Unit 1.
BEFORE-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
1. Definition match:
1d, 2h, 3j, 4g, 5a, 6i, 7e, 8c, 9f, 10b
2. Synonym match:
1j, 2d, 3g, 4h, 5c, 6b, 7i, 8a, 9e, 10f
WHILE-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
1. True/ False:
1F, 2F, 3T, 4T, 5F, 6T, 7T, 8F, 9T, 10T
2. Gap-fill:
1. Piece 1:
1. learn grammar well
2. starts to decline
3. you’re best at
4. truly bilingual
5. 670,000
2. Piece 2:
1. able to focus
2. multiple projects
3. long-range benefits
4. can be delayed
5. research has found
3. Piece 3:
1. brains of 105
2. altered grey matter
3. builds muscles
4. also more likely
5. 25 Britons
6. another European
7. 33 bilinguals
8. revealed the density
9. in those without
10.changes its structure
6. non-native speakers
7. language ability
8. at different ages
9. too busy to
10.these affect
6. whatever technique
7. key to feeling
8. actively practise
9. keep challenging
10. feeling adventurous
AFTER-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
2. News heading:
Piece 1: Best to Learn a New Language before Age of 10
Piece 2: Benefits of Learning a Second Language
Piece 3: Learning Languages “Boosts” Brain-power
3. Preparation for questions:
Suggested questions.
Piece 1:
1. When is it best to start learning a language?
2. Why do children quite easily become bilingual?
3. What were the online grammar quizzes for?
Piece 2:
1. Which benefits can people who speak two languages get?
2. Why do you need to actively practise your new language?
3. What should you do to keep challenging your grey matter?
Piece 3:
1. How did learning other languages alter grey matter?
2. What did the scans reveal?
3. What does the research demonstrate?
Suggested answers.
Piece 1:
1. (It is best to start learning a language) Before the age of ten.
2. Because that’s when they’re best at learning languages.
3. They helped to measure the language ability of people who started learning
a language at different ages.
Piece 2:
1. They’re better able to focus on key information, which helps them to
prioritise tasks and manage multiple projects at once.
2. To get all the benefits – using two languages is what works the brain.
3. Read books, watch foreign films in that language, or even take a trip to a
country where the language is spoken.
Piece 3:
1. Learning other languages altered grey matter in the same way exercise
builds muscles.
2. The density of the grey matter of the brain was greater in bilinguals than in
those without a second language.
3. It demonstrates how the brain changes its structure and how learning
languages develops its plasticity.
UNIT 2.
BEFORE-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
1. Definition match:
1d; 2f; 3i; 4e; 5c; 6a; 7g; 8j; 9b; 10h
2. Synonym match:
1d; 2f; 3a; 4c; 5b; 6j; 7h; 8e; 9g; 10i
WHILE-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
1. True/ False:
1T, 2F, 3T, 4F, 5T, 6T, 7T, 8F, 9T, 10F
2. Gap-fill:
1. Piece 1:
1. are addicted to them
2. glued to screens
3. by cyber-criminals
4. didn't realize it
5. "digital detox"
2. Piece 2:
1. lowers the risk
2. sleep patterns
3. waking times of
4. developed heart problems
5. earlier than 10pm
3. Piece 3:
6. involves turning off
7. doing everyday stuff
8. a catalyst for
9. their distance from
10.ignoring responsibilities
6. commented on how
7. the body clock
8. our heart's health
9. the morning light
10.reduce the likelihood
1. help workers with
2. in its warehouses
3. videos about relaxation
4. easy-to-follow/ well-being activities
5. scenes with sounds
6. shared a video
7. many Twitter users
8. described his experiences
9. like a robot
10. number one priority
AFTER-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
2. News heading:
Piece 1: Digital detox
Piece 2: Bedtime
Piece 3: Mental health
3. Preparation for questions:
Suggested questions.
Piece 1:
1. What are many people addicted to? (Many people are addicted to digital
devices)
2. What did the study mentioned call for people to do? (The study called
for people to try "digital detox".)
3. Why should people use devices less? (People should use devices less to
avoid "nomophobia" - NO MObile PHOBIA. A psychologist warned that
being too absorbed in smartphones means ignoring responsibilities).
Piece 2:
1. What is the healthiest time to go to bed, according to scientists?
(Scientists say the healthiest time to go to bed is between 10pm and
11pm).
2. What happened to people in the study who went to bed earlier than 10pm
or later than 11pm? (They developed heart problems).
3. What is the riskiest time to go to bed? Why? (It is after midnight because
because it may reduce the likelihood of seeing morning light, which
resets the body clock.)
Piece 3:
1. What does Amazon want to do? (Amazon wants to help workers with
mental health problems.)
2. What does it plan to do? (It plans to put "wellness chambers" in its
warehouses so workers can relax.)
3. What did an Amazon worker say about the working conditions there?
(You don't get treated like a person. They work you like a robot…You
don't have time to go to the bathroom.)
UNIT 3.
II. BEFORE-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
1. Definition match
1b; 2f; 3e; 4a; 5c; 6j; 7h; 8d; 9g; 10i
2.
Synonym match
1s; 2t; 3k; 4l; 5r; 6m; 7o; 8p; 9n; 10q
III. WHILE-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
1. True/False
1T; 2T; 3F; 4F; 5T; 6F; 7T; 8T; 9T; 10T
2.
Gap-fill
Piece 1:
1. nine-hour marathon
2. test takers
3. 508-thousand
4. 8.40 a.m.
5. 9 hours
6. twins
7. American’s SATs
8. 40% of freshmen
9. 25 minutes
10. Ministry of Education
Piece 2:
1. the third person
2. a medical conference
3. International Aids Society
4. a middle-aged
5. stem
6. remission
7. antiretroviral therapy
8. bone marrow
9. umbilical cord stem
10. HIV-resistant cells
Piece 3:
1. 2500 years
2. three fragments
3. bearded male head
4. 19th century
5. notably
6. Ministry of Culture
7. gratitude
8. python and sculptures
9. models
10. temple
IV. AFTER-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
2. News heading
Piece 1: Suneung college entrance exam day in South Korea
Piece 2: First woman cured of HIV - researchers
Piece 3: Vatican to return Parthenon Marbles of Athena Temple
4. Preparation for questions:
Suggested Questions
Piece 1:
1. Do you feel that the current way we are educating children fully prepares
them for the needs of the 21st century?
2. What is the role of the teacher?
3. Do you think standardized testing is the most effective way to judge
learning?
Piece 2:
1. What does Undetectable = Untransmittable (otherwise known as U=U)
mean?
2. How does HIV testing work?
3. What can we do to reduce stigma against people living with HIV?
Piece 3:
1. What is the cultural significance of the Parthenon?
2. What does Athena Parthenos symbolize?
3. How many symbols does Athena have?
UNIT 4.
BEFORE-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
1. Definition match:
1-c, 2-i, 3-e, 4-f, 5-h, 6- j, 7-b, 8 -g, 9-d, 10 – a.
2. Synonym match:
1-c, 2-j, 3-i, 4-e, 5-g, 6-a, 7-f, 8-b, 9-d, 10-h
WHILE-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
1. True/ False:
1. T, 2. F, 3. F, 4. F, 5. T, 6. F, 7. T, 8. F, 9T, 10T
2. Gap-fill:
1. Piece 1:
1. follow-up
2. top film
3. second-biggest
4. in tickets
5. superhero film
6. Black cast
7. opened conversations
8. genuinely interested
9. movie studios
10. African moviemakers
2. Piece 2:
1. Academy Awards
2. movie critics
3. media streaming service
4. best picture award
5. deaf family
6. main competition
7. the financial performance
8. media market research
9. nominees
10.each increased
3. Piece 3:
1. the USA’s
2. make the most
3. popular
4. made a record
5. $640 million
6. biggest hit
7. 23,600 screens
8. 475%
9. overtake
10.this success
AFTER-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
2. News heading:
Piece 1: ‘Black Panther’ Movie Changed How People See Africa
Piece 2: Will a Streaming Service Movie Finally Win Best Picture Oscar?
Piece 3: China tops US at box office for first time
4. Preparation for questions:
Suggested questions and answers.
Piece 1:
1. How much money did the first Black Panther movie earn?
$1.3 billion.
2. How did the first Black Panther movie change people’s thought about Africa?
It opened conversations for questions. People were genuinely interested in knowing
about the continent
3. According to Ayodeji Aiyesimoju, what should movie studios in Hollywood and
Britain do next?
They should do more work with Black actors and African moviemakers.
Piece 2:
1. Where will the Oscars be held?
It will be held in Los Angeles.
2. What is another nominee for the Best Picture Oscar apart from CODA?
The film The Power of the Dog from Netflix.
