Zbigniew Stępień

Andrei Makhnach

LEVELS
IN A NUTSHELL

B1-B2
A BOOK OF GREAT DISCUSSIONS

60 INSPIRING 120 VOCABULARY 15 THEMATIC

ARTICLES EXERCISES AREAS

WITH DISCUSSION 600 USEFUL PERFECT FOR

SUBJECTS WORDS AND PHRASES TEENS AND ADULTS
AUTORZY
Zbigniew Stępień
Andrei Makhnach

TREŚĆ ARTYKUŁÓW
Zbigniew Stępień

PYTANIA DO ARTYKUŁÓW,
TEMATY DYSKUSJI, BANK ARGUMENTÓW
Zbigniew Stępień

ĆWICZENIA NA SŁOWNICTWO, KOREKTA

Andrei Makhnach

PROJEKT, SKŁAD, ZDJĘCIA

Wykonano w Canva Pro

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STĘPIEŃ Szkoła Języków Obcych Zbigniew Stępień
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stepien.edu.pl

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WARKA, 2022
Table of contents
PAGE ARTICLE DISCUSSION

A SUPER SURPRISING HOBBY HAVING A HOBBY CAN MAKE

7
Why gardening will make you live to be 100 YOUR LIFE MUCH BETTER

EXTREME BODY MODIFICATIONS IT IS A GOOD IDEA

PEOPLE
9
The legends of tattoos, piercing and more TO MODIFY YOUR BODY

 LL LIVES MATTER
A THE WORLD IS A MORE TOLERANT
11
How Black people still face inequalities PLACE NOWADAYS

INTO THE WILD LIVING ALONE IN THE WILDERNESS

13
A man spends 40 years alone in the wilderness IS A GOOD LIFE

WHO ARE BOOMERANG KIDS? THE SOONER YOU MOVE OUT OF YOUR
17
And why parents do not always welcome them back PARENTS' HOME, THE BETTER

YOU LIVE AND YOU LEARN WHEN YOU ARE A STUDENT, YOU SHOULD

HOUSE
19
Students in Zurich live in a luxury hotel TRY LIVING IN A DORMITORY

HOME, SMART HOME IT WOULD BE GREAT TO HAVE

21
Promises and dangers of innovative houses AN INTELLIGENT HOUSE

MY HOME IS MY (TINY) CASTLE IT IS BETTER TO LIVE IN A SMALL HOUSE

23
A micro-house from IKEA for only $9400 THAN IN A SMALL FLAT

NOBEL FOR TEACHERS GOOD TEACHERS ARE KEY

27
What's the goal of The Global Teacher Prize? TO SUCCESSFUL EDUCATION

SCHOOL
ONE FAIL TOO MANY YOUR MARKS REFLECT YOUR PROGRESS
29
Cardiff University makes a mistake with tragic consequences AND KNOWLEDGE WELL

SCHOOL: HOT OR NOT? LESSONS SHOULD ALWAYS BE ATTRACTIVE

31
Reasons why most students find school boring AND INTERESTING

CHANGING SCHOOL FOR HOME IT IS BETTER FOR CHILDREN TO GO TO A PHYSICAL

33
Why you should consider homeschooling SCHOOL THAN TO BE HOMESCHOOLED

NO BETTER JOB TO QUIT EVERYBODY SHOULD CHANGE THEIR JOB

37
Bezos steps down as Amazon's CEO AFTER SOME TIME

EDUCATION OR EXPERIENCE YOU SHOULD GET A UNIVERSITY DEGREE IF YOU

39
WORK

Why young Americans choose work over college WANT TO HAVE A GOOD JOB

DON'T LET YOUR FIRE DIE PEOPLE SHOULD CHOOSE JOBS THAT
41
What is job burnout and how to avoid it GIVE THEM A SENSE OF MISSION

