Listening

Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. a reform
    • ex. The economic reforms helped small businesses grow.
  2. join hands
    • ex. Two well-known IT companies will join hands to develop the best AI tool.
  3. modernization
    • ex. The modernization of the facilities will improve the production process.
  4. reiterate
    • ex. The government reiterated that everyone should follow the safety policies to stop the pandemic.
  5. beneficial
    • ex. Eating vegetables and exercising are beneficial for one’s health.

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

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A senior Communist Party leader recently announced that China will work on technological reforms and green technologies. And the reforms are expected to make around $1.4 trillion (more than ¥214 trillion) in yearly income. Zhao Leji, head of China’s Congress, invited all countries to join hands to achieve world modernization and peaceful development. Zhao said China’s economy will be good in the future. So, foreign partners shouldn’t worry about the economy slowing down.

China is the world’s second-largest economy. It is advanced in areas such as electric vehicles, solar, and wind power. However, the country also uses technologies that may be harmful to the environment. So, China set these goals this year: decrease its harmful gas emissions and change to a greener economy. According to Zhao, China is increasing its efforts to promote green development plans.

China’s leaders reiterated that they will keep its economy open for business. President Xi met with American business leaders in Beijing and emphasized that economic relationships are beneficial to both countries. Despite issues between China and the U.S., China reiterated the importance of beneficial relationships for the whole world.

This material was based on an article by The Associated Press.

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Green Technology

  • Green technology is the use of science and technology to develop products and services that are good and safe for the environment. What do you think about green technology (ex. it’s beneficial, it’s ambitious)? Discuss.
  • In your opinion, is your country doing enough to make technological reforms and develop green technologies? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • How important are international partnerships in developing green technologies and a greener economy? Discuss.

Economic Relationships

  • How important is it for any country to maintain positive economic relationships with other countries (ex. very important, not that important)? Why? Discuss.
  • Imagine that countries don’t have good economic relationships. What do you think would happen? Discuss.
  • What country would you want your government to have good economic relationships with? Why? Discuss.