Tag: Reading

The Willow Project

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The oil drilling in the Arctic has brought so much talk these days, as many disagree because of its potentially catastrophic effect on the environment.

How this initiative will impact the struggling environment in particular is a topic of considerable discussion.

To discover more about the subject, please read the article below.

https://carnegieendowment.org/2023/03/16/willow-project-and-race-to-pump-last-barrel-of-oil-pub-89298

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to give (sth/sb) the green light” mean? “Even as the Bureau of Land Management gave Willow the green light, the Department of the Interior said it would restrict future drilling in other parts of Alaska.” Make your own sentence using this idiom.
  2. Do you know the meaning of “outlier“? “Biden’s failure to restrict the development of domestic fossil fuel resources does not make the United States an outlier.” Please make a sentence using this word.”
  3. How about “to be choked off“? “Some Chinese industrialists want to export electric cars and ensure their country’s supply of foreign oil can’t be choked off, and Texas executives know that they can get rich by building wind turbines.” Kindly make your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about this drilling project in Alaska?
  2. Why do you think there are so many people opposed to this project?
  3. What effects might this project have on the environment?
  4. Do you believe it will irreparably destroy our fragile planet? Share your opinion on this.
  5. Share your thoughts on this: “Willow is only one project. But if you add up all the individual projects, you get the “existential threat” that is our climate crisis.“

Diagnostics Apartheid

B2 – Upper Intermediate

According to a recent report by the People’s Vaccine Alliance, some wealthy countries have been hoarding testing tools for Mpox and COVID-19.

This has lead to “diagnostics apartheid” wherein vaccines have not been readily available to everyone and the lack of testing in developing countries have been more apparent.

Read the article on how rich countries’ hoarding of medical test kits has caused inequality in access to testings in developing countries.

https://www.euronews.com/next/2023/02/02/health-experts-warn-of-a-diagnostics-apartheid-as-rich-countries-hoard-testing-tools

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “burdensome” mean, “… developing countries were left unable to buy supplies because of high prices and in the case of COVID-19 and “burdensome intellectual property rules” on PCR test components.”? Give 2 synonyms of ‘burdensome’. Also try to use this word in your own sentence.
  2. What does “apartheid” mean, “This research clearly lays out the system of diagnostics apartheid that emerged, where people in developing countries could not afford the price of tests…”? Use this word in your own sentence.
  3. What does “glimmer” mean here, “After the collective trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have a glimmer of hope.”? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on wealthy countries hoarding testing tools for Mpox and COVID-19?
  2. What are the consequences of diagnostics apartheid?
  3. Is the expansion of access to diagnostic tools for all diseases a good resolution? Share your opinion.
  4. Share your stand on: “In the next pandemic – and in the remainder of this one – testing needs to be made available as a matter of human rights.”.
  5. Do you think the same inequality will be repeated in the next health crisis? Explain your thoughts.

Telemedicine Booth

B2 – Upper Intermediate

If you find yourself in a situation where it is hard to find or set an appointment with your general practitioner (GP in your area, then “Consult Station” could be a solution.

Inside this hi-tech teleconsultation cabin, patients take their own physical checkup all the while a physician remotely guiding them via a video call. 

Read the article about this futuristic telemedicine booth.

https://www.euronews.com/next/2023/02/04/cant-find-a-doctor-this-hi-tech-telemedicine-booth-offers-hands-on-checkup-medical-desert

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to have two schools” mean, “Asked what doctors made of the technology, she said there were two schools.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What does “enthused” mean, “But others are very enthused at the prospect of saving time.”? Give 2 synonyms of ‘enthused’. Also try to use this word in your own sentence.
  3. What does the expression “to give something a go” mean, “But not everyone in the village is willing to give it a go.”? Give 2 synonyms of ‘to give something a go’. Also try to use this phrase in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on this technology? Do you see it shooting off, especially in your country, in the near future? Why/why not?
  2. “Elderly people were put off by the very idea of not seeing a doctor in person.” What are your thoughts on this?
  3. What are the pros and cons of a telemedicine booth?
  4. France struggles with a shortage of doctors. Does your country suffer from the same problem? Share some things you know about this issue.
  5. What do you think are reasons for shortage of GPs/doctors in some countries?
  6. Share your thoughts on: “Why can everyone work from home, but not doctors?”. 

Menstrual Leave

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Dysmenorrhea is a medical term used for menstrual cramps. Some women experience excruciating pain during their monthly period. The pain can be so tremendous that they may not be able to perform even mundane tasks. Recently, Spain passed numerous laws including the paid menstrual leave.

