Tag: Reading

Attacks on Iran Could Affect Oil Prices and Energy Bills

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Oil prices have recently gone up after reports of an attack on Iran. The explosions were heard in the city of Isfahan, and some countries believe that Israel was responsible. Although there was no serious damage, the news caused fear that conflict in the Middle East might grow.

When there is tension in this region, it often affects energy prices around the world. This is because many important oil-producing countries are located there. After the news, the price of oil and gas increased quickly in different parts of the world, including Europe.

Read this article to learn why this attack matters, how it affected energy prices, and what could happen next.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg5vr2rvzg4o

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “price cap” mean? “The energy regulator, Ofgem, has already announced the energy price cap for July until September.” Make a sentence with this phrase. Give a synonym.
  2. What is “household bill“? “Craig Lowrey, principal consultant at Cornwall Insights, says household bills are safe from any volatility for now. But if this conflict continues past September, household bills could rise.” Make a sentence with this. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “financial buffer” mean? “”Many rely heavily on Middle Eastern oil and gas imports and lack the financial buffers to absorb sudden price spikes.”” Use this in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think it’s fair that people in peaceful countries pay more when this happens? Explain your thoughts.
  2. How could rising oil prices affect your country or your personal life?
  3. How does war or conflict in one place affect the whole world today?
  4. Do you think oil prices should be controlled by the government? Why or why not?
  5. Do you think news reports make people too afraid during international conflicts? Why or why not?

Nagoya Standstill Teams Prevent People From Walking on Escalators

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Every year, many people in Nagoya are injured on escalators—often because of walking or rushing. Despite the presence of signs and announcements, many commuters still move while riding, creating safety risks in crowded stations. To tackle this, the city introduced a new approach: the “Stop and Stand Squad.”

Let’s read the article and know more about this initiative.

https://www.tokyoweekender.com/japan-life/news-and-opinion/nagoya-standstill-teams-prevent-walking-on-escalators

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to follow suit” mean? “Nagoya then followed suit two years later. Though it is non-binding and there are no penalties for defying the rules, the ordinance in Nagoya appears to have had a significant impact on how people ride escalators.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of the phrase “to be met with“? “The initiative has been met with a mixed reaction on social media. “Let’s do it in Tokyo too,” posted one X user.” Use it in your own sentence.
  3. Define “nuisance“. “Disagreeing, a fellow X user described Nagoya’s standstill teams as “nothing but a nuisance,” adding, “Just like on the highway, the left side is for people who are not in a hurry and the right side is for people who are.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you feel about Nagoya’s initiative to promote escalator safety with the Standstill team?
  2. Why does standing on an escalator sometimes make the flow of people faster?
  3. On escalators, do you ride passively or hustle your way up? Why?
  4. Are people in your city more likely to stay put or keep moving on escalators?
  5. What factors usually make your commute feel rushed or relaxed?

Poor Chewing Linked to Higher Childhood Obesity Risk

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Scientists are now looking at how kids eat, not just what they eat. New research shows that when children eat too fast or don’t chew their food well, they may be more likely to become overweight. This means good chewing habits could be important for staying healthy.

Let’s take a closer look at the article to learn more about the link between chewing and childhood obesity.

Poor Chewing Linked To Higher Childhood Obesity Risk

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to stuff oneself” mean? “Those who frequently stuffed themselves while eating were 1.29 times more likely to be obese.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. Explain the phrase “more likely to be“. “Children with poor chewing skills were 1.5 times more likely to be obese compared to peers with better chewing ability.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
  3. What is the meaning of the phrase “to address something“? “Addressing these behaviors early could support healthier growth and reduce obesity-related health risks.“. Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s your take on the study’s conclusions?
  2. Does it seem unusual that something like chewing strength might influence childhood obesity? Why or why not?
  3. How long do you usually chew your food before swallowing? Why is that so?
  4. What are some healthy eating habits we can teach children?
  5. What kinds of table manners did your parents expect you to follow when you were a child?

Disney Cuts Hundreds of Jobs

B1 – Intermediate 

Disney is a company that is very famous all over the world. Aside from the theme parks in different countries, they also own other companies including Pixar, Marvel Studios, ESPN, National Geographic, and ABC News. 

The Walt Disney Company needs to fire hundreds of their employees worldwide. Disney’s is cutting jobs in order to reduce their costs by $7.5 billion annually.

They have already laid off more than 8,000 workers since 2023.