3. How did ticket sales for Dune and King Richard change after being nominated for
Best Picture award?
Their ticket sales each increased by about 4 times.
Piece 3:
1. How much money did the USA’s cinemas get in February?
$640 million.
2. How much money did the biggest hit in China’s movie theatres gain?
$105 million
3. What contributed to the growth of China’s movie industry?
Chinese movies.
UNIT 5.
I.
WARM-UP ACTIVITIES
2. Chats:
 Using restorative justice does not mean a school cannot remove a disruptive
student from the classroom, said Thalia González. She is a professor at the
University of California College of the Law, San Francisco. But unlike other
forms of discipline, restorative practices aim to understand the causes of a
student’s behavior. The approach is less centered on punishment.
 Misbehavior has been on the rise since students returned to classrooms
following COVID-19 lockdowns. The National Center for Education Statistics
questioned school leaders on the issue last summer. It found that 56 percent of
school leaders said the pandemic led to increased classroom disruptions from
student misbehavior. And 48 percent said it led to more acts of disrespect
toward teachers and staff.
 “Traditional discipline” has widened inequities. Black children often are
suspended or expelled at rates far higher than white children. Research has
found that these differences in discipline can have lifelong effects for children,
including worsened educational results and higher rates of imprisonment.
 “Restorative practices”: Carrying out the practice correctly takes time,
resources, and community support, said Rebecca Epstein. She is the center’s
executive director. “Change is hard,” Epstein said. “It can’t be up to individual
teachers alone to shift the culture… It really takes a whole school cultural
shift.”
3. Actions:
Issues
1 Ghostwriting in publishing industry
(‘https://www.entrepreneur.com/
leadership/the-entrepreneurs-completeguide-to-ghostwriting/280519)
What should be done?
A ghostwriter is a writer you hire to
produce your book (or other written
content) for you; while they do the
writing, the idea is your own and the
book is published under your name.
Be aware when you get someone to
write your book for you:
- It is expensive
- You have to manage them
- You get a manuscript, nothing
else…
AI technology can also perpetuate
2 Using AI to create book for sale
(‘https://www.dailymail.co.uk/
societal biases like those around
sciencetech/article-11775455/FOCUSrace, gender and culture. Tech
ChatGPT-launches-boom-AI-written-e- giants including Alphabet Inc's
books-Amazon.html)
Google and Amazon.com have
previously acknowledged that some
of their projects that experimented
with AI were "ethically dicey" and
had
limitations.
At
several
companies, humans had to step in
and fix AI havoc.
3 Fast publication on Amazon’s Kindle Generally, Amazon lets authors
store
publish without any oversight. The
company then splits whatever
money is made with the writer.
Some negatives:
- No paperback preorders
- Doing all the work
- Specific conditions for getting
70% royalties
- Limited interactive content
- Highly-competitive marketplace
4 Low-quality books on Amazon’s book A Low Content Book is still not
store
your conventional book which is
(‘https://woollyorbit.medium.com/
full of typed pages (like a novel) but
lowlow-content-books-on-amazon-kdp- there is more content inside than a
low-quality-books-acec85abf1aa)
No Content Book. An example
could be a colouring book, a
handwriting practice book, a puzzle
book such as a crossword or sudoku
book, a writing prompt book, daily
planner or schedule…there’s a lot
that could fall into this category, but
you get the idea.
If you think about it, the idea of a No
or Low Content Book on Amazon is
genius. They are quick and easy to
make. They are, if not free, then
relatively cheap to make (once you
buy the graphics/ fonts for
commercial use). And it’s relatively
risk free if you’re using legal,
copyright free pictures. All you
have to do is a bit of keyword and
specific niche research.
I just wish people would pay a little
more attention to what they’re doing
and have a little more pride and
integrity as to what and how they
create things too!
4. Discussions: Ways to curb the outbreak of bird flu
(‘https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bird-flu-avian-influenza-how-to-prevent-it-and-stopit-spreading)








Register your birds
Keep your birds away from other captive and wild birds
Prevent contact with wild birds
Maintain bird houses and sheds
Fence off or cover standing water and ponds
Control rodents and pests
Clean and disinfect housing
Use clean clothing and footwear, and foot dips










Limit and control access to your birds
Protecting the welfare of your birds
Adding new birds to your flock
Rules for bird shows and gatherings
If your premises has over 500 birds
Keep records of bird movements, deaths and eggs
Damaged eggs, dead birds and manure
Bird flu vaccinations
Protecting people from bird flu
Download biosecurity checklist and posters
II. BEFORE-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
1. Definition match: Match the following words/ phrases taken from the pieces
of news with their definitions
1. imagine (v)
to form a picture in your mind of what sth might be like
2. illustrate (v)
to use pictures, photographs, diagrams, etc. in a book, etc.
3. offer (v)
to say that you are willing to do sth for sb or give sth to sb
4. admit (v)
to agree, often unwillingly, that sth is true
5. nature (n)
the basic qualities of a thing
6. industry (n)
the production of goods from raw materials, especially in
factories
7. commodity
a product or a raw material that can be bought and sold
(n)
2.
Synonym match: Match the following words taken from the pieces of news
with their synonyms.
1. educator (n)
professor
2. shutdown (n)
closure
3. adopt (v)
embrace
4. hurt (v)
damage
5. rise (n)
upturn
6. misbehavior (n) naughty act
7. harm (v)
tarnish
3.
Phrase match: Match a word from the left column with a word/ phrase from
the right column to make meaningful phrases.
1.
 avian
 flu
2.
 disease
 experts
3.
 serious
 risk
4.
 prevention
 efforts
5.
 record
 prices
6.
 fall
 short
7.
 raise
 chickens
III. WHILE-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
1. True/ False: Guess if the following statements are true (T) or false (F).
Listen and check.
Piece 1
T/F
1. Around 200 E-books may be found in Amazon's Kindle shop.
T
2. Many writers acknowledged using ChatGPT.
F
3. It is incredibly challenging to determine the exact number of e-books T
that AI may write.
4. The use of AI in publication could improve the quality of books.
F
Piece 2
T/F
5. Critics are putting pressure on many schools to reevaluate how they T
handle student discipline.
6. When children are allowed to go back to schools after COVID-19 F
lockdowns, misconduct has decreased.
7. 70 percent of school administrators claimed that the pandemic F
exacerbated student misbehavior-related disturbances in the classroom.
8. Expulsion and suspension affect kids' capacity to learn.
T
Piece 3
T/F
9. On poultry farms, massive outbreaks of bird flu won't soon come to an T
end.
10. People who use eggs as their primary source of protein won’t be affected F
by these record costs.
11. The virus primarily spreads through homegrown birds.
F
12. The attempts carried out by farmers to safeguard their birds are T
ineffective.
2.
Gap-fill: Listen and fill in each gap with no more than 5 words.
Piece 1:
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
1. published author
artificial intelligence program
had a good chance
illustrated children’s e-book
self-publishing section
a writer or co-writer
7. failure to admit
8. count of how many e-books
9. book publishing industry
10. flood the market
11. ability to create with AI
12. an art into a commodity
Piece 2
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
1. children’s behavior reached crisis levels
pressure from critics
discipline students
policies intended to reduce
Misbehavior has been on the rise
questioned school leaders
7. 56 percent of school leaders
8. classroom disruptions
9. “restorative practices” program
10. conflict resolution
11. repairing harm
12. concerns were raised
Piece 3
1. a year-round problem
7. main source of protein
2.
record outbreaks will not stop 8. Waterfowl
3.
must view the disease
9. contaminated waste, saliva
4.
spring movement seasons
10. falling short
5.
Egg prices set records
11. ask God to avoid an outbreak
6.
worldwide economic problems 12. raises chickens for meat
IV. AFTER-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
2. News heading: In pairs/ groups, think of a suitable heading for each piece of
news. Check your answers with different partners.
Piece 1: More People Using ChatGPT to Create, Publish Books
Piece 2: US Schools Face Pressure to Discipline Students
Piece 3: Bird Flu Spreads to More Countries
3. Preparation for questions:
Suggested questions:
Piece 1
1. What did Brett Schickler create?
2. Is it easy to count the number of e-books written by ChatGPT and why?
3. What concerns do professional writers have about ChatGPT?
Piece 2
1. Why do critics in the U.S. pressure schools to rethink the way the discipline
students?
2. What was a consequence of the COVID-19 lockdowns on student?
3. Why did a school board in Gwinnett County pause the “restorative practices”
programm in December?
Piece 3
1. What is happening to poultry farms around the world?
2. What effects it may have on farm products and consumers?
3. What are mainly responsible for spreading the virus?
Suggested answers:
Piece 1
1. He created a 30-page illustrated children’s e-book in a few hours, using the AI
software.
