Tag: Reading

Why Go Vegetarian?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There are a lot of health benefits to being vegetarian.

Let’s find out about the reasons being vegetarian is good for us. Also be ready to answer the questions that follow.

Why Be a Vegetarian? Consider Your Health.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the health benefits of being a vegetarian?
  2. What do you think are the downsides of having a vegetable-based diet?
  3. Do you know any vegetarians? What can you say about their dietary habits?
  4. Could you try vegetarianism for a week? Why or why not?
  5. What meal would you miss the most if you became vegetarian?

The Lost Boy and Japan’s Parenting Debate

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C1 – Advanced

Yamato Tanooka is 7 years old. He was left in the woods by his parents as punishment for being overly active. His father admitted to doing it and his parents were very apologetic about what happened.

Is this abuse or did his parents just lost control of the situation and didn’t know how else to discipline him?

The lost boy and Japan’s parenting debate

Discuss:

1. What is your reaction that “many parents in Japan tend to see their children as their personal possessions”?
2. What is your idea of good and bad parenting?
3. How are kids usually punished in your country when they misbehave?
4. When do we say it’s abuse and when do we say it’s discipline?
5. What do you think are effective ways to discipline children?
6. How can we keep children safe from abuse?

Celebrating Father’s Day

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C1 – Advanced

The month of June is known for the time to give appreciation to one of the most important persons in our lives, our fathers. Read the article and know more about the history of this special day.

FATHER’S DAY

Discuss:

1. How would you describe your father?
2. How is Father’s Day celebrated in your country? family?
3. If you’re a father, what’s the best Father’s Day present you’ve ever received and why?
4. What interesting presents have you given your father?

Get an electric shock to stop buying things

B1 – Intermediate

Are you in impulsive buyer? Where do you spend your monthly salary on? For those who can’t seem to stop themselves from spending too much, this might be the solution to your problem.

Get an electric shock to stop buying things

Discuss:

1. What do you think of the idea of the Pavlok?
2. How often do you spend too much money?
3. What other things do we need a shock to stop us doing something?
4. What do you know about the Internet of Things?

Women Wearing Cosmetics Are Paid More

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Do looks really matter? Apparently, they do. A recent study conducted by the University of Chicago and University of California reveals that attractive employees tend to get paid more.

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

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1605/160523-cosmetics.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is it right that attractive people get paid more? Defend your stand.
    Are you very particular when it comes to clothes or beauty products?
  2. How is beauty defined in your society?
  3. How important is looks in your job?
  4. Are your colleagues particular about how you look and what you wear?
  5. Is there a dress code in your office or can you wear whatever you wish?

Anger Over Racist Chinese Advertisement

B2 – Upper intermediate

TV advertisements have very big impact on people. The are able to persuade their audience to buy certain products. The catchier the ad, the more it will be remembered.

One specific Chinese advert made an impact on a lot of people. Specifically because it hit a nerve and was branded a racist.

Anger over racist Chinese advert

Discuss:

1. What did you think of the advertisement? Do you think it was funny at all?
2. Do you think that the advertsing agnecy failed to be sensitive or were they just being funny?
3. Do you agree that there is a bit of a racist in each one of us?

Ten Anglicised Words Spanish Use

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B2 – Upper intermediate

The Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) is very displeased by the series of English words being used in Spanish. This drove them to launch a campaign to fight against the so-called “English invasion”.

But what exactly are some anglicised words that you’d typical hear in daily conversations in Spain? Read the article below then express your thoughts.

Ten ‘English’ words adopted and adapted into Spanish

Discuss:

1. Are you familiar with these 10 words? Which words have you used?
2. Do you have a favourite Spanglish word?
3. Can you think of any more examples of anglicized slang?
4. What is your opinion about making English words part of the Spanish language? Should it really be stopped or not?
5. Have you seen the ads published by RAE? What do you make of them?

The Immortality Gene

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Death is unwelcome but inevitable. On the other hand, immortality sounds impossible. We have never heard of someone who lived forever no matter how man worked and toiled to curtail death.

Now, with this scientific discovery, will man ever surpass the age of 969, the longest life ever recorded in humanity?

Read the article below about the immortality gene.

https://moneymorning.com/how-to-live-rich-and-live-forever/the-immortality-gene-how-to-live-forever/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about living forever?
  2. What things would you do if you could live forever?
  3. What kind of life would you want with an everlasting life?
  4. Can we really prevent aging? Explain.

Weapons Maker Now a Fashion Brand

B1 – Intermediate

Business people should always look for other ways to make money. A Russian company decided to take another path to continue earning rather than giving up and closing shop because of Western sanctions.

Read the article below then express your thoughts about it.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1605/160509-kalashnikov.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think of Kalashnikov branching out into fashion?
2. What do you think of gun companies?
3. Do you think Kalashnikov will be successful in their fashion business?
4. How would you explain the word “patriotism”? Would you consider yourself patriotic?

Over-The-Counter Medicine May Shrink Brain

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Medicines are supposed to make us feel better and cure any illness a person might have. But sometimes, these medicines may also cause more harm than good.

Read the article below to find out more. Share your opinion after reading the text.

http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com/1604/160421-over-the-counter-drugs.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the pros and cons of OTC medications?
  2. What is your reaction to this, “OTC medicines for asthma, aches and pains, insomnia and allergies, etc. could have side effects including cognitive impairment, dementia, and even brain shrinkage.”?
  3. In general, what do you think about OTC medicines? Does this research change the way you think about them?
  4. Do you think you take too many medicines or do you know anyone who does? What do you think about this?
  5. Talk about one OTC medicine you know of, what is it for, and what side effects do you know it has?