Read the article about Disney’s job cuts.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2506/250605-disney-job-cuts.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to cut jobs” mean? “The Walt Disney Company is cutting hundreds of jobs.” Use this expression in a sentence. Give 2 synonyms.
  2. What does “at a rapid pace” mean? “As our industry transforms at a rapid pace, we continue to evaluate ways to efficiently manage our businesses, while fuelling the…creativity and innovation that consumers value  and expect from Disney.“ Use this phrase in a sentence. Give 2 synonyms.
  3. What does “household name” mean? “ It owns the animation companies Pixar and Marvel Studios, as well as household names like ESPN, National Geographic, and ABC News.” Use this phrase in a sentence. Give 2 synonyms.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear “Disney”?
  2. Share your reaction and opinion about this news.
  3. What do you think is the indication of Disney doing a lot of job cuts?
  4. The CEO of Disney, Bob Iger, said the cuts would keep the company healthy. What is your opinion on this?
  5. Have you ever experienced job cuts in the companies that you’ve worked for? Share something about that situation.

Global Birth Rate Crisis

B1 – Intermediate 

The world is home to more than 8 billion people. In the past, the United Nations estimated that by the year 2100, the population is going to be 10.8 billion.

In contrary to that, a recent report released by the The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) says the world has a problem because the birth rates are shrinking. The world’s population is falling due to different reasons.

Read the article about the UN’s report on the world’s birth rate crisis.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2506/250612-global-birth-rates-crisis.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “falling birth rate” mean? “Falling birth rates and increased longevity are creating many problems.” Use this expression in a sentence.  Give a synonym or similar expression.
  2. What does “to struggle with something” mean? “Many countries are [struggling] with ageing and shrinking populations, labour shortages, and rising healthcare and pension costs.” Use this phrase in a sentence. 
  3. What does “family-friendly policy” mean? “The UN said one solution to the crisis is to create “family-friendly policies, such as affordable childcare and paid leave for all carers.” Use this phrase in a sentence. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your opinion on this news.
  2. What are the reasons for the falling birth rates across the world and what are its consequences?
  3. Do you have the same problem in your country? Do you have family-friendly policies? Talk about it.
  4. What is your opinion on giving all carers a pay?
  5. Many couples want children, but they cannot afford them. Share your insights on this.

Airbnb Facing Trouble in Spain

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The rise of short-term rental platforms like Airbnb has sparked growing debate across Europe, especially in countries like Spain where tourism plays a major economic role. While these platforms offer convenience for travelers, they are also blamed for driving up housing costs, displacing local residents, and transforming authentic neighborhoods into tourist zones.

As cities like Barcelona and Madrid push back with new rules and license bans, the challenge is balancing tourism with residents’ rights to affordable, livable communities. This reveals an underlying struggle between profit-driven tourism and the long-term well-being of urban life.

Read the article to see how Spain is dealing with the impact of short-term rentals on local housing.

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/30/travel/why-airbnb-facing-trouble-spain

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “blight” mean here? “While Airbnb is appealing the move, it can’t come soon enough for some in Spain who say their lives have been blighted by the lack of affordable living accommodation.” Use it in a sentence and give 2 synonyms.
  2. What does the phrase “to tip the balance” mean? “And not everyone is convinced it will tip the balance in favor of those struggling to find long-term accommodation.” Use it in a sentence and give 2 synonyms.
  3. What does the idiom “in the grip of someone/something” mean? “A surge in homes being listed on platforms like Airbnb means Spain’s main urban centers like Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia are now in the grip of a housing rental crisis that has, in recent months, become Spaniards’ primary worry, according to the Spanish Center for Sociological Research.” Use it in a sentence and give 2 synonyms.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does short-term rental tourism (like Airbnb) affect housing availability in major cities like Barcelona or Madrid? What are the pros and cons?
  2. What do you think about Barcelona City Council’s plan to stop renewing licenses for tourist apartments after 2028, forcing more than 10,000 apartments to become available for locals?
  3. Should cities limit the number of Airbnbs to protect local communities, even if it means losing tourist income?
  4. How do you feel about this quote from the article:
    “…cities are turned into theme parks for the excessive profit of a few investment funds”? Do you think profit should ever outweigh community needs?
  5. What would you do if you had to share a flat in your 30s or 40s because of rising rental prices? Would you stay in the city or move away?
  6. Is tourism-based housing making your city or country less livable for residents? Explain why or why not.

Quiet Cutting

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When companies cut costs, layoffs often come to mind. But a new trend called “quiet cutting” is changing the game — employees aren’t losing their jobs, but they are being reassigned to different roles they didn’t sign up for. This subtle shift is becoming more common, especially in the tech industry, leaving many workers uncertain about their futures.

