2022-23学年度第4期总第880期

 

UK faces a cold reality (Page 2)

湖南省宁乡市第一高级中学   覃荣

 

Step 1: Lead-in

What is the phenomenon described in this picture?

The price of oil has risen so fast that people are under great pressure.

 

Step 2: Making a prediction

What do you think the text will talk about according to the headline?

 

Step 3: While-reading

Read and answer

1. What made the Sept 5 episode of This Morning unique?

It offered the winner an energy bill as a prize.

 

2. Why did the winner of This Morning express relief?

Because the prize would cover the costs of heating his home and fueling his appliances for four months.

 

3. Why did some people get angry with the program This Morning?

Because it regarded the energy crisis as a source of entertainment.

 

4. What is the cold reality that the UK is facing?

Many people could fall sick this winter as they “face the awful choice between skipping meals to heat their homes and having to live in cold, damp and very unpleasant conditions”.

 

5. What has caused the cold reality that the UK is facing?

Due to shocks to the global supply of oil and gas caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine conflict, energy prices in the UK have increased rapidly. The alarm is spreading within the UK energy industry. Supply issues have been translated into higher prices for consumers.

 

6. How will Truss’ new energy measures influence people in the UK over the next two years?

Under Truss’ new measures, no household will pay over £2,500 on their energy bills over the next two years, which means that the maximum cost for household energy will be about £1,000 less each year.

 

True or false

1. This morning is a popular TV brand.
2. The high energy prices are connected with the Covid-19 pandemic.
3. The global oil and gas are in short supply in the UK.
4. Keith Anderson considered the energy problem a worldwide crisis.
5. The maximum energy bill for each household will be within £3,549.

 

Key： 1-5 FTTFF

 

Step 4: Post-reading

50. Work out the meaning of the following words and phrases.

Words：

episode

pandemic

consumer

crisis

awful

appropriate

the worse-off

entertainment

distasteful

household

previously

measure

 

 

Phrases

spin a wheel

reveal the prize

range from … to …

large sums of

feature sth unique

express relief

cover the costs of

due to

increase rapidly

supply issues

fall sick

skip meals

be seen as

make ends meet

 

Key:

 

50. Complete the sentences based on the text.

1. ______ the program usually offers prizes ______(range) from holidays abroad to large sums of money, this episode of the program featured something unique.
2. Due _____ shocks to the global supply of oil and gas _____(cause) by the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine conflict, energy prices in the UK have increased ______(rapid).
3. Many people could fall sick this winter ______ they “face the awful choice between skipping meals to heat their homes and ______(have) to live in cold, damp and very _______(pleasant) conditions,”
4. That’s why many viewers were angry _____ This Morning believed it was appropriate that a crisis, _____ would mainly affect the worse-off in the country, could be seen ______ a suitable source of ________(entertain).
5. With millions of households _______(struggle) to make ends meet, UK’s new Prime Minister Liz Truss announced a two-year freeze (冻结) on the energy price cap (价格上限) _____ Sept 8.

 

 

 

 

Step 5: Discussion

What do you think of Liz Truss’ new energy announcement and the £2,500 price cap?

Will it help people pay the bills this winter? Why or why not?

 

Step 6: Homework

Please write a summary of the text.