Tag: People and Human Interest

B2 – Upper Intermediate

At what moments in our lives do we start thinking about the meaning of life? Our life purpose can be described in many ways and some people of different ages ponder over this personal enigma.

Read the article and try to unlock the mystery of life by discussing common views on life’s meaning. 

https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/what-life-purpose

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “fluctuation” mean here, “What’s more, your purpose can actually shift and change throughout life in response to the evolving priorities and fluctuations of your own experiences.”? Give a synonym and use ‘fluctuation’ in this context in a sentence.
2. What does “shipwreck” mean in this context, “Questions about life purpose may arise at any time in life, but you may notice that they are especially prevalent during times of transition or crisis—for example, a career or educational change, personal loss, or long-distance move. Sharon Daloz Parks calls these events “life’s shipwrecks.”? Use this word in your own sentence.
3. What does “reframe” mean? “This is the secret to a fully alive life: to reframe our life questions over and over.“ Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. According to the article, what is the secret to a fully-alive life?
2. Share your thoughts on the equation for purpose that is G + P + V = P (gifts + passions + values = purpose).
3. Would you say that you have fulfilled some of your dreams? What have you accomplished?
4. What do you think is your life purpose?
5. Is life a predetermined path? Explain your views on this.

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There are times when we end up being our own biggest critic. We tend to be harsher on ourselves when we mess something up. Rather than being our biggest enemy, we must try to be kinder to ourselves and free ourselves from our inner critics.

Read this article to learn the easiest way to silence your inner critic.

https://lifehacker.com/the-easiest-way-to-silence-your-inner-critic-1850497775

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “stem from something” mean? “He used to have a severe case of toxic self-talk that stemmed from an addiction to perfectionism, as it related to performance.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
2. What does “to be stuck in a ____ loop” mean? “In fact, many of us are stuck in a toxic feedback loop with ourselves that is more damaging than we might think.” Use this idiom in your own sentence.
3. What does “the bulk of the work” mean? “Regardless, the bulk of the work is done when you stop talking to yourself negatively and redirect that negative self-talk into a kinder monologue.” Use this phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you find yourself being your own biggest critic? How so, and in which situations?
2. According to the article, negative self-talk can have a significant impact on our self-esteem and well-being. Can you think of a time when your inner critic affected your confidence or mood?
3. What other steps can you take to have more self-compassion and avoid all the negative self-talk?
4. Do you believe that silencing your inner critic can have a positive impact on your personal and professional growth? Why or why not?
5. Do you think having an inner critic is ever necessary? Why or why not?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Knowing what your passion is a great thing. Most people go on about their lives trying to find it.

However, finding out what it is and keeping the fire burning for it is not the be-all and end-all. Losing your interest in what you are passionate about and trying to rekindle that lost fervor is another thing.

Read the article to learn the five ways that can help reignite your fire.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20230113-the-mindset-to-re-kindle-lost-passion

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “fan the flames” mean, “What strategies do they use to fan the flames of their zeal for work?“? Use this phrase in a sentence.
2. What does “in a rut” mean, “If you still feel like you are in a rut, you might simply be asking too much from your career.“? Make a sentence with this phrase.
3. Define “self-consequating“. “Two of the most useful techniques are “proximal goal setting” and “self-consequating”.” Use this in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you agree with the techniques mentioned in the article?
2. What are some common reasons why people lose their passion for their work or hobbies?
3. Have you ever experienced a loss of passion or enthusiasm in your life? If so, how did it manifest and how did you handle it?
4. How important is it to have a supportive network or community when trying to rekindle lost passion?
5. Are there any specific strategies or techniques mentioned in the article that resonate with you and that you would consider implementing to reignite your passion?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We all want to become better but sometimes it can be very overwhelming when we don’t know how or where to start. We easily get intimidated by the amount of effort we need to put in in order to change ourselves. Thus, we never get around to doing it.

Read the article on how doing a habit trial can challenge you and help you become a better version of you.

https://personalexcellence.co/blog/21-day-trial/

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What is the meaning of the word “age-old”, “The 21-day trial is based on the age-old belief that it takes 21 days to fully form a new habit.”? Use it in a sentence.
2. What is the meaning of the word “cloud” mean in this sentence, “Firstly, breaking the habit for one day will affect your experience of the activity, which subsequently clouds your findings.“? Use it in a sentence.
3. What is the meaning of the word “chuck”, “. Since you are not committing to this habit beyond 21 days, you can chuck it aside if you don’t like it.“? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. Why is it usually difficult for people to form a new habit?
2. How can the 21-Day Habit Challenge help people?
3. What activities can people do when they complete the 21-Day Habit Challenge?
4. Would you like to try this program? Why (not)?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

People get up earlier than they did when they were more youthful as they get older. This is a typical occurrence that has been documented in numerous studies. While it may seem counterintuitive that older people would require further sleep, there are an array of causes for this.

Educate yourself on the topic of age-related sleep changes and discover practical strategies for maintaining healthy sleep habits as you age by reading the full text below.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/reason-older-adults-wake-up-early_l_644a7b33e4b0d840388d2f46

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “to wake up before the sun” mean in the sentence, “There are many jokes that center around older adults waking up before the sun, and even more about teenagers’ late-sleeping habits.”? Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “few extra hours of Zzzs” mean in the sentence, “We asked Lustig and other experts to break down the main reasons why this occurs, and what you can do to push back if you just want those few extra hours of Zzzs.”? Use this phrase in your own sentence.
3. What does “nightcap” mean in the sentence, “Lustig added you should avoid alcohol before bed — “while that nightcap might make you sleepy, it actually disrupts the quality of your sleep.””? Give 2 synonyms for this word and use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. Why do older adults tend to experience changes in their circadian rhythms?
2. How does advanced sleep phase syndrome contribute to earlier wake-up times in older adults?
3. Can medication or other therapies help older adults manage sleep disturbances and wake up at a more desirable time? Tell me more.
4. Can changes in hormone levels impact sleep patterns as people age? If so, how?
5. What are the long-term consequences of poor sleep hygiene in older adults, and how can these be avoided? Please share.
6. How can older adults maintain a healthy sleep routine as they age?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Leg lengthening surgery is an invasive and costly medical procedure that has become more popular in the recent years. A less advanced leg-lengthening device was first invented by an orthopedic surgeon in Russia in the 1950’s for injured soldier. Nowadays, this surgery is done mostly for aesthetic purposes.

Let’s read the article and know more about this surgical procedure and its growing popularity in China.

https://www.fullspate.digitalcounterrevolution.co.uk/archive/chinalegs.html

Vocabulary Questions:

1. Define the expression, “to get a post“. “To get a post in the foreign ministry, for instance, male applicants need not bother applying unless they are at least 5ft 7in, while women must be at least 5ft 3in.” Use it in your own sentence.
2. What is the meaning of the word “counterpart“?”Chinese diplomats are expected to be tall to match the height of their foreign counterparts.” Use it in a sentence.
3. What does the expression “at ground level” mean? “But height discrimination is evident even at ground level: in some places, people under 5ft 3in are not even eligible to take a driving test.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are your thoughts on this kind of procedure?
2. How does leg lengthening surgery work?
3. According to the article, why is it popular in China?
4. Based on the article, which professions have a height requirement in China?
5. Is this surgery available in your country? Do you think it should be banned?