feed.json

{
    "version": "https://jsonfeed.org/version/1",
    "title": "Couch Potato",
    "description": "",
    "home_page_url": "https://larksh.github.io/couchpotato",
    "items": [
        {
            "id": "https://larksh.github.io/couchpotato/2023/02/26/Goverment%20and%20Society/",
            "url": "https://larksh.github.io/couchpotato/2023/02/26/Goverment%20and%20Society/",
            "title": "Government and Society",
            "date_published": "2023-02-26T14:13:30.000Z",
            "content_html": "<h5 id=\"IDEAS\"><a href=\"#IDEAS\" class=\"headerlink\" title=\"IDEAS\"></a><strong>IDEAS</strong></h5><h5 id=\"What-governments-can-do\"><a href=\"#What-governments-can-do\" class=\"headerlink\" title=\"What governments can do\"></a><strong>What governments can do</strong></h5><p>Governments provide public services like healthcare and education<br>They support people who are living in poverty or unable to work<br>Governments raise money by taxing working people<br>They can spend money on resources and campaigns<br>They can introduce new laws<br>They can impose taxes<br>They can raise people’s awareness of isssues(e.g. climate change/healthy eating)<br>They can influence people’s habits and opinions<br>They can create jobs<br>They can regulate the activities of companies such as banks<br>They can provide resources for schools<br>They are also responsible for the security and well-being of their citizens<br>They control armed forces and police forces</p>\n<h5 id=\"Public-services\"><a href=\"#Public-services\" class=\"headerlink\" title=\"Public services\"></a><strong>Public services</strong></h5><p>Governments pay the salaries of public sector workers like police officers and teachers<br>The necessary money is raised by taxing people’s income<br>Free education and healthcare may be provided by the state<br>Some governments control pubilce transpot systems and even TV channels<br>In other countries, these services are provided by private companies<br>Some people believe that competition between private companies is good<br>It helps to improve quality while bringing price down<br>Other people think that essential services should be free<br>Governments should pay for them</p>\n<h5 id=\"Censorship-Opinion\"><a href=\"#Censorship-Opinion\" class=\"headerlink\" title=\"Censorship: Opinion\"></a><strong>Censorship: Opinion</strong></h5><p>Governments can censor what public sees or reads in the media<br>To a certain extent censorship is necessary<br>We should use censorship to protect children from violent images<br>Some Computer games involve killing people or committing crimes<br>The Internet also needs to be controlled<br>Many websites show pornography and violence<br>There should be age limits for websites and computers games<br>Parents need to take responsibility for checking what their children watch<br>It is impossible for governments to control everything we see</p>\n<h5 id=\"Video-cameras-in-public-places\"><a href=\"#Video-cameras-in-public-places\" class=\"headerlink\" title=\"Video cameras in public places\"></a><strong>Video cameras in public places</strong></h5><p>The use of CCTV is becoming widespread<br>Video cameras have been installed in many public places<br>They are supposed to protect us and deter criminals<br>Many people think that this surveillance violates our privacy<br>The authorities could build databases with our pictures and indentities<br>We should not be treated like criminals</p>\n<h5 id=\"Smart-cards-Positives\"><a href=\"#Smart-cards-Positives\" class=\"headerlink\" title=\"Smart cards: Positives\"></a><strong>Smart cards: Positives</strong></h5><p>Governments will probably intrduce a digital indentification card system<br>Smart cards will have benefits and drawbacks<br>They could help to reduce crime<br>They could hold personal information, such as DNA<br>Digital bank cards could contain fingerprint information<br>It would be very difficult for criminals to use a stolen card<br>It would be easier for police to identify people and catch criminals</p>\n<h5 id=\"Smart-cards-Negatives\"><a href=\"#Smart-cards-Negatives\" class=\"headerlink\" title=\"Smart cards: Negatives\"></a><strong>Smart cards: Negatives</strong></h5><p>Many people are worried about losing their privacy<br>Governments could store all our personal and medical information<br>This information could be used by insurance companies<br>Employers could check our health records</p>\n<h5 id=\"People-with-Disablities\"><a href=\"#People-with-Disablities\" class=\"headerlink\" title=\"People with Disablities\"></a><strong>People with Disablities</strong></h5><p>People with disabilities should be treated the same as everybody else<br>They should have the same rights as other people<br>They should access to the same jobs as other citizens<br>Discriminations against diable people is illegal in many countries<br>Ramps and lifts for wheelchairs should be installed in public buildings<br>Support teacher can be employed to help children with learning difficultiess</p>\n",
            "tags": [
                "ielts topics"
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "https://larksh.github.io/couchpotato/2023/02/22/environment/",
