Tag: Reading

Child-Free Zones on Planes

B2 – Upper Intermediate

For some people, flying on a plane could be a stressful experience by itself. The fear of flying, missing a connecting flight, or misrouted luggages are some of the reasons for this anxiety. Apart from these, another reason a plane experience could be stressful is if you are sitting close to a disruptive child. A few airline companies have taken the initiative to launch child-free zones in their flights.

Let’s read the article and find out more about this “quiet zones” on the plane.

https://thepointsguy.com/news/child-free-flights/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “within earshot” mean?”I know how stressful it can be for the parents and how disruptive it can be for passengers within earshot.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. Define the word “shriek“. “One airline, though, has devised a plan to separate silence-seeking adults from the wails and shrieks that so often find their way out of a baby’s surprisingly strong lungs.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
  3. What is the meaning of the word “a pretty penny? “I’m kidding (or am I?), but my point is that unless you pay a pretty penny, flying — like life — has its inconveniences.” Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are child-free zones on a plane? Where can they be found and what is the passenger age requirement?
  2. Do you think child-free zones is a win-win solution or a form of alienation? Explain your stand.
  3. Should passengers pay extra to be in these quiet zones? Explain.
  4. Do you think it’s worth the added cost? Why or why not?
  5. Have you ever been disrupted by a child on a plane? If yes, how did you handle it?
  6. In your opinion, should there be child-free zones in other public places and transportation too?

Improve Your Brain Health

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Our brain is one, if not the most important part of our body. However, we don’t focus on it as much as we should unless we experience symptoms of a severe condition. We should always keep in mind that brain care is as important as other form of body care.

Read this article to learn five habits that can improve your brain health.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/improve-brain-health-habits_l_64cbb3e7e4b021e2f298248e

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “leg up” mean? “Whether you’re in your 20s or 60s, here are five expert-backed habits you can adopt to give your brain a leg up…” Make a sentence with this phrase.
  2. What is “silver lining“? “Training yourself to find the silver lining by practicing gratitude can be a powerful antidote, but shifting your mindset isn’t easy.” Use this in a sentence.
  3. Define “drift off“. “…while we’re drifting off to dreamland, our brains are hard at work consolidating memories and clearing toxins that build up when we’re awake.” Make a sentence with this.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you conscious about taking care of your brain health? Why or why not?
  2. Have you tried any specific habits to improve your brain health? If so, which ones?
  3. Do you think the things you do every day make your brain stronger?
  4. What is your opinion on this, “Brain care is self-care.”?
  5. Are there any personal experiences or events that made you consider the importance of brain health? Talk about them.

Potential Ozempic Side Effect

B2 – Upper Intermediate

People go through great lengths to lose weight. In some instances, they resort to any method, sometimes not thinking about its consequences.

You got to ask yourself this, “Is all this worth it?”

Read this article to learn more about Ozempic and its potential side effect.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ozempic-side-effect-gastroparesis_n_64dc5ffce4b06b5d9bad81a7

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does ”idiopathic” mean? “My condition is officially listed as idiopathic.” Use this word in your own sentence.
  2. What does ”flare-up” mean? “When I am lying in bed waiting for an acute flare-up of nausea to subside, I feel so depressed that I can’t help wondering if I can continue to live this way.” Use this word in your own sentence.
  3. What does “off-label use” mean, “I’m not saying Ozempic and similar drugs should be banned for their off-label weight loss use.”? Use this word in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is this side effect of Ozempic discussed in the article? What are your thoughts on this drug and its off-label use?
  2. “The resulting symptoms, particularly the severe nausea and vomiting, mean that eating will be the last thing on your mind.” Some people ignore these symptoms, continue taking Ozempic, and suffer the side effects. What are your thoughts on this?
  3. Give examples of off-label uses of some medications that you know of.

Improve Your Energy Levels

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In this fast-paced, modern world, maintaining optimal energy is crucial. We are always on the go, juggling work, family, and personal time. Not managing our energy well can leave us feeling exhausted and drained all the time.

