Tag: People and Human Interest

B2 – Upper Intermediate

John D. Rockefeller showed strong ambition from a young age and later became the richest man of his time through the oil industry. After starting in accounting, he built partnerships that led to the creation of Standard Oil, a company that eventually controlled most of the oil business in the United States.

However, his success came with controversy. He was accused of using aggressive and unfair practices to eliminate competition, which led to a legal battle with the U.S. government. Although his company was eventually divided, Rockefeller remained extremely wealthy. Later in life, he turned to philanthropy and founded The Rockefeller Foundation to support education and medical research.

Watch the video to learn more about Rockefeller’s rise to power, the criticism he faced, and the legacy he left behind.

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “monopoly” mean in the sentence, “The company was eliminating competition from the way, with the clear intention of becoming a monopoly.”? Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “exclusive discount” mean in the sentence,
   “He promised illegal exclusive discounts to the railroads.”? Use it in a sentence.
3. What does “legal battle” mean in the sentence, “Years later, the United States Government entered into a legal battle with the businessman.”? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think Rockefeller’s ambition justified his business practices? Why or why not?
2. Should monopolies be allowed if they create economic growth?
3. Can philanthropy change the way society views a controversial business leader? Why do you think this is?
4. Why do you think Rockefeller’s reputation remains debated today?
5. Do you believe great success often requires aggressive competition? Share your thoughts.

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It seems impossible to ever win the lottery, but what if you are extremely lucky and do? If the moment comes, everything could be difficult to understand, and you might not know what to do. For the majority, it’s possible that the overwhelming excitement might lead them to lose it rapidly, which could be disastrous.

Watch the video to find out more about the biggest mistake lottery winners make.

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “income stream” mean? “The annuity can provide financial stability from the start, while ensuring a steady income stream for the future.” Use this term in a sentence and give a synonym.
2. What does “to put someone ahead” mean?  “Creating an emergency fund would put you ahead of most Americans.” Use this idiom in a sentence and give a synonym.
3. What is the meaning of “to spend with intention”? “Understanding your values also makes it easier to spend with intention and avoid impulsive buys.” Use this idiom to make your own sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

1. In general, what are your thoughts on lottery?
2. Why do you think many lottery winners end up losing all their winnings?
3. Talk about the pros and cons of annuity and lump sum payment method.
4. If you won the lottery, which payment option would you choose and why?
5. Share your thoughts on this, “While lottery winners are rare, building up your own million-dollar jackpot doesn’t have to be.”
6. Have you heard of anyone winning the lottery in your country? How did it go for the winner?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

“Success is not only about talent or intelligence — it’s also about grit.”

Grit is the ability to stay committed, work hard, and keep going even when things become difficult. In school, at work, and in everyday life, people with grit learn from failures, stay motivated, and continue striving toward their goals.

Watch the video to learn more about grit and be able to answer the questions below.

Vocabulary Questions:

1. Define ‘willpower‘. “Strong willpower helps students and professionals stay focused on their goals, making it an important part of developing grit in school, work, and life.” Use it in a sentence.
2. What does the word ‘internalize’ mean here: “Once we internalize that we can improve our skills, we might realize that we can also practice willpower.”? Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
3. What is the meaning of ‘for something to present itself”?“In school and work, challenges will often present themselves, and grit helps us face them with determination instead of giving up.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym.
   

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think grit (self-control, passion, and perseverance) is more important than high IQ scores or fine genes when it comes to achieving success? Why or why not?
2. How has grit helped you navigate through life?
3. In your opinion, can grit be learned, or is it something people are born with?
4. How can schools and workplaces encourage the development of grit in students and employees?
5. Can focusing too much on grit ever be harmful? How might balance play a role in achieving goals?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Although screen addiction is usually associated with younger people, many grandparents are now spending more time on their devices. They use smartphones and social media to stay connected and entertained. However, this growing screen use raises concerns about health, balance, and its impact on family life.

Watch the video about the elderlies’ growing obsession with screens and be able to answer the questions that follow.

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does the phrase ‘clock up’ mean? “Older people clock up longer hours in front of the TV than younger people.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
2. What does the word ‘caveat’ mean? “There were studies in Japan showing that screen time was associated with less physical activity among the elderly and they came with caveats.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
3. What does the idiom ‘ lose one’s marble” mean? Some people think that grandparents are losing their marbles because they spend so much time glued to their phones and tablets.’ Make a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

1. Is it that more elderlies are able to do less physical activities because of the screens or they’re spending more time on their screens because they’re less able to do physical activities? Which do you think is the case?
2. In your country, do you think grandparents spend too much time on their phones compared to younger people? Why or why not?
3. Is screen use helpful or harmful for elderly people? Share your opinion.
4. How can older adults balance screen time with other activities?
5. What are some activities that the elderlies usually partake in in your city/country?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Many people assume that success comes from following proven methods and sticking to what already works. At work, this often means copying industry standards, routines, and ways of thinking that everyone else accepts without question. The problem is that doing what most people do usually leads to average results, not real progress or innovation.

Watch the video to explore why challenging accepted norms can lead to very different outcomes.

Vocabulary Questions

1. What does “automatic pilot” mean in the sentence, “Over 95% of our life, we run on automatic pilot”? Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “industry standard” mean in the sentence, “The boundaries of this box, they are called industry standards, or industry norms”? Use it in a sentence.
3. What does “hit a wall” mean in the sentence, “When people, teams, and organizations, whenever they hit a wall, they tend to do one of two things”? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions

1. Do you think people are generally comfortable following norms, even if those norms limit creativity? Why or why not?
2. Can you think of an example where following the usual way of doing things led to poor results?
3. Why might people be afraid to try “different things” instead of doing more or less of the same?
4. Have you ever questioned a rule or standard at work or school? What happened?
5. Do you believe extraordinary results require taking risks? Why or why not?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Most of us do everything we can to avoid boredom. We scroll, stream, or check our phones the moment there’s nothing else to do. But this video challenges that habit and argues that boredom plays an important role in helping us think, reflect, and find meaning in our lives.

Watch the video to hear why boredom isn’t something to escape, and how constantly avoiding it may be affecting our mental health.

Vocabulary Questions

1. What does “default mode network” mean in the sentence, “Boredom is a tendency for us to not be occupied otherwise cognitively, which switches over our thinking system to use a part of our brain that’s called the default mode network”? Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “doom loop” mean in the sentence, “Well, that’s a big problem. That’s a doom loop of meaning”? Use it in a sentence.
3. What does “get your arms around” mean in the sentence, “Because it sends you to the types of questions that you can’t get your mind around. You can’t get your arms around”? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think people are so uncomfortable with boredom?
2. How does boredom help people think about meaning and purpose, according to the video?
3. Do you agree that smartphones make it harder to reflect on life? Why or why not?
4. Have you ever had good ideas when you were bored? What were you doing at the time?
5. Would you be willing to try short periods without your phone during the day? Why or why not?

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Some people find themselves rambling when they need to make a speech. Do you ever wonder how those people who have excellent communication skills do it? 

There are tricks that you can pull up your sleeves to make you sound like a CEO. 

Watch the video on some mindset shifts that can help change the way you speak.

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “neural echo effect” mean? “People mirror your micro-behaviors. This is something called the neural echo effect.” Use the term in a sentence and give a synonym.
2. What does “” mean? “People judge your intelligence by clarity and not complexity. It’s called the simplicity anchor.” Use the term in a sentence and give a synonym.
3. What does “curiosity loop” mean? “Questions increase dopamine. They call this the curiosity loop.” Use the term in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

1. Share your thoughts on the 3-2-1 speaking trick. (1. Pause for 3 seconds. 2. Give only 2 points. 3. End with 1 question.) Can you imagine applying this in some difficult speaking situations/conversations? If you already practice this, share your experience/s.
2. Have you ever noticed others mirroring your micro-behaviors in a room full of people? Talk about some instances.
3. One of the things that’s important in speaking in this day and age where we have shorter attention span than ever is “speaking in sprints, not streams”. This trick is especially useful during fights/disagreements. What are your thoughts on this? 
4. Talk about your experience making a speech. What are your secrets to be able to communicate your ideas effectively?
5. In your opinion and personal experience, how important is gesture priming or gesturing before you speak?
6. What do you think about this, “The way you start a conversation matters more than the conversation itself.“?