Tag: Preliminary PET

France Recalls its Ambassadors to Australia and US

B1 – Intermediate

French ambassadors to Australia and the US have been recalled. This is after a diplomatic row of “exceptional gravity” involving Australia cancelling a deal with France. After which, Australia planned to negotiate with the US.

Read the article about the diplomatic dispute between France and Australia and the United States.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2109/210920-ambassador-recall-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. In your own words, explain why France decided to pull out their ambassadors to Australia and the US.
  2. What do you think will happen to the diplomatic relations between the three countries now and in the future?
  3. Has your country had a diplomatic spat with other countries? What was the dispute about? How was it resolved?
  4. Why is diplomacy important between countries?
  5. Does your country have good foreign relations with most other countries? 

Scientists to Bring Back Mammoths

B1 – Intermediate

Woolly mammoths are big and hairy animals that look like elephants and haven’t roamed the Earth for thousands of years. Scientists have wondered if these mammoths can be cloned.

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

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2109/210916-woolly-mammoths-0.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think bringing the woolly mammoth back is a good idea? Why or why not?
  2. What are the dangers of reviving the woolly mammoth?
  3. What do you think of the idea of de-extinction?
  4. How might this research improve our lives?
  5. If you were Ben Lamm, would you invest a lot of money on this kind of research? Why or why not?

Dangerous Egyptian Haircut

B1 – Intermediate

An Egyptian barber was given the nickname ‘The Joker’. He became famous for using unusual tools in cutting his costumers’ hair.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on a barber’s unusual haircutting tools and techniques.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/dangerous-egyptian-haircut-level-3/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about his style of cutting hair?
  2. What are the good and bad things about this barber’s way of working?
  3. Would you like to try getting a haircut from him? Why or why not?
  4. Talk about your favorite barber/hairdresser. Why do you like him/her?
  5. Barbers and salons were not considered essential business during the pandemic lockdowns. In your opinion, are barbers and salons essential business and should remain open during lockdowns? Why or why not?

Sky Lantern Causes Fire

B1 – Intermediate

A sky lantern is basically a small hot hair balloon that is made out of paper. It’s simple, festive, and lovely, but it can also be dangerous. Some countries have banned the use of sky lanterns because they can be very dangerous.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript below about the catastrophic fire that happened in Brazil.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/sky-lantern-causes-fire-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the purpose of sky lanterns? Which celebration/s are sky lanterns used?
  2. Why are they dangerous?
  3. What festivals in Spain use light, fire, and/or lanterns? Describe it/them.
  4. What are other ways to celebrate festivals/events safely?
  5. What do you like doing during the festival in your city?

Non-Fungible Tokens

B1 – Intermediate

Non-fungible means there is only one of that thing. Non-fungible token is an item or a product that has no copy. When you buy an NFT, you get a certificate even though it only exists in the digital world. 

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on non-fungible tokens or NFTs.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/people-like-non-fungible-tokens-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of NFTs?
  2. Would you be interested to buy an NFT? Why or why not?
  3. What might be the reasons people buy NFTs?
  4. What are the good and bad things about NFTs?
  5. What is one thing you would like to be non-fungible and only you own it? Talk about it.

Alcohol-Free Bars

B1 – Intermediate

Drinking is probably one of the most social things we humans do. However, more and more people are becoming uninterested in drinking. Then alcohol-free spirits and bars increase their popularity.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript on alcohol-free bars.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/alcohol-free-bars-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What might be reasons people prefer alcohol-free spirits?
  2. Would you enjoy going to an alcohol-free bar? Why or why not?
  3. Talk about your favorite bar. What do you like most about this particular bar?
  4. What are the most common alcoholic drinks people drink in your country?
  5. Do you think people will drink alcohol less and less in the future? Why or why not?

New Zealand Apologizes for Immigration Raids

B1 – Intermediate

In the 1970s, there was a shortage of workers in New Zealand. Thousands of people from the South Pacific islands of Tahiti, Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji moved there to work.

But then, police raided the Islanders’ homes who they suspect were illegally overstaying in the country. They were then deported back to their respective countries. Their families who were left behind in NZ were placed in government care homes.

Read the lesson on the New Zealand government’s apology to Pacific Islanders for the inhumane raids that happened in the 70s. Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2108/210804-dawn-raids-0.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to the discriminatory immigration rules in NZ in the past?
  2. Has anything similar ever happened in your country too? Talk about that time.
  3. What can you say about the NZ government’s apology to the Islanders? How is this going to impact the Islanders?
  4. What normally happens to people who illegally stay in your country when they are caught by the police? What about their families?
  5. Given a chance, which country would you like to immigrate to?

Timber Shortage Increases House Prices

B1 – Intermediate

Timber is one important material in building construction. However, due to climate change, there is a shortage in its supply. This shortage causes the price of timber to increase. Thereby, increasing the prices of new houses too.

Read the article about global timber shortage and its effects on the housing industry.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2108/210806-timber-shortage-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can you say about the problem with timber shortage in the world?
  2. What else can be done to solve the problem with timber shortage?
  3. According to DIY stores, home projects have created extraordinary demand for timber. What do you think of this? 
  4. Have you done any DIY reformations in your house during the lockdown/pandemic, too? Talk about it.
  5. Is your country also committed to planting more trees just like the UK? Explain.

Cuba Allows Owning of Private Businesses

B1 – Intermediate

Since 1959, businesses in Cuba have been owned by the state. After a very long time, Cubans will be able to legally own a private business again.

Read the article about the changes in owning businesses and the economy in Cuba.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2108/210810-cuba-business-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about this change?
  2. Do you think that Cubans being allowed to legally own businesses could help Cuba’s economy? Elaborate.
  3. Is it a good or a bad thing when businesses are owned by the state? Explain.
  4. This change was possible because of the people’s protests. Do you think that the people have succeeded in getting what they were demanding from the government? Explain.
  5. In your country, what are people protesting against nowadays?

G7 Leaders Promise a Better World

B1 – Intermediate

The Group of Seven or G7 was founded in 1975. Its member countries are seven of the world’s most developed economies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Leaders of the said countries meet every year and talk about different global problems.

During the 2021 summit, the G7 leaders created the Build Back Better World or B3W.

Read the lesson for more information on this plan.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2106/210615-g7-summit-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on organizations like G7? Would you like your country to be part of the G7? Why or why not?
  2. What do you think about the ‘Build Back Better World’?
  3. Do you think they can keep their promise of a better world? Why or why not?
  4. Among these four areas – climate, health and health security, digital technology, and gender equity and equality – which should the G7 prioritize? Why?
  5. What other global issues do you think the G7 should focus on?