Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What comes to mind when you hear the word “bedbug”?
- Have you ever encountered or heard of bedbug problems in your area or in the news? What information can you share about it?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- specialized /SPESH-uh-lahyzd/
- infection /in-FEK-shuhn/
- beyond /bee-OND/
- concern /kuhn-SURN/
- crack /krak /
[adjective] – relating to one particular area or designed for a particular purpose:
The chef used a specialized knife to carve the beautiful ice sculpture for the party.
[noun] – the invasion and multiplication of harmful microorganisms in the body, leading to illness
He got an infection after a small cut on his hand became contaminated with dirt.
[preposition ] – Further than; exceeding a particular limit or extent.
Her kindness went beyond what was expected, and she helped everyone in need.
[noun] – A feeling of worry or interest about a particular matter or issue.
The environmental concern led to a community effort to reduce plastic waste.
[noun] – a narrow opening or fissure, especially in a surface
The crack in the wall allowed cold air to enter the room.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
In September 2023, South Korea faced a growing bedbug problem that began at a university in Daegu and spread to hotels, saunas, and public transportation. The government allocated $383,000 to address the issue and formed a specialized team. Although bedbugs don’t transmit diseases, their itchy bites lead to discomfort and skin infections. This issue extended beyond South Korea, affecting France and the UK and raising concerns about the effectiveness of pesticides used to combat these pests.
To deal with the increase in bedbugs in South Korea, the national and local governments took action. The problem affected many places, like dorms at Keimyung University in Daegu, a sauna in Incheon City, and other areas in cities like Bucheon, Seoul, and Busan. Officials thought that more people traveling internationally after the pandemic and fewer travel restrictions might be part of the problem. To fix it, Busan and Seoul gave out guidelines to prevent bedbugs on their websites and carefully checked hotels and saunas. Even though these bugs don’t give you diseases, they can give you skin infections and hide in the seams and cracks of mattresses during the day. South Korea wanted to stop more bedbug issues and make people feel safe again by taking these actions.
To deal with the increase in bedbugs in South Korea, the national and local governments took action. The problem affected many places, like dorms at Keimyung University in Daegu, a sauna in Incheon City, and other areas in cities like Bucheon, Seoul, and Busan. Officials thought that more people traveling internationally after the pandemic and fewer travel restrictions might be part of the problem. To fix it, Busan and Seoul gave out guidelines to prevent bedbugs on their websites and carefully checked hotels and saunas. Even though these bugs don’t give you diseases, they can give you skin infections and hide in the seams and cracks of mattresses during the day. South Korea wanted to stop more bedbug issues and make people feel safe again by taking these actions.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What actions did the South Korean government take to address the bedbug problem in September 2023?
- Why did officials believe that more people traveling internationally and fewer travel restrictions might have contributed to the bedbug issue?
- Why is it important to be concerned about bedbug infestations even though bedbugs do not transmit diseases?
- In what places did the bedbug problem extend beyond South Korea, according to the article?
- How did South Korea aim to make people feel safe again in relation to bedbug issues?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What are your experiences with troublesome pests like bedbugs? Have you ever encountered them in your home or during your travels? If so, how did you deal with the situation? If not, what measures do you take to prevent such issues?
- Have you ever been in a situation where you felt distress due to a problem that didn’t pose any health risks? How did you handle the emotional distress, and did you seek help or support from others?
- Do you agree that government authorities should allocate funds and resources to tackle pest-related issues like bedbug infestations, even if the pests themselves don’t transmit diseases?
- In your opinion, what challenges do local authorities face when dealing with pest infestations like bedbugs, and how can they balance the need to address such issues with other public concerns?
- How do you think the international community can collaborate to address pest-related challenges that can affect multiple countries, as mentioned in the article?