Tag: People and Human Interest

Presidential Children and the White House Reputation

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It is common for voters to feel a personal connection to the highest leader of their country. This personal connection is comparable to that of a close family member. This is why when voters choose their candidate, they also take into account the parenting skills of their chosen president-to-be. The public image of the candidate’s children could be as significant as theirs in the voters’ eyes.

Let’s read the article and know more about some notable presidential children and how their image affected their presidential parent’s political image.

https://theconversation.com/hunter-biden-is-the-latest-presidential-child-to-stain-a-white-house-reputation-but-others-have-shined-it-up-212233

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “reviled” mean? “As a historian of the American presidency, I see the case of Hunter Biden as a revealing indicator of the ways that presidential children have figured in American public life, whether they were beloved or reviled.” Give 2 synonyms and use “reviled” in a sentence.
  2. Define “rough-and-tumble“. “The assumption that young children should be free from the political rough-and-tumble has recently made them highly effective symbols for presidential image-making.” Use this idiom in your own sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of the phrasal verb “harken back“? “His approach harkened back to the 19th century, when presidents appointed their adult sons to office while young children rarely appeared in public. ” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Who is Hunter Biden and what are his legal troubles?
  2. How do presidential children affect their parent’s likelihood of winning/losing in an election?
  3. In your opinion, is it fair for the immediate family members of politicians to have their private lives on public display? Why or why not?
  4. How can this relationship result to nepotism? Is nepotism at this level common in your country?
  5. Talk about a controversial presidential child that you know of.

Creative Activities that Can Make You Happier

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We can’t always have control over the conditions and events in our lives. However, we have the ability to choose how we think and feel about our circumstances, as well as how we respond to them. The activities we do always have an effect on our physical and mental health.

Read this article to learn about some creative activities that can make you happier.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/five-creative-activities-happiness_l_64b7f9efe4b0dcb4cab6a23a

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “play a role” mean? “They may also play a role in morbidity and mortality, weight distribution, blood pressure, and other physical qualities.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. Define “safe outlet” in this context. “Activities such as singing and dancing are transformational because they enable us to process a variety of emotions either by providing a safe outlet for their expression or their release.” Make a sentence with this phrase in this context.
  3. What does “partake in” mean? “Generally, any activity that you take the time to partake in outside of your daily routine can improve your mental and physical well-being.” Use this in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of the activities mentioned in the article?
  2. What are some examples of creative activities that you personally find bring you happiness?
  3. Do you think there is a connection between creativity and personal happiness? Why or why not?
  4. Are there any potential downsides or challenges associated with relying on creative activities for happiness?
  5. How do you incorporate creative activities into your daily or weekly routine to enhance your own happiness?

Dog Drives a Motorbike

B1 – Intermediate

Having a pet dog is a joyful experience. They offer constant companionship, playfulness, and unconditional love, brightening our lives every day. The simple presence of a furry friend can bring immense happiness and warmth to our homes.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about a dog and his owner that gone viral.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/dog-drives-a-motorbike-level-3/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “go viral” mean? “A video has gone viral of a dog named Sydney driving his owner around on a motorbike in Indonesia.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “glare” mean? “The dog wears a pair of thick sunglasses to protect his eyes from any glare on the road.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “lap up something” mean? “The duo is lapping up some limelight at the moment, all because it is something that we are not used to seeing, but the dog’s owner said that this is actually completely normal in Indonesia.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your initial thoughts and feelings upon hearing about this viral video of a dog driving a motorbike? Why do you think it became so popular?
  2. How important is trust in the relationship between humans and their pets?
  3. How do you think the internet and social media platforms impact the spread of viral videos and stories like this one? What are the pros and cons of this phenomenon?
  4. What are some personal stories or experiences related to pets or animals that have had a significant impact on your life or cultural perspectives?

Moonshot Thinking

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” This mindset is what most trailblazers uphold. They go on paths no one ever dared to ever before. This then inspires others and eventually what leads to changing the world one crazy idea at a time.

Watch this video to learn more about moonshot thinking.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does ”to bring the world together” mean? “Moonlight thinking brought the world together.” Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  2. What does ”to set one’s mind to something” mean? “People can set their minds to magical, seemingly impossible ideas and then through science and technology, bring them to reality.” Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  3. What does “to set someone on fire” mean, “That then sets other people on fire that other things that look impossible might be accomplishable.”? Use this phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your thoughts on moonshot thinking.
  2. Do you have any experience being an innovator? If yes, talk about it. If not, what do you think of being one?
  3. What’s your take on challenges? How do you normally take them on?
  4. In your own way, how do you think something you have done/created changed things?
  5. What is something you thought was shooting for the moon, but ended up doing anyway?

Third Culture Kids

B2 – Upper Intermediate

One thing that globalization has produced is Third Culture Kids or TCKs. They are children who spend their formative years in places that are not the home country of their parents.

Being a ‘citizen of everywhere and nowhere’ has its merits and drawbacks.

Read this article to learn more about the Third Culture Kids; their joys and struggles.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20161117-third-culture-kids-citizens-of-everywhere-and-nowhere

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “third culture kid”, “Most Third Culture Kids made their first move before the age of nine.”? Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does “to tie up loose ends” mean? “The items were chosen to prompt discussion about what leaving means — bittersweet emotions, tying up loose ends, and making memories.” Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  3. What does “lash out” mean? “Kids can become withdrawn, isolating themselves from their classmates, or become angry, lashing out at those around them.” Use this phrase in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Personally, what do you think about the life of third culture kids?
  2. What do you think are the good and bad things about being a TCK?
  3. Overall, does the advantages outweigh the disadvantages of being a TCK?
  4. “Most TCKs made their first move before the age of nine and had lived in an average of four countries.  Most had degrees — 30% had a postgraduate qualification — and 85% spoke two or more languages. Those attributes help make TCKs attractive to employers.” Speak about your opinion on this.
  5. What are your thoughts on this: When you are a TCK, “Home is ‘everywhere and nowhere’.”?