FIGHTING FOR DIGNITY ONE SHOULD TRY DOING

43
A volunteer offers makeup services to the homeless VOLUNTEER WORK

TILL DEATH DO US PART IF YOU REALLY LOVE YOUR PARTNER, YOU

47
Marriages less popular. What about divorces? SHOULD GET MARRIED AT SOME POINT
SOCIAL LIFE

WHY TEENS ARGUE WITH THEIR PARENTS PARENTS CAN AVOID CONFLICTS WITH THEIR
49
A quick guide to understanding the teenage brain TEENAGE CHILDREN

EXPECTED OR UNWANTED YOU SHOULD HAVE CHILDREN

51
Why more and more women delay motherhood AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE

AGE IS JUST A NUMBER IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE A MUCH

53
Some insight into age gap relationships OLDER/YOUNGER PARTNER

2
 SUGAR IS NOT THE BAD GUY IT IS QUITE EASY TO KEEP A HEALTHY
57
What you (don't) eat is more dangerous than smoking DIET THESE DAYS

TIME TO (M)EAT LESS MOST PEOPLE WILL STOP

59

FOOD
Why we must redefine our diets soon EATING MEAT SOON

FAST FOOD NOT SLOWING DOWN FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS ARE

61
Stunning facts about McDonald's GOOD PLACES TO EAT AT

KETOGENIC DIET BOOM ONE SHOULD TRY AS MANY DIFFERENT

63
How ketogenic diets work DIETS AS POSSIBLE

PLASTIC IS NOT FANTASTIC BUILDING BLOCKS ARE THE BEST PRESENT FOR
67
How LEGO plans to become greener KIDS FOR ANY OCCASION

SHOPPING
TIME FOR REFURBISHED PHONES BUYING USED ITEMS IS
69
Second-hand market on the rise ALWAYS A BETTER OPTION

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY PEOPLE SHOULD GET RID OF

71
Why we might still need cash in a digital world PAPER MONEY

MALLS: ENDANGERED SPECIES IT IS BETTER TO DO THE SHOPPING

73
How the Internet transforms the way we buy IN A MALL THAN ONLINE

TURBULENCES YET TO COME PEOPLE WILL STILL WANT TO TRAVEL

77
Flying no longer in fashion BY PLANE IN THE FUTURE

TRAVELLING
NO NEGATIVE COMMENTS READING ONLINE REVIEWS IS THE BEST WAY
79
Online review gets a tourist into trouble TO PLAN YOUR HOLIDAY

THE SKY IS THE LIMIT IT IS GREAT TO

81
A 19-year-old girl completes a solo flight around the globe TRAVEL ALONE

NEW GENERATION OF TRAINS THE TRAIN IS THE BEST

83
Hyperloop - a train as fast as a plane MEANS OF TRANSPORT

ONE AND ONLY IT IS BETTER

87
Solo weddings - a new Japanese trend TO BE SINGLE CULTURE

OPERATION FORTH BRIDGE BRITAIN WILL ALWAYS HAVE

89
Prince Philip dies at 99 A ROYAL FAMILY

PARADISE FOR COUCH POTATOES STREAMING SERVICES ARE BETTER THAN

91
Streaming platforms change what and how we watch THE CINEMA AND TELEVISION

TAKING A DEEP BREATH BEING RELIGIOUS MAKES

93
How meditation can affect your life YOUR LIFE EASIER

HAVE FAITH IN YOURSELF YOU CAN DO ANY SPORT EVEN

97
The stunning story of the Iron Nun IF YOU ARE OLD

THE MONEY GAME PROFESSIONAL SPORTSPEOPLE

SPORT

99
How much do best-paid athletes earn? EARN TOO MUCH MONEY

THE RISE OF SPORT APPS IT IS BETTER TO TRAIN

101
How technology is taking over the role of personal coaches WITH OTHER PEOPLE

REACHING NEW EXTREMES ONE SHOULD

103
How Red Bull redefines extreme sports TRY AN EXTREME SPORT

3
 THE FORBIDDEN FRUIT ALCOHOL, CIGARETTES AND MARIJUANA
107
Can smoking cannabis be dangerous? SHOULD BE ILLEGAL

ANIMALS TO THE RESCUE BEING A DOCTOR IS A GREAT

HEALTH
109
Human patient survives transplant of pig heart PROFESSION

DEATH WON'T DO US PART IT WOULD BE GREAT

111
How the rich want to become immortal TO LIVE FOREVER

TAKE IT EASY IT IS EASY TO CONTROL

113
Why you should learn how to manage stress YOUR STRESS LEVELS

DON'T TRUST EVERYTHING YOU SEE MACHINES AND COMPUTERS WILL EVENTUALLY
117
South Korea uses deepfake technology to replace a news anchor REPLACE HUMANS IN MOST JOBS

