Tag: PET

Scientists Warn of More Extreme Hot Weather

B1 – Intermediate

We all expect it to be warm in the summer. Climate scientists have warned that hot days are getting hotter and more frequent.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about it.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2107/210709-extreme-heat-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Has the weather in your country changed in any way? How?
  2. What will happen if the Arctic warms up?
  3. What do you think are the dangers of extreme heat?
  4. What is the best way to survive extreme heat?
  5. Would you rather experience extreme heat or cold? Why?

Adults Don’t Want Children

B1 – Intermediate

To have or not to have children is one of the most important decisions that someone can make. There are certain factors to take into consideration when choosing between parenting and living a child-free life such as financial security, own interest/desire for having children, and partner’s interest/desire for having children.

Let’s read the article below to find out why views on having children are changing.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2106/210621-child-free-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does having children change someone’s life?
  2. Do you want to have children? If so, when do you want to have them and how many do you want to have?
  3. Why do people decide not to have children?
  4. Do you think it is better to have children when you are older or younger?
  5. Most families in wealthy countries are having fewer and fewer children. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Why?
  6. Is it a good reason to have children to avoid being lonely later in life?

Colosseum Opens Again

B1 – Intermediate

Traveling is something that everybody misses doing. Most of us have not been able to travel for nearly a year because of the pandemic.

Here’s a good news to all travel enthusiasts: The Colosseum in Rome has reopened after things got a little better in Italy.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about the Colosseum and its reopening.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/colosseum-opens-again-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does this news make you feel? 
  2. Have you ever visited The Colosseum or Rome? What can you say about it?
  3. Do you think it is fine to open important tourist spots again now? Why or why not?
  4. Would you like to travel again soon? Why or why not? Where would you want to go?
  5. Talk about one important touristic place in your city/country. How was it affected by the pandemic?

Smart Gym

B1 – Intermediate

More and more people wants to stay healthy. Exercising is one sure way of achieving this goal. So more people have been going to the gym now, more than ever. 

However, because of the Coronavirus pandemic, people had to stay in their homes. This is when smart gyms became popular. And it might be here to stay.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about smart gyms.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/smart-gym-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of smart gyms? 
  2. Would you like to use one? Why or why not? If you are already using one, share your experience.
  3. What are the good and bad things about smart gym?
  4. What are the gyms like in your city/country?
  5. Which do you think will be more popular in the future, physical or smart gyms? Explain your choice.

Lost Cause

B1 – Intermediate

People always say to never surrender but sometimes there is no reason to try anymore. There are certain things that we need to give up and move on from.

Let us hear more about it in the video.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/english-in-a-minute-lost-cause/6007555.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does the idiom “lost cause” mean?
  2. Have you ever given up on something or someone?
  3. What are the signs that says you need to move on?
  4. How do you move forward after a lost cause?
  5. What are the things that you never back down from?

Jeff Bezos Stepping Down as Amazon CEO

B1 – Intermediate

Amazon is the first online bookseller and the largest internet-based store in the world based in Seattle, Washington. It is known for selling virtually anything online and its lightning-fast shipping.

Amazon was founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994 and after 27 years, he has decided to step down as the CEO of the company.

Let’s read the article below to know more about it.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2102/210205-jeff-bezos-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of Bezos’s decision to step down as Amazon CEO?
  2. What do you think would happen to Amazon after this?
  3. What should Amazon do in the future?
  4. What does it take to make an Internet business successful?
  5. What is the impact when important people in the company leave their job?

World’s Smallest Reptile Discovered in Madagascar

B1 – Intermediate

Reptiles are cold-blooded animals that live both in land and water. Their bodies react to the temperature of their surroundings and their scales protect their bodies.

Scientists have discovered the world’s smallest reptile in Madagascar.

Let’s read the article below to know more about it.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2102/210209-reptile-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What comes to your mind when you hear the word ‘reptile’?
  2. Why is this discovery important?
  3. How are reptiles different from other animals?
  4. What do you think of animals becoming endangered?
  5. Should more money be spent on finding more nano-chameleons? Why/Why not?

London’s Thinnest House

B1 – Intermediate

London is a pretty amazing city. It is one of the most multicultural cities in the world. There are too many places to go to and restaurants to dine in but it can be also be the most expensive city in the UK due to housing costs.

Let’s read the article below to know more about it.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2102/210211-london-property-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in a five-storey house? Would you like to live in a house like that?
  2. How would you describe your house?
  3. Is it better to have a spacious house or a tiny house? Why?
  4. What is your ideal house?
  5. How are the prices of properties in your city? Are they low, average, or too high? Why do you think this is the case?

Professor Lectures for Two Hours Online On Mute

B1 – Intermediate

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected various aspects of normal life including going to school and the office. As a result, schools were forced to conduct classes online.

A University professor gave a 2-hour lecture online but did not notice that he was on mute the whole time.

Let’s read the article below to know more about it.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2102/210213-online-lecture-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is better face-to-face classes or online classes? Why?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of online classes?
  3. If you were the professor, how would you feel if this happened to you? Explain.
  4. If you were one of the students, how would you feel or what would you have done?
  5. Talk about anything funny or embarrassing that happened to you while doing a presentation at work.

UK Exam Results Fiasco

B1 – Intermediate

In order to grade students’ exams, the UK government used an algorithm to determine the results. The problem is, the algorithm did not work properly. 

Read more about this lesson on the UK exam results fiasco.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2008/200819-exam-results-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. How would you feel if you were a student or a parent of a student affected by this?
  3. In your opinion, are grades important? Why or why not?
  4. What are/were some effects of the pandemic on schooling in your country?