Being Thinner Makes You Richer

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Have you ever observed that in the developed world, wealth and weight are somehow related? People tend to become thinner as their wealth increases, yet this association can be strongly inferred or extended to women.

Let’s watch the video below to learn more about the secret economy of thinness.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “economically rational” mean? “It is economically rational for women to try as hard as possible to be thin.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does “more likely” mean? “Richer women are much more likely to be thin than poorer ones.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  3. What does the term “economic pursuit” mean? “In many ways thinness is an economic pursuit.” Use this phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree with the correlation between wealth and weight, especially for women in developed countries? Explain.
  2. Are women typically leaner in your country? What could be the reason why their weight is like that?
  3. Can we consider the correlation between wealth and weight a tragedy? Explain your thoughts.
  4. What are your thoughts on this, “In many ways thinness is an economic pursuit.“?
  5. Share your reaction to this, “Losing 65 pounds could have the same impact on a woman’s wages as gaining a master’s degree.“.

The Pythagorean Cup

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Do you know who Pythagoras is? If you answer “yes,” you probably know him as a Greek mathematician. You are also aware that he founded the Pythagorean school of thought. What you probably don’t know is that Pythagoras also invented a cup. The uniqueness of this cup lies in its remarkable ability to prevent intoxication. Hard to believe?

Watch the entire video and be amazed at how this simple-looking cup can prevent you from being drunk.

Vocabulary Discussions

Explain the meaning of the highlighted words below and make some sentences.

1. That is extremely sneaky.

2. It is a morality lesson and a practical joke at the same time.

3. Pythagoras has applied his brilliance to the temptations of the flesh.

Discussion Questions

1.What is the video all about?

2. How does the Pythagorean cup make sure people don’t drink too much wine?

3. How is the cup related to a morality lesson?

4. Would you consider buying a Pythagorean cup? Why or why not?

5. Can you think of any practical uses for the Pythagorean cup in modern times?

Hobbies to Help You Relax and Have Fun

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Outside of a work performance realm, having a quality leisure time has shown to help people gain physical health and cognitive well-being.

Read the article to be inspired to take up a new activity that could help you relax and have fun at the same time, for example, baking or making jewellery.

https://brainmd.com/blog/main-types-of-hobbies/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of “virtuous cycle“? “Looking at hobbies through the prism of brain health, reveals a virtuous cycle.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “to look at something through a prism” mean? “Looking at hobbies through the [sic] prism of brain health, reveals a virtuous cycle.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “engrossed” mean? “If you’re engrossed in a creative hobby, the flow state can deliver feel-good benefits.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Are you into any interesting or unusual hobbies? Talk about them.
  2. Talk about a hobby that boosts your performance when you are trying to refocus on your job.
  3. Do you think this is true, “When you start a new hobby, you may not feel motivated to spend time on it. It might be difficult.“? Talk about a time when you were demotivated when you were starting with a new hobby and how it went eventually.
  4. What might be the benefits and drawbacks that can come from engaging in a hobby?
  5. What are your thoughts on this, “More than 100 years ago, having leisure time to pursue hobbies was a symbol of status. Perhaps it’s time to bring back a little of that mentality.“?

Situation in the Himalayas


B1 – Intermediate

When someone accidentally falls into a deep pit and can’t climb out, it is a very scary situation. It can happen in different places like caves or construction sites. Being trapped in a hole can be confusing and can cause fear. It’s important to stay calm and look for ways to escape or get help.

Let’s read the article below to know more about a man who was in a dramatic situation in the Himalayas.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/dramatic-situation-in-the-himalayas-level-2/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “give up” mean in this sentence, “The man thought that he was going to die. His arm and five ribs were broken, but he didn’t give up and he moved out of the gap.” Give a synonym and use “give up” in a sentence.
  2. What does “trapped” mean in this sentence, “The crack in the ice was 22 metres deep, and the man got trapped in it.” Give a synonym and use “trapped” in a sentence.
  3. What does “gap” mean in this sentence, “His arm and five ribs were broken, but he didn’t give up and he moved out of the gap.” Give a synonym and use “gap” in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. In your opinion, will this experience affect the professor’s future adventures or activities? Why or why not?
  2. What do you think were some of the problems the professor had while climbing out of the hole?
  3. If you were in a similar situation, what would be your biggest fear or concern and why?
  4. How can someone stay calm in this kind of situation?
  5. What do you think are some important lessons we can learn from this incident about preparedness and safety during outdoor activities?

Schools of Philosophy

B2 – Upper Intermediate

According to Aztec Philosophy, the meaning of life was to live in balance with nature and make sure that the energy keeps flowing.  But the meaning of life is different for everybody.

Read the article to know more about the 10 schools of Philosophy that may help us find the light and the meaning of life. 

https://bigthink.com/thinking/10-schools-of-philosophy-and-why-you-should-know-them/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the word “slur“? “The word “hedonistic”, when used as a slur, relates to this school only in that many hedonistic thinkers also saw pleasure as the key to a good life.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of the word “construe”? “While happiness is often construed as pleasure and the green light is often given to depravity by this school, Greek thinker Epicurus was also a hedonist and tied it to a virtue ethics system based around moderation.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of the word” snockered”? “Most hedonistic philosophers would say you should read a book rather than get drunk, as reading is a higher kind of happiness than getting snockered.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. In your opinion, how can philosophy help us understand the meaning of life?
  2.  Are there similarities in any of these viewpoints? What are they?
  3. What is your philosophy in life and why?