11 December
My Favourite Times of Day
1. Do you like mornings or evenings? Why?
2. What do you do in the morning?
3. What do you do in the evening?
4. Do you go out at night?
5. When do you feel most energetic?
6. When do you relax?
7. Do you like watching sunsets or sunrises?
8. When do you study best: morning or night?
9. Do you drink tea or coffee in the afternoon?
10. Do you exercise in the morning or evening?
11. When do you talk with your family?
12. When do you watch TV?
13. Do you enjoy walking at night?
14. Do you like quiet nights or busy nights?
15. Would you like to work in the morning or at night?
Related Words: morning, evening, night, sunrise, sunset, relax, energetic, study, tea, coffee, exercise, quiet, busy, family, dinner, walk, TV, light, dark, fresh air, peaceful, busy street, clock, routine, breakfast, dinner, early, late, rest
Word Game – Favourite Times of Day
EXAMPLE ANSWERS: My Favourite Times of Day
1. I like evenings because I relax.
2. I eat breakfast and go to work.
3. I watch TV in the evening.
4. No, I stay home at night.
5. I feel energetic in the morning.
6. I relax after dinner.
7. I like watching sunsets.
8. I study best in the morning.
9. Yes, I drink tea at 3 PM.
10. I exercise in the evening.
11. I talk with my family after dinner.
12. I watch TV before going to bed.
13. Yes, I enjoy night walks in summer.
14. I like quiet nights more.
15. I would like to work in the morning.
The Spanish Flu: A Pandemic Over 100 Years Ago
This photo is from more than 100 years ago, but everything in it looks familiar. Today, we are facing a big pandemic with COVID-19, which has changed the world. But more than 100 years ago, the world experienced a different deadly epidemic – the Spanish Flu.
The Spanish Flu was one of the biggest epidemics in history, starting in 1918. It began in the United States but quickly spread to many countries around the world. The flu killed over 100 million people. The death rate was very high, with 1 out of 18 people dying from it, and at least 10% of those who caught it did not survive.
So why was it called the “Spanish flu”? The name comes from Spain because it was one of the first countries where the flu was reported, and it became widely known there. However, the flu did not start in Spain, and its true origins are still debated by scientists. The name stuck, and people still refer to it as the “Spanish flu” today.
READ/SPEAK
Did you catch Covid? What happened, and how did you feel?
Do you know anyone who got very ill during COVID-19?
How do you stay healthy during a pandemic?
How did you spend your time at home during COVID-19?
Did your daily life change a lot during COVID-19?
This means character and behaviour are more important than appearance.
LEARN THE IDIOM AND SPEAK
Tell us about the most good-looking people around you and describe them, please.
222
11 December
Luck
Do you believe in luck?
Are you a lucky person?
Do you think some people are luckier than others?
What is the greatest luck in your life?
Have you ever won something by chance? What was it?
Do you believe in lucky numbers? Do you have one?
Do you think luck or hard work is more important in life? Why?
Have you ever had a very unlucky day? What happened?
Do you believe in lucky charms (like a rabbit’s foot, a lucky coin, or a bracelet)?
Have you ever met someone by luck who changed your life?
Do you believe in superstitions, like black cats or broken mirrors bringing bad luck?
The Spanish Flu: A Devastating Global Epidemic
The Spanish Flu of 1918, which struck more than 100 years ago, remains one of the deadliest pandemics in history. Despite the passage of time, much of the pandemic’s imagery, such as the sight of people wearing masks, feels eerily familiar. The COVID-19 pandemic may be the current global health crisis, but the Spanish Flu was, by far, far more deadly.
In terms of death toll, the Spanish Flu far surpassed COVID-19. It killed over 100 million people, approximately 50 times more than the fatalities caused by COVID-19 to date. To put this in perspective, the global population in 1918 was just 1.8 billion, nearly five times smaller than the current population. This means that, at the time, the Spanish Flu claimed the life of 1 out of every 18 people—a staggering and unprecedented loss.
