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: 22 October 2013
NB! For WEEKLY audio stories check out LISTEN & LEARN π
Polio Outbreak Feared In Syria
Pre-Listening Vocabulary
- outbreak: a sudden outburst of something
- infectious: something that can be passed on easily from one person to another
- sanitation: cleanliness related to pubic health
- communicable disease: an illness that can be passed on via body contact
- vaccination: an injection of a weakened bacteria or virus that protects a person from getting the full-blown illness
Comprehension Questions
- What is polio?
- Why is polio often called a silent killer?
- Why might this report be considered a travel alert?
Discussion Question: A director from WHO referred to the “duck test” in a response about this possible outbreak. Why would he use this expression, and what do you think he meant by it? (The duck test expression goes as follows: “If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck.”)
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Polio Outbreak Feared In Syria
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported concerns about a possible polio outbreak in war-torn Syria. Polio is an infectious disease that typically targets young children. It affects the nerves and often causes paralysis. A few cases of suspected polio have been detected for the first time in almost fifteen years in Syria. Many of Syria’s health care providers have fled, and the immunization program in Syria is failing. Overcrowded regions and poor sanitation make it very difficult to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Polio is known as a silent killer, because it typically spreads before any muscle paralysis is detected. Neighbouring countries are also on alert, and anyone who is planning on travelling near Syria is urged to have a polio vaccination.
- Polio is a disease that spreads quickly. It usually targets young children, and can cause paralysis.
- Polio is often called a silent killer because it spreads before symptoms are noticed.
- This report could be considered a travel alert because people who are going to be near Syria should be aware of the potential health risk. Travellers should make sure their immunizations are up to date.
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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