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TechnologyPolitics163 words1 min read

War in Ukraine Pushes Countries to Bury Key Technology

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Listen to the story

The war in Ukraine is changing how people think about safety. Many important systems, like power and internet, can be attacked in a war. Now, some people want to put these systems underground.

This kind of important system is called infrastructure. It includes things like power lines, internet cables, and water pipes. These things are vital. This means people need them every day.

In a war, buildings and systems above the ground can be hit. But systems under the ground are safer. They are hard to see and hard to attack.

The war in Ukraine has shown how easy it is to damage infrastructure. Because of this, some countries now think about protecting their systems better.

Putting infrastructure underground costