Tag: Reading

AI Technology to Identify Future Olympians

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A new AI-driven system is set to revolutionize the way future Olympic champions are identified by detecting athletic talent at an early stage. The developers are working on creating a portable version of this technology, which could bring cutting-edge sports science to even the most remote areas, offering new opportunities for discovering the next generation of elite athletes.

Read this article to learn more about this AI-powered talent spotting system.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cmj2jkppvx3o

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “holy grail” mean in this context? “…spotting potential at a young age is the “holy grail” of sport.” Use this phrase in a sentence in this context.
  2. Define “roll out” in this sentence, “It is hoped that the system can be rolled out further and used to offer opportunities to people in areas which it would be impossible to reach with bulkier assessment systems.”. Make a sentence with this phrasal verb and give two synonyms.
  3. What does “computer vision” mean? “We’re using computer vision and historical data, so the average person can compare themselves to elite athletes and see what sport they are most physically aligned to.” Create a sentence with this term.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the potential benefits and challenges of using AI to predict athletic success at an early stage?
  2. Do you think using AI to find talented athletes is a good idea? Why or why not?
  3. How would you feel about the idea of AI making decisions about your future success in sports or other activities?
  4. How do you think the introduction of AI technology might influence your goals and dreams? Would it motivate you or change your plans in any way?
  5. If you could design an AI system for any purpose, what would it do, and how would it help people?

Missing Australian Sub Finally Found

B1 – Intermediate

A long-lost Australian submarine has finally been discovered after years of mystery. The submarine, which went missing during World War I, has been located, providing closure to one of the country’s enduring maritime enigmas.

The discovery marks a significant moment in naval history and brings resolution to the families of the crew who have waited for answers for over a century.

Let’s read the article below to know more about finding the lost Australian submarine.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/history/missing-australian-sub-finally-found.htm

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does in one piece mean? ” It appears to be well-preserved and in one piece.” Use this idiom in a sentence.
  2. What does enemy fire mean? “Experts are now trying to examine the wreck and find out why the sub sank. They think it was probably an accident and not because of enemy fire.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  3. Explain the term “commemorative service” in this sentence, “When the submarine was found navy officials held a commemorative service for the crew that the Australian navy had lost. Families were contacted and told that the oldest naval mystery in Australian history had finally been solved.” Use the phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you think the discovery of the AE-1 submarine might affect future historical research and exploration?
  2. What impact do you think the finding of the AE-1 will have on the families of the crew members?
  3. How important is it to commemorate and honor the lost crew members of historical military vessels? Explain.

Cloud Computing

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Cloud computing is a technology that delivers various computing services over the internet, including storage, processing power, databases, networking, software, analytics, and more. These services are provided by cloud service providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and others.

Read the lesson and learn a bit more about cloud computing.

https://www.english-online.at/technology/cloud-computing/cloud-computing-applications.htm#google_vignette

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is cloud computing? “Cloud computing allows people from different parts of the world to work on a project together. ” Use this term in a sentence.
  2. What does back and forth mean? “Companies around the world can work together on a single computer and do not have to send data back and forth.” Use phrase in a sentence.
  3. What does to march forward mean? “In any case, cloud computing is marching forward and in a few years we may only be having a web browser running on our PCs.” Use this expression in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Explain the things you know about cloud computing.
  2. How does cloud computing provide flexibility to users?
  3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using cloud computing?
  4. How does cloud computing support remote work? Elaborate.
  5. Why do you think cloud computing is the future?

Concerns Over the Future of Community Pharmacies

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Community pharmacies are an important stop that many make in every town and city. However, some concerns have been raised about the possible disappearance of community pharmacies lately. Part of the reason is because more patients are now choosing to get their medicines online.

Read the article to know more about some of the concerns over what the future holds for community pharmacies in the UK.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cmj25466j87o

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “the heartbeat of something” mean? “We are the heartbeat of the community when it comes to healthcare because we are easily accessible to people.” Use the phrase in your own sentence.
  2. What does “the first port of call” mean? “Ifesi Anyamene runs Godstone Pharmacy, and said it is the “first port of call” for many in the village.” Use this idiom in a sentence.
  3. What does “family-run business” mean? “Ms Anyamene said many independent pharmacies were family-run businesses and “not about profit”.” Use this phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. “The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) previously warned of 10 closures a week and said more than 1,400 pharmacies had closed in England in the last 10 years.” What is your reaction to and your thoughts on this?
  2. Is it really possible for a family-run pharmacies to be “not about the money”? Share your insights.
  3. In your country, there similar concerns about the problems community pharmacies are currently facing? Share about it.
  4. What do you know about the community pharmacies in your country?
  5. Is it alright for the government to squeeze community pharmacies’ fundings? Express your opinion about this.

