Pre-Listening Vocabulary

degradation: the wearing down of the land or environment

shrink: to reduce in size

astounding: surprising

tough: difficult

snorkel: a tube to breathe through underwater

lethal: deadly

ingest: to take into the body

Dead Sea Swim Raises Environmental Awareness

25 swimmers from around the world took part in the first ever Dead Sea swim to raise about the environmental degradation of the historic lake. It took the swimmers approximately 7 hours to cross the 17 from Jordan to . Located over 400 metres below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest place on earth and is shrinking at an astounding rate. In the past , the water level on the northern side has dropped as much as 25 metres. The swimmers, who described the swim as very tough, wore face masks and snorkels to protect themselves from the water which can be lethal to ingest.

Comprehension Questions

Where were the swimmers from?

What was the purpose of the swim?

Why did the swimmers wear face masks?

Discussion Questions: What is your greatest environmental concern? Would you be willing to do something challenging to raise awareness about this issue?

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Dead Sea Swim Raises Environmental Awareness

25 swimmers from around the world took part in the first ever Dead Sea swim to raise awareness about the environmental degradation of the historic lake. It took the swimmers approximately 7 hours to cross the 17 kilometres from Jordan to Israel. Located over 400 metres below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest place on earth and is shrinking at an astounding rate. In the past 30 years, the water level on the northern side has dropped as much as 25 metres. The swimmers, who described the swim as very tough, wore face masks and snorkels to protect themselves from the salty water which can be lethal to ingest.

The swimmers were from all over the world.

The purpose of the swim was to raise awareness for the environmental degradation (shrinking water level) of the historic Dead Sea.

The swimmers wore face masks to prevent themselves from ingesting the salty water.

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Pre-Listening Vocabulary

former: in the past

impeachment: the removal of a leader from office (usually due to criminal activity)

manipulate: to alter or change something (often dishonestly)

appeal: a request to a high court for a decision to be reversed

interim: temporary

Impeached Brazilian President Leaves Palace

Brazil’s former Dilma Rousseff left the presidential palace for the last time this week following last week’s impeachment. Rousseff was removed from office on August 31 after the Senate voted 61-20 that she was guilty of manipulating the budget to hide the nation’s problems. Rousseff has denied the accusations and has filed an appeal with the Supreme Court. Rousseff’s vice president, 75-year-old Michel Temer has as Brazil’s interim president.

Comprehension Questions

Who is Dilma Rousseff?

Why did Rousseff have to leave the presidential palace?

Why does the report mention the Supreme Court?

Discussion Questions: Rousseff was Brazil’s first female president. Do you think her impeachment will make it difficult for women to become leaders in Brazil and its surrounding nations in the future?

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Impeached Brazilian President Leaves Palace

Brazil’s former president Dilma Rousseff left the presidential palace for the last time this week following last week’s impeachment. Rousseff was officially removed from office on August 31 after the Senate voted 61-20 that she was guilty of manipulating the government budget to hide the nation’s economic problems. Rousseff has denied the accusations and has filed an appeal with the Supreme Court. Rousseff’s vice president, 75-year-old Michel Temer has taken over as Brazil’s interim president.

Dilma Rousseff is the former president of Brazil.

Rousseff had to leave the presidential palace because she was impeached. The Senate found her guilty of manipulating the budget to hide the country’s economic troubles.

The report mentions the Supreme Court because Rousseff denies the accusations and has filed an appeal.