            "url": "https://larksh.github.io/couchpotato/2023/02/22/environment/",
            "title": "Environment",
            "date_published": "2023-02-22T03:02:12.000Z",
            "content_html": "<h5 id=\"IDEAS\"><a href=\"#IDEAS\" class=\"headerlink\" title=\"IDEAS\"></a><strong>IDEAS</strong></h5><h5 id=\"Global-warning\"><a href=\"#Global-warning\" class=\"headerlink\" title=\"Global warning\"></a><strong>Global warning</strong></h5><p>Gases such as carbon deoxide trap heat from the sun<br>This causes global temperatures to rise<br>This process is known as the greenhouse effect<br>Human activity is a major factor in the rise of the greenhouse gases<br>Factories and vehicles produce emissions and exhaust fumes<br>Many developing countries are becoming industrialized<br>The number of cars on our streets is growing<br>Cheap air travel is allowing more people to fly</p>\n<h5 id=\"Effect-of-Global-warning\"><a href=\"#Effect-of-Global-warning\" class=\"headerlink\" title=\"Effect of Global warning\"></a><strong>Effect of Global warning</strong></h5><p>Global warming will have a significant impact on our planet<br>Rising temperature will cause melting of the polar ice caps<br>Sea levels will rise<br>We can expect more extreme weather conditions<br>Flooding and droughts may become more common</p>\n<h5 id=\"Impact-of-humans-on-the-environment\"><a href=\"#Impact-of-humans-on-the-environment\" class=\"headerlink\" title=\"Impact of humans on the environment\"></a><strong>Impact of humans on the environment</strong></h5><p>The increasing world population is putting pressure on natural resources<br>Fossil fuels like oil and gas are running out<br>We are destroying wildlife habitats<br>We have cut down enormous areas of rainforest<br>This has led to the extinction of many species of animals and plants</p>\n<h5 id=\"Solutions-to-environment-problems\"><a href=\"#Solutions-to-environment-problems\" class=\"headerlink\" title=\"Solutions to environment problems\"></a><strong>Solutions to environment problems</strong></h5><p>Governments could introduce laws to limit emissions from factories<br>They should invest in renewable energy from solar, wind or water power<br>They could impose “green taxes” on drivers and airlines companies<br>Government campaigns should promote recycling<br>Natural areas and wild animals should be protected<br>Individuals should also try to be greener<br>We should take fewer flights abroad for holidays<br>We should take public transport rather than driving<br>We should choose products with less packaging<br>We should recycle as much as possible</p>\n<h5 id=\"Waste-rubbish\"><a href=\"#Waste-rubbish\" class=\"headerlink\" title=\"Waste/rubbish\"></a><strong>Waste/rubbish</strong></h5><p>The amount of waster we produce has increased<br>This result is a result of our consumer culture<br>Products are not made to last<br>If something breaks, we throw it way  and buy a new one<br>Advertisers encourage is to buy the newest fashions<br>Packaging is an important part of selling<br>Most foods are sold in non-biodegradable plastics packaging<br>The amount of household waste is growing<br>This waste ends up in landfill sites</p>\n<h5 id=\"Litter\"><a href=\"#Litter\" class=\"headerlink\" title=\"Litter\"></a><strong>Litter</strong></h5><p>People do not think about the consequences of dropping rubbish<br>They assume that somebody  is pad to clean the street<br>Plastic packing does not break down easily<br>Most of the litter seen on the street is fast food packing</p>\n<h5 id=\"Recycling-and-other-solutions\"><a href=\"#Recycling-and-other-solutions\" class=\"headerlink\" title=\"Recycling and other solutions\"></a><strong>Recycling and other solutions</strong></h5><p>Companies should make goods that last longer<br>They should not use so much packaging<br>Governments should be stricter, about waster produced by companies<br>They should put legal limits on packaging<br>Consumers should avoid buying over-packaged products<br>We should recycle and reuse useful materials<br>There are collections banks for glass, paper and plastic bottles<br>Households can use several rubbish bins to separate waste<br>Recycling saves energy and raw materials</p>\n<h5 id=\"Nuclear-Power\"><a href=\"#Nuclear-Power\" class=\"headerlink\" title=\"Nuclear Power\"></a><strong>Nuclear Power</strong></h5><h6 id=\"Positives\"><a href=\"#Positives\" class=\"headerlink\" title=\"Positives\"></a><strong>Positives</strong></h6><p>There are several benefits to build more nuclear power stations<br>Fossil fuel like oil and gas are running out<br>Nuclear power is a sustainable energy source<br>It can be used to produce electricity without wasting natural resources<br>It could be replace the use of natural resources like coal, oil or gas<br>Nuclear power stations are cleaner than the fossil fuel power stations<br>They could help to reduce carbon emissions that  cause global warming<br>The risks of accidents are being reduced</p>\n<h6 id=\"Negatives\"><a href=\"#Negatives\" class=\"headerlink\" title=\"Negatives\"></a><strong>Negatives</strong></h6><p>Opponents of nuclear power worry about the safety of power stations<br>Nobody wants to live near one<br>Nuclear waste disposal is a significant problem<br>There is currently no way to to decontaminate radioactive material<br>People worry that terrorists could steal radioactive materials<br>It is safer to produce energy from solar, wind or water power.