TECHNOLOGY
CAR INDUSTRY MAKES A U-TURN SELF-DRIVING CARS SHOULD REPLACE
119
How driverless cars can change transport CONVENTIONAL ONES

GAME OVER FOR KIDS CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS SHOULD HAVE NO

121
China severely restricts online gaming LIMITS ON PLAYING GAMES

SMARTER THAN PEOPLE TECHNOLOGY IS MAKING PEOPLE'S

123
The immense potential of Artificial Intelligence LIVES EASIER

IS HAVING A PET JUST A FASHION? IT IS WORTH

127

ENVIRONMENT
Why people keep their four-legged friends HAVING A PET

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE AN INDIVIDUAL CAN DO MUCH

129
Brazilian photographer 'single-handedly' restores jungle TO HELP SAVE THE PLANET

FACING NUCLEAR FEARS PEOPLE SHOULD PRODUCE ENERGY

131
Why nuclear energy is better than any other ONLY IN NUCLEAR REACTORS

ENCOUNTER WITH BEASTS PEOPLE SHOULD KEEP

133
Usual and less usual ways of keeping wild animals ANIMALS IN ZOOS

NOELTING TO LOSE SAVING AS MUCH MONEY AS POSSIBLE

137
A German software developer saves 60% of his salary IS THE RIGHT APPROACH TO LIFE SOCIETY

I LOVE TO PAY MY TAXES TAXES SHOULD BE

139
How Sweden made their citizens like what others hate AS LOW AS POSSIBLE

RULE OF THE OLD OLD PEOPLE MAKE GOOD

141
We elect more and more old leaders COUNTRY LEADERS

DAVID VS GOLIATH NO REGIME CAN LAST

143
Russia awakens Europe's demons A LONG TIME

SQUID GAME SCANDALS AUTHORITIES SHOULD CONTROL

147
Smuggler of Squid Game sentenced to death in NK WHAT PEOPLE READ OR WATCH

WHAT IS EASTER ABOUT? BRITAIN WILL ALWAYS HAVE

EXTRA

149
Key facts about Christians' greatest holiday A ROYAL FAMILY

TIME TO MAKE THE INTERNET SAFER THE INTERNET WILL BECOME

151
How AI will prevent cyberbullying and paedophilia A SAFER PLACE IN THE FUTURE

NO WAY TO WRESTLE DEATH A VICTIM'S FAMILY SHOULD HAVE A SAY IN WHAT

153
Iran executes two wrestlers over a few months PUNISHMENT A CRIMINAL GETS

157 ANSWER KEY

4
PART 1

PEOPLE
 © Zbigniew Stępień, Andrei Makhnach

DISCUSSION 2

PEOPLE

Extreme
body
modifications
RETELL
There is nothing bad about looking ordinary, but there are
people who just love standing out. Expressing individuality
takes countless forms - some have their hair dyed or cut in an
original manner, others experiment with piercing, the more
What is special about Lucky Diamond Rich?
bold go for a tattoo or undergo plastic surgery. Now it is time
to meet the really bold. What body modifications is Elaine Davidson expert in?

Who is Cindy Jackson?

When it comes to tattoos, Lucky Diamond Rich has no
competition across the world. He holds the Guinness World What body modifications does Rolf Buchholz have?
Record for the most tattooed man and will never lose it
According to Rolf, have the body modifications changed who he is?
because ALL (100%) of his body is covered in ink. Tattoos are
even on his eyelids and gums! Apparently, it took 1,000
hours and hundreds of artists to achieve it.

