photo Tara Benwell 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: 08 November 2017

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Pope Criticizes Mobile Phone Use

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

  • criticize: to speak out against; to say negative things
  • mass: a religious service (Catholic)
  • address: a speech to an audience
  • bishop: a senior Christian leader
  • avid: enthusiastic; eager

Pope Criticizes Mobile Phone Use

At his address this Wednesday, Francis spoke out against the use of mobile phones during mass. He told his audience at St. Peter’s Square in that taking photos during prayers was “an ugly thing.” Pope Francis mentioned bishops and priests in his address, saying that they too should be lifting up their not their phones. Pope Francis is an avid user, but has not been seen using a mobile phone in public.

Comprehension Questions

  1. What did Pope Francis ask people not to do?
  2. Why does the report mention bishops and priests?
  3. What word did Pope Francis use to describe mobile phone use during mass?

Discussion Questions

Do you agree with Pope Francis about mobile phone use during religious gatherings? Would you take a photo of the Pope if you were at his weekly address in Rome?

show Answers

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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