Tag: People and Human Interest

Emerging Risks Tied to Short-Form Video

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Short videos have become a big part of our daily lives. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts provide fast, entertaining content that keeps us scrolling for hours. While these videos may seem harmless and fun, they can have a powerful effect on how our brains work. From attention span and memory to dopamine and motivation, short-form content can change the way we think, focus, and process information. Understanding how short videos affect the brain is important so we can use them wisely and maintain a healthy balance in our digital lives.

Read this article to learn more about this topic.

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/brain-rot-research-short-form-video-consumption-rcna245739

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “cornerstone” mean? “From TikTok to Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts, short-form video content has become a cornerstone of just about every online platform, including LinkedIn and even Substack.” Make a sentence with this.
  2. What does “to crusade against something“. “James Jackson, a neuropsychologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, said there’s a long history of people crusading against new technologies and cultural phenomena, whether it’s video games or Elvis concerts.” Use this in a sentence.
  3. What’s the meaning of “parse“? “But it will take more research to parse the nuances, such as who’s most vulnerable, how permanent the effects are and which particular mechanisms cause harm.” Make a sentence with this. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do short videos influence memory retention compared to long-form content?
  2. Do you think watching many short videos can reduce our ability to focus on long tasks? Why or why not?
  3. How can we create a healthy balance when using social media?
  4. How has your own behavior changed because of short videos?
  5. Do you think children and teenagers are more affected than adults? Why?

Billionaires Building Bunkers

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Billionaires’ Bunker or El Refugio Atómico is a 2025 Netflix thriller series very rich families hiding in a luxury, high-tech underground shelter because they thought that a nuclear apocalypse was upon them.

It is not so far from what is happening in real life. We’ve seen how several billionaires seem to be preparing for doomsday by having their own bunkers built.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript talking about why billionaires are building bunkers.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260129

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “prepper mentality”? “Part of the prepper mentality is to question what you would do if the apocalypse happens.” Use the term in a sentence.
  2. What does “compromise” mean here, “No matter what happens, no matter what comes our way, if you’re a tech billionaire, you’re going to be able to live through that comfortably without compromising your lifestyle, without compromising the standard that you have.”? Use the word in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What does “to be kidding” mean here, “When you watch TV in the US – when you turn on a, kind of, US TV channel – what happens is that there’s usually some ads about freeze-dried food. I’m not kidding.” Use the idiom in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What comes to your mind when you hear the word “bunker”?
  2. Why do you think billionaires are building bunkers? Is it only a mere mark of societal status or they are preparing for something we do not know anything about? Share your thoughts.
  3. Would you consider building a bunker and preparing for disasters? Why or why not? If you had one, what would you like to put in it?
  4. What do you think you would do if the apocalypse happened?

Why the Majority Is Always Wrong

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?

You Need to Be Bored

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?

The 3-2-1 Speaking Trick 

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.“?

Greece Is the Best Place to Retire 

B1 – Intermediate 

It has become very common for older people to live abroad in their golden years. They choose to spend their retirement years in another country.

Some factors they consider when choosing a place to retire in are climate, the cost of living, healthcare, and housing. 

International Living magazine released its Annual Global Retirement Index and named Greece as the best place to live in during a person’s sunset years.

Read the article about Greece as the best country to retire in the whole world.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2512/251204-retiring-in-greece.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “overseas” mean? “More and more people are choosing to spend their retirement overseas.” Use the word in a sentence and give 2 synonyms or similar expressions.
  2. What does “retiree” mean? “It is the first time Greece has been the number-one choice for retirees.” Use the word in a sentence and give 2 synonyms or similar expressions.
  3. What does “in every sense” mean? “Greece had what many people were looking for. The country was beautiful, welcoming, and affordable. It offered a lifestyle that feels rich in every sense.”  Use the phrase in a sentence and give a synonym or similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about Greece being the best place to retire?
  2. In general, what would make a place a very good place to retire in?
  3. Climate, the cost of living, healthcare, and housing are the most important things for older people who want to live in another country. Which one among these four factors do you think is the most important and why?
  4. In your opinion, where is the best place to retire and why?
  5. What do you think about retiring overseas?

The Joys of Writing Lists

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

How does one handle drowning in so many tasks to do? Wouldn’t it be interesting to explore our love of lists? 

