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 January 2015
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Unity Marches Follow Media Massacre in France
Pre-Listening Vocabulary
- solidarity: strength in numbers
- target: to aim at or choose specifically
- satirical: makes fun of a person or group; often political
- terrorism: the use of violence or fear tactics to achieve a goal (often political)
- hostage: a person held against his own will; a hostage-taker often tries to make demands in exchange for the release of hostages
Comprehension Questions
- Where did the terrorist attacks take place?
- Why was Charlie Hebdo targeted?
- Why does the report mention a supermarket?
Discussion Questions: Why do terrorists often target journalists?
show Answershide Answers
Unity Marches Follow Media Massacre in France
Around the world, and especially in Paris, millions of people marched in solidarity following three days of terrorist attacks in France. The attacks left seventeen people dead, including several staff members of Charlie Hebdo magazine. The journalists and cartoonists were targeted due to their involvement in satirical pieces mocking Islam. Three gunmen, including one who took and killed hostages at a supermarket, were eventually killed by police. Two police officers were also killed in the attacks. Dozens of world leaders attended the rally in Paris to stand up against terrorism and support the victims.
- The terrorist attacks took place in France.
- Charlie Hebdo magazine was targeted because the satirical magazine featured pieces mocking Islam.
- The report mentions a supermarket because a related terrorist attack took place in one following the massacre at the magazine.
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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