Colombia Says No to Foreign Rescue Teams After Earthquake
Listen to the story
There was a big earthquake in Colombia. Many buildings fell down. One family escaped their house just before it had a landslide. This means earth and rocks fell down fast.
Other countries wanted to send rescue teams to help. Colombia said no. The government did not accept the help.
The city of Cali is very worried. People cannot sleep. They are afraid of aftershocks. Aftershocks are small earthquakes after a big one.
Many people in Cali are looking for their family. They do not know if their family is safe. One person said, "People are looking for somewhere to go."
This means many people left their homes. Their homes are not safe now. They need a new place to sleep.
Vocabulary15 words
- earthquake
- when the ground shakes hard
- landslide
- when rocks and earth fall down a hill fast
- rescue
- help to save people in danger
- aftershocks
- small shakes after a big earthquake
- afraid
- feeling fear
- collapse
- when something falls down suddenly
- disaster
- a very bad event that hurts people
- government
- the people who run a country
- damage
- harm done to something
- sleep
- to rest with closed eyes at night
- worried
- feeling bad about a problem
- family
- people related to you
- help
- to do something good for someone
- accept
- to say yes to something
- safe
- not in danger
Quiz
Answer key
1. A big earthquake 2. It said no to the help 3. They are afraid of aftershocks
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
There was a big _____ in Colombia. Many buildings fell down. One family escaped their house just before it had a _____.
Other countries wanted to send _____ teams to help. Colombia said no. The government did not accept the help.
The city of Cali is very worried. People cannot sleep. They are afraid of _____.
Many people in Cali are looking for their _____. They do not know if their family is safe.
This means many people left their _____. Their homes are not safe now.