Tag: Reading

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?

Market Boom for Fake Tanks

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The Russia-Ukraine War has boosted the need for heavy military weapons and vehicles. Such military supplies cost an arm and a leg, though. This most probably the reason fake army equipment makers have seen a rise in demand for their products.

These equipment are more cost-effective, yet still pretty much gets the job done when it comes to tricking and intimidating the enemy.

Read the article about the rise in demand for inflatable military decoys worldwide.

https://www.voanews.com/a/czech-company-sees-boom-in-market-for-fake-tanks-himars/6992819.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does ”decoy” mean, “The company has added HIMARS to its fleet of over 30 types of inflatable real-size decoys it sells to customers worldwide, Chief Executive Vojtech Fresser said Monday.”? Use this word in your own sentence.
  2. What does the expression “to find one’s way somewhere” mean, “Inflatech would not confirm Ukraine is among the destinations, but Fresser said he would expect them to find their way there.“? Use this idiom in your own sentence.
  3. What does the word “reconnaissance” mean, “The decoys are made from synthetic silk and, apart from misleading the adversary visually, have a thermal footprint and appear on radars to fool enemy reconnaissance.”? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on placing life-size inflatable decoys on the front lines to deceive the enemy?
  2. What are the pros and cons of using fake military equipment?
  3. Share your opinion on this: “Inflatech would not confirm Ukraine is among the destinations, but Fresser said he would expect them to find their way there.”

Supermarkets Ration Fruits and Vegetables

B1 – Intermediate

In the UK, there have been a shortage in the supply of fruits and vegetables. Customers are having difficulties finding places to buy fruits and vegetables from. The big supermarkets said there are many reasons for this shortage in their supplies. As a result, most of their shelves are left almost empty.

Due to this, supermarkets have no choice but to ration some produces in the middle of this problem with low fruits and vegetables supply in the country.

Read the article about the fruits and vegetables shortage in the UK and how the supermarkets started rationing the supply to their customers.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2303/230306-uk-vegetable-rationing-5.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does ”bare” mean here, “The big chains have given various reasons for the shortfall in supply and why shelves are bare in supermarket aisles.”? Give 2 synonyms of the word ‘bare’ in this context and use them in sentences.
  2. What does the expression “to play a part” mean, “An industry analyst said Brexit has also played a part.”? Use this idiom in your own sentence.
  3. What does “war-torn” mean, “Many shoppers are shocked at seeing photos on social media of supermarket shelves in Europe, and in war-torn Ukraine, full of fresh produce.”? Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news? Has something similar happened in your country too?
  2. What are the reasons for the lack of supply in fruits and vegetables in the UK?
  3. Is it a good solution to limit how much fruits and veggies each customer can buy? Explain your opinion.
  4. Do you agree or disagree to this, “If there are shortfalls in production in the EU, then it makes sense for EU producers to serve their local demand first.”? Share your thoughts.
  5. Talk about some products or produces that became low in supply in your country. How did that shortage affect you?

Unusual Jobs You Might Not Know Exist

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It’s not unusual now to have a job that can be difficult to explain to people who are used to more common ones such as a teacher or a manager.

Read the article and learn from the stories of representatives with some unusual professions.

https://studyworkgrow.com.au/2021/01/12/13-more-unusual-jobs-you-might-not-know-exist/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “confidant” mean, “Friend for hire, organizer, confidant, non-complaining member of the wedding party  – if you get along well with people and want to help a bride’s wedding day run smoothly, then this could seriously be a job to consider.“? Use it in your own sentence.
  2. What does “side hustle” mean, “If you’re patient or perhaps you just enjoy people watching, and you don’t mind being out in the elements, you could make line standing a side hustle that could earn you money.”? Use it in your own sentence.
  3. What does “strike a chord” mean, “You never know what’s going to strike a chord and be the spark that ignites a career you’ll love.”? Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever had an unusual job? What about your friends or relatives? Have they? Why or why not?
  2. Are there any other professions that are hard to understand or explain for you? What are they and try explaining them.
  3. What are the pros and cons of having a bizarre job?
  4. Why do you think people might choose such professions?
  5. How do you explain to others what your job is about?

AI Chatbots ChatGPT and Google Bard

B1 – Intermediate

Chatbots are computer programs used to simulate chat with a human user. The latest chatbot to become more popular is ChatGPT. When a user asks something on ChatGPT, it can answer almost every question you ask it and with perfect grammar. It’s like you are really talking to another person.

