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: 06 August 2013
NB! For WEEKLY audio stories check out LISTEN & LEARN 🔈
US Embassies Closed Due To Terror Threat
Pre-Listening Vocabulary
- embassy: the main building and offices of an ambassador (a nation’s foreign representative) and staff
- consulate: a small branch of an embassy
- al-Qaeda: a terrorist organization that opposes the influence of Western nations
- intercept: to cut off; to prevent from continuing
Comprehension Questions
- Why were so many US embassies and consulates closed?
- What does the report say about prisons?
- According to the report, which country could pose a danger to travellers?
Discussion Question: The holy month of Ramadan ends this week. Why would security agencies be on high alert for terrorist attacks immediately following Ramadan?
show Answershide Answers
US Embassies Closed Due To Terror Threat
Nearly two dozen US embassies and consulates in Africa and the Middle East were closed this week due to a serious terror threat from al-Qaeda. The closures came after US officials intercepted an al-Qaeda message about a significant terror plot. There were also four major prison breaks last week that are believed to be tied to al-Qaeda. Thousands of criminals and terrorists have reportedly escaped from prisons in Iraq, Libya, and Pakistan. A global travel alert was also issued, and will remain in effect until the end of August. Travel to Yemen has been strongly discouraged.
- Numerous US embassies and consulates were closed due to a terror threat.
- The report says that four major prison breaks occurred last week, and many terrorists and criminals escaped.
- According to the report, Yeman could pose a danger to travellers.
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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