Pre-reading questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- How much energy do you use every day?
- What is the most common form of energy in your country?
Vocabulary
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- profit /PROF-it/
- data /DEY-tuh/
- doubtful /DOUT-fuhl/
- benefit /BEN-uh-fit/
- taxable /TAK-suh-buhl/
[noun] – money that is earned in trade or business after paying the costs of producing and selling goods and services
Our daily profit typically hovers around $500.
[noun] – information, especially facts or numbers, collected to be examined and considered and used to help decision-making
Further data analysis is needed.
[adjective] – if a situation is doubtful, it is unlikely to happen or to be successful
It’s doubtful that we still have the chance to locate the money.
[verb] – to be helped by something
Investors will benefit from high-quality advice.
[adjective] – if something is taxable, you must pay tax on it
Additionally, many social security benefits are taxable.
Article reading
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
The Norwegian energy corporation Equinor has announced record profits due to rising gas prices. Anders Opedal, the chief executive and president, refers to the expense of moving from harmful fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources. According to its most recent financial data, pre-tax profits between July and September were $24.3 billion, up from $9.7 billion the year prior. However, the cost of living is rising for many people due to the high gas and energy prices for houses and businesses. According to Opedal, it is doubtful that gas and electricity prices will ever again reach the level of the average UK home, which was around £1,300 per year. Currently, a property’s average annual bill is about £2,500, which also includes help from the UK government.
Energy companies that benefited from the price hike last year were subject to a windfall tax in the UK. Initially set at 25%, the so-called Energy Profits Levy will rise to 35% in January and remain in place through March 2028. Oil and gas extraction profits in the UK are taxable, but not those from oil refining or forecourt sales of gasoline and diesel. The tax, according to Opedal, had no impact on Equinor’s investment strategy in the UK, but it did on how each project was evaluated because they had to take the tax level into consideration in relation to all other risks.
Energy companies that benefited from the price hike last year were subject to a windfall tax in the UK. Initially set at 25%, the so-called Energy Profits Levy will rise to 35% in January and remain in place through March 2028. Oil and gas extraction profits in the UK are taxable, but not those from oil refining or forecourt sales of gasoline and diesel. The tax, according to Opedal, had no impact on Equinor’s investment strategy in the UK, but it did on how each project was evaluated because they had to take the tax level into consideration in relation to all other risks.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- According to the article, what were pre-tax profits between July and September?
- What did Anders Opedal say about gas and electricity prices?
- What is the current annual bill for an average UK household?
- By what percentage will the Energy Profits Levy rise in January?
- What profits in the UK are not taxable?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- How do you save on gas and electricity costs?
- What household appliances do you use the most at home?
- What would you do to save up roughly £2,500 (¥396,146.25) a month for gas and electricity bills?
- Is it possible to reduce gas and electricity bills using energy-efficient appliances?
- How does climate change affect gas and electricity consumption?