Table of Contents
A very important sea route for ships is closed. It has been closed for two weeks. This route is the Strait of Hormuz. Many ships carry oil here. Now, the ships cannot move. U.S. President Trump says the route may open soon.
The U.S. is using its own extra oil to help. Because of this, oil prices went down a little. But there is still a war. Iran says it will stop sending oil if the fighting does not stop.
This is a big problem for Asia. Countries like China, India, and Japan need this oil. Now, they do not have enough. Many countries are trying to save energy.
In South Korea, the government is controlling fuel prices. In Thailand, the government is paying to keep fuel cheap. In Bangladesh, schools are closed and soldiers guard the oil. Myanmar says many cars cannot drive on the roads. Pakistan closed schools to save energy. In Vietnam, people should work from home.
The world will have a big money problem if the route stays closed. No one knows when the problem will end.
Vocabulary
- Sea route – a path across the ocean for boats; a water road
- Route – a way to go from one place to another; a path; a road 🛣
- Ship – a very large boat that carries people or things across the water 🚢
- Oil – a thick, black liquid from under the ground used to make gas or energy 🛢️
- President – the main leader of a country or a large group
- May – a word used to say something is possible; maybe; perhaps
- Own – belonging to a specific person or group; mine or yours; you have it
- Extra – more than what is needed; more than usual; additional ➕
- Price – the amount of money you must pay for something; the cost
- War – a long time of fighting between countries or large groups ⚔️
- Fighting – using force or weapons against someone; a battle; a struggle 👊
- Enough – as much as you need; the right amount; sufficient
- Save – to keep something; to not waste something; to use less
- Energy – power or electricity used to make lights, heat, or machines work ⚡
- Government – the group of people who make the laws and run a country 🏛️
- Control – to have power over something; to manage or direct
- Fuel – something burned for energy, like gas or coal, to make cars or planes move ⛽
- Pay – to give money for something you buy or use
- Cheap – low in price; not expensive; costs very little money
- Soldier – a person who is part of an army; a person who fights for a country 🪖
- Guard – to protect a person or a place; to watch over something to keep it safe 🛡️
- Work from home – doing your job at your house instead of going to an office 🏠
Discussion Questions
- Do you think it is a good idea for schools to close to save energy? Why or why not?
- Is the price of fuel or gas high in your country right now? How does this change your life?
- In Vietnam, many people should work from home. Do you like working or studying at home, or do you prefer going to an office or school?
- What are some easy ways you can save energy or electricity at home every day?
- If the sea route stays closed, do you think people will buy fewer things because they cost more money?
- Which country in the story has the most difficult problem? Why do you think so?
- 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
A very _____ sea route for ships is closed. It has been closed for _____ weeks. This route is the Strait of Hormuz. Many ships _____ oil here. Now, the ships cannot move. U.S. President Trump _____ the route may open soon.
The U.S. is using _____ own extra oil to help. Because of this, oil prices went _____ a little. But there is still a war. Iran says it will _____ sending oil if the fighting does not stop.
This is a big problem for _____. Countries like China, India, and Japan need this _____. Now, they do not have enough. Many countries are _____ to save energy.
In South Korea, the government _____ controlling fuel prices. In Thailand, the government is _____ to keep fuel cheap. In Bangladesh, _____ are closed and soldiers guard the oil. _____ says many cars cannot drive on _____ roads. Pakistan closed schools to _____ energy. In Vietnam, people should work from _____.
The world will have a _____ money problem if the route stays closed. No one knows when the _____ will end.
