Tag: Reading

Titanic Wreck Lucrative Tourism Industry

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Off the isolated coast of Newfoundland, more than two miles under the water, lies the rusting, decaying skeleton of a ship that has fascinated the public for more than a century. Discovering its tragic past is still appealing to scholars, adventurers, and common people.

Tourists have been paying for years to have a chance to see the Titanic shipwreck from below. Five individuals boarded the underwater vehicle Titan on Sunday to undertake the trip.

Let’s read the article below to know more about it.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/titanic-tourism

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “insatiable” mean in this sentence, “More than a century after the ship’s sinking, interest in the Titanic remains insatiable.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “pretty penny” mean in this sentence, “And for a pretty penny, tourists have been able to go too.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “to catch a glimpse” mean, “For decades, tourists have been paying for a chance to catch an undersea glimpse at the wreck of the Titanic.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on this style of tourism and the impacts of the submersibles on the deteriorating site?
  2. Should the site be left undisturbed in memory of the more than 1,500 people who died there? Explain.
  3. What do you think happened to the explorers?
  4. Would you be willing to give this type of tourism a try? Why or why not?

Creating An Effective Ad

B2 – Upper Intermediate

“A good advertisement is one which sells the product without drawing attention to itself.” – David Ogilvy, known as the “Father of Advertising”.

We can see advertisements on television, on trains, and they are constantly popping up on our computer screens. We are so used to ads that we hardly pay them any attention anymore. 

Read the article and find out 11 simple tips on how to create an effective ad.

https://targetpublic.com/11-simple-tips-creating-effective-ad/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “puffery” mean? “Each advertisement must make a proposition to the consumer-not just words, product puffery, or show-window advertising.” Use this word in a sentence.
  2. What does the idiom “right off the bat” mean? “Get out a pad of paper and some pens and have fun with this. I am sure you will start coming up with brilliant ideas right off the bat!” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “eye-catching” mean? “You will be able to make eye-catching ads that will get people excited about what you have to offer.”. Give a synonym and use ‘eye-catching’ in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Talk about the 11 tips mentioned in the article on how to have an effective advertisement. Which ones do you think your company employs in their advertising campaigns?
  2. What is your company’s Unique Selling Proposition (USP)?
  3. Do you think that there are advertisements that do not draw attention to themselves? If so, can you think of some examples?
  4. Do you remember any advertisements that made you buy something? What kind of advertising was it?

Begpackers – Asia’s Most Disliked Travelers

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Backpacking is a cost-effective way for people to travel to many different places. With a limited budget, they tend to make the most of out of their trip by staying in inexpensive hotels and living like a local.

However, there are also backpackers who do not have enough money to fund their trip. Some of them turn to the kindness of local people by begging, selling, or performing on the street in exchange for money.

Let’s read the article and know more details about the begpacking phenomenon.

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/asia-begpackers-intl-hnk/index.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the word “portmanteau” mean in this context? “The term is a portmanteau of “begging” and “backpacking” and is usually used to negatively describe people who are asking the public for money to fund their travels.” Give examples.
  2. Define the verb “pigeonhole“. “A Cantonese-speaking colleague waited nearby to see who interacted with Pratt, then pigeonholed them to ask questions – and, in some cases, return the money they’d given.” Use it in your own sentence.
  3. What does the phrase “if the shoe were on the other foot” mean? “If the shoe were on the other foot, begpacking would be simply called vagrancy.” Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on begpackers? Does it make a difference if they are simply begging, selling or providing entertainment in exchange for money?
  2. Do you agree that much of the hatred for begpackers are from foreigners too?
  3. What is passport privilege? How does it play a part in begpacking?
  4. Do you think Asian countries should set financial requirements to all tourists?

Workers Quitting Digital Nomadism

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Traveling and working in different locations at the same time seems ideal. This working setup feels like a dream for most employees. However, people who have been doing it have found that it is different from what they imagined.

