Air pollution
Air pollution is now a serious problem for those living in my area. Air pollution may be any industrial
waste, gases, dust, fume or odour in harmful amounts which are harmful for human, vegetation, animals or buildings.
Air pollution can have some different causes. The major source of air pollution is industrial waste from factories. The second is exhaust from cars, motor vehicles and planes. Agricultural activities as crop spraying with pesticides and herbicides are another one.
Air pollution can have dramatic effects. It causes various dangerous diseases, death to human, damage to other living organisms such as animals and food crops, or the natural or built environment. The buildings look dirty.
So, what should we do to reduce air pollution?
New Zealand
New Zealand is a small country, similar in size to Great Britain or Japan with the area of 268,021 km2.
The current population of New Zealand is 4,777,038 as of Thursday, February 21st 2019, based on the latest United Nations estimated.
New Zealand has three languages: Maori, English and New Zealand sign language.
Maori traditional performing arts festival is usually held in February, lasts for 3 days and takes place every 2 years. The New Zealand festival was first held in 1972 in Rotorua to honor Maori Culture.
The Celebration of Waitangi took place across the country on February 6
th to commemorate the Treaty of Waitangi singed on February 6th , 1840, and determine the Maori interests as land ownership, fishing, etc.
Thank you for listening!
Susan is a teacher from London who comes to a small town in Viet Nam to teach English. She has her first
lesson today and is very impressed by one of her students – Lien. Lien speaks English very well and she is
very active in the class. Later that day, Susan runs into Lien in the corridor. Susan wants to compliment Lien
and says, “Lien, your English is excellent!”. And Lien answers, “No, it’s very bad.” Susan wants to assure
Lien so she confirms, “Yes, your English is very good!” To Susan’s surprise, Lien repeats quietly, “No, it’s
very bad.” Susan fells rather confused and she doesn’t know why Lien responds to her this way.
=> Communication breakdown: cultural differences
In Viet Nam, it is typical to deny compliments you receive. This is a way to show your modesty. However,
in Western cultures, people who give compliments often expect you to take them, and denial of
compliments, especially if it is repeated, may be rude and make the other person feel uncomfortable. In this
situation, Lien may just politely thank her teacher.
