Unlocking
Word Meanings
Read
the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. ban
(v.) [ban] – to stop (or not allow) something or someone, especially by law
Example:
Minors are banned from buying
cigarettes and alcohol.
2. incandescent
(adj.) [in-kuhn-des-uhnt] – producing light by the use of heat
Example:
Manufacturers are designing incandescent
light bulbs that consume less energy.
3. coal-fired (adj.) [kohl] [fahyuhrd] – heated by burning
coal
Example:
Smoke produced from coal-fired power
plants cause harm to people’s health.
4. interfere
(v.) [in-ter-feer] – to get involved in something (usually to change or stop an action)
Example:
The boss had to interfere to stop the
argument between his employees.
5. compelling
(adj.) [kuhm-pel-ing] – requiring immediate action or attention
Example:
Global warming is not a compelling
issue for some people.
Article
Read
the text below.
Activists
and politicians in the US are protesting against a bill that plans to ban incandescent bulbs by 2020. The bill, approved by President Bush in 2007,
requires incandescent bulbs to be more efficient starting 2012.
Supporters
of the bill claim that using incandescent bulbs costs more because they consume
more power. With fluorescent bulbs, Americans can save $12 billion in a year,
equivalent to $85 a year for every house.
In addition,
supporters say the bill can help save the environment. If fewer people use
incandescent bulbs, there will be no need to build additional coal-fired power
plants to supply power to these bulbs. Power plants are known to emit gases that
contribute to global warming.
However,
critics of this bill argue that people should be allowed to buy whatever they
choose, without the government setting laws that interfere
with people’s decisions.
They also
think the environment reasons are not compelling enough, as most of them do not
believe in global warming. These critics claim that, on the contrary, fluorescent
bulbs pose more harm to people because of the bulbs’ poisonous mercury content.
Politicians
supporting the bill defend that negotiations with light bulb manufacturers are
on-going in order to lessen the content of mercury.
They also
deny the total ban on incandescent bulbs. The bill simply requires more
efficient ones. This means that by 2020, incandescent bulbs will still be
available but will be much more expensive. Furthermore, other alternatives are
also available, such as LED and compact fluorescent light bulbs.
Viewpoint
Discussion
Enjoy
a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
·
Do you use
incandescent light bulbs?
·
Can you think of other
possible advantages and disadvantages of using incandescent light bulbs?
Discussion B
·
What do you think
is the real cause of global warming?
·
Do you think
people should be alarmed about global warming?
