Tag: Science and Technology

Robot Makes Fries

B1 – Intermediate

Miso Robotics has created a new robot designed to simplify kitchen tasks in fast food restaurants. With its advanced technology, the robot aims to improve efficiency and lessen the need for human intervention.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about a robot which works in fast food restaurants.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/a-robot-makes-fries-level-2/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “develop” mean, “In California, US, Miso Robotics developed a robot which works in fast food restaurants.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “instruction” mean, “When an order comes, a worker sends instructions to the robot.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “task” mean, “At first, the robot only turned burgers, but workers soon realized that it could do more tasks. Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on Miso Robotics’ burger-flipping robot?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using robots like the one developed by Miso Robotics in fast food restaurants?
  3. How do you think the introduction of this robot might impact the workers in fast food establishments? Explain.
  4. How else can these robots be improved?
  5. Do you think the introduction of robots in fast food restaurants will lead to job losses or create new opportunities for workers?

App Finds Breast Cancer

B1 – Intermediate

An innovative and user-friendly device designed to help detect breast cancer early. It provides a simple way for individuals to monitor their breast health and identify any concerning changes.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Dotplot, the app that checks women’s breasts for cancer.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/app-finds-breast-cancer-level-2/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “sound wave” mean? “Dotplot reads the breasts with sound waves, and an app sends a report about the scan.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does “scan” mean? “The app also compares the scan with previous scans, which helps see if something changed in the breasts.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “account for” mean? “It now accounts for nearly 12% of new cases worldwide.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on Dotplot?
  2. How can Dotplot device be helpful in detecting breast cancer? Explain.
  3. Do you think devices like Dotplot could make it easier for women to detect breast cancer early? Why or why not?
  4. What are the challenges that can be associated with using a device like Dotplot? How can those issues be solved?

A Trillion Humans in the Solar System

B1 – Intermediate

With all the space explorations being done these days, is it crazy to think that one day, humans would eventually populate space? Could this be the answer to our growing problem with overpopulation on this planet?

Billionaires such as Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk want to turn this into reality.

Read the article about Jeff Bezos’ vision to have a trillion people live in space.

Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2312/231225-a-trillion-humans-4.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “at any given time” mean? “He said if that happened, “we would have at any given time 1,000 Mozarts and 1,000 Einsteins.” Use this expression in your own sentence.
  2. What does ”collapse” mean in this context, ”Population collapse due to low birth rates is a bigger risk to civilization than global warming.”?Use this word in your own sentence.
  3. What does “resource” mean? “He said they could get resources from asteroids instead of from Earth.” Give two synonyms or similar expressions and make a sentence using ‘resource’.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on Jeff Bezos’ ambition?
  2. What do you think about living in giant space stations?
  3. What could be the good and bad things about it?
  4. Will it be possible for humans to live in space? Explain your thoughts.

The Future of Steak

B1 – Intermediate

Micro Harvest is on a mission to make protein quick and tasty using tiny living things in a Bioreactor. It only takes them one day! They’re planning to use this protein in various foods, even for pets.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about alternative protein production methods.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/the-future-of-a-steak-level-1/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. How does the phrase “closed space” in the sentence, “They use tiny living things in a closed space, called a Bioreactor”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What is meant by “to start small” in the sentence, “Bakers wants to start small, like in a local store or restaurant, and then grow“? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the word “process” mean in this sentence, “Micro Harvest finishes the process in just one day.”? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you feel about the innovative approach for protein production?
  2. What potential advantages or concerns do you see?
  3. Why do you think there are rules for making the protein, and why is it important for the company to follow them?
  4. How do you think new ways of making food, like Micro Harvest’s method, might change the food we eat in the future? Elaborate.

Biocomputers

B1 – Intermediate

We are so close to seeing a fusion between humans and computers. Organoids are lab-grown tissues that are much like human organs. Bioengineers have successfully, though still in its early stages, built a cross between organoids and AI.

Read the article about biocomputers.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2312/231218-brainoware-biocomputer-4.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the noun ”merging” mean,“Humans and machines are closer to merging.”? Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and make a sentence using ‘merging’.
  2. What does “early stage” mean? “Brainoware is in its early stages, but can already do complex tasks like voice recognition.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and make a sentence using ‘early stage’.
  3. What does the phrase “proof-of-concept” mean? “A researcher said: “This is just proof-of-concept to show that we can do the job.” Use this term in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is a biocomputer?
  2. What is your opinion on this technology?
  3. What makes this invention important?
  4. What are some good uses of biocomputers? Can you think of more? 
  5. How about the disadvantages/challenges we have with it?

Starship Spacecraft Explodes

B1 – Intermediate

In the exciting world of space exploration, sometimes things don’t go as planned. Recently, the Starship spacecraft, a super-advanced space vehicle, faced a big problem—it exploded. This event is a reminder that exploring space is not easy, and it comes with challenges.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about SpaceX’s Starship explosions.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/starship-spacecraft-explodes-level-3/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “interplanetary” mean, “SpaceX’s Starship designed for lunar and interplanetary travel achieved its first spaceflight but experienced a failure minutes later.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “uncrewed“, “The rocket was launched from Texas and it aimed for a 90-minute uncrewed flight, intending to land in the Pacific near Hawaii.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “ground” mean? “The Federal Aviation Administration grounded the rocket for safety and environmental assessments.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Question:

  1. What is the purpose of SpaceX’s Starship rocket?
  2. Why do you think SpaceX continues to conduct tests even if there are failures?
  3. What are some potential challenges or risks associated with developing and testing rockets like Starship?
  4. How would you feel about being on a rocket like Starship, considering the recent test failures?
  5. Do you think space exploration, despite its challenges, is important for the future? Why / Why not?

