Tag: Reading

The Case of Edward Snowden

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Edward Joseph Snowden formerly worked for the National Security Agency as an intelligence contractor.

In 2013, he became a whistleblower and leaked classified documents exposing global surveillance programs which were operated by the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) and the U.K.’s intelligence organization, Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ). 

Read the article about Edward Joseph Snowden. 

https://www.whistleblowers.org/news/the-case-of-edward-snowden

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “whistleblower” mean? “After Deep Throat and Daniel Ellsberg, one of the whistleblowers at the top of American minds is Edward Snowden.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
  2. What does “to be used to the injury of (someone/something)” mean? “With its broad language, the Espionage Act prohibits the publication of information by anyone to be used to the injury of the United States.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
  3. What does “to be in someone’s interest” mean? “Originally designed to prosecute spies bringing military secrets back home, this Act has been used against whistleblowers, not spies, who release information that they believe is in the American interest.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. In your opinion, is Snowden’s disclosure of the classified information an act of espionage or free speech? Discuss.
  2. Share your thoughts, “With intelligence whistleblowers still facing retaliation from superiors and even from sitting presidents, their protection is paramount.”
  3. What are your thoughts on this, “The benefit to the public from a disclosure must outweigh the government’s need for secrecy.”?
  4. Share your insights on this, “Originally designed to prosecute spies bringing military secrets back home, The Espionage Act has been used against whistleblowers, not spies, who release information that they believe is in the American interest.”
  5. Talk about a whistleblower you know of and their story.

Energy Levels of Songs Affect Memories

B1 – Intermediate 

A new research has discovered that the tempo and mood of songs and the overall  energy levels of music are linked to the things we remember about the past.

Read the article about how the energy levels of music affect what we remember.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2508/250828-music-and-memory.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “recall” mean? “It even made people recall romantic experiences.” Use the word in a sentence. Give 2 synonyms or similar expressions.
  2. What does “sort” mean in this sentence, “The researchers asked 233 people about the sorts of memories they had after listening to music.” Use the word in a sentence. Give 2 synonyms or similar expressions.
  3. What does “characterize” mean? “Acoustic songs were associated with memories that were more vivid, unique, and characterized by complex emotions like romance.” Use the word in a sentence. Give 2 synonyms or similar expressions.

Discussion Questions:

  1. “High-energy music made people remember funny and happy events” while “slower and acoustic music brought back memories of calmness and sadness” and romantic experiences. Does the same thing happen to you? Share your own experience. 
  2. Share your thoughts on this, “The feelings people had for music affected their memories.”
  3. How has the music you used to listen to when you were young changed through the years? 
  4. Talk about one song and the memory you associate it with.

Spain’s Tomatina Festival

B2 – Upper Intermediate

La Tomatina is a famous festival held annually in the town of Buñol, Spain. This unique event, held on the last Wednesday of August, attracts thousands of participants from around the world. The festival is celebrated for its fun and unusual activity, which involves a massive tomato fight. La Tomatina has a rich history and showcases the spirit of community and joy, making it a beloved event. 

La Tomatina is more than just a food fight; it symbolizes friendship and cultural expression. After the tomato battle, participants often help clean up the town, showing their respect for the community. This aspect demonstrates the unity and enthusiasm of the people involved. 

Read the article and know more about Tomatina Festival, the world’s largest annual food fight in Spain.

https://www.history.com/articles/tomatina-festival-spain-biggest-food-fight-tomatoes

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “ to fit the mold” mean? “With its rebellious spirit and lack of religious significance, La Tomatina didn’t fit the mold.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “reveler” mean? “Revelers now travel from all corners of the globe to attend the pulpy spectacle.”  Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “mayhem” mean? “Once the ham falls, trucks loaded with tomatoes rumble into town, and it’s game on for one hour as the streets transform into a sea of red mayhem. ” Use the word in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you know about La Tomatina? What do you think about this festival?
  2. Why do you think Spain celebrates a festival where people throw tomatoes at each other?
  3. Would you like to join La Tomatina or a similar festival someday? Why or why not?
  4. What other food-related festivals have you heard about?
  5. Would you travel to another country just to experience a unique festival? Why or why not?

La Vuelta Cycling Race

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The Vuelta a España, one of the three grand tours in professional cycling, is an exhilarating event that attracts cyclists from around the world. Joining this monumental race offers not only a chance to showcase one’s cycling skills but also an opportunity to experience the rich culture and stunning landscapes of Spain. 

