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Nuclear Power
Nuclear Power

Learn the present progressive tense

Date: Mar 18 2011

Themes: News

Grammar: Present Progressive Tense

Intro

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2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

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The huge earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan recently have had many devastating effects for that country and its people. One of the most frightening effects of the disaster has been a nuclear crisis at the Fukushima power plant.

The crisis at Fukushima has made many people wonder about the safety of nuclear power. It is a clean source of energy, and major accidents are rare. But when problems do occur, as rare as they might be, they can cause terrible destruction. Find out if Marni and Mason think nuclear power is worth the risk.

Dialog

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Marni

Marni

Mason

Mason

Marni:  Mason, I am totally freaking out.

Mason:  Do you have Bieber fever?

Marni:  No, this is serious actually, this is quite serious. So, you know about the horrible earthquake in Japan, obviously?

Mason:  Yeah.

Marni:  And no there’s been an explosion at one of the nuclear power plants, and they’re predicting there could be nuclear fallout in Japan, and, you know, the winds carry that contaminated air right over the Pacific, into our lovely area. So, not only is it horrible for the people in that area but it could also have horrible ramifications for everyone, all over the globe!

Mason:  Yeah, it doesn’t sound awesome, but I mean, you know, it’ll probably work out OK.

Marni:  Are you serious? I mean, don’t you think a huge meltdown and evacuations is cause for panic and alarm?

Mason:  I mean, it’s not the best, but, you know…I mean, it’s not like the nuclear power plants of today are like the ones of 40 years ago. They’ve done a few things, they’ve got more security measures. People are better equipped to respond in these scenarios, I’d like to think.

Marni:  I don’t know, I’m pretty freaked out.

Mason:  At this point, we just hope for the best, right?

Marni:  I guess. God, you’re optimistic.

 

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

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Marni is worried about nuclear fallout crossing the Pacific Ocean and contaminating the air where she lives. But Mason doesn’t think she should worry. He is optimistic that everything will turn out OK in Japan and the rest of the world.

Marni thinks nuclear power is unsafe. She is worried about the dangers of nuclear power, not only in Japan but throughout the world. But Mason thinks nuclear power plants are much safer today than they used to be. He isn’t as worried as Marni about the dangers of nuclear power.

Do you think nuclear power is safe? Should we stop using nuclear power?

 

Comments

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 julito

julito

Argentina


 Mason, are you serious ? or you are only trying to easy devan`s mind. This is a big issue for  all people around the world, let aside Japan that is receiving the hit  of the meltdown. I think that from now on governments  will be reluctant to go ahead with the constructions of new nuclear plants.     

11:26 AM Mar 18 2011 |

trailo_hathanh

Viet Nam

I don't think nuclear power is safe. However it is worth to risk. But I do think, Japanese will recover soon and will be more strong than before.

Wish everything best for Japanese.

08:24 AM Mar 18 2011 |

hadji_

hadji_

Turkey

WHETHER GOD AİDE

07:50 AM Mar 18 2011 |

wwongsapun

wwongsapun

Thailand

This morning I have news update that there are an increasing of all hero 180 people for reduce the heat in nuclear reactor 3 and 1 in 180 people have 59 year olds.  He want to help! I cheer them to accomplish this task and wish they are come to back home with safely life.

07:27 AM Mar 18 2011 |

happysmilesunny

China

I have been updating news everyday! Now this event makes me realize how enormous effect has been caused by Japanese disaster! I am really deep concened about that the Nuclear Plant gonna explosion again! Even though they have been send 50 brave worker staying at the end of the line, try to evacuate and save the people's life! I guess its hardly control! I wish they could make it for this critical time!

06:45 AM Mar 18 2011 |

sofree

sofree

China

I'm with Mason. The panic is kinda over the top actually. Earlier I read the news, salt is all sold out, so hilarious~

I think basically nuclear power is safe, but not in some places that have earthquake everyday, like Japan.

04:44 AM Mar 18 2011 |

julywidiawati

Indonesia

Thank God Indonesia is still got abundance of natural resources though we are on our way of our own nuclear power development. Nuclear power is safe as long as we know and keep consistence for its human save. We need a honest and clean administration system which put the human save above personal and political interest.

03:55 AM Mar 18 2011 |

wwongsapun

wwongsapun

Thailand

I follow news of Japan on every day. I filling And support for the contribution,although the amount is not much,But when whole people of Thailand  together have many amount around of 55 million baht. Ready send to help Japanese friend. I want to tell you we're worried and willing to help with sincerity. I hope that what all good happened in Japan as soon.

 

03:18 AM Mar 18 2011 |

wwongsapun

wwongsapun

Thailand

I think,We're should stop using nuclear power. Because The world has been hurt by our actions. Under the earth have effected with the drilling to everday and anything we're doing. please help the world and save our lives. Stop! hurting the world by various methods.

02:50 AM Mar 18 2011 |

alpha girl

alpha girl

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

Every thing that we use or produce can be both harmful and safe for us. This kind of problems may happen in every country but it dosen't mean that we stop progress and technology…Instead of stopping it I we should find some solution for such kind of problems in future.

Thanks for the lesson it was useful for meCool

02:46 AM Mar 18 2011 |

dkattleya

dkattleya

Indonesia

yes, i think if we think of the use / benefits of nuclear power then we still need it, despite of its negative side (unsafe, radiation, etc), so eventhough i'm pretty worried too that it could affect to the entire globe but i guess i'm just hopping they can solve the problem soon so everything will turn out to be ok and people all around the world, especially the countries that lay in Asia will less worried about the result from it. I hope Japan can solve this problem soon or other countries can contribute their help to solve this problem. 

02:44 AM Mar 18 2011 |

adygr8

India

I think that nuclear power is  not purely safe because radiation is most dangerous part of it that makes a big harm for the society, nature. But nuclear power is also a good source of energy in present era so we cant stop it. it fulfill a big space of energy . we use it with big security so that every could be safe .

02:11 AM Mar 18 2011 |

Najwa Al-harthi

Saudi Arabia

I don't like to think about these kind of topics because I will freak out too , I guess it's Japan problem >.<  , but we hope that this problem will turn Ok soon .

12:24 AM Mar 18 2011 |

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