Rethinking nuclear energy
Show full transcript
Download the full transcription here:
https://knowledge.insead.edu/print/pdf/node/29606
⚡ Learning goals
- Understand arguments balancing nuclear risks against climate and health impacts.
- Identify key safety issues discussed after Fukushima.
- Use modals and conditionals to discuss energy policy choices.
✨ Key language
- weigh the trade-offs “We need to weigh the trade-offs carefully.”
- a moratorium on “They proposed a moratorium on new reactors.”
- resilient and robust “Designs must be resilient and robust.”
⚙️ Rules & Grammar — 4 Structures
1️⃣ Modals for possibility
Rule: Use can/could/may to express possibility or ability when assessing risks.
Examples: Nuclear plants can reduce carbon emissions.; Old designs could fail under extreme events.; Policy may change after accidents.
Common pitfall + fix: Avoid double comparatives or missing auxiliaries — use the correct form.
Which sentence best shows possibility?
Tip: Look for can/could/may with a base verb.
Fill with the best answer: If risks are unclear, we ___ delay the project.
Tip: Use may to express a cautious possibility.
2️⃣ Passive voice for processes
Rule: Use passive to focus on the action or result, not the actor.
Examples: Safety margins were reduced.; Reactors are licensed after review.; Incidents are classified by severity.
Common pitfall + fix: Avoid double comparatives or missing auxiliaries — use the correct form.
Choose the passive sentence.
Tip: Be/was/were + past participle forms the passive.
Fill with the best answer: The plant was ___ as level six on the scale.
Tip: Past participle completes a passive construction.
3️⃣ Comparatives and trade-offs
Rule: Use comparatives with more/less or -er to compare options.
Examples: Nuclear is less polluting than coal.; Older designs were less robust.; Costs are higher in risky zones.
Common pitfall + fix: Avoid double comparatives or missing auxiliaries — use the correct form.
Select the correct comparative.
Tip: Avoid double comparatives like more + -er.
Fill with the best answer: This site is ___ suitable than the coastal one.
Tip: Use more + adjective with longer adjectives.
4️⃣ First conditional for consequences
Rule: Use if + present, will + base to predict realistic results.
Examples: If safety improves, investors will return.; If we pause, risks will be reviewed.; If costs rise, projects will slow.
Common pitfall + fix: Avoid double comparatives or missing auxiliaries — use the correct form.
Pick the proper first conditional.
Tip: Present in the if-clause; will in the main clause.
Fill with the best answer: If regions are seismically active, regulators ___ tighten rules.
Tip: First conditional uses will for likely outcomes.
✍️ Vocabulary
tsunami
Meaning: a long high sea wave caused by an earthquake.
Synonyms: tidal wave, surge, flood.
Chunk/Idiom: a tsunami warning.
Example: A tsunami warning.
Morphology: noun.
Self-practice: Say it aloud, then write it twice..
radiation
Meaning: energy emitted as particles or waves.
Synonyms: emission, exposure, fallout.
Chunk/Idiom: radiation levels rose.
Example: Radiation levels rose.
Morphology: noun.
Self-practice: Define it in one sentence..
containment
Meaning: the action of keeping something harmful under control.
Synonyms: control, confinement, restraint.
Chunk/Idiom: containment procedures failed.
Example: Containment procedures failed.
Morphology: noun.
Self-practice: Use it in a safety context..
resilience
Meaning: capacity to recover quickly from difficulties.
Synonyms: toughness, robustness, flexibility.
Chunk/Idiom: resilience of the grid.
Example: Resilience of the grid.
Morphology: noun.
Self-practice: Give a synonym and an example..
moratorium
Meaning: a temporary prohibition of an activity.
Synonyms: suspension, halt, freeze.
Chunk/Idiom: a moratorium on new plants.
Example: A moratorium on new plants.
Morphology: noun.
Self-practice: State one reason for a moratorium..
seismically active
Meaning: prone to frequent earthquakes.
Synonyms: earthquake-prone, tectonic, unstable.
Chunk/Idiom: a seismically active region.
Example: A seismically active region.
Morphology: adjective.
Self-practice: Name one seismically active area..
☁️ Examples (+ audio)
Nuclear risks must be weighed against climate and health costs. Older reactor designs lacked robust containment for rare disasters. Seismically active regions require stricter siting and safeguards. Policy may pause projects while safety trade-offs are re-evaluated.
✏️ Exercises
Grammar
Choose the correct first conditional.
Tip: Present in if-clause, will in the main clause.
Select the passive sentence.
Tip: Be + past participle forms the passive.
Fill with the best answer:
If risks are unclear, we ___ pause approvals.
Tip: Use may to express cautious possibility.
Fill with the best answer:
The incident was ___ as level six.
Tip: Past participle completes a passive clause.
Vocabulary & Comprehension
What does the speaker say about Japan’s reactors?
Tip: Listen for references to 1960s designs.
Which phrase describes regions with frequent earthquakes?
Tip: Think of tectonic movement.
Fill with the best answer:
The policy imposed a temporary ___ on new reactors.
Tip: A legal suspension is a moratorium.
Fill with the best answer:
The report questioned the strength of ___ procedures.
Tip: Think of keeping hazards under control.
✅ Guided practice
Mini-dialogue:
A: After Fukushima, should we pause new projects?
B: If safety improves, investment will return.
A: Then we need more robust designs.
Why this matters:
Safer energy choices reduce climate and health harms. Clear trade-offs help citizens and regulators decide.
Verb & Adjective Pack:
reassess — We must reassess our siting rules.
mitigate — Better barriers mitigate fallout risks.
robust — This design is robust under stress.
Try & compare:
Fill with the best answer: If uncertainty remains, policymakers ___ pause approvals.
Tip: Use may for cautious possibility.
Self-correction: Fix the sentence: Containment procedure was insufficient.
Tip: Use plural and passive where appropriate.
Practice aloud: Listen, repeat, then type the sentence.
Seismically active regions will require stricter safeguards.
Tip: Stress the adjective ‘seismically’.