Daily Reads 10: News Sources | Verbal Ability (VA) & Reading Comprehension (RC) - CAT PDF Download

Article 1

Article Name: A New Law Supercharged Electric Car Manufacturing, but Not Sales
By: Jim Tankersley, Ana Swanson, Jack Ewing and Coral Davenport
Source: The New York TImes

President Biden’s signature climate law has stimulated a surge of investment in electric vehicle production across the country, including tens of billions of dollars on battery plants across the South and new assembly lines near the Great Lakes.

Read the full article here: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/08/business/energy-environment/electric-vehicles-biden.html

Summary and Theme

The article discusses the impact of a new law that has significantly increased investments in electric vehicle (EV) battery factories in the United States, but has not had a comparable effect on the sales of EVs. The theme revolves around the intersection of environmental policy and market dynamics, highlighting the challenges of aligning economic incentives with climate goals.

Difficult Words

• Supercharged: To enhance or cause to increase in power or importance.
• Climate act: Legislation aimed at addressing climate change issues.
• Spurred: To stimulate or incite to action or increased activity.

Article 2

Article Name: Plastic waste ‘spiralling out of control’ across Africa, analysis shows
Source: The Guardian

Plastic waste is “spiralling out of control” across Africa, where it is growing faster than any other region, new analysis has shown.

Read the full article here: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/08/plastic-waste-spiralling-out-of-control-across-africa-analysis-shows

Summary and Theme

The article highlights the alarming growth of plastic waste in Africa, which is increasing faster than in any other region. It is predicted that by 2060, Africa will produce six times more plastic waste than in 2019, driven by rising demand due to income and population growth. The theme focuses on the environmental crisis posed by plastic pollution and the urgent need for international agreements to manage and reduce plastic production and waste.

Difficult Words

• Spiralling out of control: Increasing rapidly and without control or direction.
• Unabated: Without any reduction in intensity or strength.
• Treaty: A formally concluded and ratified agreement between countries.

Article 3

Article Name: Airbnb boss 'listening' to cities' housing concerns
By: Erin Delmore
Source: BBC

The boss of short-let property rental firm Airbnb, Brian Chesky, denied the platform creates housing shortages in cities like New York.
The company is facing criticism that it also exacerbates rising rents in cities across America.

Read the full article here: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-67364208

Summary and Theme

The article discusses Airbnb's CEO Brian Chesky's response to concerns that the platform may be contributing to housing shortages and rising rents in cities. Chesky denies such effects in cities like New York, which has enacted strict rules on short-term rentals. The theme explores the tension between the growth of the sharing economy and urban housing regulations, highlighting the challenges of balancing technological innovation with societal impacts.

Difficult Words

• Exacerbates: To make a problem worse.
• Unintended consequences: Outcomes that are not the ones foreseen and intended by a purposeful action.
• Compliance: The action or fact of complying with a wish or command.
• De facto: In fact, whether by right or not; exercising power without being legally established.