The pandemic affected people of all ages and health conditions. Unlike COVID-19, which has disproportionately affected older adults and those with underlying health conditions, the Spanish Flu was notable for killing healthy young adults, as well as children and the elderly. Among those infected, about 10% of patients died.
But why was it called the Spanish Flu? The name was a misnomer, as the disease didn’t originate in Spain. The Spanish press, due to their country’s neutrality in World War I and the absence of censorship, was among the first to widely report on the illness. As a result, people mistakenly believed the flu came from Spain. The name stuck, even though the flu likely originated elsewhere.
The Spanish Flu remains a reminder of how pandemics can reshape the world. It continues to offer lessons in how societies respond to global health crises, influencing how we handle the ongoing challenges posed by pandemics today.
READ/SPEAK
How did COVID-19 change your life? What were the bad and good effects of curfews on your life?
How did you spend your time at home during the quarantine?
What are some healthy habits you follow to stay strong?
Do you think pandemics can change the world? Why?
This means character and behaviour are more important than appearance.
LEARN THE IDIOM AND SPEAK
Do you judge people by their appearance? Has anyone ever surprised you because of what he/she looked like?
333
11 December
Internet and Technology
How do you use technology in your daily life and at work?
Which websites do you usually follow, and why?
How do you use your mobile phone?
Do you have any mobile applications that make your life easier?
How has technology changed your life in the past 10 years?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of technology?
Do you think people rely too much on technology? Why or why not?
What do you think is the most important technological invention?
Do you think social media is more beneficial or harmful? Why?
What do you think about artificial intelligence? Is it a threat or an opportunity?
What do you think the future of technology will look like?
How much time do you spend on your phone daily? Do you think it is too much?
How has technology changed the way we work?
Do you think technology makes people more or less social? Why?
How do you think the internet has changed relationships and friendships?
What would your life be like without the internet?
The Spanish Flu: A Devastating Global Epidemic
The Spanish Flu of 1918, which struck more than 100 years ago, remains one of the deadliest pandemics in history. Despite the passage of time, much of the pandemic’s imagery, such as the sight of people wearing masks, feels eerily familiar. The COVID-19 pandemic may be the current global health crisis, but the Spanish Flu was, by far, far more deadly.
In terms of death toll, the Spanish Flu far surpassed COVID-19. It killed over 100 million people, approximately 50 times more than the fatalities caused by COVID-19 to date. To put this in perspective, the global population in 1918 was just 1.8 billion, nearly five times smaller than the current population. This means that, at the time, the Spanish Flu claimed the life of 1 out of every 18 people—a staggering and unprecedented loss.
The pandemic affected people of all ages and health conditions. Unlike COVID-19, which has disproportionately affected older adults and those with underlying health conditions, the Spanish Flu was notable for killing healthy young adults, as well as children and the elderly. Among those infected, about 10% of patients died.
But why was it called the Spanish Flu? The name was a misnomer, as the disease didn’t originate in Spain. The Spanish press, due to their country’s neutrality in World War I and the absence of censorship, was among the first to widely report on the illness. As a result, people mistakenly believed the flu came from Spain. The name stuck, even though the flu likely originated elsewhere.
The Spanish Flu remains a reminder of how pandemics can reshape the world. It continues to offer lessons in how societies respond to global health crises, influencing how we handle the ongoing challenges posed by pandemics today.
READ/SPEAK
What are the pandemics or common diseases you have experienced in your life? Which one was the worst for you? Why do you think these viral infections spread rapidly?
How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect your daily life?
Did you or anyone you know catch COVID-19? What was the experience like?
What did you learn about yourself during the pandemic?
This means character and behaviour are more important than appearance.
LEARN THE IDIOM AND SPEAK
What are the good and bad things about being good-looking or charming? Do you agree that character and behaviour are more important than appearance?