Learning English

Toxicity tax for London’s polluting cars

The T-charge, a new daily tax on London's worst polluting cars, has been introduced. 

Language challenge

The T-charge, a tax to combat air pollution, has been launched in London. The ‘T’ stands for 'toxicity' – the noun form of 'toxic', meaning 'poisonous'. Which of these words does NOT also mean 'toxic'?

a) benign
b) noxious
c) venomous

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The story

Owners of the most polluting cars will have to pay an extra £10 to drive in central London from today.

The T-charge, or toxicity charge, will apply to older diesel and petrol vehicles in what’s been described as the toughest emission standard of any world-ranking city.

It’ll be levied on top of the congestion charge. Some health charities have welcomed the move, others say it doesn’t go far enough.

Key words and phrases

curb
control or limit something

template
something copied to produce similar items 

exempt
excused from following a rule

To do

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Language challenge - answer

a) benign