Learn English with the News: “Glowing streets (such a cool idea!)”

Privet!

(that’s hello in Russian).

We think this idea is amazing and would love to see it in roads and streets across the world. Want to know what we’re talking about? Check out our news lesson below:

1. Read the text
2. Understand the vocabulary
3. Watch the news

Text

This is a path that glows in the dark, and it could one day herald the end of street lights. Starpath absorbs ultra-violet light during the day. It then emits it once it gets dark.

Hamish Scott developed it on his farm near London. He says the energy savings could be substantial.

– I guess, from the other side, it’s just a different way of tackling the energy crisis that everybody’s in at this point in time, and we’re just trying to do it from the other end where we’re trying to save energy rather than produce more energy.

The path is put together using an elastic spray polyurethane, which holds the aggregate – or the material that gives the path its look and its glow. It’s then sealed over the top. The illuminating nature of the path could have benefits for roads and cycle paths – especially as the glow can be made in any colour, not just blue like on this trial path in Cambridge. It could also be of particular use in developing countries where energy is expensive or difficult to come by. Because it can be sprayed on, installation costs are minimal. And, Scott says, his invention could develop dramatically.

– The end point I really don’t know because I think this technology could really take off and appeal to people. I think it’s a different way of how we see things and I think people will take it on board and realize that we can use something that’s very natural, in front of us all day every day and sort of move forward from there.

And with thousands of companies all over the world reportedly interested in Starpath, the future for this technology looks nothing but bright.

Vocabulary

Path – a track that is made by people or animals walking over the ground.

Glows – to shine with low light and heat but usually without flame.

Herald – to be a sign of (something that is beginning to happen or will happen soon).

Substantial – large in amount, size, or number.

Tackling – to deal with (something difficult).

Spray – to deal with (something difficult).

Aggregate – liquid that is forced out of a container in a stream of very small drops.

Sealed – to close (something) tightly so that air, liquid, etc., cannot get in or out.

Trial – a test of the quality, value, or usefulness of something.

Take off – become well-known and in demand.

Appeal – to be liked by someone : to be pleasing or attractive to someone.

Reportedly – according to what has been said — used to indicate what has been said or reported.

News