Read the article to learn more about people quitting digital nomadism.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20230531-the-workers-quitting-digital-nomadism

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “ad-hoc income” mean, “ Some are salaried, while others rely on ad-hoc income.“? Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does “on the move” mean, “But as workers have revealed, even those well positioned to succeed have faced challenges of maintaining productivity, health and personal relationships while constantly on the move.“? Use this phrase in a sentence.
  3. What is an “untethered worker“? “In other countries where data is less available, resources abound to help untethered workers make their way across the globe.” Use this term in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on digital nomadism?
  2. Name some challenges or drawbacks associated with being a digital nomad.
  3. What are some of the reasons cited by workers for leaving the digital nomad lifestyle?
  4. Would you like to experience being a digital nomad? Why or why not?
  5. How do you think being a digital nomad could impact your personal relationships and social life? Do you see it as an advantage or a challenge?

Discriminatory Airline Seat Policies

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Traveling by plane is the quickest way to get to your destination. Due to technological advances, it is also considered one of the safest forms of transportation. Another selling point for airline companies is the comfort they provide to their passengers. They offer wider seats, in-flight entertainment, more legroom and many more at additional costs.

However, for plus-size travelers the experience of flying can be daunting.

Let’s read the article and know more about the struggles of plus-size travelers and one particular plus-size traveler’s petition.

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/plus-size-travelers-slam-airline-seat-policies/index.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “slippery slope” mean? “It can be a slippery slope.” Give an example scenario.
  2. What does the idiom “to be hit in the pocket” mean? “This ultimately means that more and more passengers are likely to be finding it difficult to fit into airplane seats, and some may be hit in the pocket as a result.” Use it in your own sentence.
  3. Define the word “encroach“. “One of the various demands listed in Chaney’s petition, which had received over 17,000 signatures at the time of writing, is that all airlines “provide accessible additional seats to customers-of-size” who may require more space or “encroach onto another passenger’s space.” Give one synonym and use “encroach” in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on Jae’lynn Chaney’s demand? Is it reasonable or a form of entitlement?
  2. Do you agree that charging more to plus-size passengers is a human rights issue? Why or why not?
  3. What else do you know about airline policies in your country regarding plus-size passengers?
  4. Just as airline companies are charging plus-size travelers more, do you think passengers with smaller bodies should be charged less? Explain your stand.

You Can’t Smile In Your Passport Photo

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Passport photos are notable for their strictly enforced rules and standards, frequently perplexing travelers as to why they must uphold a stern face without looking happy. While it may appear to be an utterly pointless regulation, there are justifiable reasons for this seemingly unusual mandate.

Learn more about the reasons for not being allowed to grin in passport photos, taking into account things like standardization, identity verification, and facial recognition technology, by clicking the link.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/why-cant-you-smile-passport-photo_l_64775504e4b0b4444c7c29f9

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “grand scheme of things” mean in the sentence, “But these kinds of rules are still relatively new in the grand scheme of things.”? Use this idiom in your own sentence.
  2. What does “not pass muster” mean in the sentence, “Showing your teeth won’t pass muster ― and apparently it’s a matter of border security.”? Use this idiom in your own sentence.
  3. What does “in effect” mean in the sentence, “Photos with exaggerated expressions can make it more difficult to readily identify the passport holder,” he explained, noting that the agency’s photo requirements have “been in effect for United States passports for decades.”? Use this phrase in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Can you explain the reasoning behind the decision to have a neutral expression in passport photos instead of allowing smiles?
  2. How does facial recognition technology play a role in the requirement to not smile in passport photos?
  3. Are there any alternative methods or technologies being explored that could overcome the limitations of smiling in passport photos? Tell me more.
  4. Are there any specific guidelines or regulations regarding passport photos in different countries that deviate from the general practice of not smiling? Please share.

Benefits of Boosting Your Emotional Intelligence

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The World Economic Forum experts talked about the employment skills that we will need in the near future and one of them is emotional intelligence.

Read the article and find out how a person can develop and level up their emotional intelligence.

