Tag: Reading

Poor Diet Creates 20cm Height Gap in Children

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Human growth is affected by complex interactions among various factors, including gene, race, birth weight, hormone, nutrition, and environment.
Eating behaviours evolve during the first years of life; children learn what, when, and how much to eat through direct experiences with food and observing the eating behaviours of others.

But how can poor diet and nutrition affect a child’s health?

Let’s read the article below to learn more about diet and height.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2011/201111-diet-and-height.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What two things did the article see were behind the height gap?
  2. What did the article warn people against?
  3. What is the average height of children and also men and women in your country?
  4. Do you think you had a healthy lifestyle when you were a child? Is it possible to have a healthy lifestyle in this modern world?
  5. How could we improve the eating habits of children?

Awake at 3 a.m.? What to Do

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We’ve all had to burn the midnight oil at some point. Perhaps it was for that all-important presentation at work, or maybe we’ve had to pore over notes for that university examination that loomed the next day.

However, it’s a different thing altogether when we have the opportunity to get a full night’s sleep, but our body clock seemingly refuses to cooperate.

The following article has some nifty tips to have you snoozing your way to dreamland sooner and brimming with energy when the alarm clock finally rings.

https://www.thetimesinplainenglish.com/awake-at-3-a-m-what-to-do/

Discussion Questions:

  1. On an average evening, what time do you usually find yourself tucked up in bed? Do you sleep soon after or much later? What do you see as the ideal sleep schedule for you?
  2. Having read the article, what would you say are the things that keep you from falling asleep? How can you manage these factors to enjoy blissful slumber?
  3. Which of the tips do you find most useful? Which tips can you implement immediately to improve the quality of your sleep? Which would be difficult to put into practice?

Maldives Resort Offers $30K ‘All-You-Can-Stay’ Holiday

B1 – Intermediate

A visit to Maldives would be a dream come true for anyone. Imagine waking up on a private island with its dreamy white beaches covered in palm trees, turquoise lagoons, and breathtaking views. Maldives is one of the best places to go snorkeling and scuba diving.

What if a hotel company in the Maldives is offering guests a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, would you be interested?

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2011/201115-maldives-resort-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Where is paradise for you?
  2. Do you think the Maldives holiday package is good value? Why/Why not?
  3. What is on your travel bucket list?
  4. What is your perfect holiday? Describe.
  5. Where do you go for seclusion and privacy?
  6. What once-in-a-lifetime experience would you like?

Scientists Develop COVID-19 Vaccine

B1 – Intermediate

Coronavirus has definitely changed the way we live, work, and connect. We are all coping up with the new normal situation which includes wearing of masks in public places, social distancing, daily disinfection, taking vitamins, and many more.

When will there be a COVID-19 vaccine? Let’s read the article below.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2011/201113-covid-19-vaccine-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. Should we be worried about the side effects of this new vaccine? Why or why not?
  3. How has COVID-19 changed your life? How has COVID-19 affected your country’s economy?
  4. What are you going to do once the COVID-19 crisis is over?
  5. What can the world learn from the COVID-19 pandemic?

Stress Baking During US Election

B1 – Intermediate

Often, talks about politics cause stress on some people. Americans were under a lot of stress due to the last election in their country. They had to find a way to release all those stress.

Read the lesson to find out what they did to cope with their stress.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2011/201105-stress-baking-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why is baking and making bread helpful in fighting stress and anxiety? 
  2. What is your opinion on using baking as a stress reliever?
  3. What hobbies/activities did you do because of stress?
  4. What do you normally do during stressful situations at work?
  5. What is the most stressful day for you this year?
  6. What are some causes of your stress nowadays?

Do Employers Look for Experience or Education?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Education is often described as an investment. Does having a high academic qualification still remain an important consideration in landing a job? Do companies hire employees based on their skills and experiences?

Let us read some of the factors to consider when it comes to the duel between education and experience.

https://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0710/experience-or-education-which-one-lands-you-the-job.aspx

Discussion Questions:

1.What is more important – skills without a degree or a degree without skills?

2. How does a college degree improve a graduate’s employment opportunities?

3.What are some jobs where college qualifications aren’t required?

4. Is a college degree necessary in the job you have? Why do you think you were hired by your company?

5. What are some of your job-seeking experiences?

Water on the Moon

B1 – Intermediate

The moon is nearest to the earth. It has no light of its own but shines at night by the reflected light of the sun. Several craters are found on the surface of the moon made by impact events.

NASA found out that the moon may have more amounts of water than we thought.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about this amazing news about water in the moon.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2010/201030-water-on-the-moon-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What things do you know about the moon?
  2. What experiments might take place on the moon?
  3. Why might permanent moon bases be important?
  4. What do you think about water existing on the moon?
  5. How important is space exploration?

Diet Drinks As Unhealthy As Sugary Ones

B1 – Intermediate

Diet soda is addictive. Many people think that diet soda is healthy because diet soda contains no fat, low or no calories, and no sugar. Yet, it doesn’t really mean that drinking it won’t lead to weight gain.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about diet drinks.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2011/201101-diet-soda-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Should we be eating or drinking anything artificial? Why/why not?
  2. What do you think of artificial sweeteners?
  3. What kinds of food would you like to remove from your diet?
  4. How good or bad is your daily diet? Describe your diet.
  5. What can we do to prevent obesity?

Coronavirus: Dealing with Mass Unemployment

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A lot of people have been stressing about being permanently or temporarily laid off from their jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic. It has caused financial problems to a lot of people. Some started finding jobs that are not in their fields of expertise and some have been trying to survive by the money that the government has given them. They say that we are not yet in a place where we can talk about recovery and the ripple effect will come in the future.

Let’s listen to the audio below to learn more.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-200924

Discussion Questions:

  1. Has the pandemic caused mass unemployment in your country?
  2. What would be the ripple effect of mass unemployment?
  3. Would upskilling or reskilling be the answer to our problem?
  4. What are your thoughts about not having a job for life?
  5. What do you think are other ways to deal with mass unemployment?

Las Vegas Casinos

B1 – Intermediate

For some, gambling is a way to entertain themselves but for others, it becomes a part of their routine. There are certain things you can remember in order to gamble wisely.

Watch this video on some tips when you go to a casino to gamble.

Las Vegas Casinos

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to Randall, what are the things you should remember when you gamble? Do you agree or disagree with his tips?
  2. What do you think of gambling?
  3. Is gambling a part of culture in your country? What are the most common forms of gambling in your country? Is there an area in your country famous for gambling?
  4. Do you believe in ‘beginner’s luck’?
  5. What does the expression ‘the house always wins’ mean? Do you think this is true or not?