Tag: Science and Technology

Posting Zero

B1 — Intermediate 

Social media feels too much and fake. Many people still use it, but they post less. This is called Posting Zero. People are afraid of judgment or to feel pressure to look perfect. Bots also make social media feel less real. Many users want simple and honest posts again.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about social media use drop.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/posting-zero-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to feel louder than ever” mean? “Social media feels louder than ever, filled with ads, repetitive videos, and artificial content.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “honest moment“ mean? ”Many users hope social media can return to a place where real people share small, honest moments again.” Use the expression in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “feed” mean here: “In the past, people shared simple photos and everyday moments; however, now, feeds look perfect, commercial, and unreal.”Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do people used to post on social media in the past? 
  2. Why are they stopping or posting less now?
  3. Do you like posting on social media? Why?
  4. Is it okay to stop posting on social media? Why?
  5. “Bots also make social media feel less real.” Do you agree or disagree?
  6. How can social media feel more real?

Google Earth Flight Simulator

B1 — Intermediate 

Google’s Flight Simulator is a fun feature in Google Earth. You can fly a virtual plane over cities, mountains, and oceans. It uses real satellite images and 3D maps. The controls are simple, but flying takes practice. It is great for exploring the world from the sky.

Read the article about Google Earth flight simulator.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2606/260618-google-earth.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “flight simulator”? ”To use the flight simulator, you will have to open the Google Earth website and click on the “Explore Earth” button in the top right corner.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “high-fidelity“ mean in this context: ”The flight simulator is designed for casual exploration rather than high-fidelity aerodynamic training.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What is a “drop-down menu”? ”To start flying, you need to click on “Tools” in the menu bar and then select “Flight simulator” from the drop-down menu.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How can this simulator help people learn about the world?
  2. What are other things people can learn from using Google’s Flight Simulator? 
  3. Would you ever use Google’s Flight Simulator? Why or why not? Which country would you like to visit in the simulator?
  4. Is it better to explore places online or in real life? Why?
  5. Do you like games or apps that let you explore places?
  6. If you could fly anywhere, where would you go first?

The EU Checks Meta

B1 — Intermediate 

The European Commission is preparing to intensify its formal investigation into Meta Platforms over claims that it uses addictive design elements to keep children using its social media apps.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the European Commission’s official investigation into Meta Platforms.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/the-eu-checks-meta-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “hooked on something” mean? “According to recent reports, EU regulators are preparing preliminary findings that accuse the tech giant of using addictive design practices specifically to keep children hooked on its social media platforms.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “breaching” mean? “This move follows previous charges from April, where the EU accused Meta of breaching tech rules and failing to block children under 13 from accessing its networks.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “a landmark court verdict” mean? “In the US, the company is lobbying Congress for legal immunity against claims of harming children, especially after a landmark court verdict found both Meta and Google negligent in designing platforms harmful to youth.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is social media helpful or harmful to children and teenagers? Explain your answer.
  2. Should children below 13 years old be allowed to use social media? Explain your answer.
  3. Do you think social media platforms are designed to keep users addicted? Why?
  4. Who should be most responsible for protecting children on social media: parents, schools, governments, or technology companies? Why?
  5. “Social media companies should face legal penalties if their platforms harm children.” Do you agree or disagree?

Fake AI Ads

B1 — Intermediate 

Nowadays, you will see a lot of advertisements made using AI on social media. These ads usually sell products that are cheap, low-quality, or sometimes, do not exist at all.

Scammers use AI to make realistic videos and fake customer reviews. They can make these ads quickly and at a low cost. The ads appear on dodgy websites and even on trusted platforms like Amazon.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about fake AI advertisements.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/fake-ai-ads-level-2

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to be flooded with something” mean? ”Social media platforms are being flooded with ultra-realistic ads created by AI to sell products that either don’t exist or turn out to be cheap junk.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “to slip through” mean? ”Experts note that these ads easily slip through automated moderation systems due to the sheer volume of new content.” Use the phrasal verb in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “shady” mean? ”These ads appear on both shady websites and legitimate platforms like Amazon.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you ever seen an AI-generated ad online? What is your opinion about them? 
  2. Do you think AI-generated ads are dangerous? Why or why not?
  3. Should social media platforms do more to stop fake ads? Discuss your opinion.
  4. What do you do before buying a product you see in an online ad?
  5. Have you ever bought something that looked different from the ad? Talk about your experience.

The Unfortunate Truth About GMOs

B2 – Upper Intermediate

All across the internet and on traditional outlets, Genetically Modified Organisms or GMOs have been lambasted as dangerous, unnatural, and unhealthy. And in America, GMOs have to be labelled as such, painting these items in a further negative light. But is the negative reputation of GMOs actually true, or have they been unfairly treated?

Watch this video about

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “fear-mongering” mean? “Nah, all of that is nonsense. The real problem is that they need to fire their PR team. Because they’re a victim of a widely successful fear-mongering campaign.” Use this expression in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  2. What does “school of thought” mean? “Whenever I discuss GMOs online, there are two schools of thought that I frequently have to debunk.”  Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “best bet” mean? “If consuming fewer pesticides is your goal, then maybe reaching for the GMO might be your best bet.”  Use this idiom in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What were your thoughts on GMOs before and after this video?
  2. Why do you believe GMOs were viewed as dangerous despite the contrary scientific research?
  3. How does lack of information negatively affect people’s views about GMOs?
  4. Do you believe more people would buy GMOs if they were properly informed about them?

Rising Memory Chip Prices to Push Up Tech Costs

B1 — Intermediate 

Gadgets such as mobile phones, laptops, and others are such an essential part of our day-to-day lives. 

Nowadays, the demand for servers in AI data centers has increased very quickly. Because of this, AI systems need to store big amounts of data and process it much faster than regular computers. As a result, catching up with new technology is likely to be more expensive.

