Level-graded English lessons with reading, listening, activities, and discussion.
Lesson Info
Lesson Content
Warm-up, Vocab List, Reading and Audio
Understanding: Main Idea, True or False, Multiple Choice
Language: Words That Go Together, New Sentences
Use It: Discussion Builder, Discussion Questions
Answers
How would you prefer to meet a new romantic partner? Why?
a) Through friends
b) Through a dating app
c) At work or school
d) Through hobbies or activities
e) Another way
Vocab List
Bumble’s new owners are betting they can bring the struggling dating app back to success. Investment firm Ithaca Holdings is buying the business for $1.3 billion, far below its peak value of more than $14 billion after it entered the stock market in 2021.
The company’s share price rose sharply as news of the deal emerged. However, Bumble still faces serious financial problems. Since it entered the stock market in 2021, Bumble has reported a profit in only one year: 2023. It reported heavy losses in the following two years.
Two directors from Ithaca will lead the business together. They want to use technology to help businesses grow in a world changed by artificial intelligence. Bumble has already introduced AI tools, including guidance to help users create their dating profiles.
Founder Whitney Wolfe Herd says she will stay actively involved and work closely with the new owners, although her exact role is unclear.
The challenge goes beyond Bumble. Some younger users have become disappointed with dating apps, and companies have struggled to persuade people to pay for their services. The new owners must use technology to help people build relationships and make Bumble profitable again.
A New Start for Bumble
How would you prefer to meet a new romantic partner? Why?
a) Through friends
b) Through a dating app
c) At work or school
d) Through hobbies or activities
e) Another way
-
bet (v.)
-
investment firm (n. phrase)
-
peak (adj.)
-
stock market (n. phrase)
-
share price (n. phrase)
-
artificial intelligence (n. phrase)
-
struggle (v.)
-
persuade (v.)
Bumble’s new owners are betting they can bring the struggling dating app back to success. Investment firm Ithaca Holdings is buying the business for $1.3 billion, far below its peak value of more than $14 billion after it entered the stock market in 2021.
The company’s share price rose sharply as news of the deal emerged. However, Bumble still faces serious financial problems. Since it entered the stock market in 2021, Bumble has reported a profit in only one year: 2023. It reported heavy losses in the following two years.
Two directors from Ithaca will lead the business together. They want to use technology to help businesses grow in a world changed by artificial intelligence. Bumble has already introduced AI tools, including guidance to help users create their dating profiles.
Founder Whitney Wolfe Herd says she will stay actively involved and work closely with the new owners, although her exact role is unclear.
The challenge goes beyond Bumble. Some younger users have become disappointed with dating apps, and companies have struggled to persuade people to pay for their services. The new owners must use technology to help people build relationships and make Bumble profitable again.
Main Idea
Choose one answer, then click CHECK to see your result.
Main Idea
Choose one:
- Bumble’s sale shows that growing investor confidence is helping the dating app business return to success.
- Bumble’s new owners believe artificial intelligence will solve the problems facing the dating app industry.
- Bumble’s new owners must improve how the app helps people build relationships while making the business profitable. Correct answer
True or False
Answer each question by selecting True or False, then click CHECK to see your results.
True or False
1. Ithaca Holdings is paying much less for Bumble than the business was worth at its peak. TRUEFALSE True
2. Bumble followed its profitable year in 2023 with two more years of profit. TRUEFALSE False
3. Bumble introduced AI guidance for dating profiles before the new owners took charge. TRUEFALSE True
4. Whitney Wolfe Herd will lead Bumble jointly with one director from Ithaca. TRUEFALSE False
Multiple Choice
Answer each question by selecting A, B, or C, then click CHECK to see your results.
Multiple Choice
1. What does the article show about Bumble when news of the deal emerged?
a) Its share price rose while its financial problems continued.Correct
b) Its share price rose because more users paid for its services.
c) Its share price rose after the new owners made it profitable.
2. Why does the article say the challenge goes beyond Bumble?
a) Other dating apps are also preparing to work with Ithaca.
b) Younger users want dating companies to introduce more AI tools.
c) Dating companies face disappointed users and difficulty getting people to pay.Correct
3. What must the new owners achieve for Bumble's new start to succeed?
a) Improve Bumble's technology while keeping the company's existing business strategy.
b) Use technology to build relationships and make Bumble profitable.Correct
c) Focus on attracting more paying users rather than improving the dating experience.
Listen and Fill Gaps
Listen to the audio on eslnewsstories.com and complete the gaps below:
Bumble’s new owners are betting they can bring the (1) dating app back to success. Investment firm Ithaca Holdings is buying the business for $1.3 billion, far below its peak value of more than $14 billion after it entered the stock market in 2021.
