Tag: Preliminary PET

Heaviest Sumo Wrestler Gives Diet Advice

B1 – Intermediate

Health is important to each and everyone of us. Everyone needs to be healthy and not only physically but also mentally and psychologically. The health of any given individual will determine how he or she functions.

Let’s read the article below and learn more about the world’s heaviest ever sumo wrestler’s health advice to other wrestlers.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2006/200628-sumo-wrestler-0.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of sumo wrestlers? What do you know about them or their sport?
  2. How much do you worry about your height and weight?
  3. How big is your appetite? How difficult is it for you to avoid snacks?
  4. What do you do to stay healthy?

Company Sends Rocket to Space

B1 – Intermediate

NASA and private company SpaceX work together to send astronauts to space. The private company SpaceX owns the rocket. This company is owned by Elon Musk. This space flight is monumental for both NASA and SpaceX.

Read the transcript and listen to the audio about this commercial space flight from the link below.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/company-sends-rocket-to-space-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the mission of this space flight?
  2. What is your reaction to this news? 
  3. What do you think is the importance of such space missions?
  4. Would you be interested to go on a commercial flight to space? Why or why not?
  5. Do you think space travel would be a common thing in the future? Why or why not?

Cleaner Future

B1 – Intermediate

Yes, the pandemic might have put us in a very bad situation. However, there are some good results from it, too. One of which is that this global crisis has given us a chance to see what we are doing wrong to the environment. Hopefully, this period gives us a chance to change things.

Read the transcript and listen to the audio about cleaner future from the link below.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/cleaner-future-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What effects did the pandemic have on the environment of your country?
  2. Do you agree or disagree that something about how we use nature must change? 
  3. Do you agree or disagree that it is important to use cleaner energy for a better future?
  4. How is the environment protected in your country?
  5. How do you help in taking care of the environment?

Air Bridges Allows More People to Travel

B1 – Intermediate

With the pandemic greatly affecting most countries’ economy, governments are finding ways to restart the economic activities again. 

One way is by having air bridges. Another word for it is “travel bubble”. Find out more about air bridges or travel bubbles by reading the article below.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2006/200624-air-bridges-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to this article, what is an air bridge? What is the old meaning of it?
  2. What is your opinion about air bridges?
  3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having travel bubbles?
  4. Do you agree that opening the economy to people from other countries will be advantageous?
  5. How has the pandemic affect the economy of your country? How is your country recovering from the crisis?

China and India Agree to Peace Over Border

B1 – Intermediate

Tensions between India and China are not new. These two countries have been in conflict for decades over territories and fought a bloody war in 1962 and have since engaged in several small skirmishes.

Both sides see the area as strategically important, economically and militarily.

Let’s read the article below.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2006/200610-border-dispute-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you know about the skirmishes on the China-India border? What would have happened if the skirmishes led to a war?
  2. How do you think the China-India relationship should develop?
  3. Has there ever been any trouble along your country’s borders? Talk about this dispute.
  4. What sources of tension are there between your country and others?
  5. Can all border disputes be resolved cordially?

Scientists Discover the World’s Cleanest Air

B1 – Intermediate

There’s nothing quite like opening the door and breathing fresh, clean air but how clean is the air you’re breathing right now?

Due to increasing concentration of poisonous gases in the environment, the air is getting more and more toxic day by day. These gases are also the cause of many respiratory illnesses and other diseases.

Let’s read the article below.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2006/200606-clean-air.html

Questions Discussions:

  1. How important is it for you to have perfectly clean air?
  2. What will our air be like in 50 years from now?
  3. How clean is the air where you live? What damage have humans done to the air in your area?
  4. What activities do you do that creates pollution?

New Type of Swimwear

B1 – Intermediate

If you are a beach lover, one of the things you probably enjoy doing are sunbathing and getting some tan. However, some people are not that keen on getting darker skin in some countries. They do everything so they can maintain their pale skin.

A swimwear shop owner was surprised when a customer demanded for her to design a ‘facekini’. Facekini is a new type of swimwear that can help prevent women from having darker skin while on the beach. It can also protect them from jellyfish stings. 

Listen to the audio and read the transcript to find out more about facekinis. 

New Type of Swimwear – level 3

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this story?
  2. What are your thoughts on getting a tan? Do you enjoy being under the sun? Why or why not?
  3. What do you think of facekinis? 
  4. Do you think it could be a trend in your country too? Why or why not?
  5. How do you take care of your skin especially during summer?

Planning an Event

B1 – Intermediate

Working with a group of people can be both challenging and advantageous. Some prefer to work by themselves while others think sharing responsibilities could be the fastest way to get the job done.

In this lesson, you will find how the team managed to delegate each task effectively in order to plan an event.

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/skills/reading/intermediate-b1/planning-an-event

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Give 1-2 synonyms of “organise“. Use them in your own sentences.
  2. What is an “emcee“? Use this word in your own sentence.
  3. What does “book” mean in this sentence, “I can do that if someone books the speakers.”? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. If you were part of this team, which task/s do you think you would prefer to do and why?
  2. Talk about a time when you had to organize/plan an event.
  3. What are some rewards and challenges of planning an event?
  4. How are tasks usually divided in your project teams?
  5. Why is delegating tasks important?
  6. Do you prefer to work by yourself or with others? Why?
  7. What are your thoughts on this, “Democratic leadership is one of the most popular leadership styles because it involves input from the entire team and fosters employees’ sense of ownership in their work.”?

No Screaming in Japanese Amusement Parks

B1 – Intermediate

Amusement parks are by far one of the most thrilling places on earth. As you wait in a long line to get in, you can hear numerous kids, adults, and tourists shouting at the top of their lungs due to a tremendous jaw-dropping drop on their beloved rollercoasters.

But what if you are not allowed to scream, shout, or laugh during the ride? What would you do?

Let’s read the article below.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2005/200531-amusement-parks.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What images are in your mind when you hear the word ‘amusement’?
  2. What do you think of rollercoasters and haunted houses?
  3. Should everyone talk more quietly and wear masks?
  4. What is the “new normal” in the world today?
  5. What coronavirus guidelines are there in your country?

Herd Immunity

B1 – Intermediate

There are many infectious diseases that has been affecting all of us. Because it is not simple to fight infectious diseases, in some cases, reaching herd immunity is the only way to manage the said diseases.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript to learn more about herd immunity.

Herd Immunity – level 1

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is herd immunity?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of reaching herd immunity?
  3. What is your opinion about giving the disease to all people to make everyone immune to it? Do you agree to this way in order to deal with a health problem like coronavirus?
  4. What are some illnesses that affected people in your country previously and how were they managed?