Tag: People

Baby Boards Bus Alone

B1 – Intermediate

In a surprising turn of events, a bus ride took an unexpected twist when an unanticipated passenger made their presence known. This incident caught both passengers and the bus driver off guard, creating a moment of intrigue and curiosity.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about a baby who rode a bus alone.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/baby-boards-a-bus-alone-level-3/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “track down” mean in this sentence, “Officers managed to track down his parents an hour later with the mother saying that her little boy was playing outside her cell phone store when she realized that he had gone off somewhere.” Give a synonym and use “track down” in a sentence.
  2. What does “pull over” mean in this sentence “Neither the passengers or the bus driver could see if an adult was taking care of the toddler, and the bus driver pulled over and called police for help.” Give a synonym and use “pull over” in a sentence.
  3. What does “volunteer” mean in this sentence, “Passengers volunteered to take care of the baby until the police got there.” ” Give a synonym and use “volunteered” in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How did the passengers and the bus driver react to the situation? How would you react if you were also on that bus?
  2. What are some measures that can be taken to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future?
  3. What are some lessons that can be learned from this incident to improve child safety measures in public spaces?

Lucky Bus Driver

B1 – Intermediate

If you are driving a public transport vehicle, the lives of many people’s is your responsibility.

A bus was hit by a truck. The bus driver was not wearing a seatbelt. Fortunately, there was no passenger in the bus and the bus driver was not seriously hurt.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the accident a bus driver luckily survived.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/lucky-bus-driver-level-3/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “graze” mean, “Miraculously, the bus driver only suffered cuts and grazes, and fortunately, there were no passengers onboard the bus.”? Use this word in your own sentence.
  2. What does “to run a red light” mean,  “A bus driver in New Mexico was not wearing his seat belt when a pickup truck allegedly ran a red light, sending the driver through the windscreen.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  3. What does ”footage” mean, “The city transit department released the dramatic footage of the incident.”? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What was your reaction to this news?
  2. What lesson/s do you think the bus driver learned from this incident?
  3. What is your opinion about the driver not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident?
  4. What do you think about the truck that ran a red light?
  5. What do you do to be safe on the road?

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?

Gran Canaria Mystery 

B1 – Intermediate

Gran Canaria is a beautiful island in the Atlantic Ocean. It is known for its beautiful landscapes and pleasant weather. With its picturesque beaches, mountains, and charming villages, it is a perfect place for nature lovers and adventurers.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the mystery Gran Canaria Island.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/gran-canaria-mystery-level-2/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “take control of something” mean in this sentence, “The men were face-down with their hands tied and stones on top of them. They probably died violently a long time ago, even before Spain took control of the island in the 15th century. ” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “symbolic” mean in this sentence, “This type of burial wasn’t normal, which means that it could be a symbolic death.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “conquer” mean in this sentence, “The bodies could be from after Spain conquered the island or from the time before.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is Gran Canaria known for?
  2. How do archaeological findings contribute to our knowledge of pre-colonial history in different regions?
  3. What can we learn from this archaeological finding about the island’s past?
  4. How might this archaeological discovery impact future research or exploration on Gran Canaria?
  5. Talk about a place in your country/city that is also known for a mystery.

Standard of Living

B1 – Intermediate

Standard of living demonstrates a person’s quality of life. It is the level of their material wealth and income. It dictates the kinds of things they will be able to buy and experience in their lives.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about standard of living.

https://listenaminute.com/s/standard_of_living.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is “standard of living”? “I don’t think you need a lot of money to have a good standard of living.” Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  2. What does “overseas” mean? “I’m not rich, I don’t have expensive furniture (in fact I have cheap used furniture) and I don’t have luxury holidays overseas.” Give 2 synonyms and use “overseas” in your own sentence.
  3. Explain what “do one’s best” mean. “We all do our best for most of our lives to improve it.” Use this expression in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why is a good standard of living important?
  2. In your personal opinion, what is a good standard of living?
  3. How can a person improve their standard of living?
  4. What do you think of the current standard of living of most people in your country?
  5. Agree or disagree: “I don’t think you need a lot of money to have a good standard of living.” Explain your position.

Smiling Classes

B1 – Intermediate

People have been wearing masks for a long time since the COVID-19 pandemic. Some people in Japan claim that they have forgotten how to smile naturally. Therefore, they are taking smiling lessons from “smile coaches”.

