Tag: Reading

Growing Roses

B2- Upper Intermediate

Roses are beautiful and fragrant flowers but some people often think they are hard to grow. Most of these rose plants come from Asia and also seen in some parts of Africa, Europe, and the United States.

Let us read few suggestions on how to start growing beautiful roses.

https://www.esolcourses.com/content/reading/intermediate/graded-readers/growing-roses.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you like roses? What are some kinds of flowers and plants do you like?
  2. Do you enjoy growing flowers or other type of plants?
  3. What do you know about planting or gardening?
  4. When is the best time to plant roses?
  5. How do flowers make you feel?

Guide Dogs for the Blind

B2 – Upper Intermediate

For someone who is blind or partially sighted, guide dogs help them move around safely. Because a person’s safety may depend on their dog’s alertness and concentration, not all dogs can be a guide dog.

Let’s read the article about the responsibilities of guide dogs to their owners.

https://www.esolcourses.com/content/reading/intermediate/graded-readers/guide-dogs.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of guide dogs?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having guide dogs?
  3. What are the types of things that guide dogs assist their owners with?
  4. Would you be willing to get a guide dog for someone who is blind or partially sighted?
  5. What other things do you know about service animals?

Huge Financial Rescue Package for UK Arts

B1 – Intermediate

Art is a form of human expression. It is a way not only for everyday people but also artists to show their feelings and true passions. People can be affected in many, different ways through art.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about how the UK has helped support the country’s arts industry post-quarantine and amidst the pandemic.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2007/200708-the%20arts-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What images are in your mind when you hear the word ‘arts’?
  2. What parts of the UK’s culture do you like and know of?
  3. How has corona virus affected the arts in your country?
  4. What do you think of museums? What is your favorite museum and why?
  5. How important is heritage and culture?
  6. What is the “beating heart” of your country?

Things Selling Out This Summer

After months of quarantine, things would change this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Many people have now adapted to the “new normal” and families are looking for alternative solutions to enjoy this summer season.

More and more people are opting to enjoy their time in comfort of their own backyards or to take up outdoor recreation.

This gave rise to the popularity of inflatable pools, bicycles, and roller skates. It might be difficult to find and buy these items now. The same way hand sanitizers and toilet papers were sold out at the beginning of the quarantine.

Read this article and be able to answer the questions that follow:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/reviewedcom/2020/07/07/10-things-selling-out-everywhere-summer-pools-floats-bikes-and-more/53v88942002/

Discussion Questions:

  1. During this pandemic, what are some of the recreational items/toys/products that are selling out nowadays in your country?
  2. What have you bought recently that you think is useful? What about something that is recreational? Explain why.
  3. Do you agree with the things that are mentioned in the article?
  4. What new recreational activities have you started doing during and after the pandemic?
  5. How did you cope with living the “new normal”?

Ice Cream Business

B1 – Intermediate

Nestlé is one of the biggest food companies in the world. One of their products is ice cream. However, it has not been successful in the US so they decided to sell the business to another company.

Read the transcript and listen to the audio about Nestlé’s ice cream business from the link below.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/ice-cream-business-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you know about the companies Nestlé and Froneri?
  2. Are you a fan of ice cream? What is/are your favorite flavor/s?
  3. How popular is ice cream in your country? What are other popular desserts there?
  4. Is the ice cream business doing well in your country? Why or why not?
  5. What is your opinion on Nestle’s decision to sell their ice cream business to another company?

Bus in Forest

B1 – Intermediate

Some of us want to live an adventurous life. In 1992, a man decided to live in the forest in Alaska. He found an abandoned bus. He lived in that bus but the conditions in this forest were extremely difficult.

After the life of this man was made into a novel and movie, this bus where the man lived became very famous.

Read the transcript and listen to the audio from the link below.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/bus-in-forest-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you know about Alaska?
  2. Would you have wanted to see this bus and experience the hard life in the forest?
  3. How do you think this bus got there?
  4. Why do you think the bus was removed? 
  5. What was your reaction to the removal of the famous bus from the forest?
  6. Have you read the novel or watch the film “Into the Wild”? What do you think of it? If not, just talk about a similar story.

Circus Has Problems

B1 – Intermediate

Cirque du Soleil was founded in 1984 and it has become very famous all over the world since then. They’ve had very successful shows in many different countries. 

However, due to the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the company had faced a lot of money problems.

Read the transcript and listen to the audio from the link below.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/circus-has-problems-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What comes to your mind when you hear ‘circus’?
  2. Have you ever seen any Cirque du Soleil performances? Talk about it.
  3. Now that they might never see them perform again, would you have liked to watch their show or would you like to get the chance to see their show again?
  4. What was your reaction to this news?
  5. Do you think there is still a possibility for this circus group to have shows again in the future? Why or why not?

Reggae a World Cultural Treasure

B1 – Intermediate

Music is an important part of a nation’s culture and heritage. The United Nations has recognized reggae as a cultural treasure that needs to be preserved and passed on to the next generation.

Read this lesson and find out more about reggae as a global cultural heritage.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1812/181201-reggae-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of when you hear ‘reggae’?
  2. What do you think about reggae music? How popular is it in your country?
  3. Do you agree or disagree that reggae should be protected and promoted?
  4. What is the traditional music like in your country? Is it considered cultural treasure by the UN?
  5. How is the traditional music in your country preserved and promoted?

Japan Begins Commercial Whaling

B1 – Intermediate

Whaling has been part of the Japanese culture for hundreds of years. However, in 1986, it was banned. After more than 30 years of being illegal, commercial whaling is allowed again in this country. Many people are not happy about the return of whaling.

Read about this news and find out more about commercial whaling in Japan.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1907/190706-commercial-whaling-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is  on whaling?
  2. What is your reaction to the return of whaling in Japan?
  3. Tell us about another activity that involve killing of animals in your country. What do you think of it?
  4. Have you ever tried whale meat? If yes, what can you say about it? If not yet, would you like to try it? Why or why not?
  5. What is the most exotic meat you have ever tried?

Car Rental Hertz Files for Bankruptcy

B1 – Intermediate

When traveling around other places, sometimes, you need to rent a car so you can get around more conveniently.

Hertz is a car rental company. It is one of the world’s biggest. However, it recently filed for bankruptcy.

Read the lesson and get more information about this car rental company going bankrupt.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2005/200525-bankruptcy-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you familiar with Hertz? What do you know about this company?
  2. Why is Hertz filing for bankruptcy?
  3. What is your reaction to this news?
  4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of renting a car?
  5. Have you got any experience renting a car? Share it with us.