Lucky’s equivalent in the category of piercing is Elaine

Davidson from Brazil, who holds the Guinness record for
most piercings in a lifetime. Until the moment when the
record was awarded (June 8, 2006), her body had been
pierced 4,225 times. Where can you fit so many items of DISCUSS
jewellery, you may ask? The answer is simple: on almost
every part of your body, among others on the forehead,
breasts or hands. It is a good idea to
Compared to Lucky and Elaine, the record for most cosmetic modify your body.
surgery in the world sounds rather humble. It belongs to
Cindy Jackson, an American living in London, who has gone
through 47 cosmetic procedures such as face lifts, nose jobs,
implants and chin reduction. Interestingly enough, all of that
cost her only £53,000. Cindy has a competitor, Rodrigo Alves
a.k.a. the Human Ken Doll, who was offered a Guinness
ARGUMENT BANK
World Record in 2017 after he had been through his… 51st
surgery!
Can it help you remove some imperfections?
Last but not least, Rolf Buchholz from Germany deserves to
Can it boost your self-confidence?
be mentioned too. Although he started modifying his body
quite late (at the age of 40), he was determined enough to Can an original look help you, say, find more friends?
earn the title of the man with most body modifications - 516.
Can body modifications look worse with time?
The now 60-year-old IT specialist has 453 piercings, tattoos
covering 90% of his body, a split tongue and 35 implants, the Is it possible that you will not like certain
modifications after some time?
most spectacular of which are two big horns on his forehead.
If you are shocked, let this message from Rolf calm you down: Can big modifications lead to any problems with health or work?
“My body modifications changed me only on the outside.
They didn’t change who I really am. I’m the same person.”

9
 Make notes!

DEFINITIONS Write down 5 arguments FOR.

Put the right letters next to the definitions.

....................................................................................................
A) to stand out; B) to dye; C) plastic surgery ; D) eyelid;
E) gum; F) humble; G) nose job; ....................................................................................................
H) last but not least; I) tongue; J) horn

....................................................................................................
1) the pink flesh in your mouth that holds teeth ....................................................................................................
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
2) to be very noticeable
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ....................................................................................................
3) the flesh in your mouth used for speaking, tasting, etc. ....................................................................................................
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
4) a piece of skin that covers your eye
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ....................................................................................................
5) importantly
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
....................................................................................................
6) an operation to change the shape of your nose
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
....................................................................................................
7) not believing that you are important
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ....................................................................................................
8) to change the colour of (your hair)
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
9) a medical operation to improve a person’s appearance
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
10) a hard part that grows from the top of the head of some
animals
Write down 5 arguments AGAINST.

....................................................................................................
....................................................................................................

....................................................................................................
GAPS ....................................................................................................
Say/Write full sentences by filling in the gaps with
the correct forms of the phrases from the exercise above. ....................................................................................................
1) Welcome to our __________ abode! ....................................................................................................
2) She applied some eye shadow on her __________ to make
them look younger. ....................................................................................................
....................................................................................................
3) If she hadn’t had a __________, she wouldn’t have become a
top model.
....................................................................................................
4) The buffalo must have lost one of its __________ in a battle.
....................................................................................................
5) There were many applicants for this position, but Emily
definitely __________.

6) I didn’t recognize him because he

had __________ his hair black.
Write down the words you will
7) My __________ were really sore after I ate three lemons.
use in your essay/speech.
8) Brenda had __________ on her nose to straighten it.

9) I always burn my __________ on hot coffee.

......................................................................................................
10) I would like to thank my publisher, my editor, and, __________,
......................................................................................................
my wife.
......................................................................................................
......................................................................................................

