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.

3 comments

• Jo says:
  

  It would be great if ESL lessons would not use biased wording. “many big U.S. companies have said they will continue to reduce greenhouse emissions and shift to renewable energy sources despite Trump’s decision.” Big companies in ALL countries have the ability to reduce emissions regardless of their leadership. “Despite Trump’s decision” is biased language insinuating that Trump doesn’t care about the environment.

  Two of the worlds largest (more than America) greenhouse gas violators, plus one or two middle-eastern countries have signed this agreement, however, have stated that they will NOT reduce emissions until all their current manufacturing plants have exhausted their use. Please let that sink in. Additionally, America pulled out because it was an unfair deal to America.

  Additionally, America has paid more into the Agreement than any other country, with China and India not paying anything. So, when President Trump says other countries are gaining financially, it is true. The fund is voluntary, therefore, who cares an agreement was signed? Maybe that should be your focus. Who is monitoring emissions from the 193 countries that signed this deal? Also, the funds go to ‘developing countries’ to assist them with building green. It does not go to retrofitting any existing plants anywhere in the world.

  Teaching used to be about deductive reasoning and using cognitive abilities, not shoving your own agenda and biases down people’s throats.

  Americans have a constitutional right to say where our tax money goes. This may not be so for other countries. I never pledged my money to go to other countries, when it can go to help my country and encourage big business to go ‘green’. That is what all countries should do. But you all look to America to pay for your ass.

  So, the people who have read this, and listened to the little blurb and have decided President Trump is a villian, I ask you: What are YOU doing in your OWN country to pressure your manufacturing plans, your government to go ‘green’?

• Alberto says:
  

  In my humble opinion USA must be closer to the rest of the nations in this issue.

• Bijan says:
  

  Dear Tara,

  When I heard about pulling out the USA from the Paris climate accord in the news I was surprised how can the USA leave the accord that it has signed easily?

  Now, I understand with your news report that the USA cannot pull out the accord until 2020.

  It is possible that the president will not elect in 2020 and the USA remain in the accord.

  Thank you for declaring this important subject that the USA must do the Paris climate accord until 2020 because I hadn’t seen anywhere on the Internet about this subject.

  Best wishes,
  Bijan_ The Persian Gulf