Listening

Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. aviation
    • ex. I’d like to work in the aviation industry as a pilot one day.
  2. a proposal
    • ex. The local government approved the proposal to build a new park near the city hall.
  3. contribute
    • ex. The members contribute to the team by sharing their skills and knowledge.
  4. funding
    • ex. The school received funding to buy new books for the library.
  5. stabilize
    • ex. The businessman started to sell his products online to stabilize his business.

Article

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

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President Joe Biden is proposing a huge increase in fuel taxes for private jets. His team says the increased taxes for private jets are fair compared to the special taxes that airline passengers pay. However, a big aviation business group doesn’t like the idea of raising fuel taxes for private jets. It is because they believe private jets help businesses grow and create jobs.

Private jet fuel taxes will gradually increase in five years. The proposal was included in a $109.3 billion (about ¥16 trillion) budget request for the U.S. Department of Transportation. The White House plans to give billions to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for hiring new air traffic staff and improving old buildings, roads, bridges, and rails.

The government says that 7% of FAA flights are of private jets, but they contribute only less than 1% to aviation funding. Airline passengers are the ones paying taxes on tickets and flight fees for airport projects. So, the proposal aims to generate $1.1 billion (almost ¥163 billion) from private jet flights in five years. The increase is expected to stabilize funding for managing the nation’s aviation department.

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

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Biden’s Proposal

  • In the U.S., 7% of FAA flights are of private jets, but they contribute only less than 1% to aviation funding. Do you agree that a huge increase in fuel taxes for private jets is only fair? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Private jet fuel taxes will gradually increase in five years. Why do you think the plan to raise taxes on fuel for private jets is happening slowly over five years? Discuss.
  • The increase is expected to stabilize funding for managing the nation’s aviation department. In your country, what is the situation of the aviation department? Discuss.

Private Jets

  • What do you think private jets are used for (ex. medical emergency, business travel)? Discuss.
  • Do you think private jets are a luxury or a need for those who own them? Why do you say so? Discuss.
  • Imagine you have enough money to buy a private jet. Would you buy one? Why or why not? Discuss.