Got an old clunker? France may soon let you trade it in for an electric bicycle

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Category: Lifestyle/Entertainment

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Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. trade in / treɪd ɪn / (phrasal v.) – to give an old item to a person or business as part of the payment for something else
    Example:

    If you trade in your old smartphone, you’ll get a $200 discount on a new one.


  2. clunker / ˈklʌŋ kər / (n.) – a really old car or machine that’s no longer working well
    Example:

    I can’t believe my dad’s still driving that 20-year-old clunker.


  3. preliminary / prɪˈlɪm əˌnɛr i / (adj.) – happening before the main event or a more important action
    Example:

    The team performed well in the preliminary round, but they played really poorly in the finals.


  4. draft / dræft / (adj.) – not yet final and still likely to be changed
    Example:

    The draft proposal has been sent to the manager and will be revised based on his feedback.


  5. green / grin / (adj.) – relating to protecting the environment or limiting the damage done to it
    Example:

    Green companies are trying to use less plastic in their products.


Article

Read the text below.

Owners of aging vehicles in France may soon be able to trade in their clunker for money to buy an electric bicycle.


Lawmakers in France’s parliament have approved the measure in a preliminary vote. The measure is part of a draft climate bill passing through the National Assembly. The climate bill aims to reduce greenhouse emissions by 40% in 2030 from 1990 levels.


If adopted, France will become the first country in the world to offer people the chance to trade in an aging vehicle for an electric or folding bicycle, the French Federation of Bicycle Users (FUB) said.


“For the first time it is recognized that the solution is not to make cars greener, but simply to reduce their number,” said Olivier Schneider of the FUB.


The measure would let owners trade in their aging vehicles for €2,500 (¥326,000) to buy an electric or folding bicycle. (Reuters)


This article was provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • If adopted, the program will allow people to trade in older vehicles for an electric or folding bicycle. Do you think your country should adopt this trade-in program too? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • People who trade in their aging vehicles would receive money to buy an electric or folding bicycle. Do you think they should be allowed to use the money for other things as well (ex. rent, a vacation)? Why or why not? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • The climate bill aims to reduce greenhouse emissions by 40% in 2030 from 1990 levels. Do you think they’ll really achieve this goal? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Schneider says that the solution is not to make cars greener, but to simply reduce their number. Do you agree with him? Why or why not? Discuss.