Jo Nolan wrote a book exploring our obsession with making lists.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript to find out why people love lists.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2025/ep-250904

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “bang for your buck”? “I feel like you get a lot – you get a big bang for your buck in that song.  Maybe it’s the positivity – it’s a bit saccharine.” Use the idiom in a sentence and give a synonym.
  2. What does “saccharine” mean here, “But not everyone likes the song. Some call it saccharine.” Use the word in a sentence. Give another meaning of “saccharine”.
  3. What does “the nub of” mean? “The list encourages you to think really efficiently and economically, so I think you don’t waste a lot of time and effort making a nice sentence or using long words. You just get to the nub of things quite quickly.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How are lists helpful? In what ways do you find them disadvantageous?
  2. What do you think about this, “Lists often abbreviate the items they contain, so you get to the nub of things quickly.”?
  3. Do you have the habit of making lists? Why or why not? What kinds of lists
  4. Is it better to make lists on paper or on phone? Explain.
  5. Do you think making a list of pros and cons helps resolve a situation? What are your thoughts?

Superman #1 the Most Expensive Comic

B1 – Intermediate 

It was in 1939 when the comic book Superman # 1 first came out. It started the genre of superhero comics. Superman No. 1 went on to become the inspiration for many other superheroes that followed.

A copy of the first Superman comic that is in perfect condition belonged to three brothers who found it after 86 years of just collecting dust in their late mother’s house.

At an auction, it was sold for $9.12 million.

Read the article about Superman #1 comic selling for $9.12 million at an auction.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2511/251124-superman-comic-5.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is an “auction”? “A pristine copy of the very first self-titled Superman comic has been sold at auction for $9.12 million.” Use the word in a sentence and give a synonym.
  2. What does “blueprint” mean here, “Superman No. 1 became the blueprint for today’s modern superheroes.” Use the word in a sentence. What’s another meaning of “blueprint”?
  3. What does “mint condition” mean? “Mint condition copies are very rare because many people cut off the front cover to use as a poster.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your thoughts about the story of the three brothers and them finding this comic at their late mother’s house after 86 years.
  2. What do you think about the amount of money that this comic was sold for?
  3. What are your thoughts on this comic being the “pinnacle of comic collecting?
  4. Do you like collecting? Why or why not?
  5. If there is one piece of pop culture history that you could have, what would it be and why?
  6. What is the most priceless thing you own and why is it so valuable for you?

Priceless Jewelry Stolen From Louvre

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A shocking heist place in Paris, where “priceless” jewelry was stolen from the world-famous Louvre Museum. The incident has raised serious questions about security in one of the most visited cultural landmarks on Earth. Authorities are investigating how the thieves managed to bypass tight security measures and escape with such valuable items. The theft has sparked global attention and concern over the protection of historical and artistic treasures.

Watch the video and be able to answer the question below.


Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the word ‘heist’ mean?“ The daring heist at the Louvre left authorities stunned, as thieves managed to escape with priceless jewelry from one of the world’s most secure museums. Make a sentence using the word.
  2. What does ‘in broad daylight’ mean? “The thieves stole the jewelry in broad daylight.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the phrase “never see the daylight again’ mean? “The stolen jewelry may never see the light of day again.” Make your own sentence.


Discussion Questions:

  1. How could such a high-profile theft happen in one of the most secure museums in the world like the Louvre?
  2. What do you think motivates people to steal priceless jewelry that can’t easily be sold or displayed publicly?
  3. How might this incident affect the public’s trust in museum security and the way historical treasures are protected?
  4. In your opinion, should punishment for stealing cultural treasures be harsher than for ordinary theft?

What Does Resilience Mean

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In this short video, some people are asked what resilience means to them.

To see how people define resilience and why they consider it important, watch the full video.

Vocabulary Questions

  1. What does “to push through something” mean in the sentence? “Resilience is about pushing through through life’s hardships even when you don’t want to or you feel like you can’t.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “to keep one’s head up” mean in the sentence? “To me, resiliency is the ability to keep your head up when things aren’t looking great.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “to work through something” mean in the sentence? “If we don’t talk about it, then we can never bond over things. We can never work through problems.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions

  1. For you, what does resilience mean?
  2. Can you think of a time when you had to “bounce back” from a problem?
  3. Why do you think it’s important to teach resilience to young children?
  4. How can adults demonstrate resilience?
  5. What other examples can you think of that show resilience in everyday life?