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Game Console Keeps Chicken Warm

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Fast food restaurant KFC has introduced a gaming console in partnership with Cooler Master. This machine is capable of running games at top-level specifications and features that you can heat your chicken pieces or keep it warm while you play intense gaming sessions.

Let’s read more about this gaming console in this article.

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/12/23/tech/kfc-games-console-chicken-scli-intl/index.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about this device?
  2. Do you think this gaming console is useful to gamers? What could possibly go wrong with using it?
  3. What do you think of the idea of KFC collaborating with Cooler Master? Is this some sort of a clever business gimmick?

Botanists Find World’s Ugliest Orchid

B1 – Intermediate

Flowers are wonderful creations of nature and are used as beautiful arrangements for decorating. There are many kinds of flowers, one of which are orchids. Orchids are well-known for its beauty, fragrance, and their colorful blooms. Ugly orchids are rare but apparently, they exist too.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about this kind of orchid.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2012/201221-orchids-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the consequences for us when plants become extinct?
  2. How can a flower be ugly?
  3. What are your favorite flowers and why?
  4. How sad is it that plants are disappearing? Is this a problem, how so?

Healthcare Clowns Help Patients Laugh and Recover

B1 – Intermediate

As the old saying goes, “Laughter is the best medicine.” Laughing reduces stress, increases energy, and it makes us feel good.

Hospital clowning continues to grow around the world because they help patients focus on something other than their illness.

Let’s read the article below about healthcare clowns.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2012/201217-healthcare-clowns-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of the idea of healthcare clowns? Elaborate.
  2. Do you think “Laughter is the best medicine.“? Why / Why not?
  3. What helps reduce your stress or anxiety when you are or one of your loved ones is sick?
  4. What other things could clowns do to help society?
  5. Do you think clowns are scary? Why / Why not?
  6. How has humor help you pass difficult situations in your life?

Japan to Use Artificial Intelligence to Match Couples

B1 – Intermediate

Can you imagine yourself finding someone to be with in a relationship through the use of an AI software? Well, it is now possible.

Japan has recently started using an AI program to match couples in order to increase their birth rate, which is one of the lowest in the world.

Read the article for more information on AI matchmaking.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2012/201211-ai-matchmaking-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of this AI matchmaking program in Japan?
  2. Will this help the country address its problem on low birth rate?
  3. Do you have the same issue in your country? How has the government addressed this issue so far?
  4. Will your government be willing to spend much money to get men and women matched up using an AI technology?
  5. Would this be an effective tool for an ageing society?
  6. What are the pros and cons of this technology?

Boy’s Dreams Come True

B1 – Intermediate

Messi is one of the biggest football players in the whole world. He is very popular. No wonder many people, including young children idolize him.

Read the transcript and listen to this audio on Messi’s surprise for his 5-year old fan.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/boys-dreams-come-true-level-2

Discussion Questions:

  1. How did you feel hearing this news?
  2. What is your reaction to what Messi did for his young fan?
  3. If you were Messi, would you do the same for a fan?
  4. Do you have an idol? Who is it? What would you like to receive from him/her?
  5. If you could have a conversation with your idol, what would you tell them?

Amazon Germany Strike

B1 – Intermediate

Amazon is probably one of the best companies to work for. However, it looks like for some workers in their German warehouses, this isn’t true. They plan to go on strike for several reasons.

Read the transcript and listen to this audio on German Amazon workers’ plans to go on strike.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/amazon-strike-level-1/

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “strike” mean? “The strike will start on November 25.” Use this word in a sentence. Give 2 synonyms.
  2. What does “market” mean? “Amazon’s biggest market outside the US is Germany. ” Use this word in a sentence. Give 2 synonyms.
  3. What does “warehouse” mean? “Seven German warehouses plan to go on strike.” Use this word in a sentence. Give 2 synonyms.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. What are the reasons Amazon workers want to go on strike?
  3. What is your opinion on the workers going on strike on Black Friday, an important shopping holiday?
  4. Do you like holidays such as Black Friday? Generally, what do you think of them?
  5. Share some experiences (good or bad) you’ve had with Amazon.

Green Flights

B1 – Intermediate

Transport makes up approximately one-fifth of the world’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. More and more companies are thinking to go green in their practices. Lufthansa, a big German airline, is one of them. The company plans to make their flights CO2-neutral.

Read the transcript and listen to this audio about green flights.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/green-flight-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. How did coronavirus impact the oil industry?
  3. Do you think it is a good thing that some companies will use biofuel instead of normal oil?
  4. What is the current problem with biofuels?
  5. Do you think biofuels will be used more and more in the near future? Why or why not?

Good Etiquette for Foreign Students

B1 – Intermediate

Studying abroad is a great opportunity for students. It is an opportunity to widen horizons, expand knowledge, and boost personal and professional lives.

As a foreign student, one must not only follow the rules of the receiving country but also follow good social etiquettes.

Watch this video on good etiquettes for international students.

Good Etiquette

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the points on good etiquette Randall advises to international students?
  2. What are other points can you add to these?
  3. What is a ‘host family’? Why are they important?
  4. Have you lived abroad before? If yes, how did you show respect for the country you were living in?
  5. Do you have any experience studying abroad? If so, share about it. If not, what are the reasons and given a chance, would you do it?

Coronavirus: How Europeans Are Preparing For Christmas and New Year

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We know when Christmas is fast approaching when we start seeing Christmas lights and Christmas trees in public spaces or when we hear the ubiquitous Christmas songs. This is also a season when there is a significant increase in the number of people traveling across borders.

For ten months, the Coronavirus has limited the movement of people. With the virus still in the picture, governments are imposing various measures and restrictions to try and limit social interactions.

Click the link and read the article to find out how Europeans are preparing for the Yuletide season gutted by a pandemic.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-55058362

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can you say about the restrictions imposed by different European countries?
  2. Do you agree with the lifting of travel restrictions temporarily for the holidays?
  3. Do you think ski resorts should be opened for the holidays?
  4. What are your plans for this year’s holidays?
  5. Before the coronavirus pandemic, how did you usually celebrate Christmas?
  6. What things may be different this coming Christmas holidays?

Are Intermittent Workouts the Best Exercise for 2020?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As another year draws to a close, thoughts turn to starting the following year right. We long to forge good habits that will continue into the next twelve months. Among the top resolutions people commonly make is to develop a fitter lifestyle through healthy diet and exercise. With 2020 being an atypical year, fitting in regular workouts proved especially problematic. Perhaps intermittent workouts are the answer. Read the article below to learn more about this trend.

Intermittent Workouts Might Be The Best Exercise for 2020

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to the article, what is an intermittent workout? What are its benefits?
  2. Do you think intermittent workouts could be good substitutes for “regular” workouts when the pandemic ends?
  3. What are your own strategies for reminding yourself to get enough exercise?