Pronunciation ChallengeCNN10: COVID-19 updates / Perovskite solar panel / Lemon peel Robot

【Timecode】

00:41-02:16 News: COVID-19 updates
02:18-03:48 News: Perovskite solar panels
03:49-04:09 Video: Lemon peel robot
04:13-04:32 Sentence of the Day
04:37-05:53 Vocabulary
05:57-06:40 ✭✭ NEW ✭✭ Vocab Smoothie (make your own cup of smoothie!)
06:46-end Epilogue

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【Transcript】

--- COVID-19 updates ---

Dear listeners, as usual, let’s begin our news briefing today with COVID-19 updates. More than 1.6 million deaths worldwide have been linked to coronavirus, but it is estimated that tens of millions have caught the disease but had no symptoms. Lockdowns, mask requirements and efforts to keep people farther apart have aimed to slow the spread of the disease, but it does continue to spread even in areas with strict guidelines implemented. Indoor dining at New York City's restaurants was just shut down again, but these places have been allowed to stay open in other parts of the state. Restaurants, gyms, museums and movie theaters are all closed in California. But these businesses are all open in Texas, though people are required to wear masks.

In France, COVID lockdown restrictions are being relaxed just a bit. Traveling around the country is no longer limited and people no longer need to fill out a declaration explaining why they are out during the day. However, a tighter curfew is now in place. After eight at night and before six in the morning, theaters, museums, restaurants, bars will all remain closed until at least January 20.

And most stunningly, in London, a new variant of coronavirus was discovered and a significant spike in coronavirus cases was recorded. That's why, starting last week, London will become the city with highest-level coronavirus restrictions in England.

--- Perovskite solar panels ---

Folks, how many of you listening right now have solar panels in your homes? Companies around the world are working with a mineral called perovskite to make solar panels more effective. Solar power is a renewable energy in places with plenty of sunlight, and it can reduce the cost of electricity. However, the process of making traditional silicon solar panels creates both air pollution and waste. Disposing used solar panels can put more toxic waste into the environment. And while they're being used, the panels themselves take up a lot of space. But with the help of perovskite, the solar panels become more efficient. It takes about 7 tons of silicon to make a million watts of solar cells, but it only takes 35 kilograms of perovskite to do that. Scientists believe that in time, they can eventually convert 40% of the sun light into electricity. Perovskite is also lightweight, transparent and very flexible. Researchers have come up with some interesting ideas of how to utilize this mineral, including wrapping it around an entire building, sounds cool right? Another good news is that perovskite solar cells can be produced using an inkjet printer, which allows unlimited applications in everyday life.

--- Lemon peel robot ---（Watch today's CNN10 video）

Folks, for today’s CNN10, check out the video to see a cute little robot that looks like a lemon peel. It can fold, walk, even carry things underwater. It moves by the power of light and magnetic fields, researchers are hoping to use it one day in medical practices.

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【Vocabulary】

1. Dispose (+of)
To get rid of something, have something taken care of.

Ex: I want to dispose of these old books.

2. Toxic (adj)
When something is poisonous.

Ex: The factory was fined for disposing toxic waste into the river.

3. Solar (adj)
From the sun, or using the energy from the sun to produce electric power

Ex: There are eight planets in our solar system.

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【Vocab Smoothie】

Try to make one yourself!

Our ingredients of the day: dispose / toxic / solar

◈◈◈Spaceships and satellites have disposed of tons of toxic waste into our solar system, which are still floating in space.

for reference：
space junk
debris (dəˈbrē／pronunciation：dibree)

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【Epilogue 】

Alright folks, that’s all the time we have for today.
What’s your New Year’s resolution?
Share with us in the comment section down below.

Farewell 2020.
Hello 2021.

Thank you all so much for your support.
And we’ll see you guys again… next year!

^ ^

Thank you, Ken. Have a nice day, everyone.

Disposing used solar panels can put more toxic waste into the evironment.

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