The company’s share price rose (2) as news of the deal emerged. However, Bumble still faces serious financial problems. Since it entered the stock market in 2021, Bumble has reported a profit in only one year: 2023. It reported heavy (3) in the following two years.
Two directors from Ithaca will lead the business together. They want to use technology to help businesses grow in a world changed by artificial intelligence. Bumble has already introduced AI tools, including (4) to help users create their dating profiles.
Founder Whitney Wolfe Herd says she will stay actively involved and work (5) with the new owners, although her exact role is unclear.
The challenge goes beyond Bumble. Some younger users have become disappointed with dating apps, and companies have struggled to persuade people to pay for their (6) . The new owners must use technology to help people build relationships and make Bumble profitable again.
Listen and Fill Gaps
Listen to the audio and complete the gaps below:
Loading listening activity...
Words That Go Together
Drag each word to its match below, or select a word and then select its match:
Loading vocabulary activity...
Words That Go Together
Match each word with the words it goes with:
1. risee) sharply
2. reportd) a profit
3. heavyc) losses
4. activelyb) involved
5. worka) closely
a) closely
b) involved
c) losses
d) a profit
e) sharply
New Sentences
Choose the best word for each new sentence.
-
We avoid traveling at {blank} times because the trains are crowded.
-
A local {blank} agreed to put money into her new restaurant business.
-
Despite strong sales, the company's {blank} fell from twelve dollars to nine.
-
The hospital uses {blank} to help doctors find signs of disease in scans.
-
Without my glasses, I {blank} to read the menu in this restaurant.
-
She used photos of the damaged roof to {blank} her landlord to repair it.
New Sentences
artificial intelligence / bet / investment firm / peak / persuade / share price / stock market / struggle
- We avoid traveling at times because the trains are crowded.
- A local agreed to put money into her new restaurant business.
- Despite strong sales, the company's fell from twelve dollars to nine.
- The hospital uses to help doctors find signs of disease in scans.
- Without my glasses, I to read the menu in this restaurant.
- She used photos of the damaged roof to her landlord to repair it.
Discussion Builder
1) Reason 2) Example
Q: Why do you think some people get tired of dating apps?
A:Q: Have you ever stopped using an app you used to enjoy?
A:
Discussion Builder
Choose the best phrase for each gap:
Q: Why do you think some people get tired of dating apps?
A: Some people get tired of dating apps they spend a lot of time chatting without ever meeting anyone.
although / because
Some people get tired of dating apps because they spend a lot of time chatting without ever meeting anyone.
Q: Have you ever stopped using an app you used to enjoy?
A: They can share details about their hobbies; they can mention sports they enjoy playing.
for example, / however,
They can share details about their hobbies; for example, they can mention sports they enjoy playing.
Discussion Questions
- What makes meeting someone through an app attractive to some people?
- Why do you think some people get tired of dating apps?
- What can someone put in a short profile to show their personality?
- Have you ever stopped using an app you used to enjoy?
- What activities in your area are good ways to meet new people?
- Would you rather invest in a struggling company or one that’s already successful?
- What do you think makes Bumble worth more than $1 billion?
- How can a dating app earn money if successful users no longer need it?
Discussion Questions
- What makes meeting someone through an app attractive to some people?
- Why do you think some people get tired of dating apps?
- What can someone put in a short profile to show their personality?
- Have you ever stopped using an app you used to enjoy?
- What activities in your area are good ways to meet new people?
- Would you rather invest in a struggling company or one that’s already successful?
- What do you think makes Bumble worth more than $1 billion?
- How can a dating app earn money if successful users no longer need it?
Answers
Listening: (1) struggling, (2) sharply, (3) losses, (4) guidance, (5) closely, (6) services
Main Idea: Bumble’s new owners must improve how the app helps people build relationships while making the business profitable.
True or False:
- True. The purchase price is $1.3 billion, compared with a peak value of more than $14 billion.
- False. Bumble reported heavy losses in the two years after 2023.
- True. The story says Bumble has already introduced AI tools to help users create their profiles.
- False. Two Ithaca directors will lead the business together. Wolfe Herd will stay actively involved, but her exact role is unclear.
Multiple Choice: a, c, b
Vocabulary:
- rise: sharply
- report: a profit
- heavy: losses
- actively: involved
- work: closely
New Sentences: 1. peak; 2. investment firm; 3. share price; 4. artificial intelligence; 5. struggle; 6. persuade
Discussion Builder:
Hints: 1) Reason. 2) Example.
- because
- for example,