Listening 2 — Nuclear energy debate

Before You Listen

Listen to the audio track first

Listen to the audio in your Listening and Speaking book.

Unlock 3 – Unit 2 - Listening 2

Track: 2.4 — a debate on the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy (Emma Martinez & Jack Sullivan).

Discussion Questions

Discuss with a partner or group. Use the listening for ideas.

⚖️ The debate

•What two main positions does the host introduce at the start?
•Why might some people call nuclear power “environmentally friendly,” and why do opponents disagree?

☢️ Emma’s arguments

•What example does she give of a nuclear disaster, and what happened to people, water, and food?
•What does she say about pollution while a nuclear plant is being built?

⚡ Jack’s arguments

•How does he compare deaths from nuclear work with coal, gas, and hydropower?
•Why does he think nuclear can help low-income countries economically?
•What criticisms does he make of wind and solar (birds, space, cost, lifetime)?

💭 Your view

•Which speaker did you find more convincing on balance, and why?
•What question would you ask Emma or Jack if you were in the audience?

Multiple Choice Quiz

Choose the best answer based on the listening.

1. What is today’s debate mainly about?

How to build wind turbines The advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy Tourism in Japan Solar panels in the desert only

2. Who are the two people debating?

Emma Martinez and Jack Sullivan The host and a scientist from NASA Two government ministers Sundrop Farms and a farmer

3. Which disaster does Emma use as an example?

The Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan A coal mine in Australia A flood in Europe A solar panel factory

4. According to Emma, radioactive material spread to food such as ______.

Tea, milk, beef and fish Only rice and bread Fast food from cities Imported chocolate

5. Emma says people will not be able to live in the nearby area for about how long?

The next 20 years Two weeks 200 years One day

6. Jack says there have been how many major nuclear accidents in the last 30 years?

Three Hundreds Zero Thirty

7. Jack says research shows many more people die while working with ______ than with nuclear (in the comparison he gives).

Coal, natural gas and hydropower Only bicycles Supermarkets Debate shows

8. Emma says that while a nuclear power plant is being built, hundreds of machines ______.

Work day and night and pollute the air in the area Never use any fuel Only work on weekends Are all silent

9. Jack suggests a country with a nuclear plant can ______ to improve its economy.

Sell the electricity to its neighbours Close all schools Stop all wind power worldwide Ban debates

10. Jack says wind turbines are not exactly friendly for ______.

Birds Fish in the ocean Nuclear scientists only Tea farmers

Quiz Results

Fill in the Blanks

Use words from the list (order shuffled on purpose).

birds • neighbours • Fukushima • hydropower • radiation
three • sustainable • solar • 20 • cities

1. Emma gives the example of the ______ nuclear disaster in Japan.

2. The government told people to leave their homes because of the possibility of ______.

3. Jack says there have only been ______ major nuclear accidents in the last 30 years.

4. Jack calls nuclear power the most environmentally friendly and the most ______ source of energy.

5. Emma thinks it’s irresponsible for governments to allow nuclear plants to be built near ______.

6. Emma mentions safer sources such as ______ and wind energy.

7. People will not be able to live in the nearby area for the next ______ years.

8. Jack says the country can sell electricity to its ______.

9. Research shows many more people die while working with coal, natural gas and ______.

10. Wind turbines are not exactly friendly for ______.

Results

True or False

Based on the listening only.

1. The host says some people think nuclear power creates less pollution than traditional power plants.

True False

2. Jack believes there are hundreds of nuclear power plants in the world but hundreds of major accidents every year.

True False

3. Emma argues that building a nuclear power plant is a good solution for low-income countries.

True False

4. Jack says that when oil or gas prices go up, low-income countries and the people who live in them often suffer.

True False

5. At the end, the host says there will be no questions from the audience.

True False