2. No, it isn’t because many writers don’t want to admit that they have used it.
3. They are worried that these books will flood the market and a lot of authors are
going to be out of work.
Piece 2
1. Because suspensions and expulsions hurt students’ ability to learn and largely
affect minority students.
2. The pandemic led to increased classroom disruptions from student
misbehaviour.
3. Because concerns were raised over incidents in school, including a video of a
student attacking a teacher at a high school.
Piece 3
1. Record outbreaks of avian flu have been witnessed on poultry farms around
the world.
2. Egg prices and chicken meat set records, affecting those who use eggs as a
main source of problems and a serious risk for farmers.
3. Waterfowl (like ducks)
VI. HOMEWORK
(https://www.businessinsider.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-chat-gpt2023-1)
To older millennials who grew up with IRC chat rooms — a text instant message
system — the personal tone of conversations with the bot can evoke the experience
of chatting online. But ChatGPT, the latest in technology known as "large language
model tools," doesn't speak with sentience and doesn't "think" the way people do.
That means that even though ChatGPT can explain quantum physics or write a poem
on command, a full AI takeover isn't exactly imminent.
Chat bots like GPT are powered by large amounts of data and computing techniques
to make predictions to string words together in a meaningful way. They not only tap
into a vast amount of vocabulary and information, but also understand words in
context. This helps them mimic speech patterns while dispatching an encyclopedic
knowledge.
Other tech companies like Google and Meta have developed their own large language
model tools, which use programs that take in human prompts and devise sophisticated
responses. OpenAI, in a revolutionary move, also created a user interface that is
letting the general public experiment with it directly.
UNIT 6.
BEFORE-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
3. Definition match:
1h, 2d, 3g, 4j, 5i, 6a, 7c, 8e, 9b, 10f
4. Phrasal match:
1d, 2j, 3h, 4g, 5b, 6c, 7a, 8i, 9f, 10e
WHILE-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
3. True/ False:
1F, 2T, 3F, 4T, 5T, 6F, 7F, 8T, 9T, 10F
4. Gist: Listen and state the main idea of each piece of new in one complete
sentence.
2. Piece 1:
Israeli scientists are creating a gene bank from the seeds of local wild
crops to better deal with disease or lack of water. /... with a hotter climate
with reduced growing seasons.
4. Piece 2:
Spanish genetic researchers believe grape vines that have lived for more
than 35 years are better able to deal with high temperatures due to a
more diverse genetic makeup.
5. Piece 3:
Argentina is about to learn whether a genetically modified version of
wheat (HB4) that uses a gene taken from sunflowers could grow well in
hot and dry conditions.
3. Comprehension check:
Suggested answers.
Piece 1:
1. Because some of the crops have survived for thousands of years and they
may help farmers deal with a severe climate in the coming years.
2. It is the national agricultural research and development center in Israel.
3. They will be frozen and stored at a gene bank of the Volcani Institute.
4. It could be used to genetically modify farmed crops to deal with disease or
lack of water.
5. Scientists have engineered different kinds of wheat with a very short life (,
which could be helpful in a hotter climate with reduced growing seasons).
Piece 2:
4. They are better able to deal with high temperatures brought by climate
change. / They may be able to grow better in higher temperatures.
5. No. Because they want (the vines with) a longer ripeness period.
6. They have long crossed old vines with new ones and are now working (with
special laboratories) to find a climate-resistant vine.
7. To keep the Spanish winemaking industry alive as temperatures rise.
8. They have a more diverse genetic makeup.
Piece 3:
1. It’s about to learn whether a genetically engineered new wheat might ease
some agricultural concerns for the future.
2. It’s a genetically modified version of wheat and it uses a gene taken from
sunflowers.
3. Because sunflowers can grow well in places where temperatures are high
and water is not plentiful.
4. It should be able to produce 20 percent more than a traditional wheat crop
under hot and dry conditions.
5. While the former question the safety and reasonability of modified grain,
the latter point to the success of genetically modified soy and corn, used to
feed animals.
AFTER-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
2. News heading:
Piece 1: Scientists in Israel Make Gene Bank for Wild Crops
Piece 2: Scientists in Spain Look to Old Vines to Save Wine Business
Piece 3: Argentina Looks to Cross Wheat with Gene from Sunflowers
UNIT 7.
BEFORE-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
3. Definition match:
1e; 2f; 3j; 4g; 5a; 6b; 7h; 8c; 9i; 10d
4. Synonym match:
1c; 2e; 3g; 4f; 5i; 6b; 7a; 8h; 9d; 10j
WHILE-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
3. True/ False:
1F; 2T; 3F; 4F; 5T; 6T; 7T; 8F; 9F; 10T
4. Gist: Listen and state the main idea of each piece of news in one complete
sentence.
Piece 1: The world’s first ethical smartphone, which is recyclable, durable
and repairable, has been made and helps reduce electronic waste’s impacts
on the world.
Piece 2: The world’s first wooden satellite was tested, which shows that
advanced technology is getting back to nature.
Piece 3: American scientists have created the first “living robots”
(xenobots) that can have babies, which will have great influence on many
fields in our life.
5. Comprehension check: Listen again and give answers to the following
questions. Ask the teacher to replay the recordings and pause when and where
necessary.
Piece 1:
1. Many people feel exasperated and helpless when their smartphone
breaks.
2. The principles were to use raw materials from non-conflict mining
areas; and to make a product that was recyclable, durable and repairable.
3. Its mission is to get "a massive industry to take responsibility for its
impact on the world, by establishing a viable market for ethical
electronics.
4. Fairphone says communication technology will account for 14 per cent
of greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
5. The plastic used is 40-per-cent recycled.
Piece 2:
1. It is largely made from plywood
2. It is just 10cm cubed in size.
3. Mr Makinen / It was tested his DIY device in the stratosphere.
4. Because he had worked in the space education field already.
5. In 2017
Piece 3:
6. In 2020, they created the world's first "living" robots, called
"xenobots".
7. They came from the stem cells of an African frog.
8. They can move, work together in groups and repair themselves.
9. Because they are technically robots. They are a machine-animal
hybrid. They are "an entirely new life-form”.
10.They can have influence on science, medicine, the environment and
the way we live.
AFTER-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
2. News heading:
Piece 1: A company makes smartphones that can repair themselves.
Piece 2: The world’s first wooden satellite was tested.
Piece 3: Scientists create living robots that can have babies.
UNIT 8.
* Trong sách học chị không đưa phần câu hỏi của piece 2 vì có một số chi tiết
nhạy cảm, nhưng trong phần nghe thì các em vẫn có thể cho SV nghe để luyện
chứ không cung cấp script. Chị nghĩ không sao. (Giang)
II. BEFORE-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
1. Definition match:
1g; 2h; 3a; 4i; 5b; 6j; 7c; 8f; 9d; 10e
2. Phrase match
1e; 2a; 3i; 4f; 5j; 6h; 7b; 8c; 9g; 10d
III. WHILE-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
1. True/False
1T; 2F; 3F; 4T; 5F; 6T; 7T; 8F; 9F; 10T
2. Gist
Piece 1: The EU followed in the footstep of the U.S. to reduce reliance on
semiconductor supply from other countries. The bloc aims to increase its global chip
market share to 20 percent by 2030. The EU agreed to spend a vast amount of money
to catch up to both the U.S. and Asia while reducing its dependency on regions
outside the bloc for its semiconductor needs.
Piece 2: The main reason why China has so many billionaires is that in the era of
opening and reform and the economic miracle that ensued over the past decades,
China's market has brought great opportunities to smart entrepreneurs that really
made best use of all the new fields of technology and economic engagement opening
up. But under Deng Xiaoping, there was a movement towards letting the market play
a greater role in resource allocation, and this allowed entrepreneurship to flourish.
Piece 3: The Type 001A carrier is said to have six times more military strength than
China's existing Liaoning vessel, which was purchased from Ukraine and put into
commission in the Chinese Navy in 2012. Development of the Type 001A carrier
began in 2013 and construction two years later. Although it still has some way to go
to catch up with American carriers, the new ship is part of Beijing's bigger plan to
build a navy that is unrivaled in Asia... and another carrier -- the Type 002 -- is
reportedly under construction in Shanghai.
3. Comprehension check:
Piece 1:
1. The EU followed in the footsteps of the U.S. to reduce reliance on
semiconductor supply from other countries. The bloc aims to increase its
global chip market share to 20 percent by 2030.
2. The EU agreed to a 47 billion U.S. dollar plan for its semiconductor industry,
in a move to catch up to both the U.S. and Asia.
3. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen praised Tuesday's deal, saying the Chips Act
"will allow for a competitive chips industry and build the foundation for a
global market share."
