Tag: Reading

Canada Flight Cancelled After Child Refuses to Wear Seat Belt

B2 — Upper Intermediate 

A flight in Canada was cancelled after a child refused to wear a seat belt. The situation caused a delay and affected all the passengers on the plane.

This story shows how important it is to follow safety rules on flights. Passengers, especially children, should listen to the crew to help keep everyone safe.

It has also raised new questions about safety rules and children’s behavior while flying.

Read the article about the cancellation of a flight in Canada after a child refused to wear a seat belt.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj6307x3wdgo

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “reignite” mean? “The cancellation of a flight in Canada after a child refused to wear a seat belt has reignited a debate about the etiquette and safety procedures relating to children travelling on planes.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “to split opinion“ mean? ”The incident has split opinion about how children should be treated in such situations and how airlines should respond.” Use the expression in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “to be beyond the pale” mean? “We’ve all been those parents,” he said. “But this is beyond the pale.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think the flight was right to be cancelled? Why or why not?
  2. Who should be responsible when a child refuses to follow safety rules—the child, the parents, or the airline?
  3. What should parents do if their child refuses to wear a seat belt on a plane?
  4. Should airlines have stricter rules for children traveling by plane? Share your thoughts.
  5. Have you ever experienced a difficult situation while traveling? What happened?

EU Commends Spain’s Swift Response to Ceuta Migrant Crisis

B2 — Upper Intermediate 

About 72,000 migrants entered the Spanish territory in North Africa. Unfortunately, at least 75 people died on the Spanish side of the border, while Morocco reported 11 deaths.

Many European member states have expressed their concern over the Ceuta migrant crisis in Spain.

Since then, Spain has responded to the large number of migrants arriving in Ceuta by placing a 500-meter floating barrier near the Tarajal breakwater.

It also worked with Morocco to return thousands of migrants, provided emergency aid, and approved €25 million to help unaccompanied children.

Read the article about Spain’s response to the Ceuta migrant crisis.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c80n3j55g0do

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to stand in solidarity with someone” mean? ”Irish Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan, who chaired Tuesday’s meeting, said the EU stood in solidarity with Spain and that migration required “a united European response”.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “to draw tension“ mean? ”The meeting had been expected to draw some tension, following earlier criticism of Spain from some EU nations.” Use the expression in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “exclave” mean? ”The crossings came after Spain’s Supreme Court ruled that migrants stopped at sea while trying to reach Ceuta or Melilla, another Spanish exclave, cannot be summarily returned to Morocco.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on how Spain dealt with the Ceuta crisis?
  2. “It is thought that the influx was fuelled by criminal networks and social media disinformation.” What is your view on this?
  3. Share your opinion on the other European nations expressing their concerns over the Ceuta migrant crisis.
  4. What is your opinion on Italy suspending its Schengen zone agreement with Spain on free movement in response to the Ceuta crisis?
  5. Share your views on this, “Finland and Denmark backed Italy’s move, while Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš urged a temporary suspension of Spain’s Schengen membership.”
  6. How can countries work together to solve migration problems? 

Google Earth Flight Simulator

B1 — Intermediate 

Google’s Flight Simulator is a fun feature in Google Earth. You can fly a virtual plane over cities, mountains, and oceans. It uses real satellite images and 3D maps. The controls are simple, but flying takes practice. It is great for exploring the world from the sky.

Read the article about Google Earth flight simulator.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2606/260618-google-earth.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “flight simulator”? ”To use the flight simulator, you will have to open the Google Earth website and click on the “Explore Earth” button in the top right corner.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “high-fidelity“ mean in this context: ”The flight simulator is designed for casual exploration rather than high-fidelity aerodynamic training.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What is a “drop-down menu”? ”To start flying, you need to click on “Tools” in the menu bar and then select “Flight simulator” from the drop-down menu.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How can this simulator help people learn about the world?
  2. What are other things people can learn from using Google’s Flight Simulator? 
  3. Would you ever use Google’s Flight Simulator? Why or why not? Which country would you like to visit in the simulator?
  4. Is it better to explore places online or in real life? Why?
  5. Do you like games or apps that let you explore places?
  6. If you could fly anywhere, where would you go first?

Benefits of Boosting Data Sharing in the EU

B2 — Upper Intermediate 

Boosting data sharing in the European Union can bring many benefits. 

