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photo Tara Benwell Listen to News with Tara Benwell - Instructions:
1. Preview the vocabulary and read the gapfill text.
3. Answer the comprehension questions by writing full sentences.

dateline: 06 August 2013

US Embassies Closed Due To Terror Threat

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

  • embassy: the main building and offices of an ambassador (a nation’s foreign representative) and staff
  • consulate: a small branch of an embassy
  • al-Qaeda: a terrorist organization that opposes the influence of Western nations
  • intercept: to cut off; to prevent from continuing

US Embassies Closed Due To Terror Threat

Nearly two dozen US embassies and consulates in and the Middle East were closed this week due to a terror threat from al-Qaeda. The closures came after US officials intercepted an al-Qaeda message about a significant terror plot. There were also four major prison breaks last week that are believed to be al-Qaeda. Thousands of criminals and terrorists have reportedly from prisons in Iraq, Libya, and Pakistan. A global travel alert was also issued, and will remain until the end of August. Travel to Yemen has been strongly discouraged.

Comprehension Questions

  1. Why were so many US embassies and consulates closed?
  2. What does the report say about prisons?
  3. According to the report, which country could pose a danger to travellers?

Discussion Question: The holy month of Ramadan ends this week. Why would security agencies be on high alert for terrorist attacks immediately following Ramadan?

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Written by Tara Benwell for EnglishClub

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