MIDDLE

1. KENNEDY ENCOURAGES EXPERIMENTAL TREATMENTS

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently said people should be allowed to try experimental treatments like stem cell therapy—even if the treatments are risky or haven’t been approved by health officials. He said that people should be free to choose, even if some doctors offering these treatments are “charlatans” (or tricksters). Kennedy himself got stem cell therapy in Antigua and says it helped his voice disorder. But health experts are warning this could be dangerous. Some unproven stem cell treatments have caused blindness, tumors, infections, and even death. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has tried to stop fake or unsafe stem cell clinics for years. It only allows a few safe and approved stem cell treatments, like for blood and immune diseases. Critics say that letting people buy unsafe treatments will hurt public health and help dishonest clinics. Some say Kennedy is ignoring the need for rules that protect people from scams. Still, Kennedy wants to reduce government control so people can try new things more easily—even if there are risks. Some doctors agree that more research is needed but say it should be careful, slow, and safe. Research a real medical condition that experimental stem cell treatments claim to help, such as Parkinson’s disease, vision loss, or autism. Write a short report describing the condition, how stem cells are believed to help, and whether scientists currently have enough evidence to prove the treatment is safe and effective. Include at least one quote or fact from a medical expert or trusted health organization in your report.

2. GAME, SET, MATCH

Carlos Alcaraz won the French Open on Sunday in a dramatic five-set match against Jannik Sinner. Alcaraz lost the first two sets but fought back to win the next three. The final score was 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6. It was one of the longest and most exciting matches in French Open history, lasting 5 hours and 29 minutes. Alcaraz saved three match points (meaning he almost lost) but stayed calm and kept fighting. He said, “The real champions are made in those situations.” This win gave him his fifth major title and second French Open championship. The match had amazing moments—Alcaraz made incredible shots and the crowd cheered wildly. Sinner played well too and showed great sportsmanship, even correcting a call to give Alcaraz a point. In the end, Alcaraz won with a strong forehand and celebrated by dancing and hugging his team. Many celebrities were in the crowd watching this historic match. Write a short news article explaining how Carlos Alcaraz showed determination during the match. Use details from the article, such as how many sets he lost at first, how long the match lasted, or how he saved match points to share the who, what, where, when, why, and how. Then explain what lesson people can learn from his example.

3. TRUMP’S NEWEST TRAVEL BAN

On June 4, 2025, President Trump announced a new travel ban affecting citizens from 12 countries, including Haiti, Iran, and Somalia. People from those countries will no longer be allowed to travel to the U.S. starting June 9 unless they meet special exceptions. Seven other countries will face stricter visa rules, especially for tourism, business, and student travel. The government says this is for national security, but critics say it unfairly targets mostly Muslim and non-white countries. Some exceptions will be made for diplomats, dual citizens, and certain athletes. The ban is similar to one Trump created in 2017, which was ended by President Biden in 2021 but upheld by the Supreme Court before that. Write a paragraph explaining why some people support the travel ban and why others are against it. Include at least one reason from each side based on the article. Then, share your own opinion: Do you think the travel ban is fair or unfair? Explain your reasoning.

4. WHO RUNS THE C.D.C.?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one of the most important public health agencies in the U.S., currently doesn’t have a confirmed director. With no clear leader in place, many people—including CDC employees and public health experts—are confused about who is making decisions. Some decisions are now being made directly by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., even though he has little public health experience. Recent changes, like no longer recommending COVID-19 vaccines for healthy kids and pregnant women, have upset many health experts. They worry these sudden changes and leadership problems could make it harder to respond to health emergencies and could lead to more misinformation about vaccines and public health. Write a short explanation of why it’s important for an agency like the CDC to have a clear and qualified leader. Then, describe how not having strong leadership during a public health emergency—like a disease outbreak—could affect people’s health and safety. Use examples from the article to support your response.

5. GLOBAL VACCINE CUTS

The Trump administration’s new budget plan would stop funding several global health programs that help prevent diseases like polio, measles, malaria, and HIV. This includes ending support for Gavi, a group that buys vaccines for children in poor countries, and shutting down the CDC’s international immunization work. The government says these programs don’t directly protect Americans, but many health experts disagree. They warn that cutting funding could lead to more disease outbreaks around the world and even in the U.S., since viruses can spread quickly across borders. Groups like the World Health Organization are urging the U.S. to continue supporting global vaccination efforts, which have saved millions of lives. Imagine you are part of a global health team that must convince Congress to keep funding international vaccination programs. Write a short persuasive letter explaining why these programs are important, how they help people in other countries and the U.S., and what could happen if the funding is cut. Use facts from the article to support your argument.