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Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Do you have a fear of heights?
- Have you been to Shanghai, China?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- construction /kuhn-STRUHK-shuhn/
- practicality /prak-ti-KAL-i-tee /
- ban /ban/
- violate /VAHY-uh-leyt/
- accountability /uh-koun-tuh-BIL-i-tee/
[noun] – the work of building or making something, especially buildings, bridges, etc
The construction of the new mall will begin next week.
[noun] – the quality of being able to provide effective solutions to problems
We are not sure about the practicality of his plan.
[noun] – an official order that prevents something from happening
There was a ban on alcohol in the city last month.
[verb] – to break or act against something, especially a law, agreement, principle, or something that should be treated with respect
He violated the parking many times.
[noun] – the fact of being responsible for what you do and able to give a satisfactory reason for it, or the degree to which this happens
Accountability in the workplace is important.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
China has placed tighter limits on the construction of “super high-rise buildings” in smaller cities, its latest move to crack down costly projects. The country houses some of the world’s mega towers, which includes the 128-story and 623-meters high, Shanghai Tower. Chinese citizens took to social media site Weibo to express their opinions, with some saying that super-high skyscrapers were “not needed… they’re just gimmicky”. Moreover, local reports say that skyscrapers in smaller cities were not built for practicality.
There is already an existing ban on buildings higher than 500 meters but the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural development, together with the Ministry of Emergency, has introduced stricter rules on October 26, 2021. The new rules state that cities with populations of less than three million people will not be allowed to build skyscrapers taller than 150 meters (492 ft). Meanwhile, those with populations larger than that will not be able to construct buildings taller than 250 meters. Those who allow projects that violate these new rules will be held to “lifelong accountability“.
There is already an existing ban on buildings higher than 500 meters but the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural development, together with the Ministry of Emergency, has introduced stricter rules on October 26, 2021. The new rules state that cities with populations of less than three million people will not be allowed to build skyscrapers taller than 150 meters (492 ft). Meanwhile, those with populations larger than that will not be able to construct buildings taller than 250 meters. Those who allow projects that violate these new rules will be held to “lifelong accountability“.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What is China’s latest move to crack down costly projects?
- How high is the Shanghai tower?
- What do Chinese citizens think of the super high-rise skyscrapers?
- What is a city with a population of less than three million people not allowed to do?
- What will happen to the people who violate the new rules?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you been inside one of your country’s tallest buildings?
- Do you know anyone who works in the construction industry?
- If you were an urban planner, what would you focus on developing in your city? (housing, roads, schools)
- Do you agree with some comments that say super high-rise skyscrapers or buildings are not needed?
- In your opinion, should countries around the world consider limiting the construction of tall buildings? Why or why not?