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: 08 May 2012
NB! For WEEKLY audio stories check out LISTEN & LEARN ๐
Putin Reclaims Russian Presidency
Pre-Listening Vocabulary
- reclaim: to obtain once again
- clash:ย to come into conflict with
- swear in:ย to make an official promise before taking on a position
- detain: to take into police control
- inauguration: the ceremony in which a new leader officially takes office
Comprehension Questions
- Who is Vladimir Putin?
- During the inauguration, what did Putin say about his life purpose?
- Why does the report mention white ribbons?
Discussion Question: What is the ideal amount of time for a country’s leader to stay in power? Should former leaders be allowed to run in an election again?
show Answershide Answers
Putin Reclaims Russian Presidency
Vladimir Putin officially reclaimed the presidency of Russia on Monday as protesters continued to clash with riot police around Moscow. This is the third time Mr. Putin has been sworn in as the leader of Russia. Putin was President from 2000-2008, and remained largely in charge as Prime Minister from 2008-2012. In his address at the Kremlin, Mr. Putin said that serving his country was the “meaning of his whole life”. Hundreds of protesters were detained in the days leading up to the inauguration. The police were told to arrest anyone wearing a white ribbon, the symbol of the anti-Putin movement. Most of those who were picked up by police were quickly released after being warned not to protest on Monday.
- Vladimir Putin is Russia’s new and former president.
- Putin said that serving his country is what he was meant to do.
- The report mentions white ribbons because this is the symbol worn by anti-Putin protesters.
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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