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Google to Launch First of its AI Glasses

B2 – Upper Intermediate

AI glasses are smart eyewear that use artificial intelligence to give information directly to the user. They can work through sound or visuals and help with tasks like directions, translation, or quick answers, and are part of a growing trend in wearable technology that makes devices more personal and interactive.

Let’s read the article and find out more about this new technology from Google.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/08/google-ai-glasses-launch-2026.html?msockid=3e823237b7b86c5f2f8f21e1b6ac6ddf

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to ramp up efforts” mean in this sentence? “Google is ramping up its efforts to compete against Meta.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “to get back into the game” mean in this sentence? “Google’s Monday updates come after the company in May announced that it would be getting back into the smart glasses game.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
  3. What does “competitive market” mean? “Other companies like Snap and Alibaba have also been churning out their own AI glasses offerings as the small but competitive market continues to grow.” Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think AI glasses will become as common as smartphones? Why or why not?
  2. What are the potential advantages of audio-only glasses compared to glasses with a display?
  3. How might AI glasses change the way people communicate and learn languages?
  4. What risks or challenges could arise from wearing AI-powered glasses in public?
  5. How might AI glasses affect privacy and data security?

AI Artwork Sells for $1m

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A painting created by an artificial intelligence robot has sold for more than $1 million, showing how technology is changing the world of art. This surprising sale has sparked conversations about creativity, value, and whether machines can be considered real artists.

Read the article or watch the video to find out more information about this.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpqdvz4w45wo

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to crack a code” mean? “The scientist played a crucial role in the Allies’ victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two by helping to crack codes and deciphering the infamous Enigma machine at Bletchley Park.” Make a sentence with this phrase and give a synonym or similar expression.
  2. What is the meaning of “to grapple with“? “Aidan Meller, director of the Ai-Da Robot Studios, said: “This auction is an important moment for the visual arts, where Ai-Da’s artwork brings focus on artworld and societal changes, as we grapple with the rising age of AI.” Use this phrase in a sentence and give a synonym or similar expression.
  3. What is the meaning of “outstrip”? “Sotheby’s said the online sale, which ended at 19:00 GMT on Thursday, was bought by an undisclosed buyer for a price “far outstripping the artwork’s estimate price”.” Make a sentence using the word and give a synonym or similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think AI can be considered an artist? Why or why not?
  2. Can AI truly be creative, or is it just copying patterns?
  3. What does the sale of AI art for over $1 million say about our society and culture?
  4. Can art still be meaningful if it has no emotions or life experiences behind it?
  5. How does knowing a robot made a painting change how you feel about it?

A Mother’s Plea after Girl Died Copying Social Media Trend

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Sonia Hopkin, the mother of Tiegan Jarman, the 13-year-old girl who died after doing a trend she saw on TikTok, pleas for measures to be taken to make young children more aware not only about the dangers of household chemicals, but also of the internet. 

Read the article about a mother’s plea after losing her daughter over a social media trend.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz94j0zd9j3o

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “chroming”. “Mrs Hopkin also called on TikTok to do more to stop actions, such as chroming, from becoming trends.” Use the term in a sentence.
  2. What does “solvent abuse” mean? “The mother of a girl who died while copying a “horrible” social media trend is calling for children to be taught about the dangers of solvent abuse.” Use the term in a sentence.
  3. What does “to raise awareness” mean? “Mrs Hopkin now wants to raise awareness of the “dangers of this horrible trend”.” Use the idiom in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts about what happened to Sonia Hopkin’s daughter?
  2. What is your opinion about introducing mandatory lessons about solvent abuse at schools?
  3. Share your thoughts on this, “One video would be bad, but the fact it has become a trend is unbelievable. It shouldn’t be available on the internet.“
  4. What can you say about Tik-tok’s statement, “Content promoting dangerous challenges is not allowed on TikTok, and we proactively removed 99.8% of videos that violated our policies on this issue before they were reported to us.”
  5. How are children taught about the dangers of social media and the internet at schools in your country?
  6. Have you ever heard of similar incident where a person got into trouble because of some trend they saw on social media?

AI to Help Doctors Find and Fix Broken Bones

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way doctors diagnose and treat bone problems. With new tools and technologies, bone treatment has become faster, more accurate, and easier for both patients and medical professionals.

