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[ Text Completion Quiz | Quiz Script | Explanation of Answers ]

Battle at the Front
 I. Pre-Listening Exercises
II. Listening Exercises
III. Post-Listening Exercises

Level:Topic:Type:Speakers:Length:
difficultwar news reportman - man01:31

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 has 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]

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:

Listen to the conversation again as you read the Quiz Script.

Read the Explanation of Answers.

Do the Text Completion Quiz.

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

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