Tag: Science and Technology

New Car Technology

B1 – Intermediate

Technology is amazingly dynamic. It constantly improves each year and there are always new technologies emerging all the time. Some technologies that were just seen in science fiction movies are beginning to come to life.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about different new car technologies.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/new-car-technology-level-3/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “kaleidoscope” mean? Use this word in a sentence.
  2. What does “prototype” mean? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does”simulation” mean? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the focus of Consumer Electronics Show 2023?
  2. What do you think of this new car technology?
  3. Would you like to own a flying car?
  4. What are the pros and cons of a flying car?
  5. In your opinion, what kind of technology will be invented in the future?

Hacking

B1 – Intermediate

Cyber hacking has stolen millions from people worldwide, and not just money but also people’s personal information. Company computers and network systems have crashed because of cyber hacking.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about hacking.

https://listenaminute.com/h/hacking.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “hacking” mean? Elaborate.
  2. What does the word illegal mean? Give 2 synonyms.
  3. What does the word information mean? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you know about hacking?
  2. Why do you think hackers do what they do?
  3. Do you always download security updates to protect your computer from hackers? Why or why not?

E-mail

B1 – Intermediate

Electronic mail has made the communication system so much easier. It is mostly used for sending messages, files, and documents.

In the previous time, people wrote letters to their relatives and friends to keep communication and contact with them, which was a very slow process. But now email has changed the entire scenario. We can get connected with anyone easily.

Let’s listen to the audio below.

https://listenaminute.com/e/e-mail.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does electronic mean? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does spam mean? Give examples.
  3. What does the abbreviation “ASAP“ mean? Give 2 synonyms.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How important is e-mail to you?
  2. What you prefer, writing an e-mail or real letters with a pen and paper? Why?
  3. Do you ever receive spam mail? What do you do with it?
  4. How many different e-mail accounts do you have / need? Why?
  5. What new functions would you like to see with e-mail?
  6. What will replace e-mail in the future?

The Fermi Paradox

B2 – Upper Intermediate

“If life on other planets exist, why haven’t we found any evidence of that? The galaxy is very large, so why haven’t we found any other life?” This question is known as the Fermi Paradox.

The Fermi Paradox is very interesting because each explanation to question has immense value within it.

To find out more, let’s watch this video.

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “paradox” mean?

2. What are “filters” in the context of this lesson?

3. Do you know the meaning of the word, “galaxy”?

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your answer to the Fermi Paradox?

2. Do you think we’d ever discover conclusive evidence of advanced extraterrestrial life? Why or why not?

3. Do you think we could travel to other universes, if so, do you think we could do it alone?

Cyber Crime

B1 – Intermediate

Cyber crime is a criminal act, which is now a worldwide problem committed on the internet using the computer as either a tool or a targeted victim by hacker or cracker.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript below about cyber crimes.

https://listenaminute.com/c/cyber_crime.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you know about hacking?
  2. What could you lose if someone hacked into your computer and how upset would you be?
  3. Do you think large companies fear hackers? Why or why not?
  4. What punishment should a hacker receive?
  5. Do you think your computer is becoming less or more secure? Explain.

Space Travel Changes Astronauts’ DNA

B1 – Intermediate

With the growing interest in both commercial space flights and space exploration, many companies and countries have entered into space industry. This means more astronauts are being sent to space more frequently than in the past. A new study found that astronauts’ DNA have higher level of mutation.

What exactly does this imply?

Let’s read the article and know more about the DNA mutation of astronauts who have traveled to space.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2209/220908-astronauts-dna-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the health risks due to DNA mutation for astronauts?
  2. What are the implications of this new study for commercial space exploration?
  3. What measures should countries and companies have to avoid or minimize such health risks?
  4. Given these major health risks, do you think going to space is still worth it?

Bees Like Playing with Balls

B1 – Intermediate

Bees are small flying insects, buzzing around with its painful stings which always make people afraid and annoyed. They are renowned in facilitating pollination for most plant life. Without bees, there would be a huge decrease in pollination, which later result in reduce in plant growth and food supplies.

Let’s read the article below and learn more about bees.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2211/221103-bees-and-balls-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you know about bees? How do you think bees might play?
  2. What are you thoughts on the results of study?
  3. What do you associate bees with?
  4. Do you like being busy? When are you as busy as a bee?
  5. What are the benefits of bees?
  6. How do you relax after a busy day?

Computers

B1 – Intermediate

A computer is a machine that can store and process data and information. It is one of the best inventions of modern technology nowadays. People from all walks of life use computers to make our jobs easier, and more convenient and effective.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about computers.

https://listenaminute.com/c/computers.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How useful are computers for you?
  2. What do you do with a computer? How did you learn these skills? Which software can you work with?
  3. What would happen if all of the world’s computers suddenly stopped forever?
  4. Do you control computers or do they control you? Explain.
  5. What is the worst thing about computers? Why?

Is Marijuana Bad for Your Brain?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The United States categorized marijuana as a Schedule 1 substance in 1970, which was the harshest classification imaginable and meant that it was fully banned and had no accepted medicinal use. The medicinal advantages of marijuana are now generally recognized, but this does not provide an answer to the question of whether marijuana usage for recreational purposes is harmful to the brain or not.

Watch the video to find out whether marijuana is really bad for your brain.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the view on marijuana in your country?
  2. Should marijuana be made legal? Why or why not?
  3. How would our society change if marijuana was legalized?
  4. Other than marijuana, what are known illegal drugs in your country?
  5. What penalties are imposed if someone is found selling or using illegal drugs?

Are GMOs Good or Bad?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

For centuries, farmers have been selectively breeding animals and plants for better results, this is a form of GMO. Yet this hasn’t faced scrutiny like scientific GMOs, and we ask, “why is that?”.

GMOs or Genetically Modified Organisms have been criticized heavily by the general public due to many reasons, but is this skepticism justified or do GMOs actually help us live a better life?

What are their pros and cons from a scientific point of view?

To find out more, let’s watch this video.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the expression “get to the bottom of something” mean? Use it in your own sentence.
  2. What is “yield“? Use it in your own sentence.
  3. What does “pronounced” mean? Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. From your point of view, are GMOs good or bad? Elaborate on your stand.
  2. Can you think of any other pros and cons of GMOs? Cite all of them.
  3. Do you believe that there is a type of GMO that can help stop climate change? Explain your point.
  4. In your opinion, is there a way to help GMOs have a better reputation? How?
  5. What are some ways that you know GMOs are used?