Piece 2:
1. In the era of opening and reform and the economic miracle that ensued over
the past decades, China's market has brought great opportunities to smart
entrepreneurs that really made best use of all the new fields of technology and
economic engagement opening up.
2. The Communist Party's victory marked the rise of Mao Zedong, who declared
the creation of the People's Republic of China on October 1st, 1949.
3. During the 1950s, Mao implemented a five year plan dubbed the Great Leap
Forward to improve the country's economy.
4. The key features of this plan included forced agricultural collectivization and
rural industrialization. The plan backfired, triggering one of the largest famines
in human history.
5. Under Deng Xiaoping, there was a movement towards letting the market play
a greater role in resource allocation, and this allowed entrepreneurship to
flourish. It allowed China to cultivate commercial opportunities with the rest
of the world, which really brought a lot of development and wealth and
prosperity to the country.
Piece 3:
1. The Type 001A was purchased from Ukraine and put into commission in the
Chinese Navy in 2012.
2. It weighs about 50-thousand tons, which is 10-thousand less than its
predecessor, but it's slightly longer with a wider command platform. The vessel
also houses a ski jump-style deck for take offs, which experts say is cheaper to
run than the catapults used by the U.S., but limits the diversity of aircraft on
board to smaller fighter jets.
3. The new carrier aims to carry 36 Shenyang J-15 multi-role fighter jets, which
is 12 more than what the Liaoning can carry.
4. The new ship is part of Beijing's bigger plan to build a navy that is unrivaled
in Asia.
5. These ambitions are rattling neighboring countries, as they see hidden motives
behind China's naval expansion, which adds to already high tensions in the
region, including the territorial dispute over islands in the South China Sea.
AFTER-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
News heading:
Piece 1: EU agrees to Chips Act to increase semiconductor production
Piece 2: Why China's Billionaires Keep Disappearing
Piece 3: New Chinese aircraft carrier 'six times more powerful' than existing
Liaoning
UNIT 9.
BEFORE-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
1. Definition match:
1-d, 2-g, 3-a, 4-h, 5-i , 6-j, 7-c, 8-b, 9-e, 10-f
2. Phrasal match:
1-c, 2-i, 3-f, 4-g, 5-a, 6-d, 7-h, 8-b, 9-j, 10-e
WHILE-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
1. True/ False:
1-F, 2-F, 3-F, 4-T, 5-T, 6-F, 7-T, 8-T, 9-T, 10-F
2. Gist: Listen and state the main idea of each piece of new in one complete
sentence.
1. Piece 1:
Police in Hyderabad, India depends on facial recognition technology to
fight crime.
2. Piece 2:
The U.S. increases its military budget to get the most advanced AI
weapons in the world.
3. Piece 3:
Researchers have developed an AI system to help the ancient writings and
identify when and where they were written.
3. Comprehension check:
Suggested answers.
Piece 1:
1. More than 700,000 cameras.
2. They have the ability to continuously examine data collected by cameras and
cell phone transmitters.
3. The system can pull up images from any available camera across the city. It
then uses artificial intelligence (AI) methods to try to identify known criminals
in the area.
4. The technology is for fighting crime, issuing traffic violations and enforcing
COVID-19 rules.
5. The system can result in mistaken identities and violate the privacy of citizens.
Piece 2:
1. 5 years
2. Weapons generals and commanders.
3. 20 years
4. Innocent lives
5. Targets
Piece 3:
1. Because the writings often contained valuable information about how
ancient people lived and how they structured their societies.
2. 71%
3. 25%
4. The team is currently working on other versions of Ithaca trained on other
ancient languages.
5. DeepMind has launched a free, interactive tool based on the system for use
by researchers, educators, museum workers and the public.
AFTER-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
3. News heading:
Piece 1: Indian City Expands Facial Recognition Technology to Fight Crime
Piece 2: U.S. to spend $2 billion on artificial intelligence weapons
Piece 3: AI Used to Fill in Missing Words in Ancient Writings
UNIT 10
I.
WARM-UP ACTIVITIES
2. Chats: Draw mindmaps about the given topics and have a chat about the topics
you like. Change topics and partners.
a. Virtual reality headset: A virtual reality headset is a device that displays a user's
real surroundings in a virtual world. It simulates a user's physical presence in a
virtual or imaginary environment.
b. Horizon social: (formerly Facebook Horizon) is a free virtual reality, online
video game with an integrated game creation system developed and published
by Meta Platforms. On this multi-player virtual platform, players move and
interact with each other in various worlds that host events, games, and social
activities. The game works on Oculus Rift S and Meta Quest 2 headsets.
c. Workspace platform: A digital workspace is an integrated technology framework
that centralizes the management of an enterprise's applications, data and endpoints,
allowing employees to collaborate and work remotely. It provides users with selfservice, out-of-the-box experiences that scale across platforms, locations and
device ownership models, allowing them to work in a digital workplace.
Sometimes referred to as virtual workspaces, digital workspaces bring all of a
user's resources -- such as operating systems (OSes), files and apps -- into one
place and deliver a cloud-based console that allows IT professionals to manage
those resources under one roof.
d. Tribe XR: is a program already available in virtual reality, but a demonstration
showed how passthrough technology may give DJs a way to use the app to perform
in the real world. With the new technology, they can look out past their virtual
equipment and see real partygoers.
3. Actions: What should be done with these issues? Complete the table with your
partner(s). Change partners and share what you have written.
Issues
1 The illegal sharing of private user data
(‘https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/
consumers/internet-telecoms/dataprotection-online-privacy/index_en.htm)
2 Misinformation on social media
What should be done?
When a company or
organisation asks for your
consent, you have to make a
clear action agreeing to this,
for example by signing a
consent form or selecting yes
from a clear yes/no option on a
webpage.
It is not enough to simply opt
out, for example by checking a
box saying you don't want to
receive marketing emails. You
have to opt in and agree to your
personal data being stored
and/or re-used for this purpose.
The term 'misinformation' is
defined as 'false information that
is spread, regardless of whether
3 Harm to social-media users’ mental health
(‘https://theconversation.com/6-ways-toprotect-your-mental-health-from-socialmedias-dangers-117651)
4. Discussions:
there is intent to mislead'.
Misinformation is a more
technical term for 'fake news' and
is something that can spread
quickly across various platforms
such as social media channels.
Never share a post on social
media without fact checking
Look for the sources
Consider the story's agenda
Don't discount stories that play to
emotions, but view them with
caution
Since it's a relatively new
technology, there's little research
to establish the long-term
consequences, good or bad, of
social media use. However,
multiple studies have found a
strong link between heavy social
media and an increased risk for
depression, anxiety, loneliness,
self-harm, and even suicidal
thoughts.
Limit when and where you use
social media
Have ‘detox’ periods
Pay attention to what you do and
how you feel
Approach social media
mindfully; ask ‘why?’
Prune
Stop social media from
replacing real life
CRYPTOCURRENCY
Pros
The advantages of cryptocurrencies
include cheaper and faster money
transfers and decentralized systems that
do not collapse at a single point of failure.
Cons
The disadvantages of cryptocurrencies
include their price volatility, high
energy consumption for mining
activities, and use in criminal activities.
II. BEFORE-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
1. Definition match: Match the following words/ phrases taken from the pieces
of news with their definitions.
1. Device (n)
 an object or a piece of equipment that has been
designed to do a particular job
2. Virtual (a)
 an imitation of reality or something real
3. Image (n)
 a mental picture that you have of what sb/sth is like or
looks like
4. Full-color (a)
 printed/ created using colours rather than just black and
white
5. Computing
 the use or operation of computers
(a)
6. Immersive
 surrounding something or someone and engaging all of
(a)
a person’s senses
7. Entry-level
 (of a product) suitable for a beginner or first-time user;
(a)
basic.
2. Synonym match: Match the following words taken from the pieces of news
with their synonyms.
1. comment (n)
 remark, review
2. digital
 computerized, electronic
3. proposal
 proposition
4. back (v)
 uphold
5. official (n)
 dignitary
6. currency
 notes, bills
(n)
7. provider
 supplier
(n)
3. Phrase match: Match a word from the left column with a word/ phrase
from the right column to make meaningful phrases.
 Federal
 agencies
 government-owned
 devices
 legislative
 effort
 user
 data
 mental
 health
 state
 power
 political
 theatre
III. WHILE-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
1. True/ False: Guess if the following statements are true (T) or false (F). Listen and
check.
Piece 1
T/F
1. Recently, Meta Platforms unveiled a tool that disable users to merge
F
the actual world with the digital one.
2. Quest Pro is anticipated to go on sale for $1,500 a piece, beginning on T
October 25
3. Zuckerberg’s aim was to demonstrate that his business would focus on T
what it refers to as the ‘metaverse’
4. Meta said Quest Pro is not a productive tool for some professions.
F
Piece 2
T/F
5. British officials are considering the posibility that whether Britain
T
should introduce the official use of an electronic currency.
