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: 04 June 2013
NB! For WEEKLY audio stories check out LISTEN & LEARN π
Protests Continue In Turkey
Pre-Listening Vocabulary
- demonstration: a public display of opinion about an issue or group (often political)
- redevelopment: the rebuilding (and sometimes repurposing) of a space
- storm: to enter an area quickly and with strong force
- sit-in: a peaceful demonstration in which protestors occupy an area with chairs and tents
- step down: to resign; to leave a position of authority voluntarily
- consecutive: one after another
- authoritarian: a form of leadership in which the group or person in power has strict rules and citizens have little freedom
Comprehension Questions
- What was the original reason for the demonstration?
- How did the sit-in turn into a nationwide anti-government protest?
- What do protestors in Turkey want the current prime minister to do?
Discussion Question:
In response to these recent protests, Turkey’s prime minister said this: “Social media is the worst menace to society.” Why do you think he said this? Do you agree or disagree?
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Protests Continue In Turkey
A peaceful demonstration to save a park in central Istanbul has escalated into a nation-wide anti-government protest. The original demonstration involved a small group of people camping out in Gezi Park. They were protesting a redevelopment project that included the removal of one of Istanbul’s last remaining green spaces. When police stormed the sit-in, the activists used social media networks to call for support. Police began using tear gas and water cannons to break up the riot, which fuelled new protests all over Turkey. The protesters are calling for Prime Minister Erdogan to step down. He has been in power for three consecutive terms, and many feel he has become too authoritarian.
- Originally demonstrators were trying to prevent Gezi Park from being removed in a redevelopment project.
- The sit-in turned into a nationwide anti-government protest when demonstrators called for support (via social media networks) as police stormed the park.
- Protestors in Turkey want the current prime minister to step down.
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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