Let’s read the article and know more details about this new law in Spain and other countries that are already enforcing it.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/02/17/spain-paid-menstrual-leave-countries/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “contest” mean? “Menstrual leave legislation is contested, even among women.” Use it in your own sentence.
  2. Define the word “proponent“. “It is “becoming more common and contemporary proponents argue they can advance gender equality by normalizing menstruation.” Give two synonyms and one antonym.
  3. What does the word “gauge” mean?”… it is not easy to gauge the impact of these policies as yet.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your stand on Spain’s paid menstrual leave?
  2. Will this level the playing field in terms of gender equality or exacerbate gender discrimination?
  3. What other sexual and reproductive rights laws have been passed in your country recently?
  4. Do you agree that menstrual leave is perceived as a workplace entitlement? Why or why not?
  5. According to the article, what are the reasons other countries put forward in passing their menstrual leave?

Impact of Life Coaches

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Believing in the magic of life coaching is now a new trend in the world of hard-working and successful people. The use of life coaching is quite a contentious issue. Some people can’t live without a mentor, while others think that it’s nonsense and a waste of money.

Please read the article to know the reasons why people find life coaching helpful.

The Powerful Impact of Life Coaches: What You Need to Know
https://leaders.com/articles/personal-growth/life-coach/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “uncharted waters” mean, “Navigating uncharted waters when making a career change”? Use it in your own sentence.
  2. What does the word “adversity” mean, “In her research she found, “Individuals who experienced more positive emotions than others, over time became more resilient to adversity, as indexed by increases in broad-minded coping.”? Use it in your own sentence.
  3. What does the word “instigate” mean, “From experiencing better mental health to becoming more productive, they can instigate transformation in your life.”? Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Would you consider seeking the expertise of an actual life coach? Why/why not?
  2. Have you ever tried independent strategies to achieve your goals? Which ones?
  3. What problems would you like to solve with the help of life coaching?
  4. How important is it for you to work only with certified specialists?
  5. Who do you consider are your life coaches?

Househusbands Embarrass their Wives

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Living without a traditional job is now the new lifestyle. Nowadays, people choose not to make a career and decide to try a different way of living. Moms and dads have also been shifting roles.

Although it isn’t very new, being or having a househusband is still something that not everyone is willing to flaunt this domestic arrangement out in the open.

Please read the article to know more about the househusbands of Wall Street.

When Stay-at-Home Husbands Are Embarrassing to Their Wives

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the idiom “at the top of the heap” mean, “I’ve been covering the elite echelons of big law firms for over 10 years, and I can tell you that many of the women who make it to the top of the heap often have a man at home who’s shepherding the kids around town, planning the meals, and otherwise keeping the hearth fired up.”? Use it in your own sentence.
  2. What does the word “ambivalence” mean, “All of this points to our entrenched ambivalence about changing gender roles. Men in these situations often feel alienated, particularly if they are surrounded by stay-at-home moms.”? Use it in your own sentence.
  3. What does the word “bow out” mean, “Though three couples were happy to speak to me on the record about their arrangement, many more bowed out about going public.“? Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think that being a househusband is an alternative lifestyle to having a regular job? Why?
  2. Why are househusbands less common than housewives?
  3. What are your thoughts on this reversed domestic gender roles?
  4. Share your opinion on this statement: “We simply haven’t evolved to the point where a househusband is considered desirable.“.
  5. How are fathers better at being in-charge of raising the children and taking care of everything domesticity-related?
  6. Do you know any proud stay-at-home dads? What can you say about their lifestyle?

E-commerce is Changing People’s Shopping Habits

B2 – Upper Intermediate

E-commerce has gained so much popularity ever since the peak of the pandemic when most people were unable to go out to shop. There has been an increasing number of online shops or platforms emerging nowadays. Most people prefer online shopping to going to physical stores.

Read the article to know how e-commerce is changing people’s shopping habits.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/business-economy/ecommerce-is-changing-peoples-shopping-habits.htm

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “break into” mean, “It is breaking into traditional markets more than ever before.“? Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  2. What does “driving force” mean, “Today, Facebook and other social media networks are the driving force behind online shopping.“? Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  3. What does “on sale” mean, “There are even apps which show you if there is a certain product on sale within a short distance of your location.“? Use this phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is online shopping popular in your country? Why/why not?
  2. When do you think e-commerce started gaining popularity in your country?
  3. What are the most used e-commerce platforms in your country?
  4. Do you agree that e-commerce is changing people’s shopping habits? If yes, how so?
  5. Do you think physical stores will not exist in the future anymore? Why/why not?
  6. Why do you think some people prefer shopping online to shopping in physical stores?