Read this article to learn more about this.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce9de78gdleo

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “pilot scheme” mean? “Trust will take part in a two-year NHS England pilot scheme starting later this month.” Use this term in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
  2. Define “dislocation“. “Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be used in hospitals to find fractures and dislocations and provide quicker treatment as part of a new trial.” Make a sentence using the word in the same context.
  3. What’s the meaning of “course of treatment“? “Every x-ray will still be examined by our clinicians, and they will make the final decision about the diagnosis and the correct course of treatment for that patient.” Use the phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think AI should be allowed to assist in diagnosing medical conditions? Why or why not?
  2. The article mentions that AI will highlight “potential issues.”
    Do you think this could cause doctors to rely on AI too much, or will it help them work more efficiently?
  3. How do you feel about your personal medical information being processed by AI systems?
  4. If AI becomes highly accurate, should it eventually replace some tasks done by radiologists and clinicians, or should humans always make the final decision? Explain your viewpoint.

Smart Home Voice Control Changing Security Habits

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

The integration of voice control in smart home technologies has been reshaping the way homeowners manage their home security systems.

Tasks that used to require manual action or using a mobile application can now be done with a simple voice command.

Read the article about the fusion of voice assistants and home security systems.

https://www.articlecube.com/how-smart-home-voice-control-changing-everyday-security-habits

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “household safeguarding” mean? “This new relationship between voice control and household safeguarding is reshaping the everyday habits of households seeking a more secure, efficient experience.” Use the term in a sentence and give a synonym or similar expression.
  2. What does “arming system” mean? “This voice-activated communication is making individuals more disciplined about arming systems before going to sleep, checking the lock, and checking the alarms.” Use the term in a sentence and give a synonym or similar expression.
  3. What does “second nature” mean? “Asking a voice assistant to arm the system and pick up keys, making breakfast, and going out to work is second nature.”  Use the idiom in a sentence and give a synonym or similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the pros and cons of smart home voice control in home security?
  2. Share your thoughts and own experience with using voice assistants in your home security system.
  3. Share your insights on this, “This voice-activated communication is making individuals more disciplined about arming systems. The outcome will be a shift from reactive involvement to a more active, everyday security practice.”
  4. What do you think about this, “Voice control also helps one to be alert and informed, even where the user would have been distracted or fatigued.”?
  5. Share your thoughts on this, “Voice interaction is convenient and encourages users to engage more with their systems, resulting in improved security outcomes.”

Greece Is the Best Place to Retire 

B1 – Intermediate 

It has become very common for older people to live abroad in their golden years. They choose to spend their retirement years in another country.

Some factors they consider when choosing a place to retire in are climate, the cost of living, healthcare, and housing. 

International Living magazine released its Annual Global Retirement Index and named Greece as the best place to live in during a person’s sunset years.

Read the article about Greece as the best country to retire in the whole world.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2512/251204-retiring-in-greece.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “overseas” mean? “More and more people are choosing to spend their retirement overseas.” Use the word in a sentence and give 2 synonyms or similar expressions.
  2. What does “retiree” mean? “It is the first time Greece has been the number-one choice for retirees.” Use the word in a sentence and give 2 synonyms or similar expressions.
  3. What does “in every sense” mean? “Greece had what many people were looking for. The country was beautiful, welcoming, and affordable. It offered a lifestyle that feels rich in every sense.”  Use the phrase in a sentence and give a synonym or similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about Greece being the best place to retire?
  2. In general, what would make a place a very good place to retire in?
  3. Climate, the cost of living, healthcare, and housing are the most important things for older people who want to live in another country. Which one among these four factors do you think is the most important and why?
  4. In your opinion, where is the best place to retire and why?
  5. What do you think about retiring overseas?

Magnitude 4 Earthquakes in Alava

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A magnitude 4 earthquake struck the province of Álava, giving residents a brief but noticeable jolt. Although relatively moderate in strength, the quake was strong enough to be felt across several nearby towns, prompting many people to pause and check their surroundings.

Local authorities quickly reported that there were no immediate signs of serious damage or injuries, but monitoring continues to ensure everyone’s safety. Events like this serve as a reminder of the region’s seismic activity and the importance of staying informed and prepared.

Read this article to learn more about the earthquakes in Alava.

https://russpain.com/en/news-3/earthquake-magnitude-4-alarms-alava-and-neighboring-regions-347604

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the phrase “a tense atmosphere reigns” mean? “For several minutes, a tense atmosphere reigned in the streets until it became clear the danger had passed.” Use it in a sentence. 
  2. What does the word “rattling” mean? “At 12:10 a.m. local time, residents of Iruña de Oca and nearby areas were awakened by vibrating walls and rattling windows.” Use it in a sentence. 
  3. What does the word “aftershock” mean? “Experts emphasize that the likelihood of aftershocks is extremely low.” Use it in a sentence. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. How would you feel if you were awakened in the middle of the night by shaking walls or rattling windows?
  2. Share your thoughts about the public and the authorities’ response to the earthquakes.
  3. Have you ever experienced an earthquake before? What did you do at that moment?
  4. A magnitude 4 earthquake is considered “moderate.” Why do you think it caused so much alarm in Álava?
  5. Do you think most people in Europe are prepared for earthquakes? Why or why not?
  6. How much do you know about what to do when an earthquake occurs?

