TV advertisements have very big impact on people. The are able to persuade their audience to buy certain products. The catchier the ad, the more it will be remembered.
One specific Chinese advert made an impact on a lot of people. Specifically because it hit a nerve and was branded a racist.
1. What did you think of the advertisement? Do you think it was funny at all? 2. Do you think that the advertsing agnecy failed to be sensitive or were they just being funny? 3. Do you agree that there is a bit of a racist in each one of us?
Do you often find yourself in the middle of so many things that are not really necessary in your life? Do you think you could live a simpler and de-cluttered life?
Listen to the podcast about a world that revolves around material possessions.
1. Kindly explain the three buckets system. 2. Do you believe we could all live better with less? 3. In your opinion, how much stuff is too much? 4. Do you buy labelled goods? 5. Talk about something that you fondly collect. 6. What thing do you own that has great sentimental value? Why?
The Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) is very displeased by the series of English words being used in Spanish. This drove them to launch a campaign to fight against the so-called “English invasion”.
But what exactly are some anglicised words that you’d typical hear in daily conversations in Spain? Read the article below then express your thoughts.
1. Are you familiar with these 10 words? Which words have you used? 2. Do you have a favourite Spanglish word? 3. Can you think of any more examples of anglicized slang? 4. What is your opinion about making English words part of the Spanish language? Should it really be stopped or not? 5. Have you seen the ads published by RAE? What do you make of them?
Death is unwelcome but inevitable. On the other hand, immortality sounds impossible. We have never heard of someone who lived forever no matter how man worked and toiled to curtail death.
Now, with this scientific discovery, will man ever surpass the age of 969, the longest life ever recorded in humanity?
Read the article below about the immortality gene.
Business people should always look for other ways to make money. A Russian company decided to take another path to continue earning rather than giving up and closing shop because of Western sanctions.
Read the article below then express your thoughts about it.
1. What do you think of Kalashnikov branching out into fashion? 2. What do you think of gun companies? 3. Do you think Kalashnikov will be successful in their fashion business? 4. How would you explain the word “patriotism”? Would you consider yourself patriotic?
Medicines are supposed to make us feel better and cure any illness a person might have. But sometimes, these medicines may also cause more harm than good.
Read the article below to find out more. Share your opinion after reading the text.
What is your reaction to this, “OTC medicines for asthma, aches and pains, insomnia and allergies, etc. could have side effects including cognitive impairment, dementia, and even brain shrinkage.”?
In general, what do you think about OTC medicines? Does this research change the way you think about them?
Do you think you take too many medicines or do you know anyone who does? What do you think about this?
Talk about one OTC medicine you know of, what is it for, and what side effects do you know it has?
Time and again, we’ve seen or heard some incidents wherein heavy tourism takes a toll on a once unspoiled place. A famous small island in Thailand named Koh Tachai has recently been closed to end what could be irreversible consequences of high number of tourists to its ecosystem.
Find out more about this news by reading the article below.
Idyllic Thai island Koh Tachai closed indefinitely due to damage from tourism
Bangkok, ThailandCNN —
Thai authorities have closed a popular island in the Andaman Sea to visitors, blaming high tourist numbers for damaging its ecosystem.
Known for its idyllic white beaches and excellent diving, Koh Tachai is the northernmost of the Similan Islands archipelago, a national park in southern Thailand.
Tunya Nethithammakul, director general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, told CNN Tuesday that the island had been closed to visitors “indefinitely,” due to the severe deterioration of its ecosystem.
Asia’s most underrated attractions
The problems included litter and food waste, gasoline from tour boats leaching into the water and damage to coral, he said, adding that overwhelming numbers of tourists were to blame.
“This is such a small island, I would say it could accommodate just a few hundred tourists a day,” he said.
“But it turned out that at certain points there were almost 2,000 tourists visiting the island (daily).”
Snaphappy St. Barts tourist grazed by plane
Situated about 137 kilometers (85 miles) northwest of the tourist hub of Phuket, Koh Tachai has no hotels, and the majority of visitors stay only for the day, eating lunch on the island.
Some tourism operators have offered overnight trips where guests stay in tents.
The island is marketed by local tour operators as the “Maldives of Thailand.”
Nethithammakul said that many of the islands in Similan National Park would have been closed soon anyway due to the monsoon season, along with other national parks in coastal areas.
Long-tail boats of southern Thailand
Discuss:
1. What was the main reason for closing this island for tourism? 2. Is it a good idea to close it indefinitely? 3. What do you think are the good and bad things about tourism? 4. Have you been to a place similar to Koh Tachai – breathtaking but somehow being exploited by humans?
Here’s an interesting history about the train network in London. Read the article and study the highlighted words. Be ready to answer discussion questions.
Gun ownership has always been vital in the American Society. Almost each household owns a gun and this is perfectly legal. Americans use it for protection. However, there are accidents resulting to gun ownership and it is quite alarming, especially if children are involved.
Read the article about the rise of shooting incidents that involve young children in the US and be ready to answer the questions that follow.
1. Do zoo animals in your country get ample treatment and care? 2. When was the last time you went to a zoo or an attraction with animals? 3. How do you feel about dentists? When was the last time you paid a visit to your dentist? 4. What are some dental procedures you’ve had?
