Vocabulary
[JOAN] I didn't realize that the city changed to natural gas from coal last month.
[TODD] Yes.And I'm all for it. Less pollution, better Air quality. Water quality has been improving recently, too.
[JOAN] Speaking of the environment, AI and I are thinking about buying an electric car. We were looking at some online last night.
[TODD] Really? That's a great idea. Perfect for commuting. And they're getting cheaper fast.
[JHON] Apparently, the new ones can go up to 170 kilometers between charges.
[TODD] I didn't know that. Angela And I looked at monthly expenses recently. Can you believe we're spending 200 dollars a month on gasoline.
[JHON] I believe it, Gas just keeps getting more expensive. That's why we're thinking about an electric car. They cost just a few cents a kilometer to run.
[TODD] If you get one, I'd love to try it out.
[JHON] Sure.
Key words
- coal
- gasoline
- pollution
- electric car
- natural gas
Grammar
First conditional
使用第一条件陈述句来表示如果某一件事情发生而将引起的结果,第一条件句由两个分句组成,一个使用if+一种条件,另一个是结果从句,句中的动词为将来时态,使用情态动词will.
If we buy an electric car, it will help the environment.
If the city changes to natural gas, air quality will improve.
你也可以在结果从句中使用诸如can之类的情态动词。
If I save my money, I can buy an electric car next year.
Pronouncing words with the suffic -‘ion’
词尾为-ion的单词重音在倒数第二个音节上。注意粗体标出的重读音节。
transportation 、pollution 、 information、tradition、education
Communicating changes over time
使用进行时表示一段时间内的变化,现在进行时是指现在一个正在发生的变化。
Opinions about electric cars are changing.
现在完成进行时表示一个过去发生,现在仍在延续的变化。
Air quality has been improving for several years.
Get + 形容词常用于进行时,表示一段时间内的变化,其意义与become类似。
Commuting is getting more irritating.
The city has been getting serious about using natural gas.
it’s getting better all the time.