UK Doctors to Treat Eco-Anxiety

B1 – Intermediate 

In the recent years, there has been an increase in the number of people affected by ecological anxiety or eco-anxiety. This is a relatively new medical condition. A person suffers from it when all the extreme weather and climate changes and other environmental issues make them feel nervous or anxious.

Perhaps it is time to start acknowledging that this condition is real and affects many people. Medical experts need to be prepared to offer help to people with this condition. 

In the UK, if you go for a health consultation related to eco-anxiety, the doctor could give you a medical diagnosis, some advice on what to do to reduce your negative impact on the environment, and some tips on how to manage eco-anxiety.

Read the article about how doctors in the UK have been advised to start treating eco-anxiety patients.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2407/240722-eco-anxiety.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “hidden in plain sight” mean? “The United Nations has described eco-anxiety as an emergency crisis hidden in plain sight.” Use the phrase in your own sentence.
  2. What does “to raise a topic” mean? “Doctors in the UK have been advised to raise the topic of climate change during consultations with patients.” Use the expression in a sentence.
  3. What does “distressed” mean? “A UN survey found that 59 per cent of young people in a study were distressed about the climate.” Give one (1) synonym or similar expression and use ‘distressed’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. In your opinion, who suffers more from climate anxiety? Is it young or older people? Explain your idea.
  2. How can we help people who have eco-anxiety?
  3. What is an extreme weather event that you are scared of? Why?
  4. Should eco-anxiety given more attention by the health ministry of every country now? Share your opinion.
  5. Should your government focus on this problem more now? Why or why not?
  6. What other health problems do you think your government should focus on? Talk about the disease or condition and why is it not given so much attention by the government?

Remove Equestrian Sports from the Olympics

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Equestrian sports have been in the Olympics for over a hundred years, highlighting the bond between the rider and their horse.

More recently, there has been a debate on whether these events should stay in the Games, with concerns about horse welfare, accessibility, and how well they fit with current Olympic values.

Read this article to know about the case for the removal of equestrian sports from the Olympics.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/jul/31/the-horses-dont-choose-to-take-part-should-equestrian-sports-be-removed-from-the-olympics

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the idiom “to go out of the window” mean? ““We know that whenever animals are treated as commodities and exploited for human gain, their best interests go out of the window,” says White.” Give a synonym and make a sentence with this expression.
  2. What is an “outcry”? “Having been hailed as the “golden girl” of dressage and widely tipped for a damehood, Dujardin has been banned from the Paris Olympic Games amid public outcry and a pending investigation by the sport’s governing body.” Give one (1) synonym or similar expression and use ‘outcry’ in your own sentence.
  3. Define “to put one’s foot down”. “We are trying to do everything we can to find out about unethical behaviour and put our foot down wherever it happens.” Give a similar expression and create a sentence using this idiom.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on removing equestrian sports from the Olympics?
  2. Have you ever watched equestrian sports in the Olympics? If so, what was your impression of them?
  3. How do you think the inclusion of equestrian sports in the Olympics reflects or challenges our views on animal welfare?
  4. Are equestrian sports popular in your country? What other sports do you think might harm animals?
  5. What’s your opinion on the statement, “Whenever there’s a lot of money or glory involved, people may exploit animals to make them perform a certain way.”?

EU Rejects Alzheimer’s Drug Lecanemab

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Since its discovery in 1906, scientists have come a long way when it comes to the study and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

Scientists have been working round the clock to gain more, if not full, understanding of how this disease affects the brain. As a result of extensive researches over time, some drugs have been used to treat it and new ones are consistently being discovered. One of which is lecanemab, a drug that had shown to slow cognitive decline.

However, despite it getting approved in the US last year, the European Medicines Agency or EMA believes that the risk of lecanemab’s adverse side effects such as bleeding and swelling in the brain outweighs its benefits.

Read the article about EMA rejecting a license for the Alzheimer’s drug lecanemab.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crgm0v1ne08o

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “underlying mechanism” mean? “Alzheimer’s researchers hailed the trial results as “historic” because no previous drug had convincingly shown that the underlying mechanism of the disease could be slowed.”  Give one (1) synonym or similar expression and use ‘underlying mechanism’ in your own sentence.
  2. What does “value for money” mean? “Even if the drug was to be approved in the UK, it would then be up to health bodies – such as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) – to decide whether the drug represents value for money and should be recommended to patients.”Give one (1) synonym or similar expression and use ‘value for money’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does “a turning point” mean? “In the programme, broadcast earlier this year, Prof Cath Mummery, consultant neurologist and head of clinical trials at the Dementia Research Centre at UCL, said although the benefits of the drugs were small, they represented a “turning point”.” Give one (1) synonym or similar expression and use ‘a turning point’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Talk about the benefits and risks associated with lecanemab.
  2. Share your opinion on EMA’s decision to reject lecanemab’s license.
  3. “Prof Tara Spires-Jones, president of the British Neuroscience Association, said the EMA’s decision will come as “a disappointment to many”.” Share your thoughts on this.

