Tag: Preliminary PET

McDonald’s All-You-Can-Eat Fries

B1 – Intermediate

The addition of all-you-can-eat fries to the menu is just one of many recent changes at McDonald’s. New CEO Steve Easterbrook took over as boss last year. What can you say about this offering? Do you think this will boost the company’s profits?

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1604/160419-all-you-can-eat-fries.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Will unlimited fries be a danger to the health of the people or do you think that people will always have the choice when it comes to their health?
  2. What changes would you suggest to McDonald’s/fast-food restaurants’ menus?
  3. Should McDonald’s and such restaurants consider their customers’ health more? Explain.
  4. What do you think fast-food restaurants of the future be like?

Teens, Television, and Depression

B1 – Intermediate

Watching TV can be fun. But too much of it can lead to more harm than good.

Read the article below to know the connection between depression and watching too much TV. Be ready to express your thoughts about it.

http://www.english-online.at/society/teens-depression/television-habits-teens.htm

Discussion Questions:

1. Would you consider yourself a TV addict? If yes, how much time do usually spend watching TV?
2. Do you agree that too much TV may lead to depression?
3. What do you think are other causes of depression?
4. What are some of the social activities that you enjoy doing with friends and family?

Near-Earth asteroids – How Dangerous Are They?

B1 – Intermediate

Space agencies have started looking at the skies for near-earth asteroids that could potentially hit Earth. They believe these asteroids can be a threat to our planet.

Read the article below to get some interesting facts about asteroids.

http://www.english-online.at/news-articles/science/near-earth-asteroids-how-dangerous-are-they.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you feel about the possibility that one day the world would be hit by a big asteroid?
  2. If the Earth were to be destroyed, what are the things you’d do before it happens?
  3. Other than asteroids, what other threats does the Earth face?

Desktop Dining Etiquette

B1 – Intermediate

A working lunch. So many of us are guilty of being a “desktop diner”. Is it wrong? 

Click on the title below and be ready to talk about the etiquette of dining at your desk.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-35717493

Discussion Questions:

  1. Discuss the 5 rules when having lunch or eating at your desk.
  2. Have you experienced working during your break? Is this bad for us?
  3. Why should we follow certain rules when eating in our office or at our desk?

Happiness Can Break Your Heart Too

B1 – Intermediate

It isn’t only sad events and hurtful situations that can break our hearts. It turns out that happy circumstances can also be harmful to the health.

Read the article below to know more.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1603/160305-happy-heart-syndrome.html

 Discussion Questions:

1. What did you think about the article?
2. How might happiness be unhealthy?
3. How would you define happiness?
4. Share some of the happy memories you’ve had in the past week or month.

The Job Nobody Wants

B1 – Intermediate

A small town in New Zealand is offering a good amount of money to any doctor who would like to serve its residents.  The search has been going on for quite some time but has been unsuccessful.

Read the article below to know more about the job that nobody wants.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1602/160226-doctors.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to hit one’s head against a brick wall” mean? “I would like to stay but I hit my head against a brick wall trying to attract doctors.” Use the idiom in a sentence and give a synonym.
  2. What does “countryside” mean? “Dr. Kenny thinks the problem is that the job is in the countryside.” Use the word in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What does “swap” mean? “He said he has a great lifestyle and he wouldn’t swap it for city life.” Use the word in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do you think it is so difficult to find someone for the job mentioned in the article?
  2. If you were a young doctor, would you be interested to take this job? Why or why not?
  3. What is your opinion about this, “The problem is that the job is in the countryside and everyone wants to live and work in the big cities.“
  4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in rural areas?
  5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in the city?

Life in 2116

B1 – Intermediate

Nothing is certain when it comes to the future. Is the future a scary or an exciting thought for you? Wouldn’t it be nice to have a quick glance at what the future looks like?

Read on this news item on experts’ predictions for 2116.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1602/160218-the-future.html

Discussion Questions:

1. How has the Internet changed your life?
2. Do you think the future will be good or bad? Explain.
3. Will people still need to study English in 2116? Why or why not?
4. What questions would you like to ask an expert from the future?

Racism: Then and Now

B1 – Intermediate

How do you understand the word “racism”? This word has been widely used for a long time now, especially more in today’s society.

Read the article below to get more information on what racism is then express your thoughts about it.

http://www.english-online.at/society/racism/racism.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. How would you explain racism in the past and racism now?
  2. How are people of a different color or appearance treated in your home country?
  3. Can you tell a story of experiencing or witnessing racism?
  4. What are some ways we can prevent racism and discrimination?
  5. Have you ever experienced being discriminated against?
  6. In what ways is racism and discrimination a problem in society?
  7. Some people believe that humanity is divided into distinct races, others believe that all human beings belong to only one race. What do you think of this?

Cyberbullying On The Rise

B1 – Intermediate

When people start using technology to put people down, a new threat emerges. Click below to find out more about cyberbullying and why it has become so widespread.

http://www.english-online.at/society/cyberbullying/cyberbullying-on-the-rise.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. What could be reasons the incidence of cyberbullying is increasing?
  2. What are some ways to help lessen the instances of cyberbullying?
  3. Share your opinion on this, “Parents face the fact that they don’t know their child is a cyberbully.“.
  4. Do you think the same problem exist in your country? Talk about it.
  5. Are there strict laws against cyberbullying in your country? Explain.

American Idol

B1 – Intermediate

Reality TV or reality shows have been around for quite some time and it seems like they’re getting more popular.

Read the article below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

American Idol is a reality TV program broadcast in the US and over one hundred countries around the world. It debuted in the summer of 2002, and has become one of the most popular programs on air. It has ranked as the number one show for five seasons in a row. On the program, contestants sing before three judges to be the best singer in the country. The winner usually goes on to win large record contracts.

Although very successful, there has been some controversy too. For example, Sir Elton John called the show “racist” after African American contestants scored poorly. The show also has total control of the careers of each year’s winners, a fact which may or may not be favorable to the contestants.

Source: headsupenglish.com

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you watch shows such as American Idol or other reality TV programs?
2. What are some of your preferences when watching TV shows?
3. What has been the impact of airing reality shows?