Tag: People

Kurt Cobain’s Sweater Auction

B1 – Intermediate

The singer/songwriter and Nirvana frontman might have left us in 1994, but his name is legendary which makes one of his sweaters he wore during a live appearance on MTV is officially the most expensive sweater ever sold at an auction.

Let’s read the article.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1910/191030-kurt-cobain.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think of auctions?

2. What do you think of the Kurt Cobain’s cardigan being sold at $334,000?

3. Would you buy famous people’s clothes?

4. Why do people spend lots of money on memorabilia?

5. What would you like to buy in an auction?

Europe’s Most-Wanted Criminals

B1 – Intermediate

A website of Europe’s most wanted shows that women can commit serious crimes too. In fact, 21 of Europe’s most-wanted fugitives are members of the fair sex.

Read more on this through this article and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1910/191022-most-wanted-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What was your reaction to this news?
  2. What is your comment on the statement, “Crime has no gender”?
  3. Are women equally as capable of committing serious crimes as men?

90-year-old Starts Elementary School

B1 – Intermediate

Priscilla Sitienei, 90, is the world’s oldest elementary school pupil. She wasn’t able to go to school when she was a little girl. Now, she hopes to be a model for the children in her village. She wants to inspire them to get an education.

Read about the oldest elementary student from the link below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1501/150128-elementary-school-1.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think of this headline?
2. Would you do the same if you were her?
3. Do you agree or disagree with what she said that “With education, you can be whatever you want.” and that “education will be your wealth”?
4. How can we motivate children to study?
5. What memories do you have of your elementary school days?

Malaysia’s 92-year-old Leader

B1 – Intermediate

Mahathir Mohamad, 92, is Malaysia’s next prime minister and the world’s oldest elected leader.

He is known as one of Malaysia’s strongmen. He has ended 60 years of rule of the Barisan Nasional (BN) party.

Read about the oldest leader from the link below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1805/180512-oldest-leader-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree or disagree that there should be an age at which all leaders must start with/retire from their political careers? Explain.
  2. What are the most important things for a leader to have (e.g. experience, charisma, qualifications, youth, etc.)?
  3. What is your opinion about having a 90-plus-year-old leader in your country?
  4. How are younger/older leaders better leaders?
  5. Would you be a good leader? Why or why not?

Showtime in Singapore

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The world’s most powerful man meets one of the most notorious and controversial dictators in history. Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un hold a conference in Singapore to discuss matters that concern not just their countries, but perhaps the entire global community as well.

Read the article and share your thoughts about this monumental event.

http://www.thetimesinplainenglish.com/showtime-in-singapore/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is this meeting all about?
  2. What is your opinion about nuclear weapons? Does you own country have any?
  3. Is it right for a country to have a stockpile of nuclear weapons? Explain.

Man to Swim Across an Ocean

B1 – Intermediate

A man hopes to become the first to swim across the Pacific Ocean.

Read on to find out about his goal, how he prepared for this, and some challenges he might face during his attempt.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1806/180607-pacific-ocean-2.html

Discussion Questions:
1. What are Lecomte’s reasons for doing this?
2. What do you think about his goal?
3. What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do?

Introverts vs Extroverts

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Do you get energized when in an outer world or inner world? Are you outgoing or inward? Do you prefer a wide range of friends or are you reflective? Or maybe, you could do both things and be one and the other at the same time. Watch the video to get down pat.

Discussion questions:

1. What are the differences of extroverts and introverts?

2. Do you think one personality is better than the other? Give the advantages and disadvantages of the two types of personalities.

3. Do you consider yourself an extrovert, introvert, or ambivert?
Try this personality test with the student: https://www.quietrev.com/the-introvert-test/

4. What do you think the world would be like if extroverts were the only ones living in it? Only introverts?

Absurd Diets

© via The Guardian

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Having breakfast at the same place every single day for 15 years… bacon and eggs three times a day… apples and carrots for weeks on end…

These diets may sound untrue but they are actual diets of some very wealthy and high-profile people.

Find out about famous people’s strange diets through this article:

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/shortcuts/2017/oct/15/bacon-eggs-every-meal-absurd-diets-rich-famous

Discussion Questions:

1. What are your thoughts on the diets mentioned in the article?
2. Which one did you find most absurd?
3. Why is proper diet important?
4. Talk about special diets you know of or those you’ve actually tried in the past or would want to try in the future.

Blind Cambridge Law Degree Holder

B1 – Intermediate

You really don’t have to subscribe to the life that was written for you.
– Allan Hennessy

He is not your ordinary guy. Mediocrity is not the way to describe him. Disability did not overtake his life.

Watch the video to get a glimpse of Allan Hennessy’s life.

http://www.bbc.com/news/av/education-40710025/the-disabled-refugee-with-a-first-class-cambridge-law-degree

Discussion Questions:

1. Describe Allan Hennessy.
2. What are his challenges and how did he overcome them?
3. What is his life story about?
4. What lessons did you learn from his life?
5. Have you ever broken free from labels and stereotypes?

Finding Your Passion

B2 – Upper Intermediate

You know exactly what you’re passionate about, and you can recite your elevator pitch in your sleep, but no one would know it based on your job title.

Maybe you don’t yet have the necessary skills or experience to land your dream job. Maybe you’re about to make a big career change. Or maybe what you’re passionate about just isn’t a financially viable option. (After all, “Follow your passion” may make a great commencement speech theme, but it’s certainly not a career plan. Some argue it’s not even great advice.)

Watch the vide below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are you passionate about?
2. How did you find out what your passion was?
3. Do you agree with the statement: “Finding your passion means you’ll never have a job.”?
4. Do you think finding your dream job is unrealistic?
5. What stops people from following their passions in life?