UK’s 22-year-old Member of Parliament

B1 – Intermediate 

Sam Carling won a seat as a Member of Parliament or MP in the recent UK general election. He is 22 years old, one of the youngest MPs the UK has ever had.

With his win, he hopes more young people will go into politics and serve the people.

Read this article about UK’s young MP.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2407/240708-member-of-parliament-4.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “beat” mean here, “Mr Carling, from the Labour Party, narrowly beat his Conservative Party rival by 39 votes.”? Give one (1) synonym or similar expression and use ‘beat’ in this context in your own sentence.
  2. What does “a deprived area” mean? “He grew up in “a deprived area” in the north of England.” Give one (1) synonym or similar expression and use ‘a deprived area’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does “an economic powerhouse” mean? “The Conservative Party promised to turn it into an economic “powerhouse”.” Give one (1) synonym or similar expression and use ‘an economic powerhouse’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think Sam Carling meant when he described his victory as a “political earthquake”?
  2. How can growing up in “a deprived area” help Sam Carling represent the interests of the people?
  3. Should young people enter politics? Share your opinion.
  4. What are the good and bad things about very young politicians?
  5. How much interest do you think young people in your country have in politics?
  6. Talk about a very young politician from your country.

Reasons You Wake Up Tired

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We often find ourselves sacrificing sleep in order to complete assignments, study for exams, work, or participate in social activities. The prevailing belief is that the less hours of sleep we get, the more energetic we will feel. However, recent research has shown that this may not necessarily be the case.

Sleep plays a crucial role in maintaining our energy levels and overall well-being. It is during sleep that our bodies repair and regenerate, allowing us to wake up feeling refreshed and revitalized. Inadequate sleep can lead to feelings of fatigue, decreased cognitive function, and a weakened immune system.

Read the article and learn why sometimes we feel more tired after getting a really good night’s sleep.

https://edition.cnn.com/2022/08/10/health/waking-up-tired-reasons-solutions-wellness/index.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is “sleep inertia”? “This discrepancy is often due to a heightened state of sleep inertia, a circadian process that modulates memory, mood, reaction time and alertness upon waking.” Use this term in a sentence.
  2. What does the idiom “to toss and turn” mean? “Maybe your bed partner has a sleep disorder and snores or tosses and turns.” Use this idiom in your own sentence.
  3. What does “shift-based” mean? “Sometimes our schedules differ on weekdays versus weekends. Schedules can also fluctuate for people with shift-based jobs.” Use this adjective in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What have you learned from the article?
  2. Are you the type of person who can function with very little sleep? Why or why not?
  3. Do you think you regularly get enough sleep? If not, how can you maintain good performance throughout the day?
  4. Dr. Kashani said that “The most important sleep habit is to sleep. To sleep as much to sleep as much as your body needs and when your body needs it.” Do you agree? Elaborate on your answer.
  5. Would you consider seeing a sleep specialist or going to a sleep clinic should the need arise? Explain.
  6. What’s your sleep environment and routine like?
  7. Have you ever had any sleep problems? What did you do to fix it?

Doctor Wants Social Media Health Warnings

B1 – Intermediate 

A survey in 2022 revealed that young people between the ages of 13 to 17 use at least one out of five social media platforms more than several times every day. There are several effects of massive social media use on teenagers. The most alarming effect is the negative impact on their mental health.

Read the article and know more about the proposal by a top US doctor for social media platforms to put mental health warnings on their websites.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2406/240620-social-media-health-warnings.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the verb “address” in this context? “This is something the USA’s top doctor wants to address.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
  2. Define the word “youngster“.”He said algorithms lead youngsters to extreme sexual and violent content.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of the word “profound“? In 2023, he warned that social media presented, “a profound risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents”. Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about Dr. Murthy’s idea?
  2. What are the long-term and short-term negative effects of social media on teens?
  3. What are the positive effects of social media on teens?
  4. How does a display of mental health warnings on social media platform help reduce these negative effects?
  5. Do you think ‘healthy social media’ exists? If yes, how can we have it?