Tag: science

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.

Gene Editing for Cancer

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Cancer is undoubtedly one of the worst diseases one can ever be so unfortunate to contract.

In the US, doctors have started using gene editing to help cancer patients with their bouts with this dreadful disease.

Listen to the podcast and find out more about gene editing and how it can help fight cancer.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/doctors-report-first-us-tests-of-gene-editing-for-cancer/5158217.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on this breakthrough?
  2. What other ways to treat cancer do you know of?
  3. How prevalent do you think the incidence of cancer is in your country?
  4. Why do you think more and more people contract cancer?
  5. What might be the reasons we haven’t discovered an effective treatment for cancer?

The Mysterious Science of Pain

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Every painful sensation is coming from our brains and there is no pain without the brain. Does that mean can we think the pain away? Just how much power does the mind have over pain?

These are the biological and psychological factors that influence how we experience pain and how our nervous system reacts to harmful stimuli.

Watch the video to know more:

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you deal with pain?

2. What unbearable physical pain have you experienced?

3. Do you try not to focus and try to just keep trying various things to numb the pain?

4. What pain management techniques do you know of?

5. Have you consulted a pain specialist before?

Effects of Growing a Beard

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Beards are in.  Beards have fascinating history that evolved into something more socially acceptable.

Find out about the scientific effects when men grow a beard.

Discussion Questions:
1. What are the 7 scientific effects that happen when a man grows a beard?
2. Is growing a beard good or bad?
3. How is growing a beard viewed in your country? In workplaces?
4. Do you agree that men with beards are generally regarded as more masculine, dominant, and socially mature?

Three-Parent Baby

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The joy of having a child is immeasurable and it is what most couples look forward to. However, there are situations when couples could not possibly have a normal and healthy offspring due to the genetic disorder of one of the would-be parents. Science has found the answer, but are parents willing to replace their genes with another person’s to conceive a healthy child?

Let’s learn more about the three-parent baby.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-150402

Discussion Questions:

1. How does the three-parent baby work?

2. Why is there a need for a three-parent baby technique?

3. What is your stand on this issue? Do you think it is morally acceptable to undergo this process?