Australia's Energy Minister Warns Fuel Prices May Rise Again
Listen to the story
Chris Bowen is Australia's energy minister. He said fuel prices may go up again.
The reason is the fighting in the Middle East. This fighting is getting worse.
Bowen said Australia has a reserve of petrol. This means extra fuel kept for hard times.
Australia has 41 days of petrol in this reserve. This fuel is not for daily use.
The reserve is for emergencies. It can help if there is not enough fuel from other countries.
Many countries buy oil from the Middle East. When there is fighting there, oil prices can go up.
Higher oil prices often mean higher petrol prices for drivers.
People in Australia may need to pay more money for fuel soon.
The government is watching the situation closely.
Bowen gave this warning as part of the news today.
Vocabulary15 words
- energy minister
- a government leader who looks after fuel and power
- reserve
- extra supply kept for later use
- petrol
- fuel used in cars
- conflict
- fighting between groups or countries
- strategic
- planned carefully for important reasons
- escalating
- getting bigger or worse
- supply
- amount of something available to use
- emergency
- a sudden serious problem
- government
- the group that runs a country
- minister
- an important government worker
- warning
- telling people about a possible problem
- situation
- what is happening now
- drivers
- people who drive cars
- oil
- a liquid used to make fuel
- country
- a nation with its own government
Quiz
Answer key
1. Australia's energy minister 2. Because of the conflict in the Middle East 3. 41 days
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Chris Bowen is Australia's _____ minister.
He said fuel prices may go up _____.
The reason is the fighting in the _____ East.
This fighting is getting _____.
Bowen said Australia has a _____ of petrol.
Australia has _____ days of petrol in this reserve.
The reserve is for _____.
Many countries buy _____ from the Middle East.
Higher oil prices often mean higher _____ prices.
The government is watching the _____ closely.
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