Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. detect (v.) [dih-tekt] – to discover or notice something, particularly something that is hidden or difficult to see, hear, taste, etc.
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. detect (v.) [dih-tekt] – to discover or notice something, particularly something that is hidden or difficult to see, hear, taste, etc.
Example: They use devices that
can detect radiation because humans
cannot sense it.
2. in the wake of
(idiom) [in thuh weyk uhv, ov] – describing something that happened after another event occurred
Example: More people are cautious of
nuclear energy in the wake of the
Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.
3. handy (adj.) [han-dee] – describing something as useful or convenient
Example: Smartphones have handy features such as Internet access
and apps.
4. at first glance (idiom) [at furst glans, glahns] – looking at something for the first time without paying enough attention Example: At first glance, the small details of
the smartphone cannot be seen.
5. anti-nuclear (adj.) [an-tee-noo-klee-er, -nyoo-, an-tahy-or,-kyuh-ler] – describing something or someone opposed to nuclear technology
Example: Anti-nuclear activists protested the building of a new nuclear
power plant.
Article
Read the text below.
The Pantone 5 107SH,
to be launched by Softbank, is the world’s first smartphone with a built-in
sensor that can detect radiation.
Softbank CEO
Masayoshi Son decided to develop the smartphone in the wake of the
Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. Customers, many of whom were mothers with
young children, asked him via Twitter to create the product.
There has been an
increasing demand in Japan for radiation sensors since the Fukushima disaster.
People worried about radiation are buying such devices to check radiation
levels in their food and surroundings.
According to
Softbank, its radiation detecting smartphone can help lessen people’s worry, as
the handy product allows citizens to
measure radiation anytime and anywhere.
The built-in
radiation meter inside is so small that at
first glance, the smartphone looks just like an ordinary mobile phone. Even
so, the phone can measure radiation levels with readings that are accurate up to
20% of the time. The device can also compare detected radiation levels with those
on online radiation maps.
CEO Masayoshi Son is known
to be a supporter of the anti-nuclear movement.
He has advocated solar farms as a replacement for nuclear power plants.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
·
Is it reasonable for people in your country to
be worried about radiation? Please explain further.
·
Do you think that having a radiation-detecting smartphone
will make them feel less worried? Why or why not?
Discussion B
·
What do you think are the best ways customers
can communicate with companies nowadays?
·
Can you think of a product that you wish you
could ask a company to make or add new features to? Please explain your answer.