Live · Sep 12, 2026

Vol. 12 · Nº255Saturday Edition

Learn English with attitude

Current Affairs English

Nothing is normal — question everything

§ 01

Listen to the full report

Audio

0:00 · playedremaining 0:00

§ 02

Audio Word Matching

2 sets

Want a vocabulary drill from this episode? Finish the Audio Quiz to unlock the transcript — the gap-fill drill is underneath it.

§ 03

Audio Quiz

9 questions

§ 04

Audio Transcript

+ gap fill

Locked

Finish the Audio Quiz to read the transcript.

Answer all the audio questions to read the text of the audio.

Quiz progress

0 of 9 answered

§ 05

Audio Grammar

4 forms

§ 06

Audio Discussion

5 questions

Discussion Questions

How real-time discussion works

Share your thoughts and get personalised feedback on your English
Real-time feedback helps improve your grammar, vocabulary, and critical thinking
You can reply and continue the conversation on each question
Real-time requests are limited per hour to ensure fair usage

01

Who gains, who loses? The audio describes the U.S. economy crashing while the BRICS nations thrive. Think about the different groups involved — governments, weapons manufacturers, energy companies, ordinary workers, rival powers. Who do you think stands to gain the most from this war and from the broader economic collapse? Is there anyone who benefits from instability itself, regardless of who "wins"?

02

The sunk cost trap. The audio accuses Washington of being "trapped in a sunk cost fallacy" — continuing a failing course of action because too much has already been spent. Do you think this is a failure unique to this administration, or is it a pattern in how powerful countries behave? Can you think of other historical examples? What would it take for a government to genuinely change course when the costs keep rising?

03

American exceptionalism — myth or reality? The audio frames U.S. behaviour as driven by pride and ego rather than strategy. The idea of "American exceptionalism" suggests the U.S. is a uniquely special nation with a special role in the world. Do you believe any nation is truly exceptional, or is this kind of national self-image always partly a story a country tells itself to justify power? What is your honest opinion?

04

One world, one boss — or many? The audio hints at "the end of unipolar American dominance." Do you think a genuinely multipolar world — where several powers share global influence — is possible, or will there always be one dominant hegemon? If power did shift to, say, China or a BRICS bloc, would that automatically be better for the world, or would a new hegemon simply repeat the same patterns?

05

Your wallet, their war. The audio closes by saying "the rest of the world and your wallet are absolutely paying the ultimate price." The conflict described is geographically far from Brazil, yet the audio suggests its effects reach every kitchen table. How connected do you feel to distant geopolitical conflicts in your daily life? Do ordinary people have any real power to hold governments accountable for wars they did not vote for and cannot stop?

§ 07

Personal Notes

Auto-saved