Report reveals major brands fueling Cambodia brick kilns with waste

admin 2024年2月5日

Beginner

Health & Lifestyle, Health & Lifestyle - Beginner

©Thomas Cristofoletti / Ruom for Unearthed

Pre-reading questions:

I will read each question. Then, please answer them.

講師がそれぞれの質問を読むので答えましょう。

Do you like purchasing international brands?
Do you prioritize specific factors or qualities before making a purchase decision?

Vocabulary:

I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.

単語、意味、例文を読みます。講師に続いて音読しましょう。

waste /weyst/

[noun] – unwanted matter or material of any type, especially what is left after useful substances or parts have been removed
The recycling center sorted various types of waste, separating plastics, paper, and glass for processing.

fuel /FYOO-uhl/

[noun] – a material used to produce heat or energy, typically used to power machines or processes
Wood pellets are commonly used as a fuel source for heating in many households during winter.

issue /ISH-oo/

[noun] – a subject or problem that people are thinking and talking about
Climate change is a pressing issue that requires immediate global attention and action.

strict /strikt/

[adjective] – strongly limiting someone’s freedom to behave as they wish, or likely to severely punish someone if they do not obey
The school has strict rules about uniform attire, requiring students to adhere to specific dress codes.

environment /en-VAHY-ruhn-muhnt/

[noun] – the air, water, and land in or on which people, animals, and plants live
It’s important to protect the environment by reducing pollution and conserving natural resources.

Article reading:

Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

記事を音読しましょう。講師はあなたの発音とイントネーションを確認します。

LICADHO, a group focusing on people’s rights, found some big problems in brick factories in Cambodia. The report talked about using waste from famous brands like Adidas and Walmart to save money on fuel. But this caused many health problems for the workers, like headaches, trouble breathing, and issues during pregnancies.

The report from LICADHO checked 21 factories in Phnom Penh and nearby places between April and September. They spoke with workers and found that burning old clothes was really dangerous. Other studies also talked about this danger. Brands like Primark and Lidl are looking into this issue, while Adidas promised to see if they are throwing away waste in the wrong way. They said they follow strict rules for the environment, sending waste to special places. But some groups, like WRAP, the Cambodian Ministry of Environment, and Sarom Trading Co. Ltd. have not said anything about this yet.

True or False:

Read the sentences and identify if they are true or false based on the article.

文章を読んで、記事に基づいて正誤を答えましょう。

LICADHO found significant issues in brick factories in Cambodia related to the burning of waste from well-known brands like Adidas and Walmart for fuel.
Workers in these brick factories experienced health problems such as headaches, respiratory issues, and complications during pregnancies due to the burning of waste.
LICADHO conducted inspections at 21 factories in Phnom Penh and nearby areas between April and September and engaged with workers to understand the situation.
Primark and Lidl denied any involvement or interest in addressing the waste disposal issue in brick factories.
Brands such as Adidas, WRAP, the Cambodian Ministry of Environment, and Sarom Trading Co. Ltd. have openly addressed and resolved the concerns raised by LICADHO’s report.

Fill in the blanks:

Choose the correct word from the table then fill in the blanks.

適切な言葉を選んで空欄を埋めましょう。

waste

fuel

issue

strict

environment

Planting trees helps improve the __________ by enhancing air quality and providing habitats for wildlife.
The company enforces __________ security measures to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access.
Composting organic __________ helps reduce the amount of food waste sent to landfills.
The lack of affordable housing in urban areas has become a critical __________ for many city residents.
The airplane relies on jet __________ to power its engines and facilitate flight across long distances.