</p>\n<h5 id=\"Collocations\"><a href=\"#Collocations\" class=\"headerlink\" title=\"Collocations\"></a><strong>Collocations</strong></h5><p>alternative energy sources; clean energy; renewable resources; energy conservation; energy consumption; generate electricity; natural light; sustainable materials; electric cars; hybrid cars; car giants; energy efficiency;<br>environment issues; drop litter; awash with rubbish; destroy wet lands<br>go green; environmental friendly; live a sustainable life; launch massive campaigns; educate the public about; impose heavy fines; household waste; energy conservation</p>\n<h5 id=\"Potatoes\"><a href=\"#Potatoes\" class=\"headerlink\" title=\"Potatoes\"></a><strong>Potatoes</strong></h5><p><a href=\"https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2023/02/22/210-what-is-greenwashing/\">210. What is Greenwashing? (English Vocabulary Lesson) – Thinking in English</a></p>\n",
            "tags": [
                "ielts topics"
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "https://larksh.github.io/couchpotato/2023/02/21/music/",
            "url": "https://larksh.github.io/couchpotato/2023/02/21/music/",
            "title": "music",
            "date_published": "2023-02-21T08:32:16.000Z",
            "content_html": "<p>Classical music<br>symphony</p>\n",
            "tags": [
                "ielts topics",
                "music"
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "https://larksh.github.io/couchpotato/2023/02/21/advertising/",
            "url": "https://larksh.github.io/couchpotato/2023/02/21/advertising/",
            "title": "Advertising",
            "date_published": "2023-02-20T22:33:34.000Z",
            "content_html": "<h5 id=\"IDEAS\"><a href=\"#IDEAS\" class=\"headerlink\" title=\"IDEAS\"></a><strong>IDEAS</strong></h5><h5 id=\"Positives-of-Advertising\"><a href=\"#Positives-of-Advertising\" class=\"headerlink\" title=\"Positives of Advertising\"></a><strong>Positives of Advertising</strong></h5><p>Advertising is a key part of modern business<br>Companies need to tell customers about their products<br>Advertisments inform us about the choices we have<br>Advertising is a creative industry that employs many people<br>Without advertising we should have less choice<br>Without advertising there would be higher unemployment<br>People enjoy adverts</p>\n<h5 id=\"Negtives-of-Advertising\"><a href=\"#Negtives-of-Advertising\" class=\"headerlink\" title=\"Negtives of Advertising\"></a><strong>Negtives of Advertising</strong></h5><p>Advertising manipulates people<br>It aims to persuade people that buying a product will make them happier<br>Advertisers focus on selling a brand image<br>They use glamorous, sucessful people<br>We now live in a consumer culture<br>We are persuaded to follow the latest trend<br>We are encouraged to associate certain brands with a higher status<br>Advertisers often aim their marketing at children<br>Children can easily be influenced by advertisements<br>Children put pressure on parents to bu them things</p>\n<h5 id=\"Opinions-about-Advertising\"><a href=\"#Opinions-about-Advertising\" class=\"headerlink\" title=\"Opinions about Advertising\"></a><strong>Opinions about Advertising</strong></h5><p>Advertising should be regulated<br>Advertising aimed at childre should be controlled or even banned<br>Unhealthy foods should not be marketed in a way that attracts children<br>Products that can be risk to healthy should display warnings<br>In some countries it is illegal to advertise cigarettes on television<br>Warnings must be displyed on cigarette packets<br>However, advertising is necessary in free market economies<br>It creates demand for products<br>Governments should only censor false information or products that harmful</p>\n<h5 id=\"COLLOCATIONS\"><a href=\"#COLLOCATIONS\" class=\"headerlink\" title=\"COLLOCATIONS\"></a><strong>COLLOCATIONS</strong></h5><p>exposed to; be bombarded with; snack food; video games; impose a ban on;<br>pester parents; price sensitive; material needs; buy clothed/outfits; low-income families; economic pressure; avoid this problem; behavioural problems; lifestyle choices; lose temper; throw tantrum; violent games;<br>beneficial to; nourishing food; wholesome food; educational value; make well-informed decisions; tight control；to get messages to their customers</p>\n<h5 id=\"Potatoes\"><a href=\"#Potatoes\" class=\"headerlink\" title=\"Potatoes\"></a><strong>Potatoes</strong></h5><p><a href=\"https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11356740-m\">M: Advertising</a><br><a href=\"https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/357719.Contemporary_Advertising\">Contemporary Advertising</a><br><a href=\"https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0804503/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1\">Mad Men</a><br><a href=\"https://www.withinlink.com/zh/insight/%E8%B4%9D%E6%9C%9B%E5%BD%95/\">贝望录</a></p>\n",
            "tags": [
                "ielts topics",
                "marketing",
                "sales"
            ]
        }
    ]
}