Listening

Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. proposed
    • ex. I don’t really like the proposed schedule. I hope they choose a different one.
  2. regularly
    • ex. In the summer, I only take showers, but in the winter, I regularly take baths.
  3. waste
    • ex. We need to recycle more; we’re still creating too much waste.
  4. take charge
    • ex. When Anthony got sick, Kara took charge of the project.
  5. innovation
    • ex. This company needs more innovation! We haven’t had any new ideas for a long time.

Article

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

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Apple is not happy about a proposed EU rule to standardize chargers for all smartphones, tablets, cameras, and other electronic devices. According to the rule, all electronics sold in the EU must have a USB-C port. Currently, Apple iPad Pro and Mac laptops use USB-C, but iPhones have a unique “Lightning” port.

Margrethe Vestager, the EU tech chief, said that the proposed rule will help both consumers and the environment. The average EU consumer owns three phone chargers but only uses two regularly, and almost 40% have been unable to charge their phone because they didn’t have the right charger. The EU estimates that unused chargers and cables create more than 11 million kilograms of waste every year.

Vestager explained that companies have had many years to fix these problems, but they never did, so the government must now take charge. Apple said that it’s important to be environmentally friendly, but the EU’s proposed rule will hurt innovation. In 2020, the company stopped putting chargers in new iPhone and Apple Watch boxes, saving over 780 million kilograms of metal in just one year.

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Apple

  • Do you agree with the EU that all Apple products should have USB-C ports? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Apple says that it's an environmentally friendly company, but not everyone agrees. In your opinion, is it possible for a tech company to be environmentally friendly? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Why do you think Apple products are so popular all over the world (ex. they're stylish, they're easy to use)? Discuss.

Chargers

  • In 2020, Apple stopped putting chargers in new iPhone and Apple Watch boxes. Do you think this was a good idea? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • In your opinion, how many chargers should people own? Why? Discuss.
  • Do you think it's better to charge your phone every day, or do you wait until the battery is low? Why? Discuss.