【Unlocking Word Meanings】
今日の単語・フレーズ
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. one-stop shop [wuh n stop shop] (n. phrase) – a business or an office that offers a wide variety of products and services
Example: The tycoon wanted to build a one-stop shop to cover a larger market share.
2. evoke [ih-VOHK] (v.) – to cause a reaction to happen
Example: The new method in building houses evoked worries that the structures may not be stable.
3. pace [peys] (n.) – the speed or rate of movement or progress
Example: Due to the fast pace of the construction, the building will be finished in less than a year.
4. prefabricated [pree-FAB-ri-key-td] (adj.) – manufactured or made beforehand for assembly later on
Example: The company ordered prefabricated materials to finish the construction earlier.
5. confirmed [kuh n-FURMD] (adj.) – definite or not going to change
Example: The confirmed construction schedule has been approved by the company’s president.
【Article】
ニュース記事
Read the text below.
In about six months from now, China will be stealing the title for the world’s tallest building from Dubai's Burj Khalifa.
Burj Khalifa in Dubai stands at 828 meters high, but the new skyscraper called Sky City will be 838-meter tall. It is now being constructed in Changsha, Central China and is expected to be finished in April 2014, only ten months after it was started.
The company behind the building’s construction expects to save both on land and energy by making the building a one-stop shop. The building will specifically have a mall, school, amusement park, hospital, and roof gardens so residents would not need to leave the building anymore.
Despite the building’s interesting features, the speed of its construction has evoked criticisms from netizens and experts. Some people are expressing safety concerns due to the fast pace of the construction and the strange method used to build the skyscraper.
But Broad Group, the construction company behind Sky City, said the technique has been proven to be safe. The technique involves using thousands of prefabricated steel and concrete blocks, which are then assembled on-site. Broad Group added that it has used this technique to build more than 30 buildings in the country.
The current trend of fast-built skyscrapers, which are often taller than 152 meters, seems to become popular in China nowadays. Currently, 470 skyscrapers stand in China, while 332 are still under construction, and 516 are confirmed to be on the planning stages.
By 2022 China would have a total of 1,318 skyscrapers, more than double than what is expected from the United States.
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【Viewpoint Discussion】
ディスカッションテーマ
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
· Do you think people should really be worried about the fast-paced construction of skyscrapers in China? Why or why not?
· In your opinion, what are the advantages and disadvantages of building skyscrapers? Please briefly explain.
Discussion B
· Do you think having a world title helps a country’s tourism? Why or why not?
· Why are innovations important in a country’s development?