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: 20 September 2011
NB! For WEEKLY audio stories check out LISTEN & LEARN π
Violence Escalates In Yemen
Pre-Listening Vocabulary
- escalate: to increase
- demonstration: a public show of disapproval by a group of people
- resignation: the act of stepping down from a position of leadership
- incur: to receive something you don’t want
- amnesty: a government pardon for previous wrongdoings
- negotiation: a discussion to reach an agreement
- civil war: a war between people from the same country
Comprehension Questions
- Why is the word “reportedly” used in news stories like this?
- How long has this particular conflict been going on?
- Why is Oxfam so concerned?
Discussion Question: Many of the recent demonstrations around the world have been youth-led. Why do you think youth are so passionate about political leaders and human rights?
show Answershide Answers
Violence Escalates In Yemen
Hundreds of protesters were injured in Yemen this week during demonstrations in Sanaa and Taiz. Security forces and snipers reportedly fired bullets and tear gas at demonstrators killing at least 50 people in just two days. The youth-led demand for the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh has been going on for seven months. The president is currently in Saudi Arabia recovering from injuries he incurred when his palace was attacked in June. Negotiations to transfer power to the vice-president continue to fail. Philip Luther of Amnesty International stated that the violence in Yemen is increasing the risk of a civil war, and Oxfam has warned that Yemen is facing a food crisis. According to Oxfam, 7.5 million Yemenis are in desperate need of food.
- The word “reportedly” is used in news stories because this information has not been proven (though many believe it) or because another side is denying the accusations.
- This particular conflict been going on for seven months.
- Oxfam is very concerned because the people in Yemen are facing a food crisis.
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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