【Unlocking Word Meanings】
今日の単語・フレーズ
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. beat [beet] (v.) – to win against or to defeat someone or something
Example:
2. subsidy [SUHB-si-dee] (n.) – amount of money that the government agrees to pay to reduce the cost of a service
Example: Citizens benefit a lot from transportation subsidies.
3. account for [uh-KOUNT fer] (phrasal v.) – to be the cause why something happens
Example: Good advertising accounted for the new product’s success.
4. incentive [in-SEN-tiv] (n.) – a benefit or merit for doing something
Example: He gets a lot of incentives as a government employee.
5. high-profile [hahy PROH-fahyl] (adj.) – referring to someone who is famous or well-known
Example: High-profile personalities were present in the prestigious event.
【Article】
ニュース記事
Read the text below.
Tesla Motors took the number one spot as the best-selling vehicle in the history of car sales in Norway.
Having sold 1493 cars in just a month, Tesla Model S is currently the favorite among Norwegians, according to the Information Council for Road Traffic. With 10.8 percent of all car registrations, Model S beat the second bestseller on the list – the Volkswagen Golf, which only has 624 sales.
Model S is one of the several environment-friendly electric cars manufactured by Tesla. The subsidies that the government gives accounted for the popularity of these eco-friendly vehicles. The Norwegian government introduced some incentives to electric car users, such as free-parking, free toll fee, use of public lanes, free battery charging, and high car tax exemptions.
Among the high-profile personalities who purchased the car are Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon [HAW-koo n], the newly appointed NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltensberg, and the head of the environmental group Bellona, Frederic Hauge [HOU-guh].”
However, others are yet to be convinced by the efficiency of this luxurious car. For one, this car is priced at $US 125,000, a lot higher than an ordinary car that has a retail price of $103,000. Also, with all the incentives, traffic lanes easily pile up because of the increasing number of cars.
Nonetheless, the government has agreed to keep the incentives effective until 2017.
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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
· Are eco-friendly cars also gaining popularity in your country? Why or why not?
· If given the chance, would you buy an electric car? Why or why not?
Discussion B
· Can you cite any possible disadvantages of using electric cars?
· Would you prefer purchasing a car or commuting? Why or why not?