6. The value of currency will not be decided by the Bank of England.
F
7. People who own the currency are not able to make purchases online.
F
8. Electronic currencies help digital dealings simpler and more
T
affordable.
Piece 3
T/F
9. The United States has banned federal employees from using TikTok on T
government devices.
10. U.S. politicians praised TikTok for its useful benefits.
F
11. ByteDance is accused of sending user data to China’s government.
T
12. TikTok spokesperson agrees with the U.S. government’s decision.
F
2. Gist: Listen and state the main idea of each piece of news in one complete sentence.
1. Piece 1: The introduction of Meta’s new virtual reality device, Quest Pro,
demonstrates the company’s attention on an immersive environment on
computers, which is expected to be a productive aid for many professions.
2. Piece 2: The British government is considering all elements affecting the
launch of an official digital currency in the country.
3. Piece 3: US Congress voted to ban federal employees from using TikTok on
government-owned devices for fears of sharing private user data and
misinformation
3. Comprehension check: Listen again and give answers to the following questions.
Ask the teacher to replay the recordings and pause when and where necessary.
Piece 1:
1. What kind of device is Quest Pro? How does it work?
 It is a device introduced by Meta Platforms that lets users combine the
computer created world with the real one.
 The headset will offer consumers a way to interact with virtual
images overlaid onto a full-color picture of the physical world around them.
2. How is the introduction of the new head set seen?
The new product is the company’s latest effort to enter the market for extended reality
computing devices that cost a lot of money.
3. Why did Zukerberg change his company’s name from Facebook to Meta?
The aim was to show that the company was placing its attention on what it calls the
metaverse.
4. According to the explanation in the news, what is a ‘metaverse’?
The metaverse is a computing experience where users share
an immersive environment on computers.
5. Who are expected to make full use of the new Quest Pro?
Meta says the Quest Pro can be a productivity tool that designers, architects and other
creative professionals can use.
Piece 2:
1. What did British official say this week?
British officials said this week they plan to gather public comments on whether the
country should establish a digital version of the pound.
2. What is the role of the Bank of England in this regard?
 a digital pound would be issued by Britain’s central bank, not by private
companies
The Bank of England would set the digital currency’s value.
3. What can and cannot individual holders of cryptocurrency do in Britain?
 individuals would not hold accounts directly with the Bank of England
 would hold accounts with private digital wallet providers
 would be able to use it to pay for goods and services electronically
4. How is the currency deemed by Britain’s Finance Minister?
Britain’s Finance Minister Jeremy Hunt said “a digital pound issued and backed by
the Bank of England could be a new way to pay that’s trusted, accessible and easy to
use."
5. What threats do such currencies pose?
But digital forms of currency also present risks, including internet attacks, privacy
concerns and the danger that they can be misused by criminals
Piece 3:
1. What will federal agencies employees no longer do after US Congress passes
the latest legislation?
They will no longer be able to use government-owned devices to use the
popular video sharing service TikTok.
2. What is ByteDance?
TikTok’s owner, the Chinese company.
3. What have many politicians accused TikTok of?
 presenting national security risks to the U.S.
 ByteDance, could be sharing user data with the government
 could be sharing huge amounts of private user data to China’s government
4. What did a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokespersay say Tuesday?
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Tuesday banning TikTok from U.S.
government devices represents an “abuse of state power.”
5. How did TikTok spokesperson see the U.S. Government ban?
Brooke Oberwetter called the U.S. government ban “little more than political
theater.”
IV. AFTER-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
2.
News heading: In pairs/ groups, think of a suitable heading for each piece of
news. Check your answers with different partners.
Piece 1: Meta Introduces New Virtual Reality Headset
Piece 2: Britain Moves Closer to Launching Official Digital Currency
Piece 3: US Orders Agencies to Remove TikTok from all Government Devices
V. HOMEWORK

2. E-learning: Search the Internet and find out more about the METAVERSE. Share
what you have discovered with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
What is a metaverse?
Technically, a metaverse is a collective virtual shared space, created by the
convergence of virtually enhanced physical and digital reality. For simplicity’s
sake, think of a metaverse as the next iteration of the internet, which started as
individual bulletin boards and independent online destinations. Eventually these
destinations became sites on a virtual shared space — similar to how a metaverse
will develop.
A metaverse is not device-independent, nor owned by a single vendor. It is an
independent virtual economy, enabled by digital currencies and non-fungible
tokens (NFTs).
As a combinatorial innovation, metaverses require multiple technologies and
trends to function. Contributing trends include virtual reality (VR), augmented
reality (AR), flexible work styles, head-mounted displays (HMDs), an AR cloud,
the Internet of Things (IoT), 5G, artificial intelligence (AI) and spatial computing.
(https://www.gartner.com/en/articles/what-is-a-metaverse)
Entering the metaverse
The metaverse is “an integrated network of 3D virtual worlds.” These worlds
are accessed through a virtual reality headset — users navigate the metaverse using
their eye movements, feedback controllers or voice commands. The headset
immerses the user, stimulating what is known as presence, which is created by
generating the physical sensation of actually being there.
To see the metaverse in action, we can look at popular massively multiplayer
virtual reality games such as Rec Room or Horizon Worlds, where participants use
avatars to interact with each other and manipulate their environment.
But the wider applications beyond gaming are staggering. Musicians and
entertainment labels are experimenting with hosting concerts in the metaverse.
The sports industry is following suit, with top franchises like Manchester
City building virtual stadiums so fans can watch games and, presumably, purchase
virtual merchandise.
Perhaps the farthest reaching opportunities for the metaverse will be in online
learning and government services.
This is the popular conception of the metaverse: a VR-based world independent of
our physical one where people can socialize and engage in a seemingly unlimited
variety of virtual experiences, all supported with its own digital economy.
(https://theconversation.com/what-is-the-metaverse-and-what-can-we-do-there179200)
UNIT 11.
BEFORE-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
1. Definition match:
1g, 2j, 3h, 4c, 5d, 6e, 7i, 8a, 9f, 10b
2. Phrase match:
1i, 2g, 3h, 4j, 5c, 6b, 7f, 8e, 9a, 10d
WHILE-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
1. True/ False:
1F, 2F, 3T, 4T, 5F, 6T, 7F, 8T, 9T, 10F
2. Gist: Listen and state the main idea of each piece of new in one complete
sentence.
1. Piece 1:
About 50 million people in the world are enslaved and the only way they
can survive is to work in terrible conditions or be forced into unwanted
marriages.
2. Piece 2:
One in three women worldwide will experience physical or sexual abuse in
her lifetime, and violence against women, called a pandemic, kills hundreds
of them.
3. Piece 3:
Women and girls took off their headscarves, burnt their scarves, cut their
hair, and the protests by Iranian women and girls are from decades of pentup fury.
3. Suggested note-taking techniques:
 Using SV structures.
 Using key words/ content words: nouns, main verbs, adjectives and
adverbs.
 Making guesses and predictions.
 Shorthand writing.
 Building up a personal system of symbols and/or signs.
4. Comprehension check:
Teacher’s questions.
Piece 1:
1. How many people in the world are enslaved today, according to the ILO?
2. Why is the figure still growing?
3. What is the only way many people can survive?
4. Which countries face the problem of forced labour and forced marriages?
5. Who are at the most risk of modern slavery?
Piece 2:
1. How many women worldwide will experience physical or sexual abuse in
her lifetime?
2. What has violence against women been called by global leaders?
3. How many women a day are killed by their intimate partners or their family
members?
4. Why did Patricia Cumbie wonder if what happened to her was a crime or
not?
5. How long did Comfort Dondo live in an abusive marriage and why did she
lose custody of her son?
Piece 3:
1. How did protests by women and girls in Iran begin?
2. What happened to Ms Amini?
3. What did hundreds of thousands of women do to send a message to Iran’s
leaders?
4. Which punishments should an Iranian woman receive if she uncovers her
hair in public?
5. Why did an Iranian professor say hair coverings were the tip of the iceberg?
Suggested answers.
Piece 1:
1. About 50 million (are). / One in 150 people in the world is (enslaved).
2. It is still growing because of the coronavirus pandemic, climate change, and
the cost of living crisis. / Because the coronavirus pandemic, climate
change, and the cost of living crisis have made many people poor.
3. They have to work in terrible conditions or be forced into unwanted
marriages.
4. Both poor countries and richer countries (do).
5. Women and children (are).
Piece 2:
1. One in three (will).
2. The human rights issue of our time, a pandemic.
3. One hundred-thirty-seven / 137 (women are).
4. Because violence against women was so normalized.
5. Five years. Her husband had better knowledge of the legal system. / She
spent five years living in an abusive marriage, and her husband’s better
knowledge of the legal system resulted in her losing custody of her son.
