I. Pre-Listening Exercises [Top]

1. In small groups, try to predict the following ideas about the news report before you listen:

  1. the setting, or where the action is taking place (e.g., in the country side, along a beach, in the city, at sea, in the jungle, in the mountains, etc.);
  2. how long as the war being going on;
  3. problems that have resulted from the war (e.g., hunger, loss of life, orphaned children, blackouts, sniper attacks, starvation, disease, malnutrition, looting, landmines, etc.)

2. Present the group’s predictions orally to other groups or the rest of the class. These ideas can be written on the board.

II. Listening Exercises [Top]

1. Listen to the conversation by pressing the “Play” button of the audio type you want to hear, and answer the questions. Press the “Final Score” button to check your quiz.
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1. Where is the news reporter, Stan Fielding, in the city?

A. at a military facility

B. in the suburbs

C. in the downtown area
2. How long has the civil war been going on for?

A. almost one year

B. just over a year

C. a year and a half

3. About what time of day is this news report taking place?

A. in the early afternoon

B. in the late evening

C. in the middle of the night

4. What is the main target of the rebels in this latest attack?

A. the current location of city leaders

B. military stockpiles of ammunition

C. the main lines of transportation

5. Which is NOT a major problem as a result of the war so far?

A. infectious disease

B. lack of drinking water and food

C. insufficient housing

Score =

Correct answers:


Newscaster: We interrupt our regular scheduled news program to bring you live up-to-date coverage on the civil unrest in the newly formed country of Karnak, where our man Stan Fielding is stationed. Stan . . .

Stan: This is Stan Fielding reporting live from the outskirts of the capital city. Just 20 minutes ago, rebel forces launched the biggest offensive against the ruling government in the 18-month conflict here in this country.

Newscaster: Now Stan, is this a sign that the peace process has been totally abandoned?

Stan: Well, so far, peace negotiations have failed, and any resolution to quell the civil war appears bleak at this point. As you can see . . . Whoa.

Newscaster: Stan, Stan, are you there?

Stan: Uh, yes, Bob. As you can probably hear behind me, rebel forces are also using heavy artillery to pound government strongholds around the city center. Rebel forces are closing in, and it’s feared that they will be able to take the capital building before sunup where it is believed, many government officials are holding out.

Newscaster: Now, besides the heavy fighting, what other pressing concerns are there for the citizens of the city?

Stan: Well, since the beginning of the conflict, starvation, clean water, and adequate shelter have been the biggest daily obstacles facing the citizens of this torn country. It is believed that over 40,000 people, mostly children, have starved to death. Land mines have claimed countless other lives. Fortunately, no epidemics have broken out, but that is always a concern if this war lingers on.

Newscaster: Okay, that was Stan Fielding reporting. And we will keep you up-to-date as this story continues to unfold.

Key Vocabulary [Top]
  • unrest (noun): dissatisfaction or anger against society or political parties
    - Political unrest has caused instability in that region of the world.
  • stationed (verb): to be assigned to a particular place like in the military
    - My father was stationed in Germany for two years with the airforce.
  • outskirts (noun): the outer area of a city
    - Often, the outskirts of the city are the most peaceful.
  • launch (verb): start
    - The vice-president decided to launch his election campaign last week.
  • abandon (verb): to stop or give up on something
    - The ruling government abandoned its decision to raise taxes further because of voter discontent.
  • quell (verb): to put down or end
    - The military used force to quell social unrest.
  • bleak (adjective): hopeless
    - The economy looks very bleak at this point with sky-high inflation and unemployment at 27 percent.
  • artillery (noun): large guns, often on wheels, used by armies
    - Developing countries in that region are increasing their stockpiles of artillery as a way to demonstrate their military muscle.
  • strongholds (noun): strongly defended places
    - The army attacked the enemy’s strongholds just before dawn.
  • starvation (noun): a state of extreme hunger which can lead to death
    - Thousands of people are on the verge of starvation in that country.
  • adequate (adjective): enough
    - If adequate food supplies do not become available, many people will not survive the winter.
  • shelter (noun): a place, like a house, that provides protection from danger or weather
    - We need to seek shelter before the storm.
  • epidemics (noun): a sudden and widespread start of an infectious disease among many people
    - There has been an epidemic of malaria for the past three months.
  • linger on (verb): continues slowly on
    - The conflict has lingered on for more than three years.
III. Post-Listening Exercises [Top]
  1. Pretend that it is one week after the original story was broadcasted, and you have been asked to report on the recent events of the conflict. First, write your story in about 50 words and then read your story. Share your production with your group or the class.
  2. Use a search engine to find an article(s) that discusses one or more problems associated with war. Write a short essay on the information you found. Give a short presentation to the class or in a small group.
  3. Discuss the following ideas with another student:
  • the greatest areas of conflict in the world and how they affect you directly or indirectly
  • the main causes of these conflicts
  • the keys to resolving these problems