Vocabulary:
- green light /green lahyt/
- runway /RUHN-wey/
- forsake /fawr-SEYK/
- demolish /dih-MOL-ish/
- parallel /PAR-uh-lel/
[idiom] permission for someone to do something
The council has given the green light to the construction of the new shopping center.
[noun] a long, level piece of ground at an airport, having a smooth, hard surface on which an aircraft can take off and land
Our flight was delayed because the runway was too wet.
[verb] to leave completely or give up completely
She might forsake her ballet lesson.
[verb] to completely destroy buildings and other structures
Some of the houses near the river will be demolished.
[adjective] being the same distance
Her closet is parallel to her bed.
Heathrow’s airport expansion had gotten the green light from the government after years of delays. British lawmakers voted in favor of the third runway construction that could start in 2021. For years, the proposal had gone through a lot of strong opposition considering factors that would be forsaken in the said expansion. Air traffic, level of noise in nearby cities, and air pollution crisis are things that the opposing team looked into over the debates.
Under the proposal, at least 750 homes in the villages of Longford, Sipson, and Harmondsworth will be demolished. By 2030, Heathrow expects the number of passengers to jump from nearly 80 million per year to 110 million. The third runway will be built parallel to the two existing strips. Transport secretary Chris Grayling said that the construction would be a big leap to London’s economic growth since the new runway will allow more connecting flights to other UK airports.
Under the proposal, at least 750 homes in the villages of Longford, Sipson, and Harmondsworth will be demolished. By 2030, Heathrow expects the number of passengers to jump from nearly 80 million per year to 110 million. The third runway will be built parallel to the two existing strips. Transport secretary Chris Grayling said that the construction would be a big leap to London’s economic growth since the new runway will allow more connecting flights to other UK airports.
True or False:
- British lawmakers voted against Heathrow’s third runway construction.
- The airport expansion is expected to start next year.
- All villages in Longford will be flattened to make way for the construction.
- Chris Grayling is the lawmaker who proposed the expansion.
- The third runway is in the opposite side of the two existing strips.
Discussion Questions:
- What do you think are the advantages of the new airport expansion?
- Is it necessary to consider the disadvantages of the airport expansion as well?
- Why do you think it takes years for the government to decide before giving approval to any proposals?
- Which is better, a technologically-advanced airport or an environment-friendly airport?
- Do you think that the advancement of establishments is part of a country’s success?
Express Your Opinion:
- “Money, not morality, is the principle commerce of civilized nations.” – Thomas Jefferson
- “Economic growth without social progress lets the great majority of people remain in poverty,
while a privileged few reap the benefits of rising abundance.” – John F. Kennedy - “We have to innovate. No nation can be successful unless they are involved in innovative and creative activities.” – Najib Tun Razak