Robots in Our Lives 

B1 – Intermediate

In today’s world, robots are no longer just a part of sci-fi stories—they’re here, right now, impacting how we live. From simplifying daily tasks to working side by side with us, these machines are reshaping our routines and the way we connect with the world.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about advanced robotics in our lives.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/robots-in-our-lives-level-3/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “throughout the ages” mean? “A new exhibition in London charts humanity’s fascination for robots throughout the ages – one model at the exhibition dates back to the 16th century. Almost three meters tall, Cygan, a celebrity robot of the fifties, is the display’s centerpiece.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does the word “enslave“ mean in this sentence, “Ben Russel, the curator, commented on people’s fear of robots ‘turning into terrifying things that enslave us all’ – he thinks that it is quite natural to be afraid of them, but he sees the chances of it actually happening as slim.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the phrase “the chances of something happening as slim“ mean, “Ben Russel, the curator, commented on people’s fear of robots ‘turning into terrifying things that enslave us all’ – he thinks that it is quite natural to be afraid of them, but he sees the chances of it actually happening as slim.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What would society be like if robots took over our jobs?
  2. How are robots generally perceived? Are they seen more as helpful or potentially concerning? Elaborate.
  3. What could be some challenges or benefits of having humanoid robots in our homes?
  4. If you had a robot, what would you like it to do?

Spotify Not Banning AI-Made Music

B1 – Intermediate

Producing something creative like music is probably one thing that we think only humans can do. However, with the advancements of the technology, music can be made using artificial intelligence or AI too.

Read the article and know more about Spotify’s decision not to ban music produced by AI.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2309/230928-spotify-ai-music-1.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does ”auto-tune” mean? “This includes the auto-tune software that helps singers correct their pitch and add vocal effects.” Use this term in a sentence.
  2. What does “mimic” mean? “Mr. Ek did not like software for mimicking the voice of an artist.” Give 2 synonyms and use “mimic” in a sentence.
  3. What does “streaming site” mean, “Daniel Ek, the boss of the streaming site Spotify, has answered this question.”? Use this term in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree or disagree with Spotify’s decision not to ban AI-made music? Explain.
  2. Do you think we should worry about this problem now? Share your opinion.
  3. In general, what do you think about using AI in music?
  4. “Spotify deleted one song created by an AI platform. Software copied the voices of the singers Drake, and The Weeknd.” Do you agree with Spotify in deleting this song on their platform? Why or why not?
  5. What is one question or concern do you have about AI at the moment?

Sugar Doesn’t Make Kids Hyper

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Trick-or-treating gets more popular as the spooky season draws near and kids roam the neighborhood gathering sweets. Sadly, many kids become very hyper after eating the collected sweets. One might conclude that sugar is causing this effect. However, a number of researches challenge the notion of sugar rush.

Watch the video to learn more about hyperactivity, which apparently, has nothing to do with consuming sugary treats.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What’s the meaning of “to put something to bed”? “And today, we’re putting this long-standing food myth to bed.” Make a sentence using this idiom.
  2. What does “to keep something in check” mean? “Glucagon’s job is to tell our bodies to release some of our stored-up sugar supplies to balance out our blood sugar levels. Our bodies are extremely good at keeping these things in check when they’re healthy.” Use this idiom in a sentence.
  3. What does “to bounce off the walls” mean? “But as you get older, the season’s less about TPing* the house of that one neighbor that gives away healthy apples and toothbrushes during trick-or-treating and more about dreading your five-year-old bouncing off the walls after consuming half of their body weight in Kit Kats.” Create your own sentence using this expression.

*TP stands for ‘toilet paper’ which means to cover (trees, buildings, etc.) with toilet paper as a prank.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you agree to the theory presented in this video? Explain.
  2. Have you experienced the sugar rush effect mentioned in this video? Talk about that instance.
  3. What were your thoughts about children becoming hyperactive after taking/eating sugary foods before seeing this video?
  4. What might be reasons many people turn to sugary food when they feel tired?
  5. Are you aware of how your body reacts to food and how it relates to the prevailing knowledge in society? Cite concrete examples.

Albino Whale in Mexico 

B1 – Intermediate

In the watery realms of the ocean, extraordinary occurrences often surprise and amaze us. One such marvel is the presence of albino creatures, which can be found in a range of animals, both on land and in the sea. While this natural anomaly is not unusual among mammals, birds, and reptiles, it remains a rare spectacle when it comes to marine life.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about albino whales.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/albino-whale-in-mexico-level-1/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “albino” mean? “Albino skin sometimes happens in animals and in humans. People see it in mammals, birds, and reptiles. It happens because their skin does not have colour.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “rarely” mean? “It happens because their skin does not have colour. It rarely happens in marine mammals.” Give 2 synonyms and use “rarely” in a sentence.
  3. What does “marine” mean in this sentence, “Albino skin sometimes happens in animals and in humans. People see it in mammals, birds, and reptiles. It happens because their skin does not have colour. It rarely happens in marine mammals.“? Use ‘marine’ in the same context and give one other meaning of this word.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some other examples of natural anomalies or unique occurrences in the animal kingdom that you’ve heard of or read about?
  2. Do you think it’s important for people to learn about and appreciate the diversity of life in the ocean, even rare occurrences like albino whales? Why or why not?
  3. Can you think of other real-life examples in nature where animals with unique characteristics or appearances have played an important role in their ecosystems?