Tag: People and Human Interest

B2 – Upper Intermediate

On June 29, Angela Ponce of Seville made history as she was crowned Miss Universe-Spain. She is the first ever transgender candidate in the prestigious pageant’s 60-year history. Although this is seen as a groundbreaking achievement for the LBGTQ community, many people on social media are divided in their opinions about allowing a former male to take part in an event associated with natural-born women.

Take a look at the article and find out more.

https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/beauty/face-body/meet-miss-universes-first-transgender-contestant/news-story/308156f8ac3e2c5e492abfe53cbb08e5

Discussion Questions:

1. Should a transgender woman be allowed to compete in Miss Universe? What is your opinion?
2. Why is this a controversial subject? How can this affect society in general?
3. Are beauty contests popular in your country? What can you say about beauty pageants?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Last 23rd of June, a group of boys and their football coach went missing while exploring a cave in the north of Thailand. Fortunately, they were all found alive by British volunteer divers, 9 days later.

Watch and read about the youths’ harrowing experience and the massive and daring rescue mission that was organized to find them.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44688909

Discussion Questions:

1. What is the article and video all about? Who should be held responsible in this situation?
2. Exploring a cave, especially a big and deep one, can be very dangerous. Is it something that you would like to try? Why or why not?
3. If you were trapped inside a cave, what would you do in order to survive?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Do you ever feel that life is just passing by and you’re getting older by the second? I bet many of us have felt like this once in a while.

Here’s an article that will tell you how to live your life to the fullest.

https://www.elitedaily.com/p/7-things-that-keep-you-from-living-your-best-life-at-25-9434112

Discussion Questions:

1. How was your life like when you were 25? Is there anything you wished you would have done then?
2. Which point from the article are you guilty of doing and want to stop?
3. How do you make sure you are living your life to the fullest?
4. Do you feel your age? Why is that so?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A full night’s sleep is basically important for health. In actuality, it is just as essential as eating healthy and exercising. However, there are factors that interfere with natural sleep patterns, and as a matter of fact, they are found just right inside our bedrooms.

View the gallery to know what’s not to keep there.

https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/organizing-tips/g3745/things-to-throw-out-your-bedroom/

Discussion Questions:

1. Describe what your room looks like. What are important things that you should have there and what are those that you keep out?
2. What do you think your bedroom says about your personality?
3. If you could give your room a makeover, what would you put and remove from it?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Nothing has been more enduring than the stereotype of women as chatterboxes, gabbing about everything and anything at any time, all the time. However, some reports conclude that men are chatterboxes too depending on the context of the conversation.

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

Who speaks more, men or women? Most people wouldn’t hesitate to say that women speak more. There are many jokes about how much, and what, women talk about. But research which some may find surprising indicates that both men and women speak more or less equally.

Four hundred university students in the United States and Mexico participated in the study. Researchers recorded the students’ daily conversations for several days. After analyzing the data, they discovered that both sexes are in a statistical dead heat when it comes to speaking. Women used a little more than 16,000 words every day. Men used a little less than 16,000 words. The report admits, though, that the numbers could change as men and women grow older, because the study only tracked university students.

The current idea that women are chatterboxes just isn’t true. In addition, men only speak when they have something important to say also isn’t true. Both ideas probably come from cultural and political discrimination against women. But the study explains that men gossip just as much as women. Men and women also talk equally about unimportant topics. But women actually talk more about relationships.

A psychologist at Yale University has a somewhat different opinion. She suggests that the idea about men and women probably come from arguments between the genders. Unfortunately, the study doesn’t know how speaking patterns change in an argument. But other studies have supported the stereotype that guys become quiet and women talk more in an emotional conflict.

Source: headsupenglish.com

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you agree with the stereotype that women talk more?
2. In a private conversation with close friends or family members, who talks more? How about in a business setting?
3. Which topics/issues could men be more interested in that would entice them to speak more?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Everyone would like to know the secret to a long life and a healthy body. Why not learn from Centenarians who have lived for more than 100 years?

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

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-centenarians-idUSKBN14J128

Discussion Questions:

1. What tips did the elderly Spanish people offer to those wishing to live long lives?
2. How old is the oldest person that you have ever met? How would you describe him/her?
3. Would you like to live for more or less 100 years? How do you imagine living this part of your life?