Tag: Text

Tobacco Company CEO on Cigarette Bans

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Isn’t it a bit ironic to hear the chief executive of a tobacco company speaking against the very product that they sell? Philip Morris International CEO Jacek Olczak has said that cigarettes should be banned and that he can see his company ending decades of selling cigarettes.

Read the article about Olczak’s statements on cigarette bans and smoke-free world.

https://www.businessinsider.com/philip-morris-international-ceo-said-cigarettes-should-be-banned-2021-7

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can you say about Olczak’s statements against cigarettes, given that he is the CEO of a tobacco company?
  2. “We can see the world without cigarettes”. Do you think this is possible or not? Why?
  3. Imagine a world where cigarettes were obsolete. What would it be like?
  4. What do you think about Philip Morris International’s plans to buy Vectura Group, a pharmaceutical company that manufactures asthma inhalers?
  5. What are your thoughts on some tobacco companies of trying to position themselves as anti-smoking while still selling tobacco products?

Amazon Go – the First Automated Store

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Nobody likes waiting forever in queues at checkout counters. Long queues cause shopper exhaustion, decrease customer service experience, and may even result in shopping cart abandonment.

In the U.S, a new store was opened featuring the world’s most advanced shopping technology. It uses a combination of artificial intelligence, computer vision, and data gathered from multiple sensors. You walk in, pick out what you want, and walk out. Amazon calls it a ‘just walk out’ shopping experience.

Let’s read the article below to know more about how Amazon Go works.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/business-economy/amazon-go-first-automated-store.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of Amazon Go?
  2. What details make the Amazon Go store different from a traditional grocery store?
  3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this kind of shopping technology?
  4. Do you prefer online shopping or shopping in stores?
  5. Why is the competition among convenience stores so tough?
  6. How could going shopping be made a better experience?

Child Tax Credit Payment

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A revamped child allowance program will soon be enjoyed by Americans families. The IRS will soon start sending $300 to families with children ages 0-5 and $250 for each child 6 to 17 years old.

This is an effort to combat child poverty in the country. But is it too soon to celebrate the child tax credit payments?

Read the article about child tax credit payments in the US.

https://www.businessinsider.com/irs-child-tax-credit-payment-dates-families-monthly-payments-2021-6

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the child tax credit and who are eligible to receive this payment? What do you think of this incentive?
  2. What are your thoughts on the possibility that some moderate Senate Democrats may push for cuts to the measure?
  3. Compare the child tax credit system or child allowance program of your country and the US.
  4. What benefits from the government do children in your country have?
  5. Share your thoughts on this statement: “Children and families must be able to count on this benefit long after the end of this pandemic.”

Federal Trade Commission’s New Rules

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The US administration is cracking down on anticompetitive practices of big tech companies. President Biden has signed a new executive order calling the Federal Trade Commission to adopt new rules. This could give small businesses an edge.

Read about the details on how the executive order could affect small businesses.

https://www.inc.com/amrita-khalid/biden-executive-order-noncompete-hiring-competition.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. How may the order affect startups and small businesses?
  2. What are your thoughts on the new order restricting noncompete clauses?
  3. Do you think it is a good idea to remove some occupational licensing requirements? Why or why not?
  4. What do you think of big online retailers like Amazon not being able to use sales data on third-party-sellers’ goods to launch competing products anymore?
  5. How is the competition in procurement and spending decisions like for small businesses in your country?

Spanish Taxi Drivers Became Millionaires

B2 – Upper Intermediate

This story of success of two Spanish cab drivers who became successful and very wealthy begins with a lot of hardships. There’s the economic crisis, the need to change their line of work, the arrival of ride-hailing apps, among others.

Read about how two Spanish taxi drivers turned themselves into millionaires with a brilliant business idea. 

https://english.elpais.com/economy-and-business/2021-07-13/the-spanish-taxi-drivers-who-became-millionaires-without-leaving-the-house.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on how they started their business and what do you think of their business idea?
  2. What do you think about businesses being done entirely online? Do you think it will become more common in the near future?
  3. In your own experience/observation, how has technology changed the way businesses are set up?
  4. What are some products that you wish are more easily available in your country?
  5. Was there ever a time when you considered changing your line of work? Share about that moment.

Attempt At Faux Chicken Tenders

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Over the years, consumer demand for chicken has skyrocketed. Although this may sound like a good thing for the economy, poultry farmers are facing production and supply issues. On the other hand, another demand has also been growing–the demand for plant-based products.

Beyond Meat is a producer of plant-based meat substitutes and that includes faux chicken tenders. They unveiled their first-ever vegan tenders 10 years ago. Now, they are attempting to release a much better version of the first one.

Click the link and know more about what Beyond Meat is up to.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/chloesorvino/2021/07/08/a-decade-later-beyond-meat-reveals-its-second-attempt-at-faux-chicken-tenders/?sh=7b97cfcd1dc7

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you heard about Beyond Meat or any other brands that sell plant-based meat substitutes?
  2. What is your opinion about plant-based meat substitutes?
  3. What are some benefits/dangers of consuming them instead of real meat?

Toxic Workplaces Increase Depression Risk

B1 – Intermediate

Being satisfied at school or at work can, at times, be challenging. Work environment satisfaction is determined by how much a person likes what he/she is doing.

 Having a negative and a toxic work environment can cause anxiety and depression which may lead to some mental and health problems.

Let’s read the article below to know more about toxic workplaces increase depression risk.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2106/210627-toxic-workplaces-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What can workers do about toxic workplaces?
  2. How do bad workplaces affect people?
  3. What responsibility do managers have to create a positive workplace?
  4. What is your ideal workplace?
  5. How is your workplace like?
  6. Have you ever worked in a toxic workplace? How was it?

Scientists Warn of More Extreme Hot Weather

B1 – Intermediate

We all expect it to be warm in the summer. Climate scientists have warned that hot days are getting hotter and more frequent.

Let’s read the article below to learn more about it.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2107/210709-extreme-heat-4.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Has the weather in your country changed in any way? How?
  2. What will happen if the Arctic warms up?
  3. What do you think are the dangers of extreme heat?
  4. What is the best way to survive extreme heat?
  5. Would you rather experience extreme heat or cold? Why?

Can Long-Distance Relationships Work?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We all know that long distance relationships are hard work. However, many couples maintain ties with their romantic partners who do not live in the same geographic area. They may experience strains in their relationships from being far from each but they make ways to keep themselves emotionally connected despite the miles between them.

Read the article to learn more and be able to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.verywellmind.com/long-distance-relationships-can-they-work-4174038

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of long distance relationships? Have you ever experienced this type of relationship before? Do you see yourself being in this situation?
  2. What are the pros and cons of this kind of relationship?
  3. In your personal opinion, do you think LDR can work?
  4. What are ways to make LDR work?
  5. Aside from distance, what are other common constraints romantic partners often have?

Benefits of Being in an Interracial Marriage

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As globalization impacts our lives, the world and its people are becoming closer than ever; thereby forming interracial relationships. Interracial marriages are getting more and more common and it’s no longer bizarre when we see a mixed race couple in movies, TV, or in reality. Although it still incites a debate, many people view the topic of interracial marriage from a positive viewpoint nowadays.

Read the article and be able to answer the questions that follow.

https://rainbowprintables.com/benefits-interracial-marriage/

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of mixed race relationships? Do you see yourself having this kind of relationship?
  2. What are the things do you agree and disagree with the article? Explain your answer.
  3. What do you think are the benefits and challenges of interracial marriages?