Tag: Science and Technology

Night Vision

B1 – Intermediate

Scientists have given mice the ability to see in the dark. Cells found in mice’s retinas are also found in humans. Researchers hope that one day humans may be able to see in the dark.

Let’s read the article to know how these rodents were able to see better in the dark.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1903/190306-night-vision.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What did scientists inject into the mice’s eyes?
2. How long did the effects of injections last?
3. What do you think of this research?
4. Would you like to be able to see in the dark? Why or why not?
5. What is your opinion on technologies like this that give humans abilities that are beyond what’s normal?

Throw in the Towel

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When things don’t turn out the way you wanted them to be despite your hard work and determination, quitting is probably something you would consider to do next. For some, quitting is not in their vocabulary. Is it really that bad to just give up? Are some dreams just aren’t worth chasing?

Read this lesson about the expression “throw in the towel”.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/the-english-we-speak/ep-181119

Discussion Questions:

1. What does “throw in the towel” mean?

2. When is it right to give up? Do you think twice before doing so?

3. What do you do when you feel like giving up?

4. Share your own experience wherein you had to throw in the towel.

How Do Vampire Bats Survive on Blood?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Have you ever wondered how vampire bats live? Scientists have recently discovered how these “flying mice” can survive on a blood-only diet.

Watch the video to find out more about these creatures and also learn some vocabulary associated with their “bloody” lifestyle.

Discussion Questions:

1. According to the video, how do vampire bats live only on blood?

2. What comes to mind when you hear the words “vampire”, “bats” and “blood”?

3. Do you know of any vampire legends/folk stories from your country? Tell us about them.

Cryogenic Freezing

C1 – Advanced

Cryogenic freezing is a technique used to store a person’s body at an extremely low temperature with the hope of one day reviving it. If someone has died from a disease or condition that is currently incurable, they can be “frozen” and then revived in the future when a cure has been discovered. This technique is already being performed today, but the technology behind it is still in its infancy.

The idea of preserving a person’s body at very low temperatures in the hope that it will be restored by future medical technology has been a staple of science fiction. But could cryonics be a genuine way of being brought back to life years into the future?

Watch the video and be able to answer the questions that follow:

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the video, how is the cryonic process performed?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of cryogenic freezing?
  3. How do you feel about cryogenic freezing?
  4. Would you undergo such process in the hope of finding a cure to your incurable disease?

Designer Babies

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A designer baby is one whose genetic makeup has been selected in order to get a particular trait or remove a particular defect in the baby’s gene. It has become an increasingly popular procedure since it helps couples with infertility-related issues. The practice pre-selects before implantation. This procedure allows couples to screen viable embryos for various genetic traits, such as potential diseases the embryo could have and other traits that the embryo would likely attain before implanting them into the mother’s womb.

Since this has been created, it has caused uproar throughout the scientific community as to whether it is an ethical procedure or not. There are many questions that have been brought up, but these are very difficult to answer. Should there be designers babies?

Watch the video and be ready to answer the questions that follow:

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of Designer Babies?
  2. What are the benefits and drawbacks of pre-implantation genetic screening?
  3. Would you be willing to undergo this procedure? Why or why not?

Is This the Safest Place in the World?

C1 – Advanced

Climate change is a hotly debated topic in many nations across the world. For some, the impact of this phenomenon is something to be seriously dealt with. This is why a group of concerned individuals built a special vault in order to prepare for climate change and it’s consequences.

Watch the video below to find out more.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is this special vault for? Describe what it looks like.
  2. Do you think that this vault is necessary? Why or why not?
  3. Can you think of other extreme measures that people are trying to do in order to battle climate change?

Amazon Alexa to Reward Kids

B1 – Intermediate

Where have all the manners gone? Rudeness is prevalent, while nobody seems to care and it seems that technology is behind it.

Amazon is changing this view by creating a version of Alexa that is helping children to be polite.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1804/180428-saying-please-2.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. In your opinion, does technology teach children to be rude? Can devices or apps teach kids to be polite?
  2. How important is it for children to learn to be polite?
  3. What’s the best way to teach children manners?
  4. Are people in your society becoming ruder or more polite?
  5. What rude behaviour do you see in public every day?

Who was John Titor?

B2 – Upper Intemediate

What would be your reaction if you talked to a person who claimed that he had time traveled and lived in 2036? Scientists attest to the possibility of time traveling, though there is no official announcement of an existence or creation of a time machine.

Find out more about John Titor’s story of taking a leap into the future.

WHO WAS JOHN TITOR?

Discussion questions:
1. What do you think of Titor’s claim of time traveling?

2. Why do you think he said that his goal was not to be believed? If you could meet Titor, what are the things that you would like to know about his experience?

3. Would you try time-traveling? At what point in the past would you like to go back to? How do you visualize the future would be like?

How Does Caffeine Keep Us Awake?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Each year, around a hundred thousand metric tons of caffeine are consumed around the world. That’s as heavy as 14 Eiffel Towers! A lot of people consume caffeine because it helps them feel alert, focused, and energetic, even if they are actually lacking sleep.

Discover how caffeine works and what happens when we withdraw from it. Watch the video below.

Discussion Questions:

1. Aside from coffee, what are the other sources of caffeine?

2. What are the side effects of caffeine?

3. Do you believe that caffeine can really help a person to stay awake? Explain your answer.

4. How would you describe Adenosine’s relationship with caffeine?

5. What symptoms do people usually experience upon quitting caffeine?

Banning Smartphones for Children Under 13

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© User: 3dman_eu / pixabay / CC0

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Kids born in the late 1990s and early 2000s are born in the digital age. Some kids as young as 2 years old already knows how to turn on a phone and use some apps. Young children learn how to use devices or gadgets such as mobile phones very easily these days but is it beneficial for them to start using cell phones at a young age?

Let us read the article below first and then answer the questions that follow.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/colorado-moves-to-ban-smartphones-for-children-under-13/3906933.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think about the proposal?
2. Why do you think the proposal only targets phones with internet access?
3. What “mental effects” might constant smartphone use have on children?
4. Would you agree that a child’s smartphone usage is a “family matter?” Why? Why not?
5. Do you agree that children under the age of 6 should only watch an hour of videos a day? Why? Why not?
6. Do you think that the children of today will be completely dependent on digital devices by the time they grow up? Why? Why not?