Piece 3:
1. They began following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini (in September
at the hands of the morality police).
2. She became a martyr after she removed her headscarf and showed her hair
in public.
3. They took off their headscarves in the streets, on buses and in schools.
Many burnt their scarves and cut their hair. (They marched in the streets
chanting “women, life, freedom”.)
4. Fines and imprisonment.
5. There’s a lot of compulsion in Iranian culture, so the demand is freedom.
The protests are engaging students ready to live life freely. (They’re done
with death and grief and mourning.)
AFTER-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
2. News heading:
Piece 1: Modern Slavery
Piece 2: The other Pandemic: Violence against Women
Piece 3: Women, Life, Freedom
UNIT 12.
BEFORE-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
3. Definition match:
1c; 2d; 3f; 4h; 5j; 6b; 7a; 8e; 9g; 10i
4. Phrase match:
1h; 2d; 3a; 4b; 5g; 6f; 7c; 8e; 9j; 10i
WHILE-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
3. True/ False:
1T; 2F; 3F; 4F; 5T; 6T; 7F; 8F; 9T; 10T
4. Gist: Listen and state the main idea of each piece of new in one complete
sentence.
Piece 1: At a meeting with global leaders in Switzerland, rich company owners
asked governments to tax them more for fairness.
Piece 2: India has just announced a huge financial package to boost its
economy, increase youth employment and tackle climate change.
Piece 3: Cuba, a communist-ruled country, has made a radical shift in its policy
which is to allow the ownership of small and medium-sized private businesses.
3. Suggested note-taking techniques:
 Using SV structures.
 Using key words/ content words: nouns, main verbs, adjectives and
adverbs.
 Making guesses and predictions.
 Shorthand writing.
 Building up a personal system of symbols and/or signs.
4. Comprehension check:
Teacher’s questions.
Piece 1:
1. What are the reasons for rising prices? (The Covid-19 pandemic and
the Ukraine war).
2. What did a group of company owners do at a meeting of global leaders
in Davos? (They asked governments to tax them more/ to increase
taxes for people like them.)
3. What do that group of wealthy people call themselves? (They call
themselves the Patriotic Millionaires).
4. What shocking news did one of the millionaires reveal? (He said that
world leaders listen "to those who have the most but know the least"
about the cost of living crisis and many super-rich people are well
known for paying very little in tax).
5. What did another millionaire say about the world situation? (He said
another quarter of a billion people will be pushed into extreme poverty
this year.)
Piece 2:
1. What has India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced? (He has
announced a huge financial package for his country.)
2. What will the huge investment focus on? (The huge investment will
focus on the economy, youth employment, and on ways to tackle climate
change)
3. What did he say about his spending plans? (He said they will create job
opportunities for hundreds of thousands of young people, help local
manufacturers to become "globally competitive," and to develop new
"economic zones" in India.)
4. What did the Prime Minister promise at the India’s 75th Independence
Day celebrations? (He promised that India would be "energy
independent" before it turned 100. Modi promised to invest more in
sustainable energies such as solar and "green hydrogen")
5. What ambitious plans did he outline? (He outlined ambitious plans for
transforming India's vast railway network. He wants it to be a net-zero
carbon emitter by 2030.)
Piece 3:
1. What is considered a monumental shift in policy of Cuba? (It is the fact
that Cuban government is legalising the ownership of small and
medium-sized businesses.)
2. What does the new policy allow? (The new policy allows entrepreneurs
to operate businesses that have up to 100 employees.)
3. Why did Cuban people demonstrate and protest? (They demonstrated
against dire economic conditions and protested about a lack of food
and the handling of the coronavirus pandemic.)
4. What did Cuban President announce? (He said he would introduce new
initiatives to revitalise his country's economy.)
5. What are some key industries of Cuba? (They are tourism and sugar
production.)
AFTER-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
2. News heading:
Piece 1: Millionaires say “tax us more”
Piece 2: India to launch $1.35 trillion infrastructure plan
Piece 3: Cuba allows people to own private businesses
UNIT 13.
Note to teachers: In Vietnam, we should refer to the Russia-Ukrain conflict
(not war) as Russia “special military operation” (as the Party put it)
BEFORE-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
1. Definition match: Match the following words/ phrases taken from the pieces
of news with their definitions.
1e; 2i; 3a; 4f; 5h; 6j; 7b; 8c; 9g; 10d
2. Phrase match: Match the words on the left with the words/ phrases on the
right to make meaningful phrases used in each piece of news.
1c; 2e; 3f; 4a; 5b; 6i; 7d; 8g; 9j; 10h
WHILE-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
1. True/ False: Guess if the following statements are true (T) or false (F). Listen
and check.
T
F
1. Wealthy cities in rich countries would be immune to the
F
consequences of global warming.
2. European capitals like Paris and Berlin would bake under
F
more extreme earthquakes.
3. Frequent storm-surges in New York could turn parts of the T
city desolate.
4. Some cities tend to be more vulnerable to storm.
F
5. Because of denser populations, disasters in some city affect T
far more people.
6. A city that has taken seriously the risks of a 3°C world
F
would be a worse place to be in a 3°C world.
7. Some rural parts of the world are suffering T
disproportionately from global warming
8. Smallholders, small-scale farmers are particularly T
vulnerable to climate change
9. There are over 60 million smallholders, small-scale
farmers around the world.
10. Smallholders with farms under two hectares produce
around a second of the global food supply.
F
F
2. Gist: Listen and state the main idea of each piece of news in one complete sentence.
1. Piece 1: A rise of 3°C would affect everyone. Even wealthy cities in rich
countries wouldn’t be immune to the consequences. European capitals like Paris and
Berlin would bake under more extreme heatwaves. Frequent storm-surges in New
York could turn parts of the city desolate.
2. Piece 2: In recent days, more neighborhoods in the embattled city have
fallen to Russia, according to Moscow. It claims most of Bakhmut is under its control.
Before the war around 70,000 people lived here – a mining hub strategically located
in eastern Ukraine. It's believed there are only around 3,000 residents now. The head
of Russia’s private mercenary Wagner Group has called Bakhmut a "meat grinder".
3. Piece 3: Escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula. North Korean leader
Kim Jong-un orders the launch of the regime’s first military surveillance satellite that
could be capable of gathering information including on South Korean defenses. The
launch could possibly come within this month.
3. Note-taking: Listen again and take notes of each piece of news, focusing on the
key words. Use any short forms, abbreviations, signs, symbols to ease your notetaking.
Piece 1:
A rise of 3°C would affect everyone. Even wealthy cities in rich countries
wouldn’t be immune to the consequences.
European capitals like Paris and Berlin would bake under more extreme
heatwaves.
Frequent storm-surges in New York could turn parts of the city desolate. In
many ways, cities magnify, intensify climate events. Cities are hotter than the places
around them. They tend to be more vulnerable to flooding. And you can get a really
bad event in a city in a way that you can’t in the countryside. And because of their
denser populations, disasters in a city affect far more people. Some cities might be
badly prepared for the changes coming. But they have the means to adapt. Cities tend
to be wealthier than surrounding places, they have a lot of amenities.
A city that has taken seriously the risks of a 3°C world wouldn’t necessarily be
a worse place to be in a 3°C world. But a city that hasn’t prepared for these sorts of
eventualities that might be a really nasty place.
So far, many developed cities have got off lightly but some rural parts of the
world are suffering disproportionately.
Smallholders, small-scale farmers are particularly vulnerable to climate
change. And there are over 600 million around the world.
Smallholders with farms under two hectares produce around a third of the
global food supply.
Piece 2:
This is what months of fighting has done to Bakhmut. In recent days, more
neighborhoods in the embattled city have fallen to Russia, according to Moscow. It
claims most of Bakhmut is under its control.
Before the war around 70,000 people lived here – a mining hub strategically
located in eastern Ukraine. It's believed there are only around 3,000 residents now.
The head of Russia’s private mercenary Wagner Group has called Bakhmut a
"meat grinder". Ukrainian forces have described - quote - "unprecedented bloody
battles".
Both Russia and Ukraine have suffered heavy losses. Thousands of soldiers
have died in the more than nine months that the battle for Bakhmut has raged.
Moscow has been resupplying its front lines as fast as they lose people. But
both sides are refusing to back down. For the Kremlin, the capture of Bakhmut would
provide a long-awaited battlefield victory - a symbolic show of strength. It could also
open up the way for a Russian advance towards major Ukrainian cities in the region,
Slovyansk and Kramatorsk, and in turn control of the entire Donetsk area.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly said Ukraine will
continue to hold Bakhmut. For now, it appears the months long stalemate remains the
longest and bloodiest battle in Russia's war in Ukraine. And it shows little sign of
changing.
