Tag: video

The Secret Economics of Thinness

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Have you ever observed that in the developed world, wealth and weight are somehow related? People tend to become thinner as their wealth increases, yet this association can be strongly inferred or extended to women.

Let’s watch the video below to learn more about the secret economy of thinness.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “developed world mean? “Across the developed world, the richer people are, the thinner they tend to be.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does “economically rational” mean? “It is economically rational for women to try as hard as possible to be thin.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  3. What does the term “economic pursuit” mean? “In many ways thinness is an economic pursuit.” Use this phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think about the connection between body size and income?
  2. Should employers consider appearance when hiring or promoting someone? Why or why not?
  3. How can society reduce bias related to body size and appearance?
  4. What are other ways women can pursue economic advancements?
  5. What are your thoughts on this, “In many ways, thinness is an economic pursuit.“?
  6. Share your reaction to this, “Losing 65 pounds could have the same impact on a woman’s wages as gaining a master’s degree.“.

Easy to be Thin in Japan

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In a world where obesity rates are on the rise, Japan stands out as a remarkable exception. Renowned for its slender population, Japan has consistently held one of the lowest obesity rates among developed nations. The question stands, “What factors contribute to the ease of maintaining a thin physique in the Japanese society?”.

Watch the video on why it is easy for Japanese to stay thin.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the word “establishment” mean here, “As of 2017, there are over 243,000 fast food establishments in America.“? Give another meaning of this word and use ‘establishment’ in your own sentence.
  2. What does the phrase “walking distance” mean, “For most, these places are in walking distance.“? Give a synonym of ‘walking distance’ and use this phrase in your own sentence.
  3. What does the phrase “over and over” mean, “It’s going to be much easier to stick to healthier options if you aren’t getting bored of having to eat the same thing at the same places over and over.“? Give 2 synonyms of ‘over and over’ and use this phrase in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. In your opinion, which factors discussed in the video do you believe are the most influential in maintaining a slim figure in Japan? Are there any other factors that you think should be considered?
  2. What are the key dietary factors that contribute to the ease of maintaining a slim figure in Japan? How does the traditional Japanese diet differ from the diet in your country?
  3. What’s your country’s food environment like?
  4. While Japan’s low obesity rates are notable, is it realistic or desirable for other countries to replicate the same level of slimness? Why or why not?
  5. Explain why people’s diet is a societal concern.

Traded-In Apple iPhone Refurbished

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In the world of technology, smartphones have become an essential part of our daily lives, and one of the most popular brands in the market is Apple. With each new release, millions of people eagerly anticipate getting their hands on the latest iPhone model, leading to a growing number of previously owned devices that are traded in or sold. But have you ever wondered what happens to these traded-in iPhones?

In this video, we will explore the fascinating journey of how a traded-in Apple iPhone gets refurbished, giving it a new lease on life before finding its way into the hands of a new owner.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of “trade in”? “Many iPhone users choose to trade in their old devices for credit towards a new purchase.” Make one sentence using the word.
  2. What does the word “refurbished” mean? “In 2022, 73.5 million used and refurbished phones were shipped in North America alone.” Use the word in a sentence.
  3. What does “triage” mean? “The first stop for our iPhone 11: data erasure and triage.” Use the word in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. From an environmental perspective, do you believe refurbishing traded-in Apple iPhones is a more sustainable practice compared to manufacturing new devices? Why or why not?
  2. In your opinion, what are the key advantages of purchasing a refurbished iPhone over a brand-new one? Are there any potential drawbacks to consider?
  3. Do you think the refurbished iPhones market poses a significant threat to Apple’s sales of new devices? Why or why not?

Factory Decorates 8 Cakes a Minute

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Baking a single-tiered cake at home takes about 25-30 minutes. However, decorating it is another story. It usually takes about 4 hours or longer to make one cake. However, one factory manages to decorate eight cakes in a minute.

Here’s a full video and watch how the workers do it.

Vocabulary Discussions

Explain the meaning of the highlighted words below and make some sentences.

1. Start by scraping the icing to make sure that the icing goes into the holes of the stencil.

2. My handmade snowflakes are finally getting their starring role.

3. 480 cakes are boxed and conveyed towards the end of the line.

Discussion Questions

1. How does the video make you feel?

2. Discuss how the cake assembly lines in the video make it possible to decorate eight cakes a minute.

3. The workers use stencils to decorate cakes at a fast pace. Can you think of other tools or methods that help to speed up tasks?

4. Do you like decorating things? Talk about the best decoration you have ever made.

5. Have you ever witnessed a high-speed production process like the cake assembly lines in the video? If so, share your experience and impressions.

The Mini Cooper

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The Mini Cooper, a car that is not longer than 10 feet but can fit four people. This quirky piece of machine has its interesting history.

Discover how Mini Cooper came to be in a short video below.

Vocabulary Discussions:

Explain the meaning of the highlighted words below and make some sentences.

1. The Mini Cooper is a quirky machine that’s unapologetically British.

2. However, in 1956, Egypt nationalized the canal.

3. Its distinct British sensibility still sets it apart from other cars.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does the video say about the Mini Cooper’s design?

2. “The Mini Cooper is a quirky machine that’s unapologetically British.” Talk about something from your country and what makes it distinctively from your country.

3. The Mini Cooper was invented in response to the oil crisis. Think of other products that have emerged as solutions to address social issues.

