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One of the most important sea routes for trade has been closed for two weeks, but U.S. President Trump says it might open soon.
To help the problem, the U.S. is lifting oil sanctions on some countries and using its emergency oil reserves. Because of this, oil prices fell below $100 per barrel for a short time.
However, the war continues and ships are being attacked. Iran says it will stop all oil exports from the Middle East if attacks from the US and Israel do not stop.
This is a big problem for Asia. In 2025, Asian countries got 59% of their oil from the Middle East. Now, the Middle East is not a reliable partner. A major sea route, the Strait of Hormuz, is almost completely closed. This route usually carries 20% of the world’s oil.
Energy experts are worried. They say that even if the route opens, it will take a long time for oil supplies to return to normal. If it stays closed, the world could have a major economic crisis.
Many Asian countries are already suffering. China and India are using their reserve oil or buying oil from other places. Japan is also releasing millions of barrels of oil to help.
Other countries are also taking difficult steps.
South Korea is limiting fuel prices for the first time in thirty years.
Thailand is spending millions of dollars to keep fuel cheap for citizens.
In Bangladesh, the military is guarding oil supplies, and universities are closed.
Myanmar has banned many cars from the roads.
Pakistan has closed schools and reduced work days to save energy.
Vietnam is asking people to work from home.
It is not clear when this crisis will end.
Vocabulary
- Sea route – a path across the ocean for ships; a water road
- Route – a way to go from one place to another; a path; a road
- Trade – buying and selling things; exchanging goods for money
- U.S. – the United States of America; a large country in North America 🇺🇸
- President – the leader of a country or a government
- Lift – to stop a rule; to take away a limit; to remove
- Oil – a thick liquid from the ground used for fuel or gas 🛢️
- Sanction – a rule that stops trade with a country; a punishment; a limit
- Emergency – a sudden, dangerous problem that needs help fast 🚨
- Oil reserves – extra oil kept for later; a backup supply of fuel
- Reserves – extra things kept to use in the future; a backup; a store
- Fall – to go down; to become less; to drop 📉
- Below – lower than; under a certain number or level 👇
- Barrel – a large round container for liquids like oil 🛢️
- Export – to sell and send things to another country
- The Middle East – a large area of the world including countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran
- Reliable – someone or something you can trust; dependable; safe
- Partner – a person or country that works with another; a helper; an ally 🤝
- Major – very big; very important; serious
- Completely – 100%; totally; fully; in every way
- Carry – to move something from one place to another; to transport 🚚
- Energy – power used to make light, heat, or movement; electricity ⚡
- Expert – a person who knows a lot about a subject; a master; a specialist
- Supply – the amount of something available to use; stock; inventory
- Economic crisis – a very bad time for a country’s money and jobs
- Crisis – a very difficult or dangerous time; a big problem ⚠️
- Suffer – to feel pain; to have a very hard time; to experience trouble
- Release – to let something out; to give something away; to set free
- Millions – a very large number (1,000,000 or more) 🔢
- Take steps – to do things to reach a goal; to act; to start a plan
- Limit – to keep something at a small amount; a rule to stop more; a cap
- Fuel – something used to make heat or power, like gas or coal ⛽
- Spend – to use money to buy something
- Cheap – costing very little money; not expensive
- Citizen – a person who lives in and belongs to a country
- Military – the army; soldiers who protect a country 🪖
- Guard – to protect; to watch something so it stays safe 🛡️
- Ban – to say something is not allowed; to stop people from doing something 🚫
- Reduce – to make something smaller or less; to cut down
- Save energy – to use less power; to not waste electricity or fuel
- Work from home – doing your job at your house instead of an office 🏠
Quiz
Discussion Questions
- The text mentions that many countries are closing schools or universities to save energy. Do you think this is a good solution? Why or why not?
- If fuel prices became very expensive in your city, would you prefer to use public transport or work from home?
- Do you think countries should use less oil and more on green energy (like sun or wind power) to avoid these crises?
- How much does the price of gas or electricity affect your daily life and your spending habits?
- The story says the Middle East is currently “not a reliable partner.” In your opinion, how can a country become more “reliable” in global trade?
- Some countries are banning certain cars from the road to save fuel. If your government did this, how would it change your daily routine?
- 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
One of the _____ important sea routes for trade has been closed for _____ weeks, but U.S. President Trump says it might open _____.
To help the problem, the _____ is lifting oil sanctions on some countries and using _____ emergency oil reserves. Because of this, oil prices fell below $_____ per barrel for a short time.
However, the war _____ and ships are being attacked. Iran says it will stop all oil exports _____ the Middle East if attacks from the US and Israel do not _____.
This is a big problem for Asia. In _____, Asian countries got 59% of their oil from the Middle East. _____, the Middle East is not a reliable partner. A _____ sea route, the Strait of Hormuz, is almost completely _____. This route usually carries _____% of the world’s oil.
Energy experts are worried. They _____ that even if the route opens, it will take a long time for _____ supplies to return to normal. If it stays _____, the world could have a major economic crisis.
_____ Asian countries are already suffering. China and _____ are using their reserve oil or buying oil from other places. Japan is also releasing _____ of barrels of oil to help.
Other countries are also taking difficult _____.
South Korea is limiting fuel _____ for the first time in thirty years.
Thailand is spending _____ of dollars to keep fuel cheap for citizens.
In Bangladesh, the _____ is guarding oil supplies, and universities are _____.
Myanmar has banned many cars _____ the roads.
Pakistan has closed _____ and reduced work days to save energy.
Vietnam is _____ people to work from home.
It is not clear when this _____ will end.
