Table of Contents
Lately, Argentina sees many big fishing ships near their water.
Argentina’s military says many of the ships are from China.
The boats mostly catch squid. Argentina wants to stop the boats. They say the boats take too many fish and squid.
Argentina has a special plane that watches the water and ships. In January, they also used small planes and warships.
Argentina says the boats sometimes fish in Argentine water, called the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The boats are not allowed to fish in the EEZ.
Argentina saw 380 boats recently. 80% of the boats are from China.
Some boats turn off their lights and try to hide.
China says their ships follow the rules.
Argentine fishermen say they catch less fish. The Chinese boats take their fish.
Vocabulary
- Lately – recently; in recent times; not long ago; the past few weeks; the past few months
- Fishing – to try and get fish from the water
- Ship – a big boat
- Military – armed forces; army; agency or department of a government for combat/war
- Catch – To capture or trap something; Grab something or someone; to take something that doesn’t want to go with you
- Squid – A sea animal with ten arms; 🦑
- Warship – A ship used in war
- Fish – to try and get fish from the water
- Argentine – From or related to the country of Argentina; 🇦🇷
- Hide – to keep something out of sight; to conceal something; to make something not possible to see; to make it difficult to find something
- Follow a rule – Do what the rule says; To do what the guideline or instruction says
- Fisherman – someone who catches fish
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think the boats turn off their lights?
- Why do you think the fishermen are sad?
- Do you think it is fair for many ships to take fish from areas near other countries?
- Should Argentina stop the boats? How?
- 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
Lately, _____ sees many big fishing ships near their _____.
Argentina’s military says many of _____ ships are from China.
The boats mostly catch _____. Argentina wants to stop the boats. They say the boats take too _____ fish and squid.
Argentina has a _____ plane that watches the water and ships. In January, they also used _____ planes and warships.
Argentina says the _____ sometimes fish in Argentine water, _____ the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The boats are not allowed to fish in _____ EEZ.
Argentina saw 380 boats recently. _____% of the boats are from China.
Some boats _____ off their lights and try to hide.
China says their ships _____ the rules.
Argentine fishermen _____ they catch less fish. The Chinese boats take _____ fish.