It allows governments, businesses, and researchers to work together more effectively by sharing useful information. Better data sharing can improve healthcare, support scientific research, and help create smarter public services. It can also make businesses more innovative and competitive by giving them access to valuable data. At the same time, the EU aims to protect people’s privacy by using strong data protection rules. With secure and responsible data sharing, the EU can promote economic growth, improve public services, and encourage innovation.

Read this article about the benefits of boosting data sharing in the EU.

* You may also watch the videos embedded throughout the article for more information.

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20220331STO26411/boosting-data-sharing-in-the-eu-what-are-the-benefits

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “aftermarket service” mean? ”Providers of aftermarket services will be able to compete on an equal footing with comparable services offered by manufacturers, which may reduce prices and boost innovation.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What is “data pooling”? ”This will be achieved through a range of tools, from technical solutions such as anonymisation and data pooling to legally binding agreements by the reusers.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What is “retro-engineering“? ”In order to prevent competitors from retro-engineering services or devices thanks to increased access to data, MEPs strengthened provisions to protect trade secrets.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. While boosting data sharing in the European Union has many benefits, it also has some disadvantages. What might be some of them?
  2. Do the benefits of data sharing outweigh the risks? Why or why not?
  3. Do you think that the EU privacy laws can really protect the citizens and their personal information? Share your views.
  4. What is your opinion on this, “With immense possibilities in areas from farming to health, big data can play a key role in the EU’s digital transformation. However, data sharing is essential to unlock this potential.”?
  5. Do you think small businesses and large companies benefit equally from data sharing? Explain.
  6. What improvements would you suggest to make data sharing safer and more effective in the EU?
  7. How do you think data sharing will affect people’s lives in the future?

Brain Fog and How to Fix it

B2 — Upper Intermediate 

Brain fog is a feeling of mental tiredness that makes it hard to think clearly. People with mental mist may have trouble concentrating, remembering things, or making decisions. It can be caused by stress, lack of sleep, illness, or poor nutrition. 

Although it is not a medical condition by itself, it can affect daily life and productivity. It is important to know what can help reduce brain fog.

Read this article about mental cloudiness and how to fix it.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c87ydw7xdxvo

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to lose one’s train of thought mean? ”When life gets busy and stress levels rise, it’s not uncommon to find yourself walking into a room and forgetting why you went there, losing your train of thought mid-sentence or struggling to stay focused on simple tasks.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “overstretched” mean here: ”Often, it’s simply your brain’s way of saying it’s tired, stressed or overstretched.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What is “decision fatigue“? ”Reduce decision fatigue by having a set rhythm to your days – a predictable structure can take pressure off your working memory.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. How can brain fog affect daily life?
  2. Share your thoughts on this tip, “Remind yourself that brain fog is usually temporary and it’s okay to slow down, delegate tasks or ask for help when you need it.”
  3. What are your thoughts about creating routines to reduce decision fatigue?
  4. Do you think using calendars and reminders helps free up your mental space?
  5. Have you ever experienced brain fog? What were you doing when it happened? How did you deal with it?
  6. What habits help you improve focus and mental clarity?
  7. Do you think technology and excessive screen time can cause brain fog? Why or why not?

Knee Surgery May Do More Harm than Good 

B1 — Intermediate 

Hundreds of thousands of people undergo knee surgery each year. According to the surgeons who conducted a study in Finland, some knee procedures may only worsen knee problems.

Read this article about the study concluding that some knee surgeries can make knee problems worse.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2607/260716-knee-surgery.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “tear” mean here: ”They found that surgery on tears in the knee cartilage rarely worked. ” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “relief” mean? ”She said her method could provide years of relief by reducing pain inside the knee joint.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “joint” mean here: ”She said her method could provide years of relief by reducing pain inside the knee joint.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Were you surprised by the findings of the Finnish study? Why or why not?
  2. If you had chronic knee pain, would you choose surgery or try the new treatment first? Explain your answer.
  3. Do you think people should always get a second medical opinion before having surgery? Why?
  4. What kinds of activities can help keep our knees healthy?
  5. Have you or someone you know ever had knee problems? What happened?

Strength Training Helps to Live Longer

B1 — Intermediate 

Researchers say that regular strength training may help people live longer. They found that this type of exercise may lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, and mental health problems.

