Pre-reading questions:
- What is a nuclear power plant?
- Do you think a nuclear power plant has a lot of advantages? Why or why not?
Vocabulary:
- nuclear power plant /NOO-klee-er POU-er plant/
- generate /JEN-uh-reyt/
- facility /fuh-SIL-i-tee/
- concrete /KON-kree/
- debate /dih-BEYT/
[noun] – a type of power plant that use the process of nuclear fission in order to generate electricity.
A nuclear power plant is a facility that uses nuclear reactions to generate electricity, but it requires strict safety measures to prevent accidents.
[verb ] – to cause something to exist
Wind turbines are designed to generate electricity by using the power of the wind.
[noun] – a place, especially including buildings, where a particular activity happens
The new sports facility has a swimming pool, a gymnasium, and a tennis court, which makes it the perfect place for athletes to train.
[noun] – a very hard building material made by mixing together cement, sand, small stones, and water
The contractor ordered a truckload of concrete to pour into the driveway and sidewalk for the new home.
[verb ] – to discuss a subject in a formal way
The students in the classroom debated for over an hour about the best solution to the pollution problem in their city.
Article reading:
Congressman Mark Cojuangco has been advocating for the plant’s reopening for over a decade. Recently, he took a group of reporters on a tour of the facility. The reactor’s containment structure is lined with 30 mm of thick welded steel, and its walls are made of 1.5 m of thick concrete, making it one of the most robust nuclear power plants in the world. Cojuangco is confident in the quality of the plant’s infrastructure, but there is still a question about whether a 38-year-old nuclear power plant can be safely started up after never being used. President Marcos Jr. sees the plant as unfinished business from his father’s administration and is exploring the possibility of reactivating the facility. However, there are concerns about the potential risks and benefits of nuclear power. While some argue that the Bataan nuclear power plant could provide a valuable source of clean energy, others see it as an unnecessary risk.
The government will decide if the Bataan nuclear power plant should be used based on its safety and infrastructure. Its future will continue to be debated as the world looks for sustainable energy.
Comprehension questions
- When was the Bataan nuclear power plant built?
- Who is advocating for the reopening of the Bataan nuclear power plant?
- What is the containment structure of the reactor lined with?
- Is the Bataan nuclear power plant one of the most robust nuclear power plants in the world?
- What factors will the government consider when deciding whether to use the Bataan nuclear power plant?
Discussion questions
- Does your country have nuclear power plants? Could you tell me about them?
- Have you ever visited a nuclear power plant? If so, what was the experience like? If not, would you like to visit one? Why or why not?
- Do you agree that it’s important for countries to explore alternative sources of energy?
- What steps do you think the government should take to ensure the safe and effective operation of the Bataan nuclear power plant if it were to be reopened?
- How important is sustainable energy for developing countries like the Philippines? Please elaborate on your answer.