
Maria's English Class
Heading 1
Review previous lessons
May 25, 2021
Lesson 3.5/10 30min
Hello Maria
Today, If you pay them, they will come:
the US city giving tourists cash to visit.
May 20, 2021
Lesson 3/10 30min
Hi Maria!
Scientists make biodegradable plastic
https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2104/210424-biodegradable-plastic.html
May 18, 2021
Lesson 2.5/10 30min
Hi Maria!
World Food Prize awarded to fish expert
https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2105/210514-world-food-prize.html
Quizlet
https://quizlet.com/595852144/world-food-prize-awarded-to-fish-expert-flash-cards/?new
May 17, 2021
Lesson 1.5/10 60min
Hi Maria!
Today we'll talk about oxygen aid to India!
https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2104/210430-oxygen-aid.html
Quizlet https://quizlet.com/593181735/world-sends-oxygen-aid-for-indias-covid-crisis-flash-cards/?new
On the lighter side, a few years ago a British company was selling bottled air to the Chinese.
https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1602/160216-bottled-air.html
May 13, 2021
Lesson 1/10 60min
Hi Maria!
Volunteers experience 40 days of isolation in a cave.
https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2104/210428-isolation.html
Quizlet
https://quizlet.com/594811493/volunteers-experience-40days-of-isolation-in-a-cave-flash-cards/
May 11, 2021
Lesson 10/10 60min
Hello Maria!
This time we'll really discuss NFTs.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-fungible_token
We'll use a Guardian article :
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2021/apr/03/non-fungible-tokens-digital-art-artists
1. What did you think of Gordon as a speaker?
2. Let's talk about the meaning of blockchain: a system of recording information in a way that makes it difficult or impossible to change, hack, or cheat the system. A blockchain is essentially a digital ledger of transactions that is duplicated and distributed across the entire network of computer systems on the blockchain
3. cryptocurrency: a digital or virtual currency that is secured by cryptography, which makes it nearly impossible to counterfeit or double-spend
4. Bitcoin: Each Bitcoin is basically a computer file which is stored in a 'digital wallet' app on a smartphone or computer. People can send Bitcoins (or part of one) to your digital wallet, and you can send Bitcoins to other people. Every single transaction is recorded in a public list called the blockchain
5. Ethereum: Ethereum is an open-source, blockchain-based, decentralized software platform used for its own cryptocurrency, ether
6. fungible and non-fungible: (of goods contracted for without an individual specimen being specified) able to replace or be replaced by another identical item; mutually interchangeable. “Non-fungible” more or less means that it's unique and can't be replaced with something else.
7. NFT: A non-fungible token (NFT) is a unit of data stored on a digital ledger, called a blockchain, that certifies a digital asset to be unique and therefore not interchangeable. NFTs can be used to represent items such as photos, videos, audio, and other types of digital files.
8. Gordon tells his history with technology and art which led to the development of NFTs. What did you think of his explanation?
9. By the way, what did you think of his art which appeared on the screen behind him?
10. What did you think of the NFT sold by Beeple for $69 million?
11. NFT prices are so high! Could the price of NFTs become a bubble? Remember tulip mania?
12. Do you think the pandemic lockdown caused a lot more interest in the buying and selling of NFTs?
13. How does the initial verification of ownership of the creative property happen? It seems that the weak link in the process is the initial set up of the token. How can they be sure it's the rightful owner?
14. Why is there controversy about using Ethereum to pay create NFTs?
15. Why do you think NFTs are so appealing to investors?
16. Will NFTs replace copyrights and royalties?
17. This headline says that there is a lot of theft of artists' creations. How can this be stopped?
https://www.vice.com/en/article/n7vxe7/people-are-stealing-art-and-turning-it-into-nfts
18. What did you think of this ted talk about NFTs?
May 6, 2021
Lesson 8/10 60min
Hello Maria!
Today we'll talk about the White House and
the funds that maintain the White House’s ‘museum quality’.
May 4, 2021
Lesson 7.5/10 60min
Hello Maria!
Scientists make biodegradable plastic
https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2104/210424-biodegradable-plastic.html
Apr 30, 2021
Lesson 6.5/10 30min
Hello Maria!
Today our Guardian lesson focuses on Shea butter produced in Uganda which is a developing industry creating wealth for local farmers and producers of shea butter products.
Shea Butter, Wikipedia
Apr 29, 2021
Lesson 6/10 30min
Hi Maria,
Then, we'll talk about the Olympic Torch relay in Japan.
https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2103/210327-olympic-torch-relay.html
Quizlet:
https://quizlet.com/ru/497557548/olympic-torch-relay-
Apr 26, 2021
Lesson 5.5/10 30min
Hi Maria,
From a BNEarticle there's a new trend: balloon jeans.
https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2104/210412-levis-jeans.html
Quizlet: https://quizlet.com/589174967/levis-says-baggier-balloon-jeans-are-in-flash-cards/
Apr 22, 2021
Lesson 5/10 60min
Hi Maria,
This time we'll discuss the plans to improve the Champs-Elysees.
https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2101/210116-champs-elysees.html
Quizlet
https://quizlet.com/582231175/paris-champs-elysees-to-be-extraordinary-garden-flash-cards/?new
Apr 19, 2021
Lesson 4/10 60min
Hi Maria!
A croissant has terrorized a city in Poland.
https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2104/210418-croissant.html