Podcast-Mind your own business.

Welcome to this edition of one2one Podcasts, focused on expressing an opinion in English as a second language.

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PODCAST

Welcome to this edition of one2one Podcasts, focused on expressing an opinion in English as a second language.

Podcast

Business conversation questions

1. ” Remote work is a more efficient and productive way of conducting business than traditional office-based work.”
2.  “Data-driven decision-making is essential for businesses to stay competitive in the modern market.”
3.  “Sustainability initiatives in business are just a PR stunt and do not significantly impact the environment.”
4.  “Digital marketing is the most effective way for businesses to reach and engage with their target audience.”
5. “Artificial intelligence and automation will lead to significant job losses and negatively impact the workforce.”
6. “Corporate social responsibility should be mandatory for all businesses, regardless of size or industry.”
7. “Flexible work hours and work-life balance initiatives are crucial for employee satisfaction and retention.”
8. “Traditional brick-and-mortar stores will become obsolete as e-commerce continues to dominate the market.”
9. “Innovation and adaptation to new technologies are essential for long-term business success.”
10. Government regulations and policies are necessary to ensure fair competition in the business industry.”
11. “Investing in employee training and development is a key strategy for businesses to stay competitive and retain top talent.”
12. “Businesses should prioritise diversity and inclusion in their hiring practices to foster innovation and reflect the diverse customer base.”
13.  “Corporate mergers and acquisitions contribute to market consolidation and limit competition, ultimately harming consumers.”
14. “Investing in sustainable and renewable energy sources is not only environmentally responsible but also financially beneficial for businesses in the long run.”
15. “Ethical sourcing and supply chain management should be a priority for businesses to ensure fair treatment of workers and prevent exploitation.”
16.  “Businesses have a moral obligation to give back to the communities they operate in through philanthropy and social initiatives.”
17. “Blockchain technology has the potential to revolutionise various industries and improve transparency and security in business transactions.”
18. “Businesses should prioritise customer experience and satisfaction to build strong brand loyalty and increase profitability.”
19. “The government should provide more financial incentives and support for small businesses to foster entrepreneurship and economic growth.”

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Inheritance – What’s yours is mine

Inheritance tax, also known as estate tax or death tax, is a controversial topic that has been debated for years. It is a tax levied on transferring property or assets from a deceased person to their heirs or beneficiaries.

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Join us for this controversial conversation class on the subject of inheritance tax. Featured recently in the media, learn how to express your opinion in English as a second language. This class is available as part of our conversation course.

Podcast

Inheritance tax, also known as estate tax or death tax, is a controversial topic that has been debated for years. It is a tax levied on transferring property or assets from a deceased person to their heirs or beneficiaries. Below are some arguments for and against inheritance tax:

Inheritance Tax Advantages

1. Promotes equality: Inheritance tax ensures wealth is distributed more evenly among society. It prevents the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few and helps reduce wealth inequality. Taxing the wealthiest estates provides resources that can be used for public goods and services that benefit all citizens.

2. Revenue generation: Inheritance tax generates significant revenue for the government. This revenue can fund public services such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and social welfare programs. It helps reduce the budget deficit and provides resources for the government to invest in the economy.

3. Prevents the creation of a hereditary aristocracy: Inheritance tax discourages the creation of a hereditary aristocracy by making it more difficult for wealthy families to pass on their wealth to future generations without any taxation. This ensures that individuals are motivated to work hard and contribute to society rather than relying solely on inherited wealth.

Inheritance Tax Disadvantages

Critics argue that inheritance tax is a form of double taxation. The assets being passed down have already been subjected to income tax, capital gains tax, and other taxes throughout the deceased person’s lifetime. Taxing them again upon death is seen as unfair and burdensome.

Inheritance tax can harm family-owned businesses and farms. In some cases, heirs may be forced to sell or liquidate assets to pay the tax, leading to the loss of jobs and the dissolution of family-owned enterprises. This can negatively impact local economies and communities.

Tax planning

High inheritance tax rates often incentivise wealthy individuals to engage in tax planning strategies to minimise their tax liability. This can lead to complex estate planning, the creation of trusts, and other methods to avoid or evade the tax. As a result, the revenue generated from inheritance tax may be lower than anticipated.

