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。
- Have you ever heard about something called the “polluter pays” doctrine?
- Do you know what happens when companies contribute to environmental pollution?
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。
- environmental /en-vahy-ruhn-MUHN-tl/
- inexpensive /in-ik-SPEN-siv/
- expect /ik-SPEKT/
- handle /HAN-dl /
- damage /DAM-ij/
[adjective] – relating to the surroundings, especially in the context of the natural world.
The environmental impact of the factory’s waste was significant.
[adjective] – not costing a lot of money
She found an inexpensive dress for the party that fit her budget.
[verb] – to anticipate or look forward to something happening
We expect rain tomorrow, based on the weather forecast.
[verb] – to deal with, have responsibility for, or be in charge of
I learned how to handle difficult situations by staying calm and finding practical solutions.
[noun] – harm or injury that impairs the value, usefulness, or normal function of something
The storm caused significant damage to the old building.
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。
In 2024, companies are about to face consequences due to environmental pollution linked to the “polluter pays” idea. This concept gained importance after the tragic Rana Plaza factory accident in Bangladesh ten years ago, where over 1,000 underpaid workers lost their lives. Companies like Shein, Boohoo, and Primark continue to make inexpensive polyester clothing, adding to landfill waste. Plastic waste, including items like Coca-Cola bottles and Mars wrappers, exceeds 350 million metric tons a year. The upcoming year is expected to see a strict crackdown on fossil fuel-based waste, challenging plastic use in various sectors like food and fashion. Plastic seems cheap, but factoring in environmental costs makes it ten times more expensive. The annual $3 trillion cost burdens governments and consumers, not plastic-producing companies. Proposed laws in California and the EU suggest textile and fashion companies must handle their products’ end-of-life responsibly. This aligns with the “extended producer responsibility” idea crucial to a UN treaty ending plastic pollution by 2024. As support for holding polluters accountable grows, the full financial impact on companies and investors remains uncertain, amidst the urgent need to address climate change and environmental damage.
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。
- The “polluter pays” idea is connected to the consequences that companies are expected to face in 2024 due to environmental pollution.
- The importance of the “polluter pays” concept increased after the tragic Rana Plaza factory accident in Bangladesh, where over 1,000 underpaid workers lost their lives.
- Shein, Boohoo, and Primark are mentioned as companies that contribute to landfill waste by manufacturing inexpensive polyester clothing.
- The yearly accumulation of plastic waste, including items like Coca-Cola bottles and Mars wrappers, is stated to exceed 350 million metric tons.
- The article suggests that in the upcoming year, there will be a strict crackdown on fossil fuel-based waste, challenging the use of plastic in various sectors such as food and fashion.
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。
| environmental | inexpensive | expect | handle | damage |
- Many people prefer ____________ options when shopping to save money without compromising quality.
- Following the storm, the community came together to assess and repair the ____________ caused to local infrastructure.
- Employees are trained on how to safely ____________ hazardous materials in the workplace.
- The new legislation aims to reduce ____________ impacts by encouraging companies to adopt eco-friendly practices.
- With the project nearing completion, we ____________ the final report to be submitted by the end of the week.