Read the article about how regular strength training may help us live longer.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2606/260625-strength-training.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is “strength training”? ”The study found that people who did moderate amounts of strength training on a regular basis had a lower risk of dying at a younger age.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “resistance work” mean? “Keep walking, cycling, swimming, or doing whatever gets your heart rate up. But add some resistance work too.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “to burn up” mean here: ”If we do not keep our muscles active, they do not burn up so much sugar and fat.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think strength training is important? Why or why not?
  2. Why do many people avoid strength training?
  3. Which do you think is better: strength training or aerobic exercise? Explain your answer.
  4. Should schools encourage students to do strength training? Why?
  5. Do you do any strength training? If yes, what kind?
  6. If you wanted to live a longer and healthier life, what lifestyle changes would you make besides exercising?

Rising Memory Chip Prices to Push Up Tech Costs

B1 — Intermediate 

Gadgets such as mobile phones, laptops, and others are such an essential part of our day-to-day lives. 

Nowadays, the demand for servers in AI data centers has increased very quickly. Because of this, AI systems need to store big amounts of data and process it much faster than regular computers. As a result, catching up with new technology is likely to be more expensive.

Read the article about rising tech products prices.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2606/260629-memory-chip-price-hikes.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is “components crisis”? ”The entire consumer electronics industry is struggling with the current components crisis.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “to be insulated from something” mean here: “However, Apple said its iPhone would be insulated from the price hikes.” Use the expression in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “to affect one’s pocket” mean? ”People are now worrying about rising tech prices affecting their pockets.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the impact of the growth of AI on the technology industry?
  2. Do you think AI is worth the higher cost of technology? Explain your answer.
  3. How might higher technology prices affect the consumers and businesses?
  4. If technology becomes more expensive, how will it affect you?
  5. In your opinion, is it better to repair old devices or buy new ones? Explain.

Taking a 5-Minute Walk Every Hour May Help Offset the Effects of Sitting

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A recent study suggests that taking a 5-minute walk every hour may help reduce the harmful effects of sitting for long periods. Participants who took regular walking breaks reported feeling less tired, having a better mood, and experiencing improved blood circulation.

Read the article to know how short walks can help people stay active. They also recommend getting at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week for overall health.

https://www.health.com/five-minute-walk-every-hour-offsets-effects-of-sitting-12005804

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “cardiometabolic” mean? “They tested five-minute walks because previous studies have found that this time frame yields better cardiometabolic, mood, and fatigue outcomes than shorter intervals, while still being a realistic goal.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “reset button” mean here: “
    Walking breaks serve as physiological reset buttons—they reactivate the muscles in your legs, improve circulation, and give your brain a much-needed break.”     Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “hidden cost” mean? “There is a hidden cost to our sedentary lifestyles.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the benefits of taking a 5-minute walk every hour?
  2. Why can sitting for long periods be harmful to our health?
  3. Do you usually take breaks while working or studying? Why or why not?
  4. What are some easy ways to stay active during a busy day?
  5. Do you think you could make this habit part of your daily routine? Why or why not?

World Cup Fans Struggle with Tipping Culture

B1 — Intermediate 

Football fans at the World Cup are finding it hard to understand tipping in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. In these World Cup host nations, tips of up to 20 per cent are expected.

Many fans say tipping is making their trip more expensive given that it is already too costly to attend the World Cup.

Read the article about World Cup fans struggling with the tipping culture.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2607/260702-tipping-world-cup.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is “tipping fatigue”? ”They add that leaving tips makes already expensive food even costlier. Some fans have complained about “tipping fatigue“.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “budget is being stretched” mean? “Travelling fans say their budgets are being stretched.” Use the expression in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “hospitality sector” mean? ”A lot of staff say it is impossible to survive in the hospitality sector without tips.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about tipping fatigue that some World Cup fans are struggling with in the USA, Canada, and Mexico? 
  2. How would you feel if you were asked to tip for buying a bottle of water?
  3. If you traveled to another country, would you follow its tipping customs? Why?
  4. Which is better: paying higher menu prices with no tips or lower prices with expected tips?
  5. Share your thoughts on this, “Workers at restaurants in the US can earn as little as $2.13 per hour. They rely on diners to tip. Without tips, staff may not earn enough money to live on.”