Tag: Science and Technology

B1 – Intermediate

The intersection of technology and personal rights has now become an issue with artificial intelligence. A recent controversy involving Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson and OpenAI is an example.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the problem actress Scarlett Johansson had with the company OpenAI.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/scarlett-johansson-and-openai-chatbot-level-2/

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “a lot like” mean in this sentence, “Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson felt shocked and angry whenOpenAI used a voice in their chatbot which sounded a lot like hers.” Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “come out” mean? “Before the new chatbot model came out last week, Johansson said no to OpenAI’s offer to voice the new chatbot. But many people noticed that the Sky voice was similar to Johansson’s voice in the 2013 film Her.” Use it in a sentence.
3. What does “inspiration” mean in this context, “She was upset that OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, used the word ‘her’ on social media, making it seem like she was the inspiration.“? Use it in a sentence in the same context.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is the problem between Scarlett Johansson and OpenAI?
2. What is your opinion about this issue?
3. How can people’s rights be protected from AI?
4. ‘OpenAI said that they would remove the voice and that they didn’t mean to copy Johansson.’ Do you think it is enough action from OpenAI? Explain.
5. Should Johansson continue with legal actions against OpenAI? Why or why not?

B1 – Intermediate

A space elevator is an idea for a structure designed to transport material from Earth into space. This concept involves a tall tower reaching from the surface into space, with a counterweight at the top and a cable extending down to the surface.

The idea of a space elevator has captured the imagination of scientists and engineers for decades, offering a potential solution for more cost-effective and efficient access to space.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about space elevators.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/space-elevator-level-2/

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “lift off” mean? “They need a lot of fuel to lift off. It costs millions of dollars to get to the Moon or Mars.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use the phrase verb ‘lift off’ in your own sentence.
2. What does “orbit” mean? “This material is stronger than any other material, but even if it was possible to build the elevator, small objects which orbit the Earth would probably damage it.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use the verb ‘orbit’ in your own sentence.
3. Explain what a “nanotube” is. “Experts came up with the idea of using carbon nanotubes.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of a space elevator?
2. Why is building a space elevator difficult?
3. How might a space elevator change the dynamics of space exploration and commercialization? Explain.
4. How could a space elevator change the way we think about space travel and human presence in space? Elaborate.

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?

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?

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.

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?

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 16^th 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?