Tag: Text

The Silent Agony of Getting Your Food First

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Getting your food first might feel lucky, but it can also be awkward. You’re hungry, but unsure if it’s rude to start eating before everyone else. It’s a small moment that shows how even meals come with their own quiet rules.

Let’s read the article to learn more about why this simple dining moment can feel so uncomfortable when you’re the first to be served.

https://scienceblog.com/the-silent-agony-of-getting-your-food-first

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to show restraint” mean? “… even when those same people wouldn’t expect their dining companions to show such restraint.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. Explain the phrase “in the company of others“. “The decision of when to start eating food in the company of others is a very common dilemma.” Use it in your own sentence.
  3. Define the phrase “twinge of guilt“. “When you’re the one with hot food cooling on your plate, you can feel every twinge of guilt, every moment of social awkwardness, and every benefit of appearing considerate.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s your take on the study’s conclusions?
  2. What’s the customary practice in your country when it comes to starting a meal? Do people wait until all are served?
  3. How do you react when others start eating before your food has been served?
  4. Which table etiquette rules are most valued where you’re from?
  5. What distinct dining customs have stood out to you during your travels?

The Infected Blood Scandal

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

From the late 1970s until 1985, patients with hemophilia were treated with contaminated blood products that were provided by the NHS in the UK.

The said patients later contracted hepatitis C and HIV. Over 3,000 of those patients have died.

The treatment for the patients who were mostly haemophiliacs used pharmaceutical products called Factor 8 and Factor 9 concentrates. They were imported from the US. 

The UK government has launched an official investigation of this grave public health issue hoping to help the patients and their families.

Read the article about the contaminated hemophilia blood products scandal.

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-48596605

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “arms-length body” mean? “It set up an independent arms-length body called the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) to administer payments.“ Use this term in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
  2. What does “interim payment” mean? “In October 2024, the government said more relatives of those who died could also apply for £100,000 interim payments if the money had not already been claimed.” Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
  3. What does “on one’s side” mean? “People infected and affected do not have time on their side.” Use this idiom in a sentence. Give 2 synonyms or similar expressions.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your insights about the contaminated hemophilia blood products scandal.
  2. Do you agree that the families of victims should receive a payout as a form of settlement? What is your opinion?
  3. Talk about another serious public health problem that you know of. 

Doctors Angry Over Secret Filming by Patients

B1 – Intermediate 

There have been an increase in patients who secretly film their consultations with their doctors and then, they post those videos on their social media.

The Society of Radiographers (SoR) in the UK wants patients recording videos in hospitals and clinics to be banned.

Read the article about doctors’ dismay over patients filming them on their mobile phones.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2506/250619-secret-filming.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “breach” mean? “As healthcare professionals, we need to think: Does that recording breach the confidentiality of other patients?” Use this word in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
  2. What does “union worker” mean? “They do not want to have videos of them uploaded on social media. Ashley d’Aquino, a therapeutic radiographer and union worker, spoke about this problem.“ Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
  3. What does “privacy concern” mean? “Dean Rogers, director of industrial strategy, said this was a problem that affected many health workers. He said there could also be privacy concerns for other people.” Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think that video recording in hospitals and clinics should be prohibited? Why or why not?
  2. What might be the reasons people secretly film their visits and talks with their doctors? 
  3. Do you think it is necessary to secretly take a video of your doctor’s visit? Why or why not?
  4. Is recording in hospitals and clinics a breach of the confidentiality of the hospital workers and the other patients? Explain your insights.
  5. What is the rule about filming doctor’s appointment in your country? Do you agree with it or not? Why?

Grow a Garden Game Breaks Record

B1 – Intermediate 

Grow a Garden is a horticultural-themed game. On June 14, 2025, the game broke the record for having the most number of users who were simultaneously online at the same time. This is more than the 14.3 million that the famous game Fortnite has set previously.

Read the article about how Grow a Garden broke the record for concurrent users.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2506/250623-grow-a-garden.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to break the record for something” mean? “An online gardening game has broken the record for the most users being online at the same time.” Use this idiom in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
  2. What does “to be fueled by someone/something” mean? “The game’s owners said its success is fueled by vibrant social interactions.“ Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
  3. What does “to unlock something” mean? “They can also unlock rare seeds, exotic crops, and underwater gardens and magical forests.” Use this phrase in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word “garden”?
  2. Share your reaction and opinion about this news.
  3. What do you think about this game? Would you be interested in trying to play it? Why or why not?
  4. Experts believe Grow a Garden may not lead to a love of gardening. What is your opinion about this?
  5. Have you ever played any simulation game like “Grow a Garden”? Talk about how to play that game and why you liked it.