10
REVISION Fill the gaps with the right words or phrases.

DISCUSSION 1 DISCUSSION 2
1) Recent research indicates that the mortality of very old 1) Welcome to our h__________ abode!
people, including c__________ , has fallen considerably.
2) She applied some eye shadow on her e__________ to make
2) Why don’t you t__________ __________ yoga to reduce your them look younger.
stress levels?
3) If she hadn’t had a n__________ __________ , she wouldn’t have
3) I live in a splendid house situated in a street lined become a top model.
with lush g__________.
4) The buffalo must have lost one of its h__________ in a battle.
4) In spite of being a prominent politician, he remains
f__________ __________ __________ a caring father. 5) There were many applicants for this position, but Emily
definitely s__________ __________ .
5) Please don’t e__________ me in their conflict.
6) I didn’t recognize him because he
6) Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of d__________. had d__________ his hair black.

7) There’s something e__________ about the hypnotic quality of
her voice.
8) Our company p__________ all employees with medical
benefits.
9) The teacher p__________ __________ the main mistakes in my
essay.
10) There are in excess of 2 mln i__________ in our capital city.
7) My g__________ were really sore after I ate three lemons.
8) Brenda had p__________ __________ on her nose to straighten
it.
9) I always burn my t__________ on hot coffee.
10) I would like to thank my publisher, my editor, and,
l__________ __________ __________ __________ , my wife.

DISCUSSION 3 DISCUSSION 4

1) The mother took the i__________ into her arms.
2) The meeting is on the fifth and we're hoping
everyone will a__________ .
3) He graduated in 1951 with a b__________ __________ in
horticulture and a minor in agronomy.
4) His movies are c__________ thought-provoking.
5) By the 1960s, most h__________ had a TV.
6) L__________ __________ in Europe increased
greatly in the 20th century.
7) Is monarchy relevant in the modern world or
should it be a__________?
8) It really i__________ me that I can't do things for myself.
9) The law has done little to prevent racial
discrimination and i__________.
10) It is battery operated and has a l__________ of two to three
years.
1) I’m so sick and tired of this world that I could go live in the
woods like a h__________ .
2) Tom was found lying u__________ outside the dormitory
building where he had just moved in.
3) You can’t expect to have many friends if you don’t make the
e__________ with people.
4) Nicki Minaj, a__________ Barbie, is my sister’s music idol.
5) Some of these older houses still
don’t have r__________ __________ .
6) My cousin’s arrest was the t__________ __________ of my life.
7) For the refugees the w__________ was the only safe place
because hiding was the only way to survive.
8) So the prince and the princess s__________ __________ and
lived together happily ever after.
9) It was very hard for her to resist the t__________ to move to
France despite the fact that her grandma lived there.
10) The original l__________ __________ where his father was born
was still situated in the same place.

_______ / 40 PTS

TIME-FILLERS Vocabulary-based discussions

Would you like to be a centenarian? What is the life of a centenarian like?

How does dementia make your life hard?
Is it good to be a humble person? Why?
Would you like to have some plastic surgery? What would you change?
Do you think there still is a lot of inequality in the world?
What events do you like attending?
What events are often turning points in people's lives?
What kind of temptations do people experience? How can you resist them?

15
 Answer key
DISCUSSION 1 DEFINITIONS GAPS

GLOSSARY 1. j 1. centenarians
2. g 2. take up
extraordinary - nadzwyczajny 3. i 3. greenery
to take up - podjąć się czegoś, zacząć coś robić, np. uprawiać sport 4. a 4. first and foremost
inhabitant - mieszkaniec 5. f 5. engage
centenarian - stulatek 6. h 6. dementia
to engage in - angażować się w coś 7. c 7. extraordinary
first and foremost - przede wszytskim, po pierwsze 8. d 8. provides
greenery - zieleń, roślinność 9. e 9. pointed out
to point out - zauważać, zaznaczać 10. b 10. inhabitants
to provide sb with - dostarczać, zaopatrywać
dementia - demencja

DISCUSSION 2 DEFINITIONS GAPS

GLOSSARY 1. e 1. humble
2. a 2. eyelids
to stand out - wyróżniać się 3. i 3. nose job
to dye - farbować 4. d 4. horns
plastic surgery - operacja plastyczna 5. h 5. stood out
eyelid - powieka 6. g 6. dyed
gum - dziąsło 7. f 7. gums
humble - skromny 8. b 8. plastic surgery
nose job - operacja plastyczna nosa 9. c 9. tongue
last but not least - ostatni, ale nie mniej ważny 10. j 10. last but not least
tongue - język
horn - róg