Piece 3:
Escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula. North Korean leader Kim Jongun orders the launch of the regime’s first military surveillance satellite that could be
capable of gathering information including on South Korean defenses.
The launch could possibly come within this month. Defense correspondent
Kim Yeon-seung reports. North Korea's threats have expanded into space. North
Korean leader Kim Jong-un has ordered the launch of a military spy satellite. This
was reported by their state-led Korean Central News Agency on Wednesday after he
paid a visit to the National Space Development Agency.
Alongside some high-ranking officials in the regime's reconnaissance
department, Kim took a look at what's reported to be the finished satellite device-the
first of its kind. He urged the launch to happen as scheduled. A leading expert in
North Korean studies says that this could be within this month. "It appears that Kim
Jong-un has determined their technological readiness to deploy a spy satellite and
may launch it before the Seoul-Washington summit to get the biggest political
response out of it." That summit is coming up next week. The expert also said this
satellite should also be seen as a threat to South Korea.
A spy satellite will enable the North to gather meaningful intel on South
Korea's defenses-making it that much easier for North Korea to strike first.
The last time North Korea attempted to launch a rocket into space was seven
years ago--trying to put an earth observation satellite, named the Kwangmyŏngsŏng4, into orbit. Experts project that this new satellite will be the next step up from their
last satellite and will be dubbed the Kwangmyŏngsŏng-5.
4. Comprehension check: Give answers to the questions given by the teacher, using
the notes you have just taken. Ask the teacher to replay the recordings and pause
when and where necessary.
Teacher’s questions:
Piece 1:
1. What makes disasters in a city affect far more people?
2. How many smallholders, small-scale farmers are particularly vulnerable to
climate change?
3. What European countries would bake under more extreme heatwaves?
Piece 2:
1. What has Bakhmut been called as?
2. How many people lived in Bakhmut before the war?
3. What Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly said?
Piece 3:
1. What is the purpose when North Korean leader Kim Jong-un orders the
launch of the regime’s first military surveillance?
2. When was the last time North Korea attempted to launch a rocket into space?
3. What aims of a spy satellite?
Suggested answers:
Piece 1:
1. Denser populations
2. 600 million
3. Paris and Berlin
Piece 2:
1. meat grinder
2. 70,000 people
3. Ukraine will continue to hold Bakhmut
Piece 3:
1. gathering information including on South Korean defenses
2. seven years ago
3. A spy satellite will enable the North to gather meaningful intel on South
Korea's defenses-making it that much easier for North Korea to strike first.
IV. AFTER-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
2. News heading: In pairs/ groups, think of a suitable heading for each piece
of news. Check your answers with different partners.
Piece 1: See what three degrees of global warming looks like
Piece 2: The next stage of the war in Ukraine: Analyzing Kyiv’s strategy
Piece 3: North Korea’s Kim Jong-un orders launch of military spy satellite
with Seoul – Washington Summit coming up
UNIT 14.
BEFORE-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
1. Definition match:
1-d, 2-e, 3-f, 4-h, 5-b, 6-j, 7-i, 8-a, 9-c, 10-g
2. Phrase match:
1-i, 2-c, 3-g, 4-e, 5-h, 6-a, 7-b, 8-d, 9-j, 10-f/j
WHILE-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
1. True/ False:
1-F, 2-T, 3-F, 4-F, 5-T, 6-F, 7-T, 8-F, 9-T, 10-F
2. Gist: Listen and state the main idea of each piece of new in one complete
sentence.
1. Piece 1:
About 50 million The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced a
shocking finding that almost everyone on Earth breathes unhealthy air and
called for more actions from countries to cut air pollution.
2. Piece 2:
The U.N. Environment Assembly voted Wednesday at its meeting in Kenya’s
capital Nairobi for a resolution “to end plastic pollution” in the world’s
oceans, rivers and land.
3. Piece 3:
Drone technology helps collect evidence of polluted areas and build legal
cases against polluters through the U.S. Clean Water Act.
5. Suggested note-taking techniques:
 Using SV structures.
 Using key words/ content words: nouns, main verbs, adjectives and
adverbs.
 Making guesses and predictions.
 Shorthand writing.
 Building up a personal system of symbols and/or signs.
6. Comprehension check:
Teacher’s questions.
Piece 1:
1. How many cities were part of the WHO air quality update?
2. Where do people breathe the poorest-quality air?
3. How many people might be alive if there was cleaner air?
4. What does the WHO say we need to transition to?
5. What should clean energy be used for besides cooking and heating?
Piece 2:
1. What does the resolution of the U.N. Environmental Assembly mark the
beginning of?
2. What countries presented plans that were used as the basis for a global plan
to prevent and reduce plastic pollution?
3. What issue would be included in the treaty?
4. How much plastic was thrown into oceans every year?
5. How is the U.N. decision viewed by Greenpeace?
Piece 3:
1. What areas could activists discover with the help of drones?
2. What purpose could images captures by drones be used for?
3. What are the requirements for activists using drones to collect evidence of
pollution?
4. How are new drones different from older models?
5. Who is Anastasia Telesetsky?
Suggested answers.
Piece 1:
1. 6,000 cities
2. In poorer countries
3. 7 million
4. Cleaner and healthier energy
5. Lighting
Piece 2:
1. It marks the beginning of international negotiations designed to produce a
treaty by 2024.
2. Peru, Rwanda, India and Japan
3. (The treaty would cover) The production, design, and removal of plastics.
4. 11 million metric tons of plastic.
5. (It is seen as) a big, bold step to end plastic pollution.
Piece 3:
1. They could discover areas that would otherwise be difficult to travel to or
may be costly to find, polluted areas that are surrounded by private land and
has remained hidden.
2. They could be used to build legal case against polluters through the U.S.
Clean Water Act.
3. Activists must have a federally issued pilot’s certificate. They must also
learn to work within state and local laws.
4. The new drones are easier to fly and capture better images.
5. She is an environmental law professor at California Polytechnic State
University.
AFTER-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
2. News heading:
Piece 1: WHO says 99% of people breathe unhealthy air
Piece 2: UN Countries Agree 'to End Plastic Pollution'
Piece 3: Drones Used to Identify Pollution
SCRIPT
UNIT 15.
I. WARM-UP ACTIVITIES
3. Actions: What should be done with these issues? Complete the table with your
partner(s). Change partners and share what you have written.
Issues
What should be done?
The amount of carbon dioxide
5 unusual climate change solutions
has reached record levels.
1. Livestock taxes
The government of New Zealand is proposing a
scheme to make farmers pay for emissions
emanating from livestock.
2. Carbon permits, not carbon offsets
Emissions from oil go up.
Carbon offsetting has become a popular way for
Higher coal emissions.
companies to invest in environmental projects to
compensate for their emissions. However, this
means they can continue emitting, and the
amount of transparency around the practice can
vary due to the different rules and standards of
carbon registries.
3. Portable utilities boxes
More info at:
Climate change is affecting the availability of
https://www.weforum.org/
quality fresh water both for drinking and
agenda/2022/11/ climateirrigation. More than two billion people
change-innovative-solutions/
worldwide don’t have reliable supplies of safe
https://www.weforum.org/
water, and nearly a billion lack access to energy.
agenda/2022/10/climate4. Protecting Arctic ice from climate change
change-adaptation-cop27
The California-based Arctic Ice Project has
spent more than a decade researching
solutions to slow the Arctic ice melt. The nonprofit group is developing hollow glass beads
that can reflect the sun’s rays away from
summer ice.
5. Making more of mining waste
Researchers in the United States are exploiting
ways of using mineral waste from mines to suck
CO2 out of the air. The MIT Technology review
says this could include the most common form
of asbestos, Chrysotile. When this reacts with
CO2, it produces materials like Magnesite
which can lock away the gas.
-----------------------
One of the four priorities for the COP27 summit
in Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt, is climate
adaptation. The UN says “the Global Goal on
Adaptation was one of the significant outcomes
of COP26. We must ensure that COP27 makes
the crucially needed progress and urge all parties
to demonstrate the necessary political will if we
are to capture and assess our progress towards
enhancing resilience and assist the most
vulnerable communities.”
What is climate change adaptation?
Cutting greenhouse gas emissions can slow the
pace of global warming - this is known as
mitigation. The IPCC says greenhouse gas
emissions must peak by 2025 and then rapidly
decline if further warming is to be limited.
Many countries have committed to the 2015
Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global
warming to around 1.5C above pre-industrial
levels, and efforts are already underway to decarbonize sectors of the global economy like
heavy industry.
However, it is clear that the world must also take
urgent action to adapt to the current and nearfuture impacts of climate change, which it is too
late to avoid.
