Tag: People

B1 – Intermediate

Frustration is the source of many chronic mental conditions and severe emotional symptoms. It is a feeling that can distress a person. It is a very strong emotion that should not be ignored. It may not seem threatening, but prolonged exposure to this feeling could harm your psychological well-being.

Let’s have a look at the transcript and listen to the audio about frustration.

https://listenaminute.com/f/frustration.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What causes frustration?
2. What are the common responses to frustration?
3. How can we overcome frustration?
4. How do you manage your frustration?
5. What is an example of frustration?
6. When was the last time you felt frustrated? Share about that moment.

B1 – Intermediate

A habit is understood as the process of demonstrating or committing a particular trait on a continuous basis. A person might adapt to a variety of harmful behaviors over time. Possessing a serious addiction, a dietary issue, or a variety of other disruptive behaviors are just a few examples.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about bad habits.

https://listenaminute.com/b/bad_habits.html

Discussion Questions:

1. How have you successfully gotten rid of a bad habit?
2. What bad habits bother you the most?
3. What good habits do you admire the most?
4. What unusual habits do you observe in your family members? Do these habits bother you?
5. How can an individual develop a good habit?
6. Which habit is the most important for parents to set as an example for their children?
7. Are we born with our bad habits or do we develop them from the environment we grew up in? Explain your point.

B1 – Intermediate

Taking selfies has made it much easier for all of us to record our daily activities. With just one click, we are able to capture important events and the simple joys in life. But is there such a thing as too much selfies?

Perhaps we should remember that certain spaces and events are sometimes not the proper place or moment for taking selfies. In Russia, an accident has resulted due to some serious damages.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about this unfortunate incident.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/selfie-damages-art-level-3/

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your reaction to this news?
2. What do you think of selfies? What are some of its pros and cons?
3. Should selfies be limited or prohibited in public areas like museums? Why or why not?
4. What other places should selfies be limited and why?
5. Why do you think taking selfies is so popular?
6. How have selfies changed self-expression and interactions?

B1 – Intermediate

Freedom is the ability to live one’s life, doing what one wants, living where one wants, eating whatever one wants, and learning whatever one’s heart wishes.

This means that freedom should be enjoyed in various aspects of life and that it is not only an essential term.

Let’s have a look at the transcript and hear the audio about freedom.

https://listenaminute.com/f/freedom.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What is freedom for you? How important is it to you? Would you fight for your freedom?
2. Do you feel that you have as much freedom as you want in your life? Why/why not?
3. Do men or women have more freedom in your country? Cite examples to prove your point.
4. Can freedom damage a country? Explain your point.

B1 – Intermediate

Every year, hundreds of people swim in the icy waters of Vltava River in Prague, Czech Republic. It is a part of their tradition to remember Alfred Nikodém, the athlete who made winter swimming popular.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about ice swimming tradition in the Czech Republic.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/people-swim-in-icy-river-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think of this tradition? Would you be interested to do this?
2. Have you swum on icy water? How was it?
3. Why do you think people go ice swimming?
4. What are the good and bad things about winter swimming?
5. What winter tradition/s do you have in your city/country?

B1 – Intermediate

Marriage is a serious commitment that should not be made lightly.
Take the time to make sure you and your partner are on the same page by talking about some key issues, checklists, and things to keep in mind as you explore marriage.

Let’s have a look at the transcript and hear the audio about getting married.

https://listenaminute.com/g/getting_married.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think there is anything scary about marriage?
2. Is marriage different today than it was a hundred years ago? Explain.
3. Are there any rules to marriage? Name some that you know of.
4. What would the world be like if there was no marriage?
5. What is important in a marriage?

B1 – Intermediate

A lot of people suffer from hunger. In Germany, they have started an idea to put refrigerators outside where people can bring and get food for free. This is to help people who need food.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about a special refrigerator called ‘Love Fridge’.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/love-fridge-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think of this idea?
2. If there is a love fridge near your house, would you also put food there? Why or why not?
3. What things have you done for people who need help?
4. Explain your opinion on this statement: “There is enough food but the food does not get to the people who need it”.
5. Americans throw away a lot of food. Do you think Spanish do the same?
6. What do you do so you do not waste any food?

B1 – Intermediate

Going back to school isn’t just for children. Even parents and grandparents can go back to school too. They say age is not a barrier to education.

In life, things don’t always happen the way we want them to be. We may delay some things like education to prioritize more important things. But it’s definitely never too late to learn and pursue our dreams.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on how an 85-year old woman was able to finish college.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/85-year-old-woman-finishes-college-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you agree that it’s never too late to graduate from college? Explain your answer.
2. Would you do the same as what Jihad Butto did if you were older and need to finish your education? Why or why not?
3. Why do students drop out of school?
4. What might be some challenges faced by an elderly person returning to college?
5. Do you agree or disagree with the saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”?
6. What advice can you give elderly people so they can manage their anxieties about going back to school?

B1 – Intermediate

Vegetarians do not eat meat, fish, and poultry. People of all ages and backgrounds choose to be vegetarians. Among the many reasons for being vegetarian are health, environment, and animal welfare. The decision to adopt a meat-free diet can be a complex choice.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on vegetarianism.

https://listenaminute.com/v/vegetarianism.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Are you a vegetarian? If not, have you ever considered becoming one?
2. What reasons do people have for becoming vegetarians?
3. How do people generally react to vegetarians or vegans in your country?
4. Have you ever visited a vegetarian restaurant? What was the food like?
5. Would you marry a vegetarian if it meant you could not cook meat at home?
6. Can you cook any vegetarian dishes? Talk about something you can make.