Questions for General English
Q1: “What is one healthy thing you do every day? Do you drink a lot of water or take a walk?”
Q2: “What kind of weather do you like most? And what do you usually do on a sunny day?”
Q3: “Are you a morning person or a night person? What is the first thing you do in the morning?”
Topic 1 · AI vs. The Planet
Reading
Microsoft is currently facing a difficult choice: should it focus on leading the Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution, or stay true to its climate promises?
For years, Microsoft has been a leader in environmental action. Their most ambitious goal is called “100/100/0.” This means they want to match 100% of their electricity use with 100% carbon-free energy—such as wind, solar, and water—100% of the time. Originally, they planned to reach this goal by 2030.
However, the “AI boom” has changed the landscape. To power AI, companies need massive data centers. These facilities are not only incredibly expensive—Microsoft is expected to spend $190 billion on them in 2026 alone—but they also consume a staggering amount of electricity.
Recent reports suggest Microsoft may have to delay or abandon its “100/100/0” goal. It is becoming increasingly difficult to build these high-tech centers quickly while ensuring all the energy they use is “green.” While Microsoft has been an “inspiration” to other corporations in the past, the rapid growth of AI is putting the company’s environmental values to the test.
Key Vocabulary & Expressions
| Vocabulary/Expression | Meaning (Korean) | Contextual Use |
|---|---|---|
| Abandon | 포기하다 / 그만두다 | To stop doing something before it is finished. |
| Data Center | 데이터 센터 | Large buildings used to store and process computer data. |
| Zero-carbon energy | 무탄소 에너지 | Energy that does not produce CO2 (e.g., solar, wind). |
| To match A with B | A를 B와 맞추다 | To ensure two different things are equal or balanced. |
| Stay true to | ~을 고수하다 / 지키다 | To remain loyal to a promise, principle, or original plan. |
| Inspiration | 영감 / 귀감 | A person or thing that serves as a positive example for others. |
| At the expense of… | ~을 희생하여 | When one thing happens but causes harm to another thing. |
Group Discussion Questions
- Priorities: If you were the CEO of Microsoft, which would you prioritize: becoming the world leader in AI or reaching your 2030 climate goals? Why?
- The Cost of Progress: Do you think the benefits of AI (such as medical breakthroughs or work efficiency) are worth the environmental cost?
- Corporate Responsibility: Many global companies make “green” promises. Do you think they are sincere, or is it mostly for public relations (marketing)?
- Personal Habits: As AI uses more energy, would you be willing to limit your use of AI tools to save electricity, or is AI now an essential part of your life?
- Regulation: Should governments create laws to limit the energy consumption of tech companies, or should we let the market decide how they grow?
Topic 2 · Dreams May Be Less Random Than You Think
Reading
Have you ever woken up from a dream and thought, “What was that?” Maybe you dreamed about taking an exam you didn’t study for, or showing up at work in your pajamas. In either case, dreams can feel random — and confusing!
But a study from Italy suggests that dreams may not be as random as we think. In the study, 287 adults recorded their daily experiences and their dreams over two weeks. They found that dreams are often connected to daily life, but not in an obvious way.
The researchers found that similar places, people, and situations often appeared in both real life and dreams. However, they didn’t appear in the same way. The brain changes and mixes real memories with things you imagine or things you anticipate will happen in the future. That’s why dreams can feel familiar, but also strange at the same time.
The researchers also noticed that dreams tend to focus on negative feelings and stronger emotions. This suggests that dreams may help us process and regulate our emotions. Significant life events also affect how we dream. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, dreams often included feelings of being restricted.
So the next time you dream about something strange, remember: it may not be completely random. Your brain is just mixing your real memories with your deep thoughts and emotions!
Key Vocabulary & Expressions
| Vocabulary/Expression | Meaning (Korean) | Contextual Use |
|---|---|---|
| Random | 무작위의 / 뜬금없는 | Happens without a clear plan or pattern. |
| Anticipate | 예상하다 / 기대하다 | To expect that something will happen in the future. |
| Process | (정보·감정을) 처리하다 | To deal with complex feelings or information. |
| Regulate | 조절하다 / 통제하다 | To control or manage a system or an emotion. |
| Restricted | 제한된 / 구속된 | Being limited or not allowed to move freely. |
| Mix together | 섞이다 / 혼합되다 | To combine different things into one. |
| In either case | 어느 경우든 간에 | Used to say that a statement is true in both situations. |
Group Discussion Questions
- Recurring Dreams: Do you have any dreams that you see again and again? Are they related to your real-life experiences or stress?
- Emotional Processing: The study says dreams help us process emotions. Have you ever felt better or more relieved after waking up from a strange dream?
- The Pandemic Effect: During the COVID-19 pandemic, did you notice any changes in your dreams? Did you dream more about health or freedom?
- Interpreting Dreams: Some people believe dreams have deep meanings, while others think they are just “brain noise.” What is your opinion?
- Modern Stress: Life in our 40s and 50s can be very busy with work and family. How do you think your current daily stress affects the content of your dreams?