World News for Students of English

22-02-2023 07:00

Guanabara Bay is the backdrop to one of Rio de Janeiro’s most breathtaking views that enchanted countless visitors to Brazil, and it spans over 650 square kilometers.

However, the bay is littered with abandoned sinking ships that leak toxic chemicals, and its waters are so filthy that most residents wouldn’t even consider swimming in them. But it’s not just the ships, raw sewage and garbage from the surrounding cities flow into the bay, too. This complicates fishing and poses a serious health hazard.

Brazil’s Navy says that there are about 51 abandoned and capsized boats in the bay; however, the number’s likely higher.  Ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympics, there were efforts to clean the bay, and millions of dollars were invested, but two years before the Games, Rio announced that it wasn’t going to meet its goal. Environmentalists have long called for the government to take action, but the pollution is getting worse.

Difficult words: backdrop (everything behind that you’re looking at), enchant (to interest or attract someone very strongly), capsize (to turn over).

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