Vocabulary:
- healthcare /HELTH-kair/
- immense /ih-MENS /
- sustainability /suh-stey-nuh-BIL-i-tee/
- soar /sawr/
- on the horizon /on thuh huh-RAHY-zuhn /
[noun] – the activity or business of providing medical services
Many people in my country cannot afford to pay for their healthcare, so the government provides free medical treatment for those who cannot afford it.
[adjective] – extremely large in size or degree
The amount of work required to complete the project was immense, and we had to work overtime to meet the deadline.
[noun] – the quality of causing little or no damage to the environment and therefore able to continue for a long time
The company’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its efforts to reduce waste and carbon emissions.
[verb] – to increase or go up quickly to a high level
Due to the high demand for the new product, the company’s sales soared in the last quarter, generating record profits.
[idiom] – if something is on the horizon, it is almost certainly going to happen or be done quite soon.
Despite the current economic downturn, there are some signs of improvement on the horizon, such as an increase in job opportunities in certain sectors.
Article reading:
The cost of living is increasing at an alarming rate, and social welfare systems are struggling to keep up. As populations age and healthcare costs soar, governments are faced with the difficult task of balancing their budgets while ensuring that their citizens have access to quality care. Moreover, the rise of the gig economy has made it difficult to provide traditional social security benefits to workers who do not have a fixed employer, creating a generation of workers who are left without adequate social protection. Despite these challenges, there is hope on the horizon. Many countries in Europe are experimenting with new ways of providing social security to their citizens. From basic income schemes to public-private partnerships, innovative solutions are being explored that could revolutionize Europe’s social welfare systems. However, implementing these changes will require political will and financial investment.
In conclusion, Europe’s social security systems are facing trials that threaten their sustainability. However, there is hope that with innovation and investment, social welfare systems can be created that provide adequate protection to all citizens. As Europeans face these challenges, they must remember that social security is not a luxury but a fundamental human right that must be protected at all costs.
Discussion Questions:
- What are some of the challenges that your country faces in terms of social security?
- How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your country’s social security?
- Do you agree that the rise of the gig economy has made it difficult to provide traditional social security benefits to workers who do not have a fixed employer?
- In your opinion, why is it important for governments to provide adequate social security to their citizens?
- What do you think can be done to ensure that all citizens have access to quality healthcare, regardless of their financial situation?
Summarization
Describe:
- government
- threaten
- challenge
- investment
- luxury