The debate on inheritance tax revolves around fairness, equality, economic impact, and revenue generation. Proponents argue that it promotes equality and generates revenue for public goods. In contrast, opponents say that it is a form of double taxation, negatively affects small businesses, and encourages tax evasion. The outcome of this debate depends on the balance between these factors and the specific context of each country or jurisdiction.

Conversation Questions 

1. What are your thoughts on inheritance tax? Do you believe it is fair or unfair?

2. Do you think inheritance tax helps reduce wealth inequality? Why or why not?

3. What impact do you think inheritance tax has on small businesses and family-owned farms?

4. Is it important for society to discourage the creation of a hereditary aristocracy? Why or why not?

5. In your opinion, does inheritance tax encourage tax evasion and avoidance? Why or why not?

6. Should inheritance tax rates be higher or lower? What factors should be considered in determining the appropriate rate?

7. Do you think inheritance tax revenue is effectively used for public goods and services? Can you provide any examples?

8. How does this tax compare to other forms of taxation, such as income tax or sales tax?

9. Would you support any reforms or changes to the current inheritance tax system? If so, what would they be?

10. How does this tax vary across different countries? Are there any countries with particularly high or low rates that you find interesting?

Writing Practice:

Essay writing task

Some people believe that inheritance tax is beneficial because it helps distribute wealth across society. Others believe that this form of taxation is simply not fair since its money that has already been taxed.

Write an essay to express your opinion. Your essay should have a minimum word count of 250 words, and you should take no longer than 40 minutes to complete this task.

Your essay will be corrected by a language instructor at the beginning of your class in real time so that you can identify any errors made and correct them. 

Fast Fashion – Trends

There is a longstanding debate on whether society should place an environmental value on clothing or succumb to the concept of fast fashion. In this conversational lesson plan, we look at a disposable culture and discuss its impact on an already fragile environment.

This class is available as a one-off class or as part of our conversation course. You should note that this class is based at an intermediate level.

Written and produced exclusively for One2one Academy. ©
Course – The Conversation Course
Level – Intermediate

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Several ethical issues in the fashion industry have gained attention in recent years. Some of these issues include:

Sweatshop 

Many brands outsource their production to factories in developing countries where workers are often subjected to poor working conditions, low wages, and long hours. The Sweatshop scenario is a significant concern in the industry, as workers may face exploitation and a lack of basic rights.

Price can play a part in a customer’s decision-making regarding purchasing power. These so-called sweatshops impact the profit margins and, thus, the recommended retail price of apparel.

A child workforce

The use of children in the fashion industry is a significant ethical issue. Children are often employed in hazardous conditions, deprived of education, and paid low or no wages.

In many cases, a consequence of a child workforce is an economic benefit to families who would otherwise face starvation. It also provides a debatable path towards education, breaking the poverty cycle.

Environmental impact

The fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries globally. The production processes, including toxic chemicals, excessive water consumption, and the disposal of textile waste, contribute to environmental degradation and climate change.

There are notable consequences of disposable fashion which are directly linked to global warming. On some level, developing countries striving to gain economic leverage may have overlooked the impact.

Fast fashion and overconsumption 

The concept promotes a culture of overconsumption, encouraging consumers to buy and discard clothing constantly. This leads to excessive waste, as garments are often discarded after only a few wears, contributing to landfill pollution and resource depletion.

Disposable fashion, as it’s otherwise referred to, can also reflect on the longevity of a garment, subsequently adding to this problem. Poor quality controls, fabrics and aftercare exasperate the issue, which often prompts the need to replace and dispose of. 

Animal welfare and fashion

Using animal-derived materials, such as fur, leather, and exotic skins, raises concerns about animal welfare. Some practices, such as fur farming and the use of exotic animal skins, involve cruelty and unsustainable practices.

Animals, often regarded as a manufacturing resource, have sparked many ethical debates and demonstrations. These aim to create awareness but usually could be more effective. 

Lack of transparency 

Many brands need more transparency in their supply chains, making it difficult for consumers to know the origin of their clothes and the working conditions under which they were produced. This lack of transparency hinders accountability and makes it challenging to address ethical concerns.

