This lesson uses a BBC current-events business article to study vocabulary about technology, prices, and global supply chains.
Title: “World’s largest chipmaker does not rule out price rises as costs increase”
Source: BBC News
Published: June 9, 2026
Read the original article: BBC article link
BBC News reported on comments from a senior executive at TSMC, the world’s largest chipmaker. The article discussed possible price increases, rising costs, the AI boom, chip geopolitics, and how these forces could affect electronics prices.
BBC 報導台積電高階主管的訪談內容。文章談到全球最大晶片製造商面臨成本上升，未來不排除價格調漲；同時也討論 AI 熱潮、晶片地緣政治，以及這些因素可能如何影響電子產品價格。
In article: “World’s largest chipmaker does not rule out price rises as costs increase.”
English definition: increases in the amount people must pay for goods or services.
中文定義：價格上漲；商品或服務需要支付的金額提高。
Example: Higher energy bills can lead to price rises across many industries.
In article: “World’s largest chipmaker does not rule out price rises as costs increase.”
English definition: to decide that something is impossible or will not happen.
中文定義：排除某種可能性；否定某件事會發生。does not rule out 表示「不排除」。
Example: The company did not rule out another price increase.
In article: “In a rare interview, a senior executive at TSMC discusses the AI boom, the geopolitics of chips and what it means for the price of electronics.”
English definition: a period of very fast growth in artificial intelligence technology, investment, and demand.
中文定義：人工智慧快速發展與投資需求大增的熱潮。
Example: The AI boom increased demand for advanced chips.
In article: “In a rare interview, a senior executive at TSMC discusses the AI boom, the geopolitics of chips and what it means for the price of electronics.”
English definition: how geography, power, governments, and international relations affect politics and business.
中文定義：地緣政治；地理位置、國家權力與國際關係如何影響政治與商業。
Example: Chip geopolitics affects where companies build factories.
In article: “…what it means for the price of electronics.”
English definition: devices that use electronic circuits, such as phones, computers, and televisions.
中文定義：電子產品，例如手機、電腦、電視等使用電子電路的設備。
Example: Chip shortages can raise the price of electronics.
boom: As a business word, boom suggests a loud, sudden burst of growth — like the sound image of something expanding quickly.
geopolitics: This combines geo-, meaning earth or geography, with politics. It is useful for stories where location, power, and governments shape business decisions.
rule out: This phrase is common in cautious corporate or diplomatic language. Saying a company “does not rule out” price rises means the option is still possible without directly announcing it.