Signs You’re Experiencing Secondhand Stress

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Empathy refers to the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. It involves putting oneself in someone else’s shoes and feeling what they are feeling.

But are you aware that empathy can lead to secondhand stress, also known as compassion fatigue?

Secondhand stress and anxiety pertain to the feeling of being distressed or nervous because another individual is experiencing the same thing. Primarily, our thoughts and bodies are hardwired to detect significant hazards or vulnerabilities. When we witness another person experiencing anxiety or tension, we may unknowingly mimic it as an instinctual way to safeguard ourselves or the person involved; leading to feelings of stress and burnout.

We can detect secondhand stress by perceiving others’ facial gestures, hearing their voice frequency, and even picking up on certain scents or touches. Furthermore, we are more likely to encounter secondhand stress from people we are acquainted with than from random individuals, which means that our colleagues’ stress levels, as well as how they react to and demonstrate those stress feelings, can have implications for us.

So, how do you tell if someone is causing you stress?

To learn more, follow the link and read the full article.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/secondhand-stress-symptoms_l_63ed2231e4b0255caaefb9cd

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does ”mind is racing” mean, “You may find that your mind is racing and you’re constantly thinking about your loved one.”?Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What does ”to get under the skin” mean, “It builds up as sort of tension, and that tension — the not talking about it, the not expressing it — that’s the piece that gets under the skin? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  3. What does ”to get swept up” mean, “It can be easy to get swept up in other people’s problems or in situations that are largely out of your control.”? Use this idiom in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you know if someone is stressing you out?
  2. How do you deal with second-hand stress especially at work?
  3. Can you sense someone else’s stress? In what way?
  4. Do you consider secondhand stress toxic empathy? Share your thoughts.
  5. What are the benefits and downsides of being empathetic?

Covid-19 Pandemic Changes Personality Traits

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Extraversion, neuroticism, conscientiousness agreeableness, and openness are the five broad personality traits.

However, according to studies, not only personal grievances, but also global events like the COVID-19 pandemic can make one exhibit changes in their personality traits.

Read the article about how the COVID-19 pandemic had an effect of changes in our personality traits.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/covid-19-pandemic-changes-in-personality-traits

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define the personality traits agreeableness, openness, extraversion, conscientiousness, and neuroticism. Cite situations where you have demonstrated and (almost) lost them.
  2. What does ”impervious” mean, “It is quite significant from a theoretical perspective to know that global events, like the pandemic, might have the effect of changing personality, which is often thought to be fixed and impervious to change”? Use this word in your own sentence.
  3. What does the word “upheaval” mean, “There were upheavals on the social, political, and economic fronts that could also have affected personality development during this time, especially in the young adults who appeared to change the most.“? Use this idiom in your own sentence.
  4. What does “encompass” mean, “In the current study, the researchers categorized the period encompassing the pandemic into the acute phase and the adaptation phase.”? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What some of the best ways to overcome neuroticism?
  2. What might be reasons younger individuals were especially susceptible to changes in personality traits during the pandemic?
  3. How has the pandemic changed you/your personality traits? How did you manage such a change?
  4. What personality traits changed in you with age? Why do you think that happened?
  5. Share your thoughts on this: “Neuroticism, openness, and extraversion tend to decrease (with age).”.

A Sinking City

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As global warming becomes worse year by year, the Indonesian capital Jakarta is on the verge of sinking. The city has sunk by a few meters in the past decade.

Read the article to learn more about why this city is sinking.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/world/asia/jakarta-a-sinking-city.htm

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “torrential” mean, “Torrential rainfall in the monsoon season causes flooding on a regular basis.”? Give 2 synonyms and make your own sentences.
  2. What does “densely” mean, “Jakarta is one of the most densely populated cities in the world – home to about 10 million people.”? Use this word in your own sentence.
  3. What does “draw something out” mean, “Many people draw water out of the ground for drinking and other purposes.”? Make a sentence with this phrase in this context.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. According to the article, why is Jakarta sinking?
  3. In what ways can people contribute to slowing down the sinking of this city?
  4. Do you think it’s possible to stop global warming? Why or why not?
  5. What other cities do you know are in danger of sinking?
  6. Do you think your city will also be in danger of sinking? Why or why not?