The economy or the environment — must we choose?

Lead-in Reading Fast reading Careful reading Homework Discussion

城市垃圾城市垃圾 城市汽车尾气 美国密歇根州铜矿及工厂产生的 尾料将湖水染红 国内的水体污染

全球环境问题日趋严峻

(1) What can you see in the pictures? (2) What caused these problems? (3) How to solve these problems? 返回目录

1. What side does Mr Lin Shuiqing and Mr Qian Liwei each represent? Mr Lin represents the environment and Mr Qian represents the economy.

2. By how many times has the world’s population increased since 1800? Six times. 3. According to Mr Qian Liwei, What should be done to factories that pollute the environment? They should have to pay higher taxes. 返回目录

How well did you understand the debate? Read the debate again and answer the following questions. 1. What society does Lin Shuiqing belong to? Lin Shuiqing belongs to the Green Society.

2. What does Lin Shuiqing talk about to start her speech? She starts her speech by talking about the way vast areas of the world are damaged by chemical waste. 3. What is happening to large numbers of fish? They are being caught by fishing boats before they can lay eggs.

4. What does Lin Shuiqing think we should teach people about? She thinks we should teach people ways of living that do not harm the environment. 5. In Qian Liwei’s opinion, what belief do people often have? People often have the belief that development is bad for the environment.

6. Why does Qian Liwei think production should not be reduced? Because jobs will be lost. People are more important than fish and trees. 7. What does Qian Liwei say we need? He says we need better laws to preserve the environment and still allow our country to grow.

8. What are many people willing to do according to Qian Liwei? Many people are willing to pay a little higher prices for things that are friendly to the environment.

Put the subjects each speaker talks about in the correct order. Lin Shuiqing recycling waste ___ chemical waste ___ population ____ fishing ___ water pollution ____ production ___

Qian Liwei taxes _______ recycling waste _______ factories _______ production _______ laws _______

Read the debate and fill in the table. AttitudeLin Shuiqing’sQian Liwei’s Industry Cut back on production because industry produces waste, pollutes the environment. A healthy environment and development should be possible at the same time.

AttitudeLin Shuiqing’sQian Liwei’s Population More people need more land to live on and more food to eat. People are more important than fish and trees.

AttitudeLin Shuiqing’sQian Liwei’s Recyclin g Produce more things from recycling materials. Increase the amount of things we recycle

AttitudeLin Shuiqing’sQian Liwei’s Solution ① cut back on production, ② recycle rubbish, ③ teach people ways of living that do not harm the environ- ment ① recycle rubbish, ② effective laws, ③ control how many trees are cut down and how many fish are caught ④ higher taxes on the factories producing pollution.

Reading strategy: reading a debate In a debate, one side gets the chance to present their points first. The other side follows and presents their views. (Lin Shuiqing and Qian Liwei) Speakers in a debate will represent opposite views on the subject being discussed. (the environment versus the economy)

While reading or listening to a debate, remember that each speaker’s speech is meant to convince you. (which to choose) 返回目录

Discussion Discuss these questions with a partner. Use the following conversation as an example.

My dad says he doesn’t mind a little bit of pollution, as long as it means people have jobs. Personally, I agree. What do you think? I don’t think it has to be a choice. We should be able to have a clean environment and lots of jobs at the same time. But do you really think that is possible? Yea, I do. If companies are careful, they can provide jobs and reduce their pollution. Don’t you think that is the best way to solve this problem?

In your daily life, where have you seen pollution? How did it make you feel? Who should be responsible for this? What do you think is the biggest danger to our environment today? What can you do to help clean up the environment? 返回目录

Homework 1. Read the text. 2. Preview the language points in the debate.