Read the article about rising tech products prices.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2606/260629-memory-chip-price-hikes.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is “components crisis”? ”The entire consumer electronics industry is struggling with the current components crisis.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “to be insulated from something” mean here: “However, Apple said its iPhone would be insulated from the price hikes.” Use the expression in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What does “to affect one’s pocket” mean? ”People are now worrying about rising tech prices affecting their pockets.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the impact of the growth of AI on the technology industry?
  2. Do you think AI is worth the higher cost of technology? Explain your answer.
  3. How might higher technology prices affect the consumers and businesses?
  4. If technology becomes more expensive, how will it affect you?
  5. In your opinion, is it better to repair old devices or buy new ones? Explain.

Chatbot Therapy

B1 — Intermediate 

More people are using AI chatbots like ChatGPT and DeepSeek for emotional support. AI can give helpful and personalized responses, especially for people who cannot afford therapy.

However, AI does not truly understand emotions like human therapists do. Even so, it can provide support to people who might not have other options.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about chatbot therapy.

https://newsinlevels.com/products/chatbot-therapy-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “companionship” mean? “These tools provide emotional support and a sense of companionship, particularly for people in remote areas or those who cannot afford traditional therapy.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “mental well-being” mean? “Experts like Ronnie Das say AI can now copy human emotions and provide helpful responses for mental well-being.” Use the term in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  3. What is the meaning of “remote area”? ”These tools provide emotional support and a sense of companionship, particularly for people in remote areas or those who cannot afford traditional therapy.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about using AI chatbots as personal therapists?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using chatbots for therapy?
  3. What is your opinion on this, “AI doesn’t truly understand emotions or care about people like human therapists do.”?
  4. What is your opinion on this, “AI’s role in mental health will continue to grow.”?
  5. If you felt sad or had a problem, would you rather talk to a person or an AI chatbot? Why?

What Happens in Your Brain When You Can’t Recall a Word

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The video explains why people sometimes experience “tip-of-the-tongue” moments, when a word feels just out of reach. It discusses how the brain stores and retrieves language and why certain memories can temporarily become difficult to access, even when we know the information is there.

The video also explores the science behind memory and communication, showing how different areas of the brain work together during word recall. It highlights factors such as stress, aging, and distraction that can interfere with memory while emphasizing that occasional forgetting is a normal part of brain function.

Watch the video and learn more.

Vocabulary Questions:  

  1. What does “tip-of-the-tongue state” mean? “Lots of things seem to influence how likely you are to enter a tip-of-the-tongue state.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
  2. What does “to trip someone up” mean? “Cognitively, recognizing a face and associating it with general information, like someone’s profession, is often easy, while names tend to trip us up.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  3. What does “red herring” mean? “In these situations, the words seem to work as distracting, red herring-like blockers in the retrieval pathway.” Use the phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:  

  1. Have you ever experienced this situation? Describe it.
  2. What strategies can help someone remember a forgotten word?
  3. Can practicing language skills improve word recall? Share your insights.
  4. Do you think technology helps or weakens our abilities to remember words? Share your opinion.

How Reading Changes The Way Your Brain Works

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The video “How reading changes the way your brain works” by BBC World Service explores how reading affects the human brain. Unlike speaking, reading is not a natural ability but a skill the brain has to learn. The video explains how learning to read rewires neural pathways and changes how we process information.

Through research and expert insights, the video shows that reading enhances cognitive functions, improves comprehension, and strengthens connections in the brain. It highlights the unique ways written language shapes our thoughts and mental abilities, demonstrating the powerful impact of reading on daily life.

Watch the video and know more about the news.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “neurotypical brain” mean? “Scientific studies indicate that a neurotypical brain is born with a circuitry that allows our eyes to see and our vocal cords to produce sounds, but it doesn’t innately have the ability to read.” Use the term in a sentence.
  2. What does “logographic writing system” mean? “Research indicates that learning logographic writing systems activates different areas of the brain.” Use the word in a sentence.
  3. What does “brainchild” mean? “The ability to read was once considered humanity’s brainchild, a major cultural invention.” Use the word in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you think learning to read changes the way you think compared to listening or speaking?
  2. The video says reading rewires the brain. Can you give an example from your own life when reading helped you understand something differently?
  3. Why do you think reading is considered a “cultural invention” rather than a natural skill?
  4. How do you feel digital media, like social media or texting, affects your brain compared to reading books?
  5. After watching the video, has your opinion about reading changed? What would you do differently in your reading habits?

Real-Time Translation Could End Need to Learn Languages

B1 – Intermediate 

Apple has launched a new technology that could change the way we learn languages and how we communicate across the world. Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3 earbuds can translate foreign languages real-time while the earbuds are in the user’s ears.

This is expected to change language learning and global communication. It could end the need to learn foreign languages.

Read the article about Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3 earbuds that is capable of instant translation and transcription.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2510/251006-real-time-translation.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “outlay” mean? “Instant translation could deter people from investing the time and financial outlay required to learn another language.” Use the word in a sentence and give a synonym.
  2. What does “seamlessly” mean? “Apple wrote on its website that its AirPods Pro 3 would help people communicate “seamlessly” in other languages.” Use the word in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What does “to get in the way” mean? “For those moments when a language barrier gets in the way, Live Translation can help users communicate across select languages when messaging or speaking.” Use the idiom in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of this gadget’s instant translation feature?
  2. What are the pros and cons of this kind of device?
  3. Would you be more interested to use this earbud rather than to learn a foreign language the traditional way? Why?
  4. Share your thoughts on this: The (instant translation) technology is another example of science fiction becoming science fact.
  5. Talk about other examples of science fiction that have already become reality.