Tag: Science and Technology

Lickable TV Screen

B1 – Intermediate

Has this ever happened to you? You were watching TV and you saw a very delicious dish/food on the screen and you wished you could taste it?

Japanese professor Homei Miyashita has invented a TV screen that can imitate food flavors. Images you can taste indeed!

Read the lesson about lickable TV screen below and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2112/211230-lickable-tv-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about this invention?
  2. How helpful is this technology?
  3. What other technologies would you like to see in televisions?
  4. How important is TV to you?

China’s Artificial Sun

B1 – Intermediate

Nowadays, scientists want to develop sources of clean energy. China has a project that aims to do this through nuclear fusion. They tested it recently and set a new record. With this success, advances in this technology could help our planet be cleaner and greener.

Read this article to learn about China’s hottest scientific development.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2201/220106-artificial-sun-1.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What could be the uses of this artificial sun?
2. Who do you think would benefit from using this kind of energy?
3. Do you think this source of energy is safe? Explain.
4. Do you know of other countries that are developing nuclear fusion? Do you think all countries should aim to develop this kind of energy? Why?
5. What are some good sources of clean energy?
6. When would be the right time to shift from fossil fuels to other sources of energy?

Drones Save People

B1 – Intermediate

Lifeguards are people who help people who have problems while swimming in the water on a pool or on the beach. They have a lot of training so they can do their jobs rescuing people very well.

In Australia, lifeguards started using drones to help them save people who are drowning.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about how drones were used in saving two young boys.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/drone-saves-two-boys-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about using drones to rescue people? What are its advantages and disadvantages?
  2. Do you have a drone? Why or why not? Talk about your experience/s with drones.
  3. In what other situations can drones be useful?
  4. How do you make sure that you are safe when swimming?
  5. Have you ever been in a dangerous situation? Who helped you?

Same Charger for All Devices

B1 – Intermediate

These days, everyone is very dependent on gadgets like smartphones, tablets, cameras, etc. You normally need a different charger for every different device. 

The European Union wants to pass a law so charger ports will be the same for all our devices. This law is also an attempt at reducing electronic wastes.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the new EU law for universal charger for all devices.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/the-same-charger-for-all-smartphones-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on this new EU law?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having the same charger for all your gadgets?
  3. What other things can we do to reduce e-waste?
  4. Apple strongly opposes this law saying it is a restrain on innovation. Do you agree or disagree with Apple on this? Why?
  5. Among all your gadgets, which one is your favorite and why?

Scientists to Bring Back Mammoths

B1 – Intermediate

Woolly mammoths are big and hairy animals that look like elephants and haven’t roamed the Earth for thousands of years. Scientists have wondered if these mammoths can be cloned.

Let’s read the article below to know more about Woolly mammoths.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2109/210916-woolly-mammoths-0.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think bringing the woolly mammoth back is a good idea? Why or why not?
  2. What are the dangers of reviving the woolly mammoth?
  3. What do you think of the idea of de-extinction?
  4. How might this research improve our lives?
  5. If you were Ben Lamm, would you invest a lot of money on this kind of research? Why or why not?

Scientists Warn of More Extreme Hot Weather

B1 – Intermediate

We all expect it to be warm in the summer. Climate scientists have warned that hot days are getting hotter and more frequent.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about it.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2107/210709-extreme-heat-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Has the weather in your country changed in any way? How?
  2. What will happen if the Arctic warms up?
  3. What do you think are the dangers of extreme heat?
  4. What is the best way to survive extreme heat?
  5. Would you rather experience extreme heat or cold? Why?

Biodegradable Plastic

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Sad to say but humans have been continuously contributing to the environment’s degradation. For one, our excessive use of plastic materials pollute the earth so much. It might be high time to reconsider our actions and pay more attention to this environmental issue and start finding ways to resolve this problem before it’s too late.

Find out more about the new technology that could make plastic material compostable and degradable.

A new technique could make some plastic trash compostable at home

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the new technique that could make biodegradable plastic decompose? What do you think of this new technique?
  2. Why is this breakthrough important? 
  3. What are other ways to resolve our problem with plastic wastes?
  4. Do you practice composting? Why or why not?
  5. How much plastic do you think you consume? How can you reduce your plastic use?

Dogs Help Stop the Coronavirus

B1 – Intermediate

Detection dogs are already common at airports and some other public places. As dogs have remarkable sense of smell, they are the ones that sniff out drugs, weapons, or explosives. Nowadays, there are dogs trained to detect Covid-19 by sniffing human sweat.

Read the article to know more dogs that could detect Coronavirus on humans and be able to answer the questions that follow:

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/dogs-help-stop-the-coronavirus-level-2/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of specially trained dogs taught to detect infections and diseases, like cancer, malaria, etc.?
  2. Do you think detection dogs are reliable in detecting COVID-19? Why or why not?
  3. What are the pros and cons of using dogs to prescreen people for Covid-19 in airports, train stations, or other public places?

Brain Implant Lets Man Write Using Thoughts

B1 – Intermediate

Despite the advancement of technology, our society still does not have disability inclusion. Policies to include disabled people are still not enough. A lot of them still have a hard time finding permanent jobs.

However, recent technological advancements could help change this. Scientists from Stanford University have implanted sensors inside a paralyzed man’s brain. Such sensors let his mind to write. The success of this research could be a game-changer for a lot of paralyzed people out there.

Click the link and read the article to know more about this brain implant.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2105/210516-brain-implants-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What did the scientists do to the patient that allowed him to write his thoughts?
  2. How important is the ability to communicate by text?
  3. What do you think of this medical advancement?
  4. What could be the possible implications if this project becomes successful?
  5. Do you agree that our society needs to be more disability inclusive? Why or why not?

Smart Gym

B1 – Intermediate

More and more people wants to stay healthy. Exercising is one sure way of achieving this goal. So more people have been going to the gym now, more than ever. 

However, because of the Coronavirus pandemic, people had to stay in their homes. This is when smart gyms became popular. And it might be here to stay.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about smart gyms.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/smart-gym-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of smart gyms? 
  2. Would you like to use one? Why or why not? If you are already using one, share your experience.
  3. What are the good and bad things about smart gym?
  4. What are the gyms like in your city/country?
  5. Which do you think will be more popular in the future, physical or smart gyms? Explain your choice.