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: 13 March 2012
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US Soldier Murders 16 in Afghanistan
Pre-Listening Vocabulary
- allegedly: believed by many to be true; not yet proven
- rampage:Â movement in a violent manner
- turn oneself in:Â to surrender to authorities after committing a crime
- rogue:Â villainous
- massacre:Â a murder involving many victims
- public trial:Â a court case that is open for all to see; not private
- retaliate:Â fight back
Comprehension Questions
- Who is the murderer?
- Where did the massacre take place?
- What did Afghanistan’s parliament call for following the news of this murder?
Discussion Question: Deadly protests took place in Afghanistan after US troops burned copies of the Quran last month. What backlash can be expected from a massacre by one rogue soldier?
show Answershide Answers
US Soldier Murders 16 in Afghanistan
A US Army sergeant allegedly shot and killed 16 innocent civilians in a remote village of Afghanistan over the weekend. The rampage occurred under the cover of darkness while families were sleeping in their homes. 4 men, 3 women and 9 children were killed. The rogue soldier, who was reportedly working alone, turned himself in immediately following the massacre. US President Barack Obama apologized to the people of Afghanistan, and promised a thorough investigation. Afghanistan’s parliament is demanding a public trial for the suspect. Anti-American protests heated up immediately, and the Taliban vowed to retaliate.
- The murderer is an unnamed American soldier.
- The massacre took place at a village in Afghanistan.
- Afghanistan’s parliament called for a public trial.
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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