Tag: Preliminary PET

Skiing Accident

B1 – Intermediate

Skiing is a very popular activity during winter. While it is very fun to do, it is also dangerous. You have to be very careful when you go skiing to prevent accidents.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about a professional American skier who had an accident while skiing in an Alaskan mountain.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/skiing-accident-in-alaska-level-3/

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you like skiing? Why or why not? Talk about your first time skiing.
  2. What other winter activities do you like?
  3. What was your most memorable skiing or winter trip? Why was it memorable?
  4. Have you ever had any accidents doing sports?
  5. What is your opinion on getting injured while doing sports?

Pringles Packaging

B1 – Intermediate

The snack brand ‘Pringles’ has changed its packaging into a more eco-friendly one. It was considered as the greatest “villain” of the recycling world due to the combination of materials present in its packaging.

Read the article to know more and be able to answer the following questions:

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2009/200914-pringles-packaging-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why has Pringles been described as a “nightmare” to recycle?
  2. What do you think about the company’s change in their packaging?
  3. Do you know any companies that make their packaging recyclable in order to reduce the negative impact of wastes and pollution on our planet?

Gossiping is Worse Than Covid

B1 – Intermediate

Everyone gossips. Gossiping is usually done by talking about people behind their backs, which is painful for that person who is being talked about whether the information is true or not. It may only lead to some emotional and social problems.

Read the article below to know more about it.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2009/200910-gossip-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What images come to your mind when you hear the word ‘gossip’?
  2. Why might the Pope think gossip is worse than COVID-19?
  3. What do you think of people who gossip on social media?
  4. How do you feel if you are the subject of gossip?
  5. Should gossiping be made illegal? Why / Why not?

Online Piracy

B1 – Intermediate

Because of Covid-19 restrictions, a lot of people stay at home. One thing you can do in your house is watching movies and series. Normally, you need to pay for subscription to Netflix, Amazon Prime, or HBO to be able to watch.

But what do you do if don’t want to pay to watch movies and series? Some people go to online piracy sites. These are websites where you can download or stream films and TV shows illegally but for free. This action is a big problem for the entertainment businesses.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about online piracy.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/online-piracy-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is online piracy and how does it affect companies like Netflix and Disney? What are its effects on the entertainment industry?
  2. What is your opinion about online piracy?
  3. How common or big is this problem in your country?

Gut Feeling

B1 – Intermediate

Imagine your boss making an important decision for the company based on their intuition. This would be met with doubts since important decisions should be carefully thought of, right?

Let’s listen to the audio and find out more about gut feelings.

http://www.idioms4you.com/complete-idioms/gut-feeling.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is a gut feeling?
  2. Have you ever had one before? Did you react based on it?
  3. Talk about a gut feel you had and did it come true or not?
  4. Do you believe that gut feelings help us avoid danger or potential failure?
  5. What are the things you consider before making major decisions?

Wind Turbines Cause Bird Deaths

B1 – Intermediate

With our growing problem with the environment, we continue to find alternative sources of energy. One example of alternative energy source is wind. 

One good thing about wind turbines is that they produce green energy. However, one problem with them is the danger they bring to wildlife, especially birds.

Find out more about this environment concern and what the solution is to this problem.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2008/200829-wind-turbine-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the good and bad things about wind turbines or wind farms?
  2. What are other common causes of death of birds that you know of?
  3. How is the scientists solution helpful?
  4. Are there a lot of wind turbines in your city/country? What do you think of them?
  5. What is your opinion on this statement: “wind farms should not be a risk to wildlife”?

India, Russia, and One Chess Gold Medal

B1 – Intermediate

In competitions, there is only one winner. But at the Olympiad 2020, that one gold medal went to two competing countries India and Russia. The chess match was done online due to Covid-19 but India had internet problems.

Read this lesson to find out more about two countries winning one gold medal in chess.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2009/200902-chess-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on giving the gold medal to both India and Russia?
  2. Was it acceptable to share the medal due to internet problems from India’s end? Why or why not?
  3. Have you ever heard of a similar story? Tell us about it.
  4. Do you know how to play chess? How and when did you learn to play it? What can you say about this game/sport?
  5. Is there a Spanish game similar to chess? Talk about it.

Anti-Aging Creams

B1 – Intermediate

They say age is just a number, but we can’t deny the changes we notice on our faces as we grow older. At this point, the quest for younger looking, plumper, and line-free skin begins. Some people opt for surgeries while others try a milder approach such as cosmetic products.

https://listenaminute.com/a/anti-aging_creams.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is an anti-aging cream? Do you believe in its effectiveness?
  2. Are they expensive in your country? Who usually buys them?
  3. Are you a fan of anti-aging cream? Do you think you have the need to use them?
  4. If you would be asked to test a product, would you do it?

Genetically Modified Mosquitoes

B1 – Intermediate

Mosquitoes are little creatures who thirst for blood and cause many life-threatening diseases. It is determined that both genders are equally responsible for transmitting various diseases by breeding and increasing population size.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about genetically-modified mosquitoes.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2008/200825-mosquitoes-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of releasing genetically-modified insects? What could go wrong with this experiment?
  2. How would you feel if the mosquitoes were released in your town?
  3. What do you know about mosquitoes? What do you do to avoid them?
  4. How dangerous are mosquitoes?
  5. Do you have any bad experiences with mosquitoes?

Transparent Toilets in Tokyo

B1 – Intermediate

Public toilets are places where one is obliged to ease oneself in unfamiliar surroundings. Almost all toilets in Japan are well-maintained and kept spotlessly clean to ensure the utmost comfort for all.

Let’s read the article below about public toilets in Japan.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2008/200821-the-tokyo-toilet-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Should public toilets be well-designed? Why / Why not?
  2. What do you think of a toilet with transparent walls?
  3. Should cities spend money on designing toilets? Why / Why not?
  4. Why do public toilets have a negative image? How can we make public toilets better?
  5. What are public toilets like in your country? Describe.