Read the article to learn the seven habits that will drastically improve your energy levels.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/habits-improve-energy-levels_l_6351a3a1e4b04cf8f381628e

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “slump”. “Unable to overcome the afternoon slump?” / “When it’s not present, you can experience an energy slump.” Give 2 synonyms and use ‘slump‘ in a sentence.
  2. What does “to catch enough ZZZs” mean? “It goes without explaining that catching enough ZZZs is key to boosting your energy throughout the day.” Give a synonym and use this idiom in a sentence.
  3. What does “paradoxical effect” mean? “However, drinking too much caffeine can have a paradoxical effect, leaving you lethargic.” Make a sentence using this phrase.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Among the seven habits, which one do you find the most challenging to incorporate into your routine? Why is that?
  2. How exhausting is your current day-to-day life?
  3. How do you currently manage your energy levels in your daily life?
  4. How do you manage stress in your life, and do you think effective stress management can influence your energy levels?
  5. What is your opinion on this, “Stress has a huge impact on your physical well-being.”?

Third Culture Kids

B2 – Upper Intermediate

One thing that globalization has produced is Third Culture Kids or TCKs. They are children who spend their formative years in places that are not the home country of their parents.

Being a ‘citizen of everywhere and nowhere’ has its merits and drawbacks.

Read this article to learn more about the Third Culture Kids; their joys and struggles.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20161117-third-culture-kids-citizens-of-everywhere-and-nowhere

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “third culture kid”, “Most Third Culture Kids made their first move before the age of nine.”? Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does “to tie up loose ends” mean? “The items were chosen to prompt discussion about what leaving means — bittersweet emotions, tying up loose ends, and making memories.” Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  3. What does “lash out” mean? “Kids can become withdrawn, isolating themselves from their classmates, or become angry, lashing out at those around them.” Use this phrase in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Personally, what do you think about the life of third culture kids?
  2. What do you think are the good and bad things about being a TCK?
  3. Overall, does the advantages outweigh the disadvantages of being a TCK?
  4. “Most TCKs made their first move before the age of nine and had lived in an average of four countries.  Most had degrees — 30% had a postgraduate qualification — and 85% spoke two or more languages. Those attributes help make TCKs attractive to employers.” Speak about your opinion on this.
  5. What are your thoughts on this: When you are a TCK, “Home is ‘everywhere and nowhere’.”?

Court Overturned a Ban on Religious Knives in Schools

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Keeping their children safe at home is an utmost priority for parents. Parents expect the same from schools. Most schools have rules on what children could bring inside the school premises. Sharp-edged objects are only allowed for learning purposes and should be handled with extra care. In cases where religious practices require young members to possess a dangerous weapon even at school, a higher judicial decision could prevail over school rules and regulation.

Let’s read the article and know more details about the Queensland court ruling on this matter.

https://theconversation.com/why-a-queensland-court-overturned-a-ban-on-religious-knives-in-schools-211042

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “blunt” mean? “Many kirpans are blunt and worn stitched inside a sheath under a person’s cloths.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
  2. Define the word “egregious“.“What made the Queensland law particularly egregious is that not only did it prohibit the freedom of religion of a small and vulnerable minority, it did so deliberately.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of the verb “downplay“? “Referring to the kirpan as a knife downplays its important religious significance.” Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the kirpan for the Sikhs?
  2. Why did the Supreme Court of Queensland overturn the prior ban on possession of knives in school?
  3. What is your opinion on this Supreme Court ruling?
  4. How does this ruling affect the safety of the students in school and the religious rights of the Sikhs in the educational institution?

Spain Does Not Have a Fentanyl Problem

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Fentanyl and Xylazine mixture is by far the deadliest drug threat in the USA. It is commonly known as the “zombie drug” because of its mental and physical manifestation on its users. There is an alarming rise in deaths linked to this drug mixture.

In Spain, however, this doesn’t seem to be a problem despite ranking fourth as the country with the most fentanyl consumption within the OECD.