First Gene Proven to Directly Cause Mental Illness

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Researchers recently discovered that a single gene GRIN2A can directly trigger mental illness, overturning decades of belief that psychiatric disorders always require many genes acting together. The study suggests that people with certain variants of this gene have a significantly higher risk of developing psychiatric symptoms.

Read the article to know why this breakthrough could change how mental illness is studied and treated worldwide.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251202052230.htm?

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the word “uncover” mean? “Researchers uncover a rare gene variant that can directly spark mental illness—and may be treatable.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
  2. What does “predictor” mean? “Having a close family member with a mental illness remains one of the strongest known predictors.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “polygenic” mean? “This distinguishes it from the polygenic causes of such disorders that have been assumed to date” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why is discovering a single gene that directly causes mental illness an important scientific breakthrough?
  2. How could this discovery change the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions?
  3. What ethical concerns might arise from identifying genes linked to mental illness?
  4. How might this finding affect society’s understanding and stigma around mental health?
  5. What further research is needed before this genetic discovery can be used in real-world medical care?

Weight-Loss Drug Liraglutide Slowed Alzheimer’s Decline

B2 – Upper Intermediate

New research shows that a drug commonly used for diabetes and weight loss can reduce brain shrinkage in Alzheimer’s patients by nearly 50%.

Read the article to know more about the significant potential for repurposing existing medications to slow neurodegeneration offering hope for millions affected by Alzheimer’s globally.

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/articles/2025/-weight-loss-drug-liraglutide-slowed-alzheimers-decline/?

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “brain shrinkage” mean? “A drug prescribed for diabetes and weight loss has been shown to reduce brain shrinkage in Alzheimer’s patients by almost 50%.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “agonist” mean? “The drug, called liraglutide, is one of the glucagon-like peptide receptor (GLP-1) agonists which also includes semaglutide – known as Wegovy or Ozempic – which are licensed for managing overweight and obesity and for type 2 diabetes.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “double-blind” mean? “The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial included 204 patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease seen at 24 clinics throughout the United Kingdom.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What surprised you most about the idea that a weight-loss drug could help slow Alzheimer’s disease?
  2. Do you think existing medicines should be tested more often for new health benefits? Why or why not?
  3. What concerns might people have about using weight-loss drugs for brain health?
  4. How could this discovery change the way doctors treat Alzheimer’s patients in the future?
  5. Would you personally feel comfortable taking a medication for a different purpose than it was originally made for? Why?

Apple, Google, Meta Face Casino App Lawsuits

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Apple, Google, and Meta are now facing renewed legal pressure after a federal judge ruled that lawsuits accusing their platforms of hosting casino-style gambling apps can move forward. The cases claim that these companies allowed apps that mimic real gambling to operate and profit from users, raising concerns about consumer protection and regulatory responsibility. This decision opens the door for a deeper examination of how major tech firms manage gaming content on their platforms.

Read this article to learn more.

https://www.freepressjournal.in/tech/apple-google-meta-must-face-casino-app-lawsuits-judge-rules

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “illegal racketeering conspiracy” mean? “The lawsuits allege that Apple’s App Store, Google’s Play Store, and Meta’s Facebook promoted what plaintiffs describe as an “authentic Vegas-style experience of slot machine gambling” through an illegal racketeering conspiracy.” Make a sentence with this.
  2. Define “the crux of plaintiffs’ theory“. “The judge wrote that “the crux of plaintiffs’ theory is that defendants improperly processed payments for social casino apps.”” Use this in a sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of “plaintiff“? “Dozens of plaintiff claim the companies collected 30 percent commissions—estimated at more than $2 billion—on transactions processed through these casino-style apps” Make a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think tech companies should be responsible for the content on their platforms? Why or why not?
  2. Could stricter regulation of social casino apps create opportunities for innovation in ethical gaming, or would it stifle growth?
  3. How can tech companies implement responsible gaming practices without compromising user engagement or revenue?
  4. How do the lawsuits against Apple, Google, and Meta challenge existing regulations on digital platforms and consumer protection?
  5. In your opinion, are social casino apps morally wrong, or is it the user’s responsibility to manage their own behavior?