Read this article to learn more about quiet cutting.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/is-your-job-quiet-cutting-you-heres-what-you-need-to-watch-out-for-goog_l_683886b5e4b06202aa916fe1

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “ebb and flow“. “…these kind of reassignments can happen for roles that have transferable skills like recruiters, sales or support that also have natural ebbs and flows in their work streams.” Make a sentence with this phrase. Give a synonym or similar expression.
  2. What does “put out feelers” mean? “I would probably start exploring options and putting out feelers just in case.” Use this in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
  3. What is the meaning of “retaliatory“? “But employees still have rights, especially if you believe the reassignment is retaliatory.” Make a sentence and give two synonyms of this word.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How is “quiet cutting” different from a traditional layoff, and why might companies prefer it?
  2. Do you think “quiet cutting” is a form of job security or a disguised punishment? Explain your insights.
  3. If you were reassigned to a role you didn’t want, how would you respond?
  4. What factors would influence your decision to stay or leave if you were to be reassigned?
  5. Can quiet cutting be an opportunity for growth, or is it more likely to cause frustration and disengagement? Why?
  6. What’s your opinion on this, “I would probably view this as a sign of potential trouble while also appreciating the opportunity to remain employed.”?

Dry Begging

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Not all requests in relationships sound like “Can you help me with this?” Sometimes, they slip out as offhand comments, exaggerated sighs, or quiet complaints. This subtle, often unconscious way of asking for support is known as dry begging — and many of us do it without even realizing.

Read on to understand what dry begging really is.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/what-is-dry-begging_l_6840a185e4b02322acee0907

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to hint at something” means? “If you feel lonely, consider how to ask your partner to spend more time with you instead of hinting at it.” Use this in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “meant for the long haul” mean? “While it can feel easier than directly asking for what you want, dry begging really isn’t meant for the long haul.” Make a sentence with this idiom. Give a synonym.
  3. What’s the meaning of “the benefit of the doubt”? “It’s not always manipulative — it certainly can be — but I like to give people the benefit of the doubt.” Use this in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do you think people rely on indirect communication like dry begging, even when it often leads to misunderstandings?
  2. What are the risks and benefits of expressing needs indirectly versus directly? Can indirect communication ever be effective?
  3. How would you handle it if you noticed a friend or partner was dry begging for your attention or help?
  4. What’s your opinion on this statement: “You can’t fix a behavior if you don’t know it exists.”?

Infant to Receive Personalized Gene Therapy Treatment

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have made a significant breakthrough by successfully treating an infant suffering from a rare genetic disorder that was once deemed untreatable, using a customized gene therapy. This cutting-edge treatment specifically addresses the faulty gene responsible for the illness, providing new hope where conventional therapies have not succeeded. The procedure involves using an engineered virus to deliver healthy copies of the gene directly into the patient’s cells. Prior to testing in humans, thorough laboratory and animal studies confirmed the treatment’s safety and potential benefits. This achievement represents a major advancement in the fight against rare genetic diseases through personalized medical interventions. Additionally, it highlights the crucial role that rare disease databases play in facilitating the development of individualized therapies.

Read the article to know more about personalize gene therapy treatment.

https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/infant-rare-incurable-disease-first-successfully-receive-personalized-gene-therapy-treatment

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “monogenic disease” mean? “This therapy targets the underlying cause of the infant’s monogenic disease, which is traditionally considered incurable.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “viral vector” mean? “If the treatment uses a viral vector to introduce corrected genetic material into the patient’s cells.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “immunogenicity” mean? “Researchers carefully monitored the patient for any signs of immunogenicity, which could affect treatment success.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How might gene therapy change the future of medicine?
  2. Do you think gene therapy could eventually eliminate some genetic diseases entirely? Why or why not?
  3. Would you consider gene therapy if it was available to treat a genetic condition you or someone you know had? Why or why not?
  4. How might personalized medicine affect healthcare costs and accessibility?
  5. What ethical concerns could arise from personalized genetic treatments?

Breadcrumbing at Work

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In today’s fast-paced professional world, breadcrumbing isn’t just a strategy—it’s often used as a way to cope or stay afloat. Whether we mean to or not, most of us have played a part in breadcrumbing—whether as a boss, a colleague, or a job candidate. It’s become a common part of workplace behavior, often without us even noticing.
So what is breadcrumbing, really—and is it possible you’re engaging in it without knowing?

Read the article about breadcrumbing at work.

Breadcrumbing at work – why everyone is doing it (yes, even you)!

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to follow through on one’s own words” mean? “The same applies to breadcrumbing at work, where a company, employee, or job seeker will give just enough time, attention, or talk to suggest they are totally interested and committed but they never actually follow through on their words.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “buzzword” mean? “So, is breadcrumbing even a thing or just a buzzword doing the rounds?” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “to keep someone/something warm” mean? “For example, as a recruiter there are many occasions where clients ask me to ‘keep a candidate warm’ after an interview because they cannot make an immediate decision.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How is breadcrumbing different from normal delays or bureaucracy at work?
  2. Do you think breadcrumbing is more common in certain industries or roles?
  3. Have you ever experienced breadcrumbing at work or during a job search?
  4. Do you think breadcrumbing is a form of workplace manipulation? Why or why not?