Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- overflow /oh-ver-FLOH/
- infrastructure /IN-fruh-struhk-cher /
- expenditure /ik-SPEN-di-cher/
- outrage /OUT-reyj /
- relieve /ri-LEEV/
[noun] – an amount of liquid or number of people that cannot fit in a space
I placed a bucket underneath to capture the water tank’s overflow.
[noun] – the basic systems and services, such as transportation and power supplies, that a country or organization uses in order to work effectively
The infrastructure of the country has been severely destroyed by the war.
[noun] – the total amount of money that a government or person spends
The government’s annual military expenditure has been reduced.
[noun] – a feeling of anger and shock
The politicians expressed outrage at the decision.
[verb] – to make an unpleasant feeling, such as pain or worry, less strong
She relieved the pain by taking medications.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
The UK government is taking urgent measures to limit sewage flows into rivers and the sea in England, according to the environment secretary. George Eustice announced a strategy to reduce pollution from the “most damaging” storm overflows by 75 percent by 2035 and by 80 percent by 2050. After 1,000 sewage spills per day in 2021, water companies are under pressure. They could face legal consequences if they admit to illegal discharges. Following the admission last year, the government launched a large inquiry into more than 2,200 sewage treatment plants in England, spanning all water and sewerage firms. Mr. Eustice stated that the government will invest £7 billion in sewage infrastructure upgrades until 2025, but confessed that water bills will rise by roughly £12 per year to pay expenditures after that.
The Liberal Democrats called the number of sewage spills a “national scandal,” accusing the government of “ignoring the country’s outrage.” Labor claimed that the country was facing “a dirty water emergency,” blaming the Conservative administration for allowing water firms “to dump raw sewage into our rivers, lakes, and seas with impunity.” Storm overflows, which dump untreated sewage and precipitation into the environment to relieve pressure on the system, resulted in more than 372,000 spill occurrences in 2021, according to new data released on Thursday. According to the data, the observed spill occurrences lasted more than 2.6 million hours in total last year. In extraordinary instances, such as following heavy rainfall, water providers are permitted to release untreated sewage into rivers.
The Liberal Democrats called the number of sewage spills a “national scandal,” accusing the government of “ignoring the country’s outrage.” Labor claimed that the country was facing “a dirty water emergency,” blaming the Conservative administration for allowing water firms “to dump raw sewage into our rivers, lakes, and seas with impunity.” Storm overflows, which dump untreated sewage and precipitation into the environment to relieve pressure on the system, resulted in more than 372,000 spill occurrences in 2021, according to new data released on Thursday. According to the data, the observed spill occurrences lasted more than 2.6 million hours in total last year. In extraordinary instances, such as following heavy rainfall, water providers are permitted to release untreated sewage into rivers.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- How is wastewater being treated in your country? Please elaborate on your answer.
- What challenges does your government face in sewage treatment?
- If you had the chance to influence the people not to dispose of trash in rivers and seas, what would you do?
- Do you agree with releasing untreated sewage into rivers?
- Why should we treat wastewater? Please elaborate on your answer.
Summarization
Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.
Describe:
Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.
- urgent
- strategy
- under pressure
- untreated
- occurrence