DISCUSSION 3 DEFINITIONS GAPS

GLOSSARY 1. b 1. infant
2. i 2. attend
to abolish - znieść, zakazać 3. a 3. bachelor's degree
inequality - nierówność 4. h 4. consistently
infant - niemowlę 5. j 5. households
to attend - chodzić do, uczęszczać 6. g 6. life expectancy
bachelor's degree - tytuł licencjata 7. e 7. abolished
household - gospodarstwo domowe 8. d 8. infuriates
life expectancy - średnia długość życia 9. f 9. inequality
lifespan - czas trwania życia 10. c 10. lifespan
consistently - konsewkentnie, spójnie
to infuriate - rozwścieczyć

DISCUSSION 4 DEFINITIONS GAPS

GLOSSARY 1. i 1. hermit
2. j 2. unconscious
temptation - pokusa 3. h 3. effort
effort - wysiłek 4. g 4. aka
aka - znany także jako 5. a 5. running water
hermit - pustelnik 6. f 6. turning point
turning point - punkt zwrotny 7. e 7. wilderness
unconscious - nieprzytomny 8. b 8. settled down
wildreness - pustkowie, odludzie, dzicz 9. d 9. temptation
to settle down - osiedlić się 10. c 10. log cabin
log cabin - chata z drewnianych bali
running water - bieżąca woda

DISCUSSION 5 DEFINITIONS GAPS

GLOSSARY 1. h 1. tenants
2. e 2. real estate
to leave the nest - opuścić gniazdo 3. i 3. spouse
accommodation - zakwaterowanie 4. g 4. mortgage
to relocate - przenieść się, zmienić miejsce zamieszkania 5. d 5. relocated
dormitory - akademik 6. b 6. accommodation
boomerang kids - dzieci wracające mieszkać do rodziców 7. a 7. leave the nest
real estate - nieruchomości 8. c 8. dormitory
to pay rent - płacić czynsz 9. f 9. pay (my monthly) rent
mortgage - kredyt hipoteczny 10. j 10. boomerang kids
tenant - lokator
spouse - małżonek

157
How to use
this book?
THE LEARNER
READ THE TEXT
Read the text and check if you can answer the questions in
the box. Try to retell the text to yourself or find someone you
can talk to in English.
CHECK THE VOCABULARY
Words are the essence of any language. Look them up on
your own. This extra effort pays off! Make your own notes.
Don't check every single word you don't understand.
DISCUSS/WRITE
Find somebody to discuss the subject with. If you work alone,
try to find arguments and write an essay about the subject. If
you can get it checked by someone - perfect!
REVISE
Never read a text only once. Always come back to it - next
day, after a week, after a month. Try to retell the text to
yourself using the bolded words. Make sentences with the
bolded words. Practise, practise, practise!
EACH TIME
Authors: Zbigniew Stępień, Andrei Makhnach. Designed in Canva Pro.
www.stepien.edu.pl
THE TEACHER
READING
Get the students to read the text at home. Pick one to retell
the story in class. Reading in class is possible, but takes away
precious time.
CHECKING THE VOCABULARY
Ask your students to look up the bolded words before the
lesson. They can prepare definitions or translations.
RETELLING THE STORY
At the beginning of class, a chosen student retells the story.
He or she should do it well, trying to use as many bolded
lexical items from the text as possible.
DISCUSSION
Get your students to discuss the subject. Make them find at
least 5 arguments for and 5 against. They should note the
arguments down for later use.
WRITING
Ask your students to write an essay based on their
arguments. Discuss it with them. Give constructive feedback.
REVISION
During the next meetings, ask your students to retell the
story in pairs. Also, they can try to write their own sentences
with the bolded words. Practice is key, and there are many
ways to do it!