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: 16 July 2013
NB! For WEEKLY audio stories check out LISTEN & LEARN 🔈
Missing Canadians Presumed Dead In Runaway Train Accident
Pre-Listening Vocabulary
- derail: to go off the railway tracks
- presume: to believe something is true before proof is found
- wipe out: to eliminate
- DNA: a person’s genetic information
- retire: to go to sleep
Comprehension Questions
- What was the train carrying?
- How many people likely died in this incident?
- Why might the engineer be to blame, even though the train was unattended?
Discussion Question:
Should rail tracks go right through a town centre? Why or why not?
show Answershide Answers
Missing Canadians Presumed Dead In Runaway Train Accident
A runaway train filled with crude-oil derailed and exploded in a small Quebec town last week, causing massive destruction and loss of life. At least 24 people are confirmed dead, and about 26 more are presumed dead. A large section of Lac-Mégantic’s town centre was completely wiped out, including a popular bar where many of the missing may have been at the time of the explosion. Relatives have been asked to provide DNA samples. The train operator has stated that the engineer may have improperly applied a number of hand brakes before retiring for the night. Criminal charges could be laid.
- The train was carrying crude-oil.
- Fifty people likely died in this incident.
- The engineer might be to blame if he didn’t put the hand brakes on correctly.
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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