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/02/emotional-intelligence-career-life-personal-development/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the word ” predicament“? ” There is a time in the life of every predicament where it is ripe for resolution” Use this word in a sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of “adeptly” in this sentence, “By understanding your emotions, you can move adeptly through your current challenges and prevent future ones.”? Use this in your own sentence.
  3. What does the phrase “on the flip side ” mean? “On the flip side, just 20% of bottom performers are high in emotional intelligence.” Give one synonym and use “on the flip side” in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the article, why is it important to control your emotions? 
  2. Why might it be important to be able to recognize other people’s emotions?
  3. What is a sign of high emotional intelligence?
  4. What are ways to manage one’s emotions? 
  5. Can a person take control of their reaction to other people’s words and actions? Explain your thoughts.
  6. Share your thoughts on this: “People with a high degree of emotional intelligence make more money.“

Key Challenges to Make AI Safe

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to create more impact in almost all aspects of our society, it is crucial to sit down and discuss how the technology can be regulated in order to ensure that we can safely make use of it. However, it seems this task isn’t going to be a walk in the park.

Read this article about the key challenges in making AI safe.

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-65850668

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “school of thought”? “Artificial-intelligence experts generally follow one of two schools of thought – it will either improve our lives enormously or destroy us all.” Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  2. What does it mean when something “doesn’t sit (well) with/within”? “These technologies don’t sit within the boundaries of one country.” Use this idiom in your own sentence.
  3. Explain what the word “interim” mean. “She is drawing up an interim voluntary code for the sector, alongside the US, which could be ready within weeks.” Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Which among the key challenges to make AI safe mentioned in the article is the hardest one to address and why?
  2. Why do you think it is difficult to have international collaboration on AI?
  3. Do you agree that the public should be informed about the risks attached to each AI product? If so, how do we do that?
  4. Do you agree or disagree with this policy: “Companies that break its rules could be fined the greater of €30m or 6% of global annual turnover.”? Why or why not?
  5. What are some government regulations that we should have to mitigate the potential risks posed by AI products?
  6. AI “godfathers Geoffrey Hinton and Prof Yoshua Bengio warn that the technology has huge potential for harm. Do you believe them or not? Explain your point.

Chinese Airliner’s First Commercial Flight

B1 – Intermediate

Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) is a state-owned aerospace company in China. It has recently made history with their first commercial airplane C919’s first flight. C919 was built in hopes to compete with other aerospace manufacturers such as Boeing and Airbus.

Its first commercial flight is said to be China’s “symbol of industrial skill and national pride”.

Read this article about the Chinese-made airplane C919’s first commercial flight.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2306/230601-comac-china-airline-1.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Explain the definition of the phrase “national pride”. “Newspapers called it “a symbol of skill and national pride“.”. Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  2. What does “triumph” mean? “China’s president called the C919 aircraft a “triumph of Chinese innovation”.” Give a synonym and use “triumph” in your own sentence.
  3. What does “fondly” mean? “I’ll remember it fondly for some time to come.” Give a synonym and use “fondly” in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction now that China is also manufacturing planes?
  2. What is your opinion on this, “COMAC hopes to compete with airline industry giants, like Boeing and Airbus.”?
  3. Do you think COMAC will get a lot of international orders soon? Why or why not?
  4. Talk about any recent milestone in any industry in your country.
  5. Talk about one of your country’s national pride.

Smiling Classes

B1 – Intermediate

People have been wearing masks for a long time since the COVID-19 pandemic. Some people in Japan claim that they have forgotten how to smile naturally. Therefore, they are taking smiling lessons from “smile coaches”.

Read more about these smiling classes in the article.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2306/230608-smiling-classes.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “complex” mean in this context, “Many people developed a complex about smiling.“? Use this word in this context in a sentence.
  2. What does “the key to something” mean? “Moving and relaxing the facial muscles is the key to a good smile.” Use this expression in a sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of “for some time to come“? “Smile coaches in Japan may be busy for some time to come.” Use this phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on smiling lessons?
  2. Have you ever found it difficult or uncomfortable to smile naturally after wearing a face mask for a lengthy period of time? How did you handle it?
  3. Would you consider taking lessons from a “smile coach” to relearn how to smile with confidence if you felt self-conscious about it?
  4. Do you believe that wearing masks has affected your ability to communicate effectively and make good impressions on others? Why or why not?
  5. What is your opinion on this: “Smiling makes a good impression on others and helps communication. It also has the effect of making yourself feel more positive.”?