Let’s read the article and know more as to why Spain doesn’t suffer the same fate as the USA.

https://www.thelocal.es/20230810/why-does-spain-not-have-a-fentanyl-problem

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the adjective “potent” mean in this context? “… it’s 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
  2. Define the verb “dispense“. “These reports are sent to an administrative body, which then controls how much it dispenses.” Use it in your own sentence.
  3. What does “fill the gap” mean? “Europe’s heroin market may soon be in short supply, however, making way for drugs like fentanyl to fill the gap.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What kind of drug is Fentanyl and how is it compared with heroin and morphine?
  2. What are the reasons why Spain doesn’t have a widespread Fentanyl abuse?
  3. According to the article, what is the medication dispensing process for pharmacies in Spain?

Generosity Contributes to Human Happiness

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Generosity is universal across cultures.

There have been quite a number of experiments showing that generosity is a common trait, regardless of socioeconomic status. It is also a more spontaneous behavior compared to greed, which, as a matter of fact, requires more careful thought.

Read the article why it is more than likely that generosity enhances social relationships.

https://harrytprewitt.medium.com/scientific-proof-of-generosity-contributing-to-human-happiness-643178c90206

Vocabulary Questions:

  1.  What does ” generosity” mean? “So far, it was known that being generous increases our feeling of happiness and that happiness was supposed to be, in turn, one of the motivations for generosity.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “top the charts” mean? “The likes of Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and Mike Bloomberg top the charts.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “philanthropist” mean? “There can be many examples of philanthropists being generous with their work.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on the result of this study?
  2. How important is public commitment in encouraging generous behavior? Explain your ideas.
  3. Talk about a foundation which helps the homeless/refugees/the elderly/orphans that you know of.
  4. What humanitarian project would you like to set up?
  5. When presenting a charity organization, how can you make the audience donate or volunteer?

Hey Hanging Is the Rudest Workplace Behavior

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Digital workplaces such as Google Workplace or Slack have become even more sought-after workplaces since the pandemic due to their digital workstyle nature.

Chat messages are often hard to decipher because you don’t know the tone of the sender. Reading a chat without context may cause you to overthink or be anxious. Subtle nuances in the digital workplace can have a significant influence on the overall atmosphere and dynamics. One such nuanced behavior is “Hey hanging”.

Read this article to learn about how “Hey hanging” induces anxiety in the workplace.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/hey-hanging-work-chat_l_64c9387ae4b0fd06594dd491

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “right off the bat”. “To avoid any awkward pauses, it’s better just to explain what you need right off the bat.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does “out of the blue” mean? “If you’ve never chatted with the person before, a “hey” out of the blue can leave you second-guessing yourself, too.” Make a sentence with this phrase.
  3. What does “tailspin” mean? “When a colleague replies to a paragraph-long question with a one-letter “k” on Slack, it can send us into an anxious tailspin, worried the sender is mad at us.” Use this word in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on “Hey hanging”?
  2. What impact does a “hey” message without a follow-up or with a pause have on individuals, particularly when it comes from a manager?
  3. Have you personally experienced a situation where a sudden “hey” message in a digital workspace led to misinterpretation or heightened anxiety? How did you handle it?
  4. Can you provide alternative greetings or messages for a positive digital tone and reduced anxiety?
  5. How do clarity and context ease concerns with short messages like “hey” in digital work settings?

Half the World to Develop Mental Health Disorder

B1 – Intermediate

Modern life could be quite complicated. Perhaps this is the reason a lot of people suffer mental health issues nowadays. This number can even increase in the future.

Read the article about how half the world could have some kind of mental health disorder.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2308/230803-mental-health-disorders-1.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a ”disorder”? “The lead author of a study said the most common problems were mood disorders like depression.” Use this word in your own sentence.
  2. Define “well-being”. “Over 156,000 people in 29 countries answered questions about their mental well-being.” Use this word in a sentence.
  3. What does “attack” mean in this sentence, “These included panic attacks, drug abuse and ADHD.”? Use this word in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think it’s true that ‘More people are experiencing mental health problems.’? Why or why not?
  2. What is your reaction to this, “Half of us will have at least one problem by the age of 75.”?
  3. What is your opinion on this, “Mental disorders appear a lot in children.”?
  4. Do you think young people need more help with their lives? Explain.
  5. How can we take care of our mental health?