Practice English with NewsPractice with News
PoliticsBusiness152 words1 min read

Bridge Over the Strait of Messina Faces 100 Conditions Before Work Can Start

0:00 / 0:00

Listen to the story

Italy wants to build a big bridge over the Strait of Messina. The bridge will connect Sicily to the mainland.

But officials found many problems. They gave 100 conditions for the project. This means the builders must fix many things first.

The officials said some studies about the bridge are old. Old studies may not show the real risks today.

There are worries about earthquakes in the area. The Strait of Messina is a place with seismic risk. This means earthquakes can happen there.

Officials also said the materials for the bridge need a new check. This means people must look at them again.

Mr. Ciucci works on the project. He said the recommendations are already in the final plan. This plan is called the executive project.

People wanted a ceremony with a first stone. This ceremony shows a project is starting. But now this may not happen soon.

Vocabulary15 words

bridge
a structure that lets people cross water or a valley
conditions
things you must do before something can happen
studies
careful work to learn facts about something
earthquakes
sudden shaking of the ground
seismic risk
the danger of earthquakes in a place
materials
things used to build something
recommendations
advice about what to do
plan
a detailed idea for building something
first stone
a special stone placed to start a big building project
officials
people who work for the government
project
a big piece of work with a goal
check
to look at something carefully
connect
to join two places together
mainland
the main large land of a country
ceremony
a special event for an important moment

Quiz

1. What did officials give for the bridge project?
2. What worry do officials have about the area?
3. True or False: The first-stone ceremony has already happened.

Fill-in-the-blank listening

Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.

Italy wants to build a big _____ over the Strait of Messina.

The bridge will connect Sicily to the _____.

Officials gave 100 _____ for the project.

The officials said some _____ about the bridge are old.

There are worries about _____ in the area.

The Strait of Messina is a place with _____.

Officials also said the _____ for the bridge need a new check.

Mr. Ciucci said the _____ are already in the final plan.

This plan is called the executive _____.

People wanted a _____ with a first stone.

More Politics stories