Read more about these smiling classes in the article.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2306/230608-smiling-classes.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “complex” mean in this context, “Many people developed a complex about smiling.“? Use this word in this context in a sentence.
  2. What does “the key to something” mean? “Moving and relaxing the facial muscles is the key to a good smile.” Use this expression in a sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of “for some time to come“? “Smile coaches in Japan may be busy for some time to come.” Use this phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on smiling lessons?
  2. Have you ever found it difficult or uncomfortable to smile naturally after wearing a face mask for a lengthy period of time? How did you handle it?
  3. Would you consider taking lessons from a “smile coach” to relearn how to smile with confidence if you felt self-conscious about it?
  4. Do you believe that wearing masks has affected your ability to communicate effectively and make good impressions on others? Why or why not?
  5. What is your opinion on this: “Smiling makes a good impression on others and helps communication. It also has the effect of making yourself feel more positive.”?

Man Opens Door During Flight 

B1 – Intermediate

Flight is a wondrous thing that has changed the way we explore and connect with the world. It allows us to travel long distances in a short amount of time, making the world feel smaller and more accessible.

During a flight, we can enjoy many things that the airline offers. We can watch movies, listen to music, or simply relax and look out the window.

It’s important to remember that flying comes with responsibilities. We should be considerate of our fellow passengers, keep quiet, and respect their space. Most importantly of all, we should also follow safety instructions to ensure a smooth and secure flight.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript to know the incident of a man opening the plane door during a flight.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/a-man-opens-the-door-during-flight-level-2/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to find (something) out” mean in this sentence, “The police are questioning the suspect and they are trying to find out why he did it.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does the word “lever” mean? “He pulled a lever and opened the door. Videos showed strong winds blowing at passengers.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “suspect” mean? “The suspect was a 33-year-old passenger who was sitting near the emergency exit. He pulled a lever and opened the door. Videos showed strong winds blowing at passengers.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to what the man did?
  2. Have you ever taken a flight? If yes, where did you go? If not, where would you like to go?
  3. What are some safety measures you should follow during a flight?
  4. What are some potential risks or challenges that travelers might face during their journey? How can they be prepared to handle such situations?
  5. What are your travel tips / advices for someone who is taking their first flight?

Trash Collectors’ Library

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The number of bookworms has risen from 30 to 42 percent in Turkey as a group of garbage collectors run a unique library in Ankara and rescue discarded books from the trash. These avid book lovers sanitize them and carefully organize them on library shelves for others to read.

As a result, they can now further educate themselves. Additionally, the community feels the impact of this inspiring initiative.

So, if you want to learn more about this remarkable project, we invite you to watch the video and discover how the Trash Collectors Library is making a difference, one book at a time.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “refuse worker”? ”The refuse workers in Ankara turn up at 7:00 in the morning.” Give 1-2 synonym/s and use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of the phrasal verb ”turn up” in the sentence ”The refuse workers in Ankara turn up at 7:00 in the morning.”? Use this phrase in a sentence.
  3. What does ”bookworm” mean in this sentence, ”The number of bookworms has risen from 30 to 42 percent in Turkey.” Use this word in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How can you describe the trash collectors’ character in Turkey?
  2. Are you a bookworm, too? If yes, what genre do you prefer?
  3. Has the number of bookworms increased or decreased in your country over the years? Why do you think this is the case?
  4. What do you like about the Trash Collectors’ Library?
  5. Why do you think people throw books? Is it appropriate to do so? 
  6. Can this initiative be adopted in Spain? Why or why not?

Former Homeless Woman Wins Millions on Scratch-off Ticket

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Rarely does a heartwarming news story capture the public’s interest, but this one has. Not only is it a dream come true for one woman, but it’s also a proof that anything is possible.

What’s more, it’s a reminder that good things can happen to anyone at any time. This incredible story shows that life can change in an instant, and it’s inspiring to see how one stroke of luck can change a person’s life.

So, it’s with great pleasure that I share the news of a once-homeless woman who recently won a life-changing $5 million on a scratch-off ticket in California.

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

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2023/05/05/california-woman-5-million-lottery-ticket-homeless/70187611007/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the word “scratch” mean in this sentence, “Forseth was changing oil on her car and scratched the winning ticket outside the store.”? Use this word in a sentence in this context. Also, give another meaning of this word and make a sentence using this word in that context.
  2. What is the meaning of “sole mission” in the sentence “The California Lottery’s sole mission is to raise additional funding for public education.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  3. How is the word “alike” used in the article? “It showcases the positive impact our games have on winners and schools alike.” Use this word in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does this news story make you feel?
  2. What are your thoughts on the California Lottery’s sole mission to raise additional funding for public education?
  3. In your opinion, is it a good idea to buy a lottery ticket? Explain.
  4. How do you think winning the lottery could change someone’s life?
  5. What would you do if you won $5 million in the lottery?
  6. Have you ever experienced a sudden change in your life? How did you handle it?