Topic 1: Does increasing travels between countries enable people to learn different cultures or to

Topic 53: Some industrialized countries have serious environmental problems. The 
damage to the environment is an inevitable result when a country tends to improve the 
standard of living. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
 
(at the cost of environment ) (obsolete equipment and machinery ) (unchecked and reckless use 
of resources) (afforestation), (make most of renewable energy, including inexhaustible natural 
resources, like the Sun) 
A question central to today's environmental debate is how economic development and 
environmental protection interrelate. Some people maintain that no economic target can be 
attained without some sacrifice made to the environment. As far as I know, there are a couple 
of complementary components, if operated properly.
For businesses, large or small, taking environmental consequences seriously can impel 
them to improve their production lines, make optimal use of materials and resources and 
increase the profit margin. For instance, the adoption of environmentally friendly equipment 
can reduce waste, minimize pollution, and decelerate the depreciation rate of machinery. 
Meanwhile, it can reduce businesses' expenditure in compliance with environmental 
standards. The third merit is boosting loyalty of employees, who have an appreciation for the 
safety and comfort of their working environment.
By adhering to environmental standards, industries will also make a favorable impression 
on their clients, build up word of mouth reputation and trigger sales. Some large industries in 
the past, when asked to take actions to make their production less environment-damaging, 
were worried about the proportional rise in operational costs. Their attitudes are now subject 
to modification, as the expense of improving equipment is temporary, and can be paid off by 
forthcoming profits. Customers are keen on products made from an environmentally 
conscious business, in a belief that its products are free of pollutants.
When businesses have become more profitable, more money will be available for 
revamping the environment. Probing the core of environment-related issues, one can observe 
that people are more likely to consider the possibility of incorporating environmentally 
friendly practices when enough funds have been raised and alternative livelihoods have been 
explored. Illegal logging for example; centralizes in underdeveloped countries every year, 
where people are unable to find jobs. In comparison, economically-developed countries show 
more willingness to invest in forest conservation, as their industries rely less on natural 
resources and have become service-oriented.
To summarize, economic development and environmental protection are not inimical, but 
complementary. They are inextricably intertwined, and can be promoted simultaneously.
1. 
Interrelate=correlate=interconnect
2. Complementary=paired
3. Operate=manipulate=maneuver
4. Impel=compel=urge=drive
5. Decelerate=slow
6. Compliance=observance
7. Loyalty=allegiance=faithfulness
1

---

8. Reputation=fame
9. Modification=tral1sformation=change=alternation
10. Pay off=recompense=reimburse
11. Forthcoming=imminent=impending=approaching
12. Revamp=mend=repair=restore
13. Probe=look into=investigate
14. Centralize=concentrate
15. In comparison=by comparison= by contrast
16. Inimical=contradictory=at odds=conflicting
17. Intertwine=interlink=interweave=interconnect
2

---