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Back to This Month's News | Monthly News Archives		 Dateline: 1 February 2009

Story #1

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

Story #1: Water Landing Called a 'Miracle'
US Airways pilot, Chesley Sullenberger was to ditch a jet into New York's Hudson River this January just a few minutes after take off. The jet flew into a flock of birds after taking off and lost both . The veteran pilot told passengers to brace for impact after making a quick decision to do an emergency water landing. After the landing, some walked out onto the plane's wings while others dove into the frigid . Commuter ferries and coast guards reached the scene within minutes. Miraculously, all onboard survived.

Comprehension Questions: Story #1

  1. Where did the plane take off from?
  2. Why did the engines fail?
  3. How many people survived?
Discussion Question:
Infants under 2 can ride for free on the lap of a parent on many major airlines. Do you think parents should have to pay for infants to have safety seats in case of an emergency landing?

Story #2

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

Story #2: Australia Seeks "Island Caretaker"
A opening for a caretaker of the islands of the Great Barrier Reef has received international attention. This dream job, which includes a 6 month contract and $105, 000 among other perks, is the latest effort to boost tourism in Australia. The job description on www.islandreefjob.com includes exploring Queensland, where of the workforce is employed in the tourism industry. Applicants are required to submit a short about why they are the right person for the job. Anyone who can swim and is eligible for a visa is welcome . The winner will be required to blog about his or her experience.

Comprehension Questions: Story #2

  1. What is Australia's real purpose for this ad?
  2. What must interested applicants do?
  3. How will the world learn about the new caretaker's experience?
Discussion Question: Would you consider applying for this job? Why or why not?

Story #3

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

Story #3: Obama Inauguration Attracts World Audience
People around the world tuned in to watch Barack Obama take the oath as the first President on January 20th. In Kenya, where Obama's father was born, people celebrated as if Obama was their own new . , many Canadians were in the crowd of approximately 2 million people who went to watch the event on the National Mall. Parties were also held throughout the UK. There is hope that US with other countries will improve under Barack Obama. Many world leaders are counting on Obama to make the economic crisis his main priority.

Comprehension Questions: Story #3

  1. What happened on January 20th?
  2. Why did Kenyans celebrate?
  3. According to the report, what do world leaders hope Obama will do?
Discussion Question: During his inaugural speech Obama told the world that the US was ready to lead again. Do you think people in other parts of the world want the US to be the #1 super power? Why or why not?

Story #4

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

Story #4: Massive Migration for Chinese New Year
Approximately people left China's major cities this January, the world's largest migration in history. The two week New Year's , is one of the only opportunities migrant workers have to go home. A massive snowstorm last year prevented many from making the trip home to the in 2008. This year, due to factory closures and many who are heading home say they will not be returning to the city after the holiday is over. Train tickets sold out quickly and thousands of people had to use savings to purchase expensive tickets from scalpers. 2009 is the .

Comprehension Questions: Story #4

  1. Approximately how many people were part of this record migration?
  2. Why did many not go home last year?
  3. Why will many not return to the cities after the holiday?
Discussion Question: In some countries police turn a blind eye (pretend not to notice) to scalpers. What types of tickets do scalpers sell in your country? Do you support this type of selling?

ANSWER CHECK

Story #1

Story #1: Water Landing Called a 'Miracle'
US Airways pilot, Chesley Sullenberger was forced to ditch a jet into New York's Hudson River this January just a few minutes after take off. The jet flew into a flock of birds after taking off and lost both engines. The veteran pilot told passengers to brace for impact after making a quick decision to do an emergency water landing. After the landing, some passengers walked out onto the plane's wings while others dove into the frigid water. Commuter ferries and coast guards reached the scene within minutes. Miraculously, all 155 onboard survived.

Comprehension Answers: Story #1

  1. The plane took off from a New York airport.
  2. A flock of birds flew into both engines during take off.
  3. All 155 people on board survived.

Story #2

Story #2: Australia Seeks "Island Caretaker"
A job opening for a caretaker of the islands of the Great Barrier Reef has received international attention. This true dream job, which includes a 6 month contract and $105, 000 among other perks, is the latest effort to boost tourism in Australia. The job description on www.islandreefjob.com includes exploring Queensland, where 20% of the workforce is employed in the tourism industry. Applicants are required to submit a short video clip about why they are the right person for the job. Anyone who can swim and is eligible for a visa is welcome to apply. The winner will be required to blog about his or her experience.

Comprehension Answers: Story #2

  1. The real purpose of the ad is to boost tourism in Australia.
  2. Applicants must upload a video clip of themselves to the specified website.
  3. The new caretaker will blog about the experience for all of the world to read.

Story #3

Story #3: Obama Inauguration Attracts World Audience
People around the world tuned in to watch Barack Obama take the oath as the first African American President on January 20th. In Kenya, where Obama's father was born, people celebrated as if Obama was their own new leader. Similarly, many Canadians were in the crowd of approximately 2 million people who went to watch the event on the National Mall. Parties were also held throughout the UK. There is hope that US relations with other countries will improve under Barack Obama. Many world leaders are counting on Obama to make the global economic crisis his main priority.

Comprehension Answers: Story #3

  1. On January 20th Obama became the US President.
  2. Kenyans celebrated because Obama's father was born in Kenya.
  3. World leaders hope Obama will concentrate on the global economic crisis.

Story #4

Story #4: Massive Migration for Chinese New Year
Approximately 200 million people left China's major cities this January, the world's largest migration in history. The two week New Year's festival, is one of the only opportunities migrant workers have to go home. A massive snowstorm last year prevented many from making the trip home to the countryside in 2008. This year, due to factory closures and job loss many who are heading home say they will not be returning to the city after the holiday is over. Train tickets sold out quickly and thousands of people had to use savings to purchase expensive tickets from scalpers. 2009 is the Year of the Ox.

Comprehension Answers: Story #4

  1. Approximately 2 million people left the cities to go home for the holidays.
  2. A major snowstorm prevented many people from leaving last year.
  3. Many migrants have lost their jobs and will not be returning to the cities after the holidays.