Several compelling reasons make participating in the Vuelta a España an exciting prospect for cyclists of various levels.  Joining the Vuelta a España is an incredible opportunity for cyclists seeking to challenge themselves physically and mentally. The blend of competition, camaraderie, and cultural experiences makes it a unique event in the cycling world. Whether one aims to improve their skills, create lasting friendships, or savour the beauty of Spain, the Vuelta a España offers something for every cyclist. 

Read the article and learn more about the competition.

https://www.redbull.com/ph-en/la-vuelta-a-espana-key-facts

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “nailed-on” mean? “Although there are slim pickings for the peloton’s fast men, Giro d’Italia purple jersey winner Mads Pedersen is the nailed-on favourite for La Vuelta’s sprint classification, while the polka dot and white jerseys are likely to come from the general classification favourites – with Ayuso and Pellizzari both eligible for the latter.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “tussle” mean? “Whoever’s on the startlist, the racing is always on the limit from the off as the peloton battle each other, the climb-heavy terrain and some extremely testing weather conditions, but this year’s rider line-up guarantees an intriguing tussle for the final Grand Tour of 2025.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “slim pickings” mean?  “Although there are slim pickings for the peloton’s fast men, Giro d’Italia purple jersey winner Mads Pedersen is the nailed-on favourite for La Vuelta’s sprint classification, while the polka dot and white jerseys are likely to come from the general classification favourites – with Ayuso and Pellizzari both eligible for the latter.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you know about La Vuelta? How important do you think races like this are?
  2. What do you think about the course of the race?
  3. What do you think makes cycling different from other endurance sports like running or swimming?
  4. Have you ever tried long-distance cycling yourself? What was it like? If not yet, would you consider doing it someday? Why or why not?
  5. Which sport or race is your favorite? Share everything there is to know about it.

Data Centres to be Expanded in the UK as Concerns Mount

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

To some extent, large data centres contribute to the drought conditions in the UK. One huge data centre consumes about the same amount of water as 50,000 households.

Amidst growing concerns, the UK is going to go ahead with building additional data centres. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said these facilities are necessary in order to continue boosting the country’s economy.

Read the article about the UK’s plans to continue building more data centres despite growing concerns over their environmental impact.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyr9nx0jrzo

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “knock-on effect” mean? “But there are concerns about their impact, including the potential knock-on effect on people’s energy bills.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
  2. What does “appease” mean? “But he insisted “data centres are fixated with becoming as sustainable as possible”, such as through dry-cooling methods. Such promises of future solutions have failed to appease some.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
  3. What does “offshore” mean? “According to the National Energy System Operator, NESO, the projected growth of data centres in Great Britain could “add up to 71 TWh of electricity demand” in the next 25 years, which it says redoubles the need for clean power – such as offshore wind.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What concerns revolve around building more data centres in the UK?
  2. According to the article, what are some workarounds for this issue? Do you think they are any good? Discuss.
  3. Share your insights on this, “Data centres are central to the UK’s economic future.” 
  4. Do you think more data centres should be built in a country given the environmental and knock-on effects they bring? Share your thoughts.
  5. Do you think that companies should pay the price for extra energy to power data centres – not consumers? Share your opinion.

El Salvador Cracks Down on School Discipline

B1 – Intermediate 

Former army captain Karla Trigueros has been appointed as the new minister of education in El Salvador.

Along with this appointment is the implementation of stricter rules and discipline among the schools across the country. Some of the initiatives have something to do with the students’ appearance and conduct. 

Read the article about El Salvador’s new school policies.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2508/250825-school-discipline.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “role model”? “One of her first edicts was to require all school principals to become role models.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “veer” mean?  “It was concerned that the country was veering back to the days of military dictatorship.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “to straighten someone out” mean? “However, many parents are supportive of the new rules. One said: That’s how you straighten children out from a young age.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to and opinion on El Salvador’s education minister’s new school policies?
  2. What are your thoughts on Trigueros inspecting schools wearing army fatigues?
  3. Do you agree or disagree with a leading teachers’ union when they likened the new policies to “regrettable militarization” of the schools? Share your opinion.
  4. What are effective ways to discipline school children from a young age?
  5. How has school discipline changed in your country over the years?

Musk Firms X and xAI Sue Apple and OpenAI Over AI Competition

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Elon Musk’s firms X and xAI has filed a lawsuit claiming that the Apple-OpenAI deal has no valid business reason to be exclusive.

According to the filing, this exclusive arrangement blocks threats from potential competitors, which allegedly violates competition laws.

