Listen to News with Tara Benwell - Instructions:
1. Preview the vocabulary and read the gapfill text.
2. Play the news report and try to fill in the blanks.
3. Answer the comprehension questions by writing full sentences.
4. Use the discussion question to write an essay or discuss the story with other students.
5. Click "show Answers" to see the full text.
6. Pretend to be a news anchor by reading each story out loud.
dateline: 12 February 2013
NB! For WEEKLY audio stories check out LISTEN & LEARN π
Hindu Pilgrims Killed In Stampede
Pre-Listening Vocabulary
- Hindu: a person who believes in Hinduism β the most dominant religion and philosophy in India
- pilgrim: a person who takes a long journey for religious reasons
- stampede: a sudden rush of people in panic
- on hand: available
- holy: sacred; associated with God
Comprehension Questions
- Where did the stampede take place?
- Why were so many people gathered in one place this Sunday?
- Who was responsible for crowd control?
Discussion Question: Some people are not comfortable in crowds. Others love the excitement of festivals, parades, and large gatherings. Would you and your family members feel comfortable attending an event such as this where thousands of people have to be reunited at a lost-and-found centre?
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Hindu Pilgrims Killed In Stampede
At least 36 people died on Sunday when a stampede took place near an overcrowded railway station during a massive religious festival in India. The stampede occurred as thousands of people ran to grab their train. Every 12 years, millions of Hindus from all over India make the pilgrimage to Allahabad where they take a holy bath in India’s sacred Ganges River. Tens of thousands of volunteers were on hand to help police officers control the crowds on Sunday, which was considered the holiest day of the festival. Ambulances failed to reach the injured in a timely manner due to the crowds. Approximately 100 million bathers are expected to attend the 55-day festival.
- The stampede took place near a railway station during a festival in Allahabad, India.
- Millions of people were gathered for the holiest day of the 55-day festival in order to take a holy bath in the Ganges River.
- Thousands of volunteers and police officers were on hand to control the crowds.
Written and recorded by Tara Benwell for EnglishClub
Tara Benwell is a Canadian freelance writer and editor who specializes in materials and articles for the ELT industry.
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