ĐỀ SỐ 16 - VŨ MAI PHƯƠNG

More than 20 per cent of motorway deaths are caused by drivers falling asleep at the wheel, in (34) _________ between the hours of 2 a.m. and 4 a.m., and 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Faced with these statistics, the motor industry has finally decided to do something about the problem. Together with (35) _________ companies, particularly Japanese ones, they are working to develop wake-up alarms.
The alarms are fitted with a device (36) _________ has the ability to adapt itself to the driving patterns of the driver. When they vary, for example, if the driver loses his grip on the steering wheel, the car begins to sway or there is a change in braking pattern, a signal goes off. These alarms are inexpensive to fit and the technology is almost ready, so they will soon be available to the (37) _________ of motorists. (38) _________, there are fears that they might give a false sense of security.
(Adapted from Get Ahead in FCE)

When you ask most people about the benefits of apps on their smartphone, they say they use them to play games, surf the net, keep in touch with people and organise social events. But Jenny Harlow, a scientist from London, has got an app that does something much more important: it warns her when she is in danger.
The app is called Safety Tips and it gives users real-time earthquake and tsunami warnings. The Japan Tourist Agency had the idea for the app after the 2011 earthquake in Japan, when many foreign tourists in the country were confused about what was happening and what they should do. Jenny was on a business trip to Japan when the earthquake struck. “All the warnings and information on the internet, radio and TV were in Japanese, and I couldn't understand.” She had to rely on Japanese colleagues to help her.
The Safety Tips app sends an alert to users when a major earthquake happens, and also tells them if a tsunami is likely to arrive at the coast. The app gives lots of tips about what to do, where to go and how to stay safe. Importantly, all the information is in English, and there are plans to add other languages. The Japan Tourist Agency plans to advertise the app at airports and tourist information centres in Japan.
(Adapted from Solutions)

The citizens of Neustadt an der Weinstrasse take their recycling very seriously. So much so that there is even a collection point at the recycling depot for dead animals. Located in the south-western state of Rheinland-Pfalz, the mediaeval town of Neustadt boasts the best recycling rates in Germany.
The reason for Neustadt's success is simple, says Stefan Weiss, one of the town’s waste managers. 'It's all about providing financial incentives and education. Citizens aren't charged anything for the recycled waste they leave out. And the less non-recycled waste you put out, the less you pay.”
When it comes to recycling, householders are asked to sort their items and bag them into three groupings: paper / cardboard; glass; and plastics/ foils/cans. Compost bins are provided by the local council for those with gardens to dispose of organic waste.
Back at the recycling depot, Stefan Weiss moves on to the subject of enforcement. 'In theory, we have the power to fine people if they don't sort their waste. But we never actually do this because it costs too much to investigate. And we just don't have an issue with illegal dumping or 'flytipping' because we make the system so cheap and easy to use.”
A car towing a trailer full of construction waste pulls up at 45 the weigh-station by the entrance gate. Weiss wanders over to inspect the contents. "This weighs about half a tonne. It will cost €270 to dump it as it is. Or if it is sorted by the car owner into separate types of waste-timber, paper, plasterboard, etc., it will cost him just €17. That, in summary, is our system. We provide a major incentive to recycle.”
(Adapted from Next Generation)