Table of Contents
President Emmanuel Macron says France is making more nuclear weapons. He says the world is not safe.
Now, France wants more than 300 nuclear bombs.
France has a new plan to keep Europe safe. Eight other countries are helping. These countries include Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom.
These allies will fly planes together. Some countries will also have French air bases. This plan helps stop enemies from attacking.
The President also spoke about a new boat. It is a nuclear submarine called “The Invincible.” It will be ready in 2036.
France and its allies will also build new tools. They want to stop drones and missiles in the sky.
This is a very big change for France.
But some things did not change. Only the President can decide to use a nuclear bomb. France will also keep its weapons a secret now. They will not tell the world how many bombs they have.
France and Germany will start to train together this year. They want to work as a team so everyone stays safe.
Vocabulary
- President – leader of a country; the top boss of a government; head of state.
- Nuclear weapon – a very powerful and dangerous bomb; a giant tool for war that can destroy a whole city. ☢️
- Weapon – an object used to fight or hurt others; a tool for war (like a gun, knife, or bomb). ⚔️
- Safe – not in danger; away from harm; protected; secure.
- Bomb – a metal object that explodes and breaks things; a weapon that blows up. 💣
- Plan – a list of steps to do something; an idea for the future; a way to reach a goal.
- Keep safe – to protect someone; to make sure nothing bad happens; to guard. 🛡️
- Include – to have something as part of a group; to put together; to contain.
- Ally – a friend or partner; a country that helps another country; a teammate.
- Air base – a place where military planes stay; a home for war airplanes and pilots. 🛫
- Enemy – a person or country that is not a friend; someone you fight against; a foe.
- Attack – to try to hurt someone; to start a fight; to use a weapon against someone. 👊
- Nuclear submarine – a large war ship that stays under the water for a long time using special power.
- Submarine – a boat that can go deep under the ocean.
- Drone – a small flying machine with no pilot inside; a robot plane.
- Missile – a rocket that carries a bomb; a weapon that flies through the sky to hit a target.
- Secret – something that is not told to others; hidden information; private. 🤫
- Train – to practice a skill; to learn how to do a job; to exercise for sports or war.
- Stay safe – to remain away from danger; to continue being protected.
Discussion Questions
- Do you feel the world is safe today? Why or why not?
- Is it a good idea for a country to have more than 300 nuclear bombs?
- Is it better for countries to work alone or to work with allies?
- Should governments spend money on new submarines and bombs, or is there a better way to use that money?
- Should a country keep its weapons a secret, or should they tell the world everything?
- Are you worried about the future of Europe, or are you hopeful?
- English teachers looking for teaching ideas, check out my post on using easy news articles for lessons.
- English learners looking for study ideas, check out my post on using news stories for English practice.
Original Story
Fill-in-the-Blank Listening Practice
President Emmanuel Macron _____ France is making more nuclear weapons. He says the _____ is not safe.
Now, France _____ more than 300 nuclear bombs.
France has a _____ plan to keep Europe safe. Eight other _____ are helping. These countries include Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom.
_____ allies will fly planes together. Some countries will also _____ French air bases. This plan helps stop enemies from _____.
The President also spoke _____ a new boat. It is a nuclear submarine _____ “The Invincible.” It will be ready in _____.
France and its allies will also _____ new tools. They want to stop drones and _____ in the sky.
This is a very big _____ for France.
But some things did _____ change. Only the President can decide to _____ a nuclear bomb. France will also _____ its weapons a secret now. They will not _____ the world how many bombs they _____.
France and Germany will start to _____ together this year. They want to work as a _____ so everyone stays _____.
