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: 09 December 2014

NB! For WEEKLY audio stories check out LISTEN & LEARN ๐Ÿ”ˆ

Snowden Accepts Award via Video

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

  • alternative: not the usual one; a substitute
  • surveillance: observance of people via camera and other devices; often secretive
  • livelihood: related to the ability to live well
  • leak: to release private or secret information
  • publication: the release of information to the public
  • dub: to call or give a name
  • fund: to provide financial help

Snowden Accepts Award Via Video

Edward Snowden, the American who leaked secret information about US government surveillance, accepted this week. The award, from Swedish-based foundation the Right Livelihood, is dubbed the “alternative” to the Nobel Prize. Snowden accepted it from Moscow via video. During the awards ceremony, Snowden that future citizens would become partners with the government subjects of it. Snowden shared his award with Alan Rusbridger. Rusbridger was the of the Guardian who allowed the publication of the secret information that Snowden found. Instead of providing prize money, the foundation plans to help fund legal support for Snowden.

Comprehension Questions

    1. Who is Edward Snowden?
    2. How did he accept his award?
    3. Who did Snowden share the award with, and why?

Discussion Questions: Do you think Snowden will ever be granted a pardon and be able to return to the US?

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.
© EnglishClub.com
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