Educating consumers about fast fashion could harm wholesalers and retailers, whose focus is solely on profitability rather than sustainability. Some believe that there is a cause to promote awareness in educational institutions. In contrast, others think it should be the responsibility of parents and the media. 

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Fashion conversation questions

1. How aware are you of the ethical issues in the fashion industry?

2. Do you think consumers have a responsibility to support ethical fashion brands? Why or why not?

3. What steps do you think fashion brands should take to ensure ethical production practices?

4. How can consumers make more informed choices when it comes to purchasing clothes?

5. Do you think government regulations are necessary to enforce ethical standards in the fashion industry? Why or why not?

6. What role do you think social media plays in raising awareness about ethical issues in fashion?

7. How can fashion brands improve transparency and provide more information about their supply chains?

8. Should consumers prioritise buying sustainable and ethically produced clothing over affordability and trends? Why or why not?

9. How can the industry reduce its environmental impact and promote more sustainable practices?

10. Do you feel strongly about any specific ethical issues. Why?

11. What are some common misconceptions about ethical fashion that you have encountered?

12. Have you made any changes to your shopping habits to support ethical fashion? If so, what motivated you to do so?

13. How do you think the demand for fast fashion affects the ethical practices of fashion brands?

14. Are there any specific fashion brands you consider leaders in sustainable and ethical practices? Why?

15. How can consumers hold brands accountable for their ethical practices?

16. What are some potential consequences of not addressing ethical issues in the fashion industry?

17. Do you think the industry as a whole is moving towards more ethical practices? Why or why not?

18. How can brands ensure fair wages and safe working conditions for their garment workers?

19. what impact does it have on local communities and artisans worldwide?

20. How can individuals promote and support the concept of ethical fashion within their communities?

Dark Web – IELTS essay

In recent years, the dark web has gained notoriety for being a hub of illegal activities, such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, and cybercrime.

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DARK WEB ESSAY TASK

Some argue that the dark web should be shut down to prevent further harm, while others believe it serves a legitimate purpose. Write an essay discussing the pros and cons of the dark web and whether it should be banned.

In your essay, you should:

1. Provide a brief overview of the dark web and how it works.
2. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages, such as anonymity, privacy, and access to illegal goods and services.
3. Consider the ethical and legal implications, including its impact on society, law enforcement, and individual rights.
4. Argue for or against banning it, and provide supporting evidence and reasoning.

Your essay should be approximately 250-300 words and follow a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Use appropriate vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure to demonstrate your English proficiency. Please note that the minimum word count is 250 words.

RESEARCH

TOPICAL

The dark web is a topical discussion because it is a part of the internet that is not easily accessible or visible to the general public. It is a network of websites that can only be accessed through special software or configurations that allow users to remain anonymous. This anonymity has made the dark web a hub for illegal activities such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime, and other illicit activities.

The rise of the dark web has led to concerns about the safety and security of individuals and businesses online. It has also raised questions about the ability of law enforcement agencies to monitor and track criminal activity on the internet. The ongoing debate about the pros and cons of the dark web has led many to question whether it should be banned or heavily regulated.

DARK WEB CRIMINALS

It has become more prevalent in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling criminals to sell fake vaccines, personal protective equipment, and other COVID-19-related items. This has led to an increased interest in the dark web among the general public and policymakers.

IELTS is an international English language proficiency test designed to assess the language ability of non-native speakers who want to study or work in English-speaking countries. One of the reasons why IELTS likes essays on technology is that technology is a pervasive part of modern society and significantly impacts various aspects of our lives.

TECHNOLOGY

Technology is an area that is constantly evolving, and it has a profound impact on almost every sector of the economy. As such, it is a topic relevant to many people and can provide a rich source of material for essay writing. Additionally, technology is an area that can be explored from different perspectives, including its impact on society, the economy, and the environment.

Technology is a subject that can be explored at different levels of complexity, from basic technological innovations to more complex and sophisticated technological systems. This provides a range of options for essay writing, allowing candidates to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the subject matter.

THE IELTS EXAM

The IELTS exam board likes essays on technology because it is a relevant and important topic that offers a wealth of opportunities for candidates to showcase their language skills, critical thinking, and understanding of contemporary issues.

This lesson plan is part of our IELTS preparation course. Join us on Spotify for more exclusive material.