Attacks on Iran Could Affect Oil Prices and Energy Bills

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Oil prices have recently gone up after reports of an attack on Iran. The explosions were heard in the city of Isfahan, and some countries believe that Israel was responsible. Although there was no serious damage, the news caused fear that conflict in the Middle East might grow.

When there is tension in this region, it often affects energy prices around the world. This is because many important oil-producing countries are located there. After the news, the price of oil and gas increased quickly in different parts of the world, including Europe.

Read this article to learn why this attack matters, how it affected energy prices, and what could happen next.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg5vr2rvzg4o

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “price cap” mean? “The energy regulator, Ofgem, has already announced the energy price cap for July until September.” Make a sentence with this phrase. Give a synonym.
  2. What is “household bill“? “Craig Lowrey, principal consultant at Cornwall Insights, says household bills are safe from any volatility for now. But if this conflict continues past September, household bills could rise.” Make a sentence with this. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “financial buffer” mean? “”Many rely heavily on Middle Eastern oil and gas imports and lack the financial buffers to absorb sudden price spikes.”” Use this in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think it’s fair that people in peaceful countries pay more when this happens? Explain your thoughts.
  2. How could rising oil prices affect your country or your personal life?
  3. How does war or conflict in one place affect the whole world today?
  4. Do you think oil prices should be controlled by the government? Why or why not?
  5. Do you think news reports make people too afraid during international conflicts? Why or why not?

Nagoya Standstill Teams Prevent People From Walking on Escalators

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Every year, many people in Nagoya are injured on escalators—often because of walking or rushing. Despite the presence of signs and announcements, many commuters still move while riding, creating safety risks in crowded stations. To tackle this, the city introduced a new approach: the “Stop and Stand Squad.”

Let’s read the article and know more about this initiative.

https://www.tokyoweekender.com/japan-life/news-and-opinion/nagoya-standstill-teams-prevent-walking-on-escalators

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to follow suit” mean? “Nagoya then followed suit two years later. Though it is non-binding and there are no penalties for defying the rules, the ordinance in Nagoya appears to have had a significant impact on how people ride escalators.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of the phrase “to be met with“? “The initiative has been met with a mixed reaction on social media. “Let’s do it in Tokyo too,” posted one X user.” Use it in your own sentence.
  3. Define “nuisance“. “Disagreeing, a fellow X user described Nagoya’s standstill teams as “nothing but a nuisance,” adding, “Just like on the highway, the left side is for people who are not in a hurry and the right side is for people who are.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you feel about Nagoya’s initiative to promote escalator safety with the Standstill team?
  2. Why does standing on an escalator sometimes make the flow of people faster?
  3. On escalators, do you ride passively or hustle your way up? Why?
  4. Are people in your city more likely to stay put or keep moving on escalators?
  5. What factors usually make your commute feel rushed or relaxed?

Poor Chewing Linked to Higher Childhood Obesity Risk

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Scientists are now looking at how kids eat, not just what they eat. New research shows that when children eat too fast or don’t chew their food well, they may be more likely to become overweight. This means good chewing habits could be important for staying healthy.

Let’s take a closer look at the article to learn more about the link between chewing and childhood obesity.

Poor Chewing Linked To Higher Childhood Obesity Risk

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to stuff oneself” mean? “Those who frequently stuffed themselves while eating were 1.29 times more likely to be obese.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. Explain the phrase “more likely to be“. “Children with poor chewing skills were 1.5 times more likely to be obese compared to peers with better chewing ability.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
  3. What is the meaning of the phrase “to address something“? “Addressing these behaviors early could support healthier growth and reduce obesity-related health risks.“. Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s your take on the study’s conclusions?
  2. Does it seem unusual that something like chewing strength might influence childhood obesity? Why or why not?
  3. How long do you usually chew your food before swallowing? Why is that so?
  4. What are some healthy eating habits we can teach children?
  5. What kinds of table manners did your parents expect you to follow when you were a child?

Disney Cuts Hundreds of Jobs

B1 – Intermediate 

Disney is a company that is very famous all over the world. Aside from the theme parks in different countries, they also own other companies including Pixar, Marvel Studios, ESPN, National Geographic, and ABC News. 

The Walt Disney Company needs to fire hundreds of their employees worldwide. Disney’s is cutting jobs in order to reduce their costs by $7.5 billion annually.

