Learning English

Recycling light

Scientists in the US have taken a classic design and brought it into the 21st Century. The new lightbulb uses three times less energy than the old-fashioned version. And it does so by recycling light.

In this programme, Neil and Catherine explore the language being used by the world's media to discuss this story. Watch the programme and learn the words and phrases you need to talk about the news. Then see what you've learned with a short quiz.

รับชมวิดีโอพร้อมทำแบบฝีกหัด

The story

From a BBC report on 12th January 2016:

Researchers in the United States say they've developed a technique that can significantly improve the efficiency of the traditional incandescent lightbulb.

They say they've built prototypes that are already three times more efficient than standard incandescent bulbs.

Ognjen Ilic - Massachusetts Institute of Technology

We take this incandescent filament and really redesign it in a way that when we surround it with the right structures we can send that infrared light back so that it's not wasted. And the net effect is – and of course let visible light through – so the net effect is that it takes less electrical energy – electrical power – to get as much visible light.

Key words and phrases

incandescent
producing light from a heated part

comeback
when someone or something that was once successful becomes successful again

revamp
change something in order to improve it

To do

Try these questions to test your ability to use the words from this News Review.

Your challenge

What does it mean to have ‘a lightbulb moment’?

a) To realise suddenly that you have a great idea.

b) Lights suddenly going out in a house or building.

c) To decide suddenly to buy some lightbulbs.

The right answer is a) To realise suddenly that you have a great idea.

More

Learn more about this story in News Report.

End of Session 2

Join us in Session 3 for Lingohack - our video which teaches you using the latest BBC World News bulletins.