Tag: science

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?

Sea Slugs Regenerate Bodies After Decapitation

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Some animals have the ability to regrow body parts that have been cut off. In a new study, it reveals an amazing discovery of regeneration where Japanese sea slugs can regrow hearts and whole new bodies after their heads have been cut off.

Read more about the Japanese sea slugs regeneration.

https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/heads-sea-slugs-grow-new-bodies-decapitation-rcna366

Discussion Questions:

  1. Explain the significance of this scientific breakthrough. What are your thoughts on this discovery?
  2. What did you know about sea slugs before reading this article? What have you learned about them so far?
  3. Is it possible to discover the technology to regrow (human) body parts? Why or why not? Discuss. 
  4. If it ever were developed, how would the technology to regrow human body parts impact our lives?
  5. Sea slugs developed the ability to regenerate their body parts to fight off parasites. What do you think about this?

Cure for Baldness

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Hair is considered as a person’s crowning glory. Some even spend loads of money in the salon for it. However, millions of people around the world are balding or losing their hair. There are different ways to hide bald spots, but the closest one you could get to natural hair would cost you a hefty amount of money.

Scientists are now developing a way to cure baldness that could replicate natural hair growth.

Click the link and read the article to learn more about this up-and-coming baldness cure.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1907/190702-baldness-cure.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about this recent breakthrough baldness cure?
  2. Why do you think hair is considered as a person’s “crowning glory”?
  3. How important is hair to you? Would you consider spending $50,000 for a hair implant?
  4. How often do you go to the salon/barbershop to pamper your hair?

Experimental Brain Implants in Monkeys Offer Hope for Restoring Vision in Blind People

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When we try to close our eyes and see nothing, what are the things that comes to your mind? Do you like the feeling of not being able to see a variety of colors and nothing but darkness?

This is how we picture the life of a blind being. Isn’t it hard? Yes, of course! However, after a series of experiments conducted with monkeys, scientists are a step closer to restoring one’s vision through brain implants. This technology, if developed fully, is a breakthrough that will give those who are wishing to restore their eyesight some hope.

Kindly read the article below to further understand this futuristic technology that could uplift many people and their hopes of seeing light and colors.

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/12/03/europe/brain-implant-blind-intl-scli-scn/index.html?utm_medium=social&utm_content=2020-12-03T20%3A59%3A03&utm

Discussion Questions:

  1. How did the scientists come up with this idea?
  2. Did you ever wonder how it feels to be visually-impaired?
  3. What are the potentials of this technology?
  4. Do you think this technology will be a breakthrough for the hopefuls?
  5. How could it change the life of someone who wants to be able to see?

Cuckoo Completes Epic Migration

B1 – Intermediate

Cuckoo birds are birds that are popular for their parenting skills. They have a habit of laying their eggs in the nests of other species and letting other birds raise their babies for them. Several weeks later, young cuckoos are ready to migrate and fly to Africa and find their real parents.

Read the article below and learn more about Cuckoo birds.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2005/200529-cuckoo-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you know about Cuckoo birds?
  2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word ‘cuckoo’?
  3. What do you think of migration? Where would you migrate to if you could?
  4. Where would you go if you traveled to 16 countries?
  5. What is your favorite bird and why?

The Bermuda Triangle: Where Facts Disappear

B2 – Upper Intermediate

There are some mysteries that happened in the past. The absence of answers made these enigmas hold people’s attention more. One of these conundrums is about the Devil’s Triangle or popularly known as the Bermuda Triangle.

Let’s catch the drift on some of the information and explanation about this intriguing mystery. Watch the video and read the write up.

https://www.livescience.com/23435-bermuda-triangle.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you heard about the Bermuda Triangle?
  2. What are the rumors that you’ve heard about this place? What was your reaction about it?
  3. Do you think it really exist? What is your opinion about this mystery?
  4. Do you agree that there are some paranormal things that are happening in this world?
  5. Why do you think the Bermuda Triangle is a place where facts disappear?

How Venus Fly Traps Developed a Liking for Meat

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The Venus flytrap is a carnivorous plant that depends on meals of insects for them to survive in the soil where they are ingrained. They are very unique because of how they attract prey to draw closer and eventually get trapped as meals for these kind of plants. They are known to be plants with medicinal attributes as well. They were found out to be cure for stomach pain and eye troubles.

Read the article below and learn more about Venus Fly Traps.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2005/200517-venus-fly-trap.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you know about Venus fly traps?
  2. What do you think of carnivorous plants?
  3. Do you think carnivorous plants are useful?
  4. What are your favorite plants?
  5. What are other strange plants you know of?

The Most Dangerous Place in Earth’s History: Sahara Desert

B2 -Upper Intermediate

A team of scientists believe that an area of the Sahara desert in Morocco must be the most dangerous place on Earth. It was the home of terrifying array of ferocious predators. The report said that it was most uninhabitable place in Africa’s Age of Dinosaurs.

Let’s read the article and be ready to share your thoughts.

https://www.sciencealert.com/palaeontologists-say-ancient-sahara-was-most-dangerous-place-in-earth-s-history

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why is the Kem-Kem Group the most dangerous place in Earth’s history?
  2. What is your opinion about the article?
  3. What are some things scientists can learn from studying fossils?
  4. If you had to pick just one place as the most hostile or dangerous place of all on the entire planet, what would it be and why?
  5. How dangerous do you think the world is today? Support your answer with examples.

The Real Reason Conspiracy Theories Work

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Conspiracy theories are defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary as a theory that explains an event or set of circumstances by usually powerful conspirators in which existed for about a hundred of years and it continues to flourish until the present time and with the power of the internet, it has quickly accelerated and grown its power. However, is it social media sites’ responsibility to make sure that the videos they promote more likely meet the standard of truth? Or is it our sole responsibility as viewers to verify the accuracy of a certain claim?

Watch the video below that explains why humans fall for conspiracy theories.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you believe that conspiracy theories are dangerous?
  2. Have you seen any conspiracy theories featured on TV or YouTube?
  3. How do you know if the video is factual or fabricated?
  4. Why do you think it is becoming popular on social media?
  5. Do you think conspiracy theories are just interesting and fun or do you think it could present serious consequences?
  6. Talk about a conspiracy theory that you believe in.

Scientists Start Search for Extra-Terrestrial Life

B1 – Intermediate

E.T. stands for Extra-Terrestrial. Back in the 80s, a film became very famous. It is a story of an alien who was left behind on Earth, found by a little human boy and the two eventually become the best of friends.

More than three decades later, scientists have started working on finding more signs of alien life. 

Read the article below to know why scientists are interested to know more about the possibility of life in space.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2002/200217-extraterrestrial-life-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on the fact that scientists are spending time and money on this subject?
  2. What are your thoughts on E.T?
  3. What pieces of evidence that aliens exist do you know of?
  4. What would you do if you found out aliens really exist?
  5. Talk about films about aliens you know about or have watched.