Read the article about X and xAI filing a lawsuit against Apple and OpenAI over AI competition.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly6xjg9nnyo

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to join forces” mean? “Two Elon Musk-backed businesses have officially sued Apple and OpenAI, accusing them of joining forces illegally to block threats from potential competitors.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “to make good on something” mean?  “The filing makes good on a threat Musk had lobbed against the two tech giants earlier this month, when he alleged that Apple favoured OpenAI in its app store rankings.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What is the meaning of “to foreclose competition”. “The Apple-OpenAI arrangement has foreclosed competition among generative AI chatbots, deprived competing generative AI chatbots of scale, and reduced quality and innovation.” Use the term in a sentence. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on this lawsuit? 
  2. What are your thoughts on Apple and OpenAI’s exclusive deal? Do you think it is a form of monopoly? Explain.
  3. Share your thoughts on OpenAI’s statement regarding the lawsuit, “The filing was consistent with Mr Musk’s ongoing pattern of harassment.”
  4. Talk in details about another anti-monopoly lawsuit you know of.
  5. Share your thoughts on Apple’s talks with Google over using Gemini chatbot to help power Siri, Apple’s voice assistant.

‘Skibidi’ and ‘Tradwife’ Words in the Cambridge Dictionary

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The Cambridge Dictionary has updated its entries to reflect how people speak today. These changes show how internet culture, social media, and everyday conversations are shaping the way we use language. As new expressions become popular, dictionaries adapt to keep up with the times.

Let’s read the article and explore how this reflects the evolution of English in the digital age.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce93ygv4zzlo

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “staying power ” mean? “We only add words where we think they’ll have staying power.” Use it in your own sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does the phrase “to make the cut” mean? “Other work-related words to make the cut include “work wife” and “work spouse”.” Use in a sentence and give two synonyms.
  3. Define the idiom “to stand the test of time“. “Mr McIntosh said Cambridge Dictionary only added words which they believed could stand the test of time.” Use it in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you make of the latest words added to the Cambridge Dictionary?
  2. Share your insights on this, “Internet culture is changing the English language and the effect is fascinating to observe and capture in the dictionary.“
  3. How do the words in the article connect with the way you see language changing today?
  4. In what ways has the internet influenced the way you speak or write?
  5. What differences have you noticed in the way younger and older people use language?
  6. Can you think of times when you’ve heard English slang that left you puzzled?

Jeans Video Sparks Race and Genetics Debate

B1 – Intermediate 

American Eagle is involved in a big controversy after the questionable use of the words “jeans” and “genes” in an advertisement.

It was supposed to be a witty wordplay, but many were quick to dismiss it as racist.

Read this article about the issue involving American Eagle’s jeans advertisement with actress Sydney Sweeney.

Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2508/250804-jeans-genes-wordplay-4.html

Watch the advert here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AK8s3iqL99c

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “meltdown”. “The critics say Ms Sweeney is white, blue-eyed, and blonde. A former Fox News host called the criticism a leftist meltdown.” Use this term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “to create a storm” mean? “A video from the  jeans maker American Eagle has created a storm.” Use this idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “to run amok” mean? “The White House called it an overreaction, and that attacking the ad was cancel culture run amok.” Use this idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about this American Eagle jeans advertisement?
  2. American Eagle says “the advert is and always was about the jeans” and not about genes. Do you believe them? Why or why not?
  3. How can this issue impact the brand?
  4. Do you think that the actress Sydney Sweeney also holds some level of accountability on this issue? Share your opinion.
  5. Share your thoughts on this, “Humanity can be improved by focusing on desirable genes”.
  6. Talk about another controversial advert.

Japanese Walking Helps to Live Longer

B1 – Intermediate 

As we all know, Japan is one of the countries with the longest life expectancy among its people. It could be because not only do they have a very healthy diet, but they also love walking.

“Japanese Walking” has become a fitness trend on Tiktok. Basically, you walk quickly for three minutes then gradually slow down for three minutes and then repeat it five times.

Read this article about the health benefits of Japanese walking.

Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2508/250807-japanese-walking.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “life expectancy”. “Japan is often reported as having the longest life expectancy.” Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “to come up (with something)” mean? “Researchers at Shinshu University in Matsumoto, Japan came up with the name in 2007.” Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “jargon” mean? “He said he wanted “to make fitness advice and scientific jargon a lot more accessible.” Use this word in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on Japanese Walking?
  2. Do you and people in your country enjoy walking? Why or why not? How is walking beneficial for you?
  3. Talk about a fitness trend that is very popular in your country.
  4. Describe your fitness routine.
  5. Do you follow and listen to fitness experts on social media? Why or why not?
  6. What are other things we should do to increase our life span?