Listening

Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. contend
    • ex. My coworker contends that her idea is the best for the project.
  2. discharge
    • ex. The company discharges waste into the river, causing pollution.
  3. a pollutant
    • ex. Factories release a lot of pollutants into the air.
  4. marine
    • ex. The book shows beautiful pictures of marine plants and animals.
  5. an allegation
    • ex. The teacher made an allegation that some students cheated on the test.

Article

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

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An environmental group said that it plans to sue Cooke Aquaculture, one of the largest fish farming companies in the world, for breaking the Clean Water Act in Maine. The nonprofit organization called Conservation Law Foundation contends that Cooke’s salmon farms near Maine’s coast are discharging pollutants into the ocean. Cooke Aquaculture has large cages placed in the ocean where salmon are raised for food. 

The nonprofit claims the pollutants from Cooke Aquaculture’s farms harm marine life and threaten the lobster fishing business. Heather Govern from Conservation Law Foundation says the waste from the salmon cages harms plants and causes diseases in marine animals. However, Cooke Aquaculture strongly disagrees with the allegations. The company believes its farms do not negatively affect lobster fishing, an important business in Maine.

While some environmental groups have raised concerns over Cooke’s practices, the company says it follows the rules. According to the company, its farms are regularly checked by the state to make sure they are safe for the environment. Cooke Aquaculture remains hopeful that they will show their operations are safe.

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Water Pollution

  • In your opinion, is water pollution a huge concern in your country? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • According to an environmental group, Cooke Aquaculture's farms harm marine life. In your opinion, what should be done to prevent harming marine life? Discuss.
  • Why is clean water important for people and animals? Discuss.

Environmental Groups and Protecting the Environment

  • Conservation Law Foundation is a nonprofit environmental group. What do you think of environmental groups (ex. I support them)? Discuss.
  • Do you think your country is doing enough to protect the environment? Why? Discuss.
  • Imagine that you are organizing a nonprofit environmental group. What aspect of the environment would you like to focus on (ex. forests, marine life)? Discuss.