Tag: Text

Man Spent Five Years Too Long in Prison

B1 – Intermediate

A huge mistake caused a man to spend longer in prison than his supposed sentence. Instead of being released in 2015, Sio Agafili ended up being imprisoned for another five years.

The mistake was spotted and Sio Agafili is now free and fighting for his rights after suffering from this injustice.

Read about this news and find out more about this wrongful jail sentence in Samoa. 

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2007/200710-jail-sentence-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion on this error?
  2. What should be the compensation for people who suffer this kind of injustice?
  3. How would you feel if you were Agafili and you were imprisoned unlawfully?
  4. Has anything like this happened in Spain? What happened to person who experienced it and what happened after the mistake was discovered?
  5. What do you think of when you hear the word “prison”?

Twitter Employees Can Work at Home Forever

B1 – Intermediate

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey emailed all his employees that most of them can continue working from home for as long as they want.

A Twitter spokesperson said, “Opening offices will be our decision. When and if our employees come back, will be theirs.” Even after the coronavirus pandemic, the employees can still have the freedom to choose where they want to work.

Twitter is an online company so almost all of the employees can just converse on chats and video calls. The past few months have proven that working online is possible.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about Twitter’s decision to let their employees work at their homes forever.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2005/200515-working-at-home-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What was your reaction towards Twitter letting their employees work from home forever?
  2. Do you think that this set up of working from home can still be productive for workers and the company?
  3. What are the advantages of working form home for the employees and the company?
  4. What are the disadvantages of working form home for the employees and the company?
  5. Given a chance, would you want to work from home for the rest of your life? Why?

Black Lives Matter Protests Take Place Worldwide

B1 – Intermediate

The Black Lives Matter protests started again when someone took a video of a police kneeling on George Floyd’s neck that later on, caused his death. The video went viral all around the world reigniting the BLM movement.

People protested on the streets and even on the social media. BLM is now an organized movement in the USA. It advocates for non-violent civil disobedience against African-American people.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2006/200608-black-lives-matter-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the story behind the protests lead by the Black Lives Matter Movement?
  2. What is the purpose of this protest? Do you think it could make a difference?
  3. Were there such protests in your country? How did they go? Would you like to take part in this protest?
  4. How were people of color treated in the USA before? Is there any difference now?
  5. What are some ways to help support advocacies for justice and equality for all?

Growing Roses

B2- Upper Intermediate

Roses are beautiful and fragrant flowers but some people often think they are hard to grow. Most of these rose plants come from Asia and also seen in some parts of Africa, Europe, and the United States.

Let us read few suggestions on how to start growing beautiful roses.

https://www.esolcourses.com/content/reading/intermediate/graded-readers/growing-roses.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you like roses? What are some kinds of flowers and plants do you like?
  2. Do you enjoy growing flowers or other type of plants?
  3. What do you know about planting or gardening?
  4. When is the best time to plant roses?
  5. How do flowers make you feel?

Guide Dogs for the Blind

B2 – Upper Intermediate

For someone who is blind or partially sighted, guide dogs help them move around safely. Because a person’s safety may depend on their dog’s alertness and concentration, not all dogs can be a guide dog.

Let’s read the article about the responsibilities of guide dogs to their owners.

https://www.esolcourses.com/content/reading/intermediate/graded-readers/guide-dogs.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of guide dogs?
  2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having guide dogs?
  3. What are the types of things that guide dogs assist their owners with?
  4. Would you be willing to get a guide dog for someone who is blind or partially sighted?
  5. What other things do you know about service animals?

Huge Financial Rescue Package for UK Arts

B1 – Intermediate

Art is a form of human expression. It is a way not only for everyday people but also artists to show their feelings and true passions. People can be affected in many, different ways through art.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about how the UK has helped support the country’s arts industry post-quarantine and amidst the pandemic.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2007/200708-the%20arts-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What images are in your mind when you hear the word ‘arts’?
  2. What parts of the UK’s culture do you like and know of?
  3. How has corona virus affected the arts in your country?
  4. What do you think of museums? What is your favorite museum and why?
  5. How important is heritage and culture?
  6. What is the “beating heart” of your country?

Things Selling Out This Summer

After months of quarantine, things would change this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Many people have now adapted to the “new normal” and families are looking for alternative solutions to enjoy this summer season.

More and more people are opting to enjoy their time in comfort of their own backyards or to take up outdoor recreation.

This gave rise to the popularity of inflatable pools, bicycles, and roller skates. It might be difficult to find and buy these items now. The same way hand sanitizers and toilet papers were sold out at the beginning of the quarantine.

Read this article and be able to answer the questions that follow:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/reviewedcom/2020/07/07/10-things-selling-out-everywhere-summer-pools-floats-bikes-and-more/53v88942002/

Discussion Questions:

  1. During this pandemic, what are some of the recreational items/toys/products that are selling out nowadays in your country?
  2. What have you bought recently that you think is useful? What about something that is recreational? Explain why.
  3. Do you agree with the things that are mentioned in the article?
  4. What new recreational activities have you started doing during and after the pandemic?
  5. How did you cope with living the “new normal”?

Ice Cream Business

B1 – Intermediate

Nestlé is one of the biggest food companies in the world. One of their products is ice cream. However, it has not been successful in the US so they decided to sell the business to another company.

Read the transcript and listen to the audio about Nestlé’s ice cream business from the link below.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/ice-cream-business-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you know about the companies Nestlé and Froneri?
  2. Are you a fan of ice cream? What is/are your favorite flavor/s?
  3. How popular is ice cream in your country? What are other popular desserts there?
  4. Is the ice cream business doing well in your country? Why or why not?
  5. What is your opinion on Nestle’s decision to sell their ice cream business to another company?

Japan Begins Commercial Whaling

B1 – Intermediate

Whaling has been part of the Japanese culture for hundreds of years. However, in 1986, it was banned. After more than 30 years of being illegal, commercial whaling is allowed again in this country. Many people are not happy about the return of whaling.

Read about this news and find out more about commercial whaling in Japan.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1907/190706-commercial-whaling-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is  on whaling?
  2. What is your reaction to the return of whaling in Japan?
  3. Tell us about another activity that involve killing of animals in your country. What do you think of it?
  4. Have you ever tried whale meat? If yes, what can you say about it? If not yet, would you like to try it? Why or why not?
  5. What is the most exotic meat you have ever tried?

Car Rental Hertz Files for Bankruptcy

B1 – Intermediate

When traveling around other places, sometimes, you need to rent a car so you can get around more conveniently.

Hertz is a car rental company. It is one of the world’s biggest. However, it recently filed for bankruptcy.

Read the lesson and get more information about this car rental company going bankrupt.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2005/200525-bankruptcy-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Are you familiar with Hertz? What do you know about this company?
  2. Why is Hertz filing for bankruptcy?
  3. What is your reaction to this news?
  4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of renting a car?
  5. Have you got any experience renting a car? Share it with us.