Prime Time 5/6. Listening, Arbeitsheft

77 could be avoided and its negative effect on climate change minimised. It is a fact that global trade means global transport of goods, which in turn leads to more pollution. Supporting local businesses, both agricultural and industrial, might be more expensive in the short term but may make up for the negative sideeffects of globalisation. In addition to all that, the spread of global brands has led to … (fade out) 0: d, 1: b, 2: d, 3: c, 4: a, 5: d, 6: c, 7: b 10 Transport and tourism Exploring vocabulary: A brief history of the shipping container (Key) b) Individual answers Pre-listening task: The history of the shipping container (Key) a)–b) Individual answers Test practice: A brief history of the shipping container (Transcript and key) Efficient worldwide transport is the backbone of globalisation, which relies on the regular exchange of goods between companies from all parts of the world. As consumers, we have got used to this interconnected world and enjoy its numerous advantages. We can buy produce that is not in season in our country, we can get cheap goods which are produced in countries with lower wages and only basic social systems. But let us not forget: At the heart of this development stands one invention that has revolutionised the transport industry and worldwide trade as a whole. Throughout the centuries, all kinds of sacks, baskets, amphorae, boxes and containers have been used to simplify the loading and unloading of cargo. However, these containers had different sizes and could not be transferred easily from one vehicle to another. Very often boxes had to be opened and goods had to be repacked to be suitable for further transport. All this was very labour-intensive and increased the transport costs. In addition, containers of different sizes made it virtually impossible to use the space available on ships, railcars or lorries effectively. In the 20th century, driven by the demands of US war efforts, the military started to use rather small standardised boxes for the transport of military equipment, ammunition and general supplies. It was only logical that in 1956 American entrepreneur Malcolm McLean developed a big standardised container that could be loaded and unloaded mechanically, leading to seamless transfer from one vehicle or transport system to the next. These containers ensured that goods securely remained in their container until they arrived at their destination. In addition, the containers could be locked and the goods could easily be protected that way. As a consequence, cargo ships increased in size and today the largest cargo vessel can transport up to 24,000 containers, which is the equivalent of around 600 standard freight trains with no limit in sight. The slightest disruption of container traffic has enormous consequences for the world economy as most companies rely on just-in-time manufacturing, which means that there is a tight schedule when goods have to arrive at a factory for further processing. Any delay results in a slowdown or even halt of production. It was this invention of a comparatively simple container that has made globalisation as we know it possible and has revolutionised world trade. 0: H, 1: E, 2: J, 3: F, 4: A, 5: D, 6: I, 7: B Not used: C, G Test practice: Tourism as a threat to a local community (Transcript and key) Version A: You have come here today to protest against the destruction of our immediate environment, the place where we live and where we want our children to spend their lives in harmony with nature. The New Grand Hotel, which is being planned by Hotels International and which is unfortunately promoted by our local council, will put an end to the life we are used to. Up until now only a handful of daily tourists would visit our village, enough to keep the local infrastructure running and to provide a moderate income to those in our small, but thriving tourist industry. If the new project is built, we can be sure there will be more tourists flooding our area, the local roads will become congested and the idyllic atmosphere, which is now one of the main reasons why tourists visit our village, will be a thing of the past. Apart from these aspects there will also be an increase in pollution, and waste disposal will strain our local services. There is no doubt that a hotel project of this scale will create job opportunities, but who would be the people to benefit from this situation? Will they be locals or will they be badly paid commuters who come in in the morning and leave in the evening? And those who come here to work, will they spend their money here in the village or 1 2 3 + 33 4 + 34 Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjU2NDQ5MQ==