Google didn’t waste time and launched its own version called Google Bard. 

It has now become a race for the best AI chatbot in town between Google and Microsoft.

Read the article on the AI chatbot battle between ChatGPT and Google Bard.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2302/230213-chatgpt-chatbot-4.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does ”hot on the heels of sb/sth” mean, ”Hot on the heels of ChatGPT came Google’s Bard.”? Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What does the expression “to spread like wildfire” mean, “A new online revolution has begun and is spreading like wildfire.” Use this idiom in your own sentence.
  3. What does “shake up” mean, “There are many questions about how chatbots will shake up our world.” Use this phrase in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Google Bard? Would you use such programs?
  2. What are the uses and dangers of such AI chatbots?
  3. How is this going to change our lives/societies?
  4. Share your opinion on this: “Teachers are worrying about “the end of homework”. 
  5. Do you agree or disagree that “AI can deepen our understanding of information and turn it into useful knowledge making it easier for people to get things done.”? Explain.

Sensitivity Readers

B1 – Intermediate

Roald Dahl and Ian Fleming are famous authors. Roald Dahl wrote “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and Ian Fleming, the “James Bond” novels. Their novels are classics. 

However, many things have changed in our society since these books were written more than 50 years ago. Language that were considered acceptable then, might be offensive now.

So, some classic novels have to be edited by what we call “sensitivity readers”. Publishing companies let “sensitivity readers” check for words that might not be politically-correct now.

Read the article on sensitivity readers.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2303/230302-sensitivity-readers.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does ”upset” mean here, ”They are worried that language in older books might upset people today, especially children.”? Give two synonyms of the word ‘upset’ and use it in your own sentence.
  2. What does the expression “belong to another time” mean, “A lot of the language they check belongs to another time.” Use this idiom in your own sentence.
  3. What does “character” mean, “The recent edits of the James Bond books are because of insensitive language about black characters and women.” Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why are sensitivity readers important?
  2. What do you think of the job of sensitivity readers?
  3. Should classic novels be edited to be politically-correct? Why/why not?
  4. How would you feel reading a book that contains language that might be considered offensive now?
  5. Name one classic book that you read. Were there parts that you thought were offensive?

Big Dreams Can Be Big Problems

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Are you someone with big dreams and aspirations? While it’s important to dream big, there might be some hidden pitfalls to chasing those grand goals.

In the article you are about to read, we explore why big dreams can sometimes lead to big problems and what you can do to avoid them. So if you want to make sure your big dreams become a reality, keep reading!

https://www.lifehack.org/508810/why-big-dreams-can-big-problems

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “wide-eyed“. “Wide-eyed and excited about the endless possibilities, we began dreaming.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does the idiom “hard dose of reality” mean in the sentence, “Slowly but surely, we got a hard dose of reality.”? Use it in a sentence.
  3. The idiom “bloodied and beaten to a pulp” is used in the sentence, “It’s not the moments of success where we find out what we are made of but rather those moments when we are bloodied and beaten to a pulp.”. Explain your understanding and make a sentence using this idiom.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does Ryan Holiday suggest to do when faced with an obstacle?
  2. How did Sara Blakely redefine her definition of failure?
  3. What strategies can be adopted to stay motivated when faced with failure?
  4. What reasons lead people to give up on their big dreams?
  5. Do you also have big dreams? How do you plan to achieve them?

Businesses You Could Start From Your Garage

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In this article, we will explore five businesses you could start right from the comfort of your own home garage. From automotive repair to e-commerce, these ideas could be the inspiration you need to start your own successful business.

So roll up your sleeves, dust off your tools, and get ready to be inspired by the article below.

https://www.lifehack.org/526277/5-businesses-you-could-start-from-your-garage

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “up and running” mean, “When that equipment has issues, they are willing to spend a significant amount to get everything up and running smoothly.” Use it in another sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of the term “know-how” in the sentence, “This is a simple job that requires very little tools and very little know-how.”? Explain your understanding and use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “upfront money” mean, “People can choose what background they want and no one will be the wiser. This takes a little more upfront money.” Use this phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does the article suggest identifying potential businesses to start from a garage?
  2. What do you think are some challenges and advantages of starting a business from a garage?
  3. How do you think starting a business from a garage can impact the community or neighborhood where the garage is located?
  4. Can you think of any successful businesses that started in a garage? What made them successful?
  5. Do you want to start a business in a garage? Why or why not? If so, what idea do you have in mind?