Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. environmentalist (n.) [en-vahy-ruhn-men-tl-ist, -vahy-ern-] – a person concerned with protecting the environment and nature
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. environmentalist (n.) [en-vahy-ruhn-men-tl-ist, -vahy-ern-] – a person concerned with protecting the environment and nature
Example: The school invited an environmentalist to talk about global
warming.
2. formulate (v.)
[fawr-myuh-leyt] – to come up with an idea or a plan
Example: The students were
asked to formulate solutions to the
city’s garbage problems.
3. front (n.) [fruhnt] – something used to hide or disguise an illegal or bad activity
Example: The research equipment
on the boat was only a front for illegal
fishing.
4. legitimate (adj.) [li-jit-uh-mit] – accepted as true by rules or standards
Example: Before a business can
become legitimate, government
agencies must approve it.
5. considerably (adv.) [kuhn-sid-er-uh-blee] – greatly; in a large amount or number
Example: Due to overhunting
through the years, the number of tigers went down considerably.
Article
Read the text below.
Read the text below.
South Korea has recently announced that it may resume whale hunting for the purpose of scientific research, but this news has gained much criticism from environmentalists.
Kang Jun-Sook, the South
Korean representative to the International Whaling Commission (IWC), said
that they are currently formulating
a proposal to hunt minke whales. Fishermen have been complaining that whales are
reducing fishes in the Korean Peninsula.
Kang explained they
want to study the whales’ numbers and feeding habits, and they will need to kill
the whales to do so.
South Korea plans
to submit this proposal to the Scientific Committee of the IWC. The country
may want to follow Japan, which is allowed to hunt whales only for scientific
research under IWC’s rules.
However, many
environmentalist groups do not agree with hunting whales for research. They
think research is being used as a front
to the real purpose—commercial whaling. The groups also emphasized that legitimate research can still be
conducted without killing the whales.
Others said fishing
mismanagement by humans is likely the reason for a decrease in fish supplies,
not the presence of whales.
The World Wildlife Fund
said minke whales are already in danger of disappearing due to a low
population. But South Korea insists the number of minke whales has increased considerably.
Kang said whaling
has been part of their traditions, and some still use whale meat for
traditional cooking. Around 1,000 whales were killed each year in South Korea
before the international rule on whaling took effect in 1986.
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Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
·
Do you agree that animals need to be killed for
scientific research or study? Why or why not?
·
For what other reasons or situations is it acceptable
for an animal to be killed?
Discussion B
·
Do you believe that animal rights and well-being
should be protected? Why or why not?
·
What can people do to help animals that already
have very low populations?
