©EPA via BBC News
Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Please describe the port of Yokohama.
- What items does Japan export to other countries?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- visibility /viz-uh-BIL-i-tee/
- rear /reer/
- removal /ri-MOO-vuhl/
- route /root/
- channel /CHAN-l/
[noun] – how clearly objects can be seen, or how far you can see clearly, usually because of the weather conditions
The ship crashed due to poor visibility in the sea.
[adjective] – at the back of something
He settled at the rear seats of the taxi.
[noun] – the process of removing or getting rid of something, often something that is considered to be harmful
I’ve been scheduled for the removal of my wisdom tooth.
[noun] – a particular way or direction between places
Which is the best route to get to Ikebukuro?
[noun] – a part of a river or other area of water that is deep and wide enough to provide a route for ships to travel along
The channel is one of the main borders between these two countries.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
The 224,000-ton cargo ship Ever Given crashed on the coast east of the Suez Canal on Tuesday, March 23. According to the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), the ship had poor visibility due to 46 mph winds and sandstorms. The front part of Ever Given got stuck aground in Asia, whereas the rest of its rear part in Africa. Attempts to re-float the ship were made on Thursday, March 25, but were not successful. On Thursday evening, dredgers removed sand and clay around the front part of Ever Given, and on Saturday, March 27, 14 tugboats pushed the ship to a high tide to dislodge it. Peter Berdowski, CEO of a Dutch construction company said that the ship’s removal may take “days to weeks, depending on what you come across.”
Suez Canal is an important trade route. About 12% of global trade passes through the 120-mile channel, and it is the shortest known link between Asia and Europe. Every day, about 50 ships arrive at the port to accomplish their daily trade. However, due to the accident, ships will be forced to look for alternative routes, and the travel time will take as much as two weeks longer. Delays in the delivery of essentials and goods, including fuel, may be possible. Moreover, an increase in fuel prices is to be expected.
Suez Canal is an important trade route. About 12% of global trade passes through the 120-mile channel, and it is the shortest known link between Asia and Europe. Every day, about 50 ships arrive at the port to accomplish their daily trade. However, due to the accident, ships will be forced to look for alternative routes, and the travel time will take as much as two weeks longer. Delays in the delivery of essentials and goods, including fuel, may be possible. Moreover, an increase in fuel prices is to be expected.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- Where did Ever Given crash according to the report?
- What attempts were made on Saturday, March 27?
- What did Berdowski say about the removal of Ever Given on the canal?
- How many ships arrive at Suez Canal’s port for daily trades?
- Based on the article, how would the accident affect the trades and oil price?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- In your opinion, will it take longer to remove the ship than what Berdowski estimates? Why?
- Do you think the person who steers the ship must be made responsible for the accident? Please explain your answer.
- Aside from the methods already done, what else do you think the authorities should do to help dislodge the ship?
- What other factors do you think will be affected by this incident?
- If you were a ship crew, what would you do to prevent an accident like this from happening?