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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.

Slow Travel

B1 – Intermediate

Traveling on vacation is absolutely enjoyable but it can also make us feel very tired from doing so many activities. Sometimes, after a holiday, when we return home, we feel like we need more days off to rest.

There is another way to enjoy your holiday so you don’t end up so exhausted after a vacation. It is to go on a “slow travel”.

Read the lesson and find out more about slow travels.

Many people travel to foreign countries for vacation. They spend two weeks in Italy, France, or another place. They see many museums, festivals, and important places. The vacation is interesting but very tiring. In fact, people need a vacation when they get home!

These days, more people try slow travel. “Slow travel” means people rent a house or apartment in one place for a long time, such as two weeks or one month. They go for walks nearby and meet locals. They visit the same cafes and restaurants every day. They go shopping for food and cook it at home too. In other words, slow travel means visitors live their lives in a home away from home.

More people prefer slow travel because it’s relaxing but interesting. Every place has so much to discover!

Source: headsupenglish.com

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you like traveling? What do you usually like doing and where do you like going?
  2. What do you think about slow travel? Would you like to try it? Why or why not?
  3. Where do you want to go for your next vacation?
  4. What is your best travel? Talk about it.
  5. Describe your dream travel.

Heaviest Sumo Wrestler Gives Diet Advice

B1 – Intermediate

Health is important to each and everyone of us. Everyone needs to be healthy and not only physically but also mentally and psychologically. The health of any given individual will determine how he or she functions.

Let’s read the article below and learn more about the world’s heaviest ever sumo wrestler’s health advice to other wrestlers.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2006/200628-sumo-wrestler-0.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of sumo wrestlers? What do you know about them or their sport?
  2. How much do you worry about your height and weight?
  3. How big is your appetite? How difficult is it for you to avoid snacks?
  4. What do you do to stay healthy?

Arctic Circle Highest-Ever Temperatures

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We have been seeing different signs of global warming all over the world. There is a new one and it is in the Arctic Circle.

Read the article about rising temperatures in the Arctic Circle from the link below.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2006/200626-arctic-circle.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction that the heatwave in the Arctic Circle is much higher than usual? 
  2. What are the possible effects of this rise in temperature?
  3. Why should we be worried about rising temperatures?
  4. Talk about the changes in temperatures in your country over the past few years?
  5. What is your opinion on this statement “This [ rising temperature ] is a warning message from the Earth itself”?

Cleaner Future

B1 – Intermediate

Yes, the pandemic might have put us in a very bad situation. However, there are some good results from it, too. One of which is that this global crisis has given us a chance to see what we are doing wrong to the environment. Hopefully, this period gives us a chance to change things.

Read the transcript and listen to the audio about cleaner future from the link below.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/cleaner-future-level-1/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What effects did the pandemic have on the environment of your country?
  2. Do you agree or disagree that something about how we use nature must change? 
  3. Do you agree or disagree that it is important to use cleaner energy for a better future?
  4. How is the environment protected in your country?
  5. How do you help in taking care of the environment?

Air Bridges Allows More People to Travel

B1 – Intermediate

With the pandemic greatly affecting most countries’ economy, governments are finding ways to restart the economic activities again. 

One way is by having air bridges. Another word for it is “travel bubble”. Find out more about air bridges or travel bubbles by reading the article below.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2006/200624-air-bridges-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to this article, what is an air bridge? What is the old meaning of it?
  2. What is your opinion about air bridges?
  3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having travel bubbles?
  4. Do you agree that opening the economy to people from other countries will be advantageous?
  5. How has the pandemic affect the economy of your country? How is your country recovering from the crisis?

Dear Sir or Hey, Folks?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Email is used in many different settings and it is widely used in the workplace as the formal tool of communication among people within the business. It is important to know how the recipient understood your message and just as important is the impression you leave on them especially if it is the first correspondence with them.

Read the article on whether to open emails with Dear, Hi, or Hey.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/lower-intermediate/unit-1/session-4/activity-2

Discussion Questions:

  1. How often do you use email in the workplace?
  2. How do usually start your work emails? What salutations do you use?
  3. According to the article, what are the preferences for email salutations?
  4. Do you agree with Giselle Barry on her opinion on using ‘Dear’ to start the work email?
  5. Share some interesting email correspondences you’ve had at and for work.