer), refers to a mysterious and often unsettling phenomenon of encountering one’s exact look-alike or identical double. This concept has deep roots in folklore and mythology, with various cultures interpreting it differently.

In literature and popular culture, encountering a doppelgänger is often associated with foreboding omens or supernatural occurrences. The doppelgänger motif has been explored in numerous stories and films, highlighting the psychological and sometimes eerie implications of coming face-to-face with one’s identical counterpart. The phenomenon adds a layer of mystery and intrigue, provoking questions about identity, fate, and the blurred boundaries between reality and the supernatural.

Read the article below, listen to the short audio, and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/do-you-have-a-doppelg%C3%A4nger-/7467075.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “dead ringer” mean in the sentence, “My best friend in college is a dead ringer for George Clooney? When we’re out in public, he gets asked for his autograph all the time.” Use it in your sentence. 
  2. What does the word “mirror image” mean in the sentence, “Well, if you weren’t there, then I ran into your doppelgänger. She was a mirror image of you!? Give two synonyms or similar expressions and use “mirror image” in your own words. 
  3. What does the expression “to trade places with someone” mean in the sentence, “I wish I could trade places with my doppelgänger!“? Use it in a sentence. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do cultural beliefs and folklore influence the perception of doppelgängers, and do such beliefs exist in your culture?
  2. English often borrows words from other languages. Can you think of other words in English that have been borrowed and adapted from different languages? What impact does this linguistic borrowing have on language evolution?
  3. Have you ever personally encountered someone who looks remarkably similar to you or someone you know? Share your experience and reactions.
  4. How would you react if someone told you they met your doppelgänger? Do you find the idea intriguing or unsettling?
  5. Doppelgängers often carry symbolic meanings. What do you think the concept of a doppelgänger represents in a broader sense, beyond physical resemblance?