Unlocking
Word Meanings
Read
the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. cylinder
(n.) [sil-in-der] – a part of the car engine in which air and gas are pushed in
Example:
Most car engines have more than one cylinder.
2. protest
(v.) [v. pruh-test, proh-test] – to express disapproval of something (or someone)
Example:
The employees were protesting about
the new company rule.
3. compromise
(n.) [kom-pruh-mahyz] – an agreement to settle the differences
Example:
The couple wanted two different car models. As a compromise, they decided to buy a car recommended by the salesman.
4. efficient
(adj.) [ih-fish-uhnt] – able to function effectively (without wasting time, effort, or
expense)
Example:
Car manufacturers are now starting to make environment-friendly engines that
are as efficient as regular
engines.
5. dull
(adj.) [duhl] – uninteresting (or causing boredom)
Example:
The scenes in the movie were a bit dull.
Article
Read
the text below.
Formula 1
(F1) management has decided to change the engine requirements in the popular
car race by the year 2014. Instead of using a 1.6 liter engine with four cylinders, F1 management decided to introduce a 6-cylinder
1.6 liter engine.
With this
new engine, race cars will burn less fuel without decreasing the power needed
to run the race course. In addition, the engine will be equipped with
environment-friendly technology that uses a combination of fuel and stored
energy.
This
decision was done for two main reasons. One involves the disagreement between
Renault and Ferrari, two of the major participants in the race. Renault wanted
to use the proposed 4-cylinder engine that Ferrari strongly protested.
Unlike
Renault, which plans to change its car engines to smaller ones, Ferrari would
not be able to use the proposed engines. As a compromise,
F1 management decided to use a larger engine that is as efficient as the 4-cylinder engine.
The second
reason concerns the public image of the F1 race as a big waste of valuable oil.
Many sponsors of F1 do not want to be associated with this bad image, so F1
management decided to use environment-friendly engines to attract more
sponsors.
Originally,
F1 management did not want to change the existing 2.5 litre engine with 8
cylinders. Doing so will make the race dull because smaller engines produce less noise.
Organizers also say that boring races would lead to a drop in audience
attendance, their main source of income.
Viewpoint
Discussion
Enjoy
a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
·
Are car races
common or popular in your country? Explain your answer.
·
What do you think
makes car racing interesting?
Discussion B
·
Are
environment-friendly cars (electronic, bio-diesel, etc.) common in your
country?
·
Have you
considered buying an environment-friendly car? Explain your answer.