The IPCC says adaptation to climate
change means “adjusting our behaviour (eg,
where we choose to live; the way we plan our
cities and settlements) and adapting our
infrastructure (eg, greening of urban areas for
water storage)”.
Examples of adaptation could be building roads
and bridges that can withstand higher
temperatures and more powerful storms,
reinforcing coastal defence systems and
switching to drought-resistant crops.
II. BEFORE-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
1. Definition match: Match the following words/ phrases taken from the pieces
of news with their definitions.
1. emissions (n)
 something that is released into the air, such as gasses
2. chaos (n)
 a state of complete disorder and uncontrolled behavior
3. properly
 in a way that is acceptable
(adv)
4. vigorously
 done with great force and energy
(adv)
5. absolutely
 completely or totally
(adv)
6. munitions
 military supplies and equipment, especially
(n)
ammunition; military weapons
7. facility (n)
 something (such as a building or large piece of
equipment) that is built for a specific purpose
2. Synonym match: Match the following words taken from the pieces of news with
their synonyms.
1. record (n)
 highest, best
2. growth (n)
 hike, surge, rise
3. handle (v)
 manage, take care of, deal with
4. harm (v)
 impair, damage, shatter
5. prevent (v)
 block, impede, restrain
6. attempt (n)
 bid, shot, experiment
7. warning (n)
 caution, alarm
3. Phrase match: Match a word from the left column with a word/ phrase from the
right column to make meaningful phrases.
 climate
 scientist
 emission
 growth

airplane
 travel
 security
 tensions
 compete
 vigorously
 munitions
 facilities
 military
 exercises
III. WHILE-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
1. True/ False: Guess if the following statements are true (T) or false (F). Listen and
check.
Piece 1
T/F
1. IEA said that the amount of carbon dioxide gas produced around the
F
world rose by 0.9 percent in 2020.
2. Scientists say the world should switch coal in order to reduce the
F
world’s temperature.
3. Any emissions increase is a defeat for us because it is detrimental for
T
our planet.
4. As people return to airplane traveling, more carbon dioxide is released T
to the atmosphere.
Piece 2
T/F
5. U.S. and China’s leaders don’t want to improve their relations.
F
6. China is looking forward to cooperate with the US.
T
7. Biden believes that a new Cold War is unnecessary.
T
8. China economic dealings are good for U.S. workers and families.
F
Piece 3
T/F
9. The expense for each missile launch can not be calculated.
T
10. North Korea is narrowing its nuclear storage.
F
11. North Korea is facing international sanctions and disconnected from
T
global trade.
12. North Korea is not intimidated by a series of U.S. – South Korean
F
military exercises.
2. Gist: Listen and state the main idea of each piece of news in one complete sentence.
Piece 1:
According to the IEA, the year 2022 had the biggest release of carbon dioxide due to
increased use of coal and post-Covid travelling activities, which concerns
environmentalist as it will be bad for people’s health and for the Earth.
Piece 2
In a personal meeting between American President Joe Biden and Chinese President
Xi Jinping, it was agreed that the two countries can manage differences and properly
handle the relationships despite vigorous competition.
Piece 3
Despite international econmic sanctions, North Korea keeps on expanding its
munitions facilities; some experts say there is no way to estimate the cost of North
Korean missile tests because the country could receive help from abroad.
3. Comprehension check and note-taking: Listen again and answer questions
given by your lecturers. Ask the teacher to replay the recordings and pause when and
where necessary.
Piece 1:
1. What does an international group based in Paris says about carbon dioxide
last year?
An international group based in Paris says the world produced a record amount of
carbon dioxide last year. The International Energy Agency (IEA) said Thursday that
the amount of carbon dioxide gas produced around the world rose by 0.9 percent in
2022.
2.
What do climate scientists advise people to do?
They say people around the world must cut carbon emissions to reduce the world’s
temperature.
3. Who is Rob Jackson? What did he say in the news recording?
Rob Jackson is a professor of earth system science at Stanford University. “Any
emissions growth – even one percent – is a failure,” he said. “It’s cuts or chaos for
the planet. Any year with higher coal emissions is a bad year for our health and for
the Earth,” he said.
4.
What have many countries done in 2022?
Many countries switched from natural gas to coal as gas prices rose in 2022.
5.
Where does much of the increase come from?
Much of the increase came as people returned to airplane travel after staying home
for much of 2020 and 2021.
Piece 2:
1. What did American President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping say
when they met in Bali, Indonesia?
The two leaders said they would try to improve the country’s relations amid rising
economic and security tensions.
2.
What responsibility did the two countries share according to president Biden?
Biden told Xi that the two of them share responsibility, “to show that China and the
United States can manage our differences, prevent competition from becoming
anything ever near conflict.”
3.
In presient Xi’s words, how did the world expect China and the US to do?
Xi said, "The world expects that China and the United States will properly handle the
relationship.”
4.
What other concerns did American president also raise?
The American president also raised concerns about China’s “non-market economic
practices.”
5.
What did Xi accuse the U.S. of doing at the end of the piece of news?
Politicizing and weaponizing economic and trade ties as well as exchanges in science
and technology
Piece 3:
1. How much do some experts estimate that each North Korean launch would
cost?
Some experts say each North Korean launch could cost $2 million to $10 million.
2.
What did Lee Illwoo say about the cost of the weapons?
Lee said “There are no ways for us to find at what cost North Korea produces certain
weapons parts. They could have manufactured them by themselves, or China might
have given them for free or at an extremely cheap price.”
3.
What are the signs mentioned in the recording?
There are also signs that North Korea is expanding its munitions facilities
4.
What office is Hong Min’s? What did he say about North Korea’s attempt?
The move could be an attempt to mass-produce newly developed weapons, said Hong
Min of Seoul’s Korea Institute for National Unification.
5.
Why does North Korea want to expand its nuclear arsenal?
North Korea has argued its missile tests are meant as a warning against a series of
U.S-South Korean military exercises. North Korean officials consider these military
exercises training for an invasion.
IV. AFTER-LISTENING ACTIVITIES
2. News heading: In pairs/ groups, think of a suitable heading for each piece of
news. Check your answers with different partners.
Piece 1: International Agency: 2022 Had Biggest Release of Carbon Dioxide
Piece 2: Biden: ‘No Need for Cold War’ after Meeting with Xi
Piece 3: How Does North Korea Pay for Its Many Missile Tests?
6. Further discussion: In groups, prepare short discussions/ presentations on the
following issues.
1. The coming Sino-US Cold War
People quarrel and fight over many things but can become friends again by
ironing out differences. But once distrust over each other's character and intent
deepens, it is difficult to reconcile.
The Nov. 14 summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and his Chinese
counterpart Xi Jinping shows that the relationship between the two countries has
fallen to such a low that reconciliation has become difficult.
Biden and Xi agreed to continue dialogue to avoid a clash, but that was about
it. The rest has been left to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is expected
to visit China early next year to hopefully resume bilateral talks on military affairs,
climate change and crime prevention, among other items.
There are signs that the frozen military dialogue between the U.S. and China
is thawing. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with Chinese Defense
Minister Wei Fenghe in Cambodia on Nov. 22 to discuss the importance of
dialogue in lessening strategic risks. But even if both countries resume regular talks,
they may not be able to improve ties quickly as mutual animosity runs deep, and
resolving the standoff through dialogue has become hard.
The U.S. apparently thinks China is trying to replace it as the world's most
powerful nation by weakening Washington's influence. In the national security
strategy unveiled last month, the Biden administration adopted a policy of
containing China's rise, regarding the nation as its biggest rival.
China, for its part, is growing ever more distrustful of Washington, possibly
believing that the U.S. wants to undermine its communist regime.
(https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Comment/U.S.-China-cold-war-more-dangerousthan-U.S.-Soviet-rivalry)
2.
China’s non-market economic practices
One of the biggest issues confronting the global trading system is currently working
its way through the dispute settlement process at the World Trade Organization
(WTO): should China be classified as a “non-market economy” (NME) for purposes
of assessing antidumping duties? Three of the WTO’s heavyweights—the United
States, the European Union, and Japan—say yes. They argue that widespread
distortions in China’s economy make it impossible to investigate whether its firms
are exporting goods at below “fair value.” The NME designation would allow them
to use prices from a third country, which typically leads to the imposition of even
higher antidumping (AD) duties.
China responds that its economy meets the generally accepted definition of a market
economy in most antidumping cases. It also argues that the United States and other
major trading nations agreed when China entered the WTO in 2001 that the NME
label would no longer be applied to China after 2016.
(https://www.mercatus.org/economic-insights/expert-commentary/china-nonmarketeconomy#:~:text=After%20four%20decades%20of%20reform,cases%20are%20the
%20most%20relevant)