4. How have cars influenced our daily lives and transportation options in modern society?

5. Talk about a product or service your company sells or offers and what sets it apart from others.

The Pythagorean Cup

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Do you know who Pythagoras is? If you answer “yes,” you probably know him as a Greek mathematician. You are also aware that he founded the Pythagorean school of thought. What you probably don’t know is that Pythagoras also invented a cup. The uniqueness of this cup lies in its remarkable ability to prevent intoxication. Hard to believe?

Watch the entire video and be amazed at how this simple-looking cup can prevent you from being drunk.

Vocabulary Discussions

Explain the meaning of the highlighted words below and make some sentences.

1. That is extremely sneaky.

2. It is a morality lesson and a practical joke at the same time.

3. Pythagoras has applied his brilliance to the temptations of the flesh.

Discussion Questions

1.What is the video all about?

2. How does the Pythagorean cup make sure people don’t drink too much wine?

3. How is the cup related to a morality lesson?

4. Would you consider buying a Pythagorean cup? Why or why not?

5. Can you think of any practical uses for the Pythagorean cup in modern times?

Commuting Is Bad for Your Health

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The perils of commuting have long been underestimated, often viewed as an inevitable part of modern life. Whether it involves traveling by car, bus, train, or any other means of transportation, the daily commute has far-reaching effects on our physical and mental well-being. Despite being a routine aspect of many people’s lives, commuting, especially in crowded urban areas, takes a toll on our health that cannot be overlooked.

Watch the video and explore the various reasons why commuting is detrimental to our overall well-being.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the expression “be killing someone” means? “The constant traffic during rush hour is killing me; it adds significant stress to my daily commute.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What is the meaning of “grueling“? “Enduring the grueling journey on overcrowded trains leaves commuters physically and mentally drained.” Use the word in a sentence.
  3. What does the idiom “take its toll on” mean? “The long hours spent commuting every day can take a toll on one’s health, resulting in increased stress levels and reduced overall well-being.” Make a sentence using this idiom.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some of the negative effects of commuting on our physical and mental health?
  2. From your perspective, what measures could be taken to create healthier commuting environments and alleviate the negative impact on our health?
  3. Do you think employers should offer flexible work arrangements to minimize the health risks associated with commuting? Why or why not?
  4. Overall, why is it important to recognize the detrimental effects of commuting on our health and take steps to address them?
  5. Talk about some of your daily commute stories.

Is It Worth Having Kids

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Children are usually perceived to be the ray of sunlight to many families, but is it always the case? Taking into account the various aspects of parenting them, that ultimately result in the significant occurrence of the opposite consequence such as opting not to have them at all.

Take a look at the video below to learn more about the value of having of kids.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “financial implications” mean”? The financial implications are big.” Use it in your own sentence.
  2. Do you know what “to miss out on something” mean? “…so I almost felt like I’m missing out something on something...” Use it in your own sentence.
  3. What does ” motherhood penalty” mean? “...but for women, the dip is much bigger and their earnings rarely recover…this is known as the motherhood penalty.“ Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s your stance on having kids?
  2. Would it make families happier? Explain.
  3. How does the cost of raising kids affect your plans to have them now, later, or not at all?
  4. What is it like to be a parent? Kindly share the process and experience of this very challenging journey.
  5. How does parenting shape the society we are currently living in?

Your Family Tree Explained

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Let us explore the significance of terms like “great” and “grand” in describing your ancestors and their connections. Explore this fascinating topic and gain a deeper understanding of your familial bonds.

Here’s a video that unravels the mysteries of family tree relationships.

Vocabulary Questions:

Explain the meaning of the highlighted words below and make some sentences.

1. Your siblings’ children are your nieces and nephews, collectively – niblings, and you are their aunt or uncle.

2. When you get married, you get everyone’s favorite in-laws.

3. The cousin number is the same as the “G” rule: it tells you how many in-betweeners until the connection on the family tree.

Discussion Questions:

1. Is it important for you to learn about your family tree and ancestors? Why or why not? 

2. How far back can you trace your family tree? Do you know any ancestors beyond your grandparents?

3. How can understanding one’s family tree help in developing a sense of identity and belonging? 

4. What are some common methods for researching and documenting a family tree?

5. Do you enjoy connecting with relatives or distant cousins? If yes, how do you go about it?

The Law You Won’t Be Told

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Did you know there’s more to the legal system than just guilty or non-guilty verdicts? Have you ever heard of ‘jury nullification’? In the thought-provoking video ‘The Law You Won’t Be Told,’ you’ll gain insights into this intriguing concept.

Take a moment to watch the video and contemplate whether some of the cases you’ve come across might fall into this category. Join us on this exploration of an often-overlooked aspect of the law.

Vocabulary Questions:

Explain the meaning of the highlighted words below and make some sentences.

  1. Be warned: Simply watching the video may prevent you from ever serving on a jury.
  2. When the defendant is 100% beyond-a-reasonable-doubt guilty, but the jurors also think he shouldn’t be punished, then the jury can nullify the law and let him go.
  3. Jury nullification usually refers to the non-guilty version but juries can convict without evidence just as easily as they can acquit in spite of it.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What thoughts do you have about jury nullification?
  2. What are some potential benefits and drawbacks of jury nullification within the legal system? Discuss both sides of the argument.
  3. In your understanding, how can discussing jury nullification in the wrong circumstances can lead to arrest?
  4. Have you ever encountered a case where you believe jury nullification may have been at play? If so, what were your thoughts on the outcome?
  5. Is the legal system fair? Why or why not?