© Danish Armed Forces via BBC News
Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Do you think pirates still exist nowadays? Please share your thoughts about them.
- Where is the largest sea in your country located?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- suspected /suh-SPEK-tuhd/
- locate /loh-KEYT/
- attempted /uh-TEMP-tuhd/
- piracy /PAHY-ruh-see/
- enforcement /en-FAWRS-muhnt/
[adjective] – believed to be guilty of a crime
The suspected thieves were eventually caught by the police.
[verb] – to find
We cannot locate the exact destination of the shop.
[adjective] – (of a crime) that someone has tried to commit without success
He’s being questioned for the attempted robbery last night.
[noun] – the act of attacking ships in order to steal from them
Authorities are improving security around the seas to reduce piracy.
[noun] – the process of making people obey a law or rule, or making a particular situation happen or be accepted
Many people believe that the incident was an act against law enforcement.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Three suspected pirates were released at sea in a small boat after being imprisoned for six weeks on a Danish warship off the coast of West Africa. The Danish Armed Forces reported that they were unable to locate a country willing to detain the alleged pirates in the area. Instead, they were released near Nigerian seas, with enough food and fuel to make it to land. One of the suspects who was sent to Ghana has been deported to Denmark to face charges of attempted manslaughter. However, claims against the other three were dismissed, according to their lawyers. The arrested suspect’s lawyer, Birgitte Skjodt, criticized the decision to file charges against him. The decision was justified by Danish Justice Minister Nick Haekkerup, explaining that it would prevent other pirates from invading.
This is the first time a pirate suspect has been deported to Denmark. Following their supposed attack on a container ship, the alleged pirates were caught in November after a fatal shootout in the Gulf of Guinea. For years, the gulf has been recognized as a piracy hub due to its oil and gas ships. Political instability, a lack of law enforcement, and land poverty are all factors leading to the increase in piracy in the area. On the other hand, National authorities and international naval ships have expanded their efforts to strengthen security in the region.
This is the first time a pirate suspect has been deported to Denmark. Following their supposed attack on a container ship, the alleged pirates were caught in November after a fatal shootout in the Gulf of Guinea. For years, the gulf has been recognized as a piracy hub due to its oil and gas ships. Political instability, a lack of law enforcement, and land poverty are all factors leading to the increase in piracy in the area. On the other hand, National authorities and international naval ships have expanded their efforts to strengthen security in the region.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- For how long were the three suspected pirates detained?
- Where were the suspects released?
- How many suspects had their cases dismissed?
- When were the alleged pirates caught?
- According to the article, why has the Gulf of Guinea been recognized as a piracy hub?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Are there cases of piracy in your country? Please tell me more about it.
- What important natural resources can be found in your country’s seas?
- If you were Birgitte Skjodt, would you also criticize the Danish Justice Ministry’s decision? Please explain your answer.
- Do you agree with Justice Minister Nick Haekkerup’s explanation?
- How can the authorities protect the Gulf of Guinea from possible future pirate attacks?