They have already laid off more than 8,000 workers since 2023.

Read the article about Disney’s job cuts.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2506/250605-disney-job-cuts.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to cut jobs” mean? “The Walt Disney Company is cutting hundreds of jobs.” Use this expression in a sentence. Give 2 synonyms.
  2. What does “at a rapid pace” mean? “As our industry transforms at a rapid pace, we continue to evaluate ways to efficiently manage our businesses, while fuelling the…creativity and innovation that consumers value  and expect from Disney.“ Use this phrase in a sentence. Give 2 synonyms.
  3. What does “household name” mean? “ It owns the animation companies Pixar and Marvel Studios, as well as household names like ESPN, National Geographic, and ABC News.” Use this phrase in a sentence. Give 2 synonyms.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear “Disney”?
  2. Share your reaction and opinion about this news.
  3. What do you think is the indication of Disney doing a lot of job cuts?
  4. The CEO of Disney, Bob Iger, said the cuts would keep the company healthy. What is your opinion on this?
  5. Have you ever experienced job cuts in the companies that you’ve worked for? Share something about that situation.

Global Birth Rate Crisis

B1 – Intermediate 

The world is home to more than 8 billion people. In the past, the United Nations estimated that by the year 2100, the population is going to be 10.8 billion.

In contrary to that, a recent report released by the The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) says the world has a problem because the birth rates are shrinking. The world’s population is falling due to different reasons.

Read the article about the UN’s report on the world’s birth rate crisis.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2506/250612-global-birth-rates-crisis.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “falling birth rate” mean? “Falling birth rates and increased longevity are creating many problems.” Use this expression in a sentence.  Give a synonym or similar expression.
  2. What does “to struggle with something” mean? “Many countries are [struggling] with ageing and shrinking populations, labour shortages, and rising healthcare and pension costs.” Use this phrase in a sentence. 
  3. What does “family-friendly policy” mean? “The UN said one solution to the crisis is to create “family-friendly policies, such as affordable childcare and paid leave for all carers.” Use this phrase in a sentence. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Share your opinion on this news.
  2. What are the reasons for the falling birth rates across the world and what are its consequences?
  3. Do you have the same problem in your country? Do you have family-friendly policies? Talk about it.
  4. What is your opinion on giving all carers a pay?
  5. Many couples want children, but they cannot afford them. Share your insights on this.

Airbnb Facing Trouble in Spain

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The rise of short-term rental platforms like Airbnb has sparked growing debate across Europe, especially in countries like Spain where tourism plays a major economic role. While these platforms offer convenience for travelers, they are also blamed for driving up housing costs, displacing local residents, and transforming authentic neighborhoods into tourist zones.

As cities like Barcelona and Madrid push back with new rules and license bans, the challenge is balancing tourism with residents’ rights to affordable, livable communities. This reveals an underlying struggle between profit-driven tourism and the long-term well-being of urban life.

Read the article to see how Spain is dealing with the impact of short-term rentals on local housing.

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/30/travel/why-airbnb-facing-trouble-spain

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “blight” mean here? “While Airbnb is appealing the move, it can’t come soon enough for some in Spain who say their lives have been blighted by the lack of affordable living accommodation.” Use it in a sentence and give 2 synonyms.
  2. What does the phrase “to tip the balance” mean? “And not everyone is convinced it will tip the balance in favor of those struggling to find long-term accommodation.” Use it in a sentence and give 2 synonyms.
  3. What does the idiom “in the grip of someone/something” mean? “A surge in homes being listed on platforms like Airbnb means Spain’s main urban centers like Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia are now in the grip of a housing rental crisis that has, in recent months, become Spaniards’ primary worry, according to the Spanish Center for Sociological Research.” Use it in a sentence and give 2 synonyms.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does short-term rental tourism (like Airbnb) affect housing availability in major cities like Barcelona or Madrid? What are the pros and cons?
  2. What do you think about Barcelona City Council’s plan to stop renewing licenses for tourist apartments after 2028, forcing more than 10,000 apartments to become available for locals?
  3. Should cities limit the number of Airbnbs to protect local communities, even if it means losing tourist income?
  4. How do you feel about this quote from the article:
    “…cities are turned into theme parks for the excessive profit of a few investment funds”? Do you think profit should ever outweigh community needs?
  5. What would you do if you had to share a flat in your 30s or 40s because of rising rental prices? Would you stay in the city or move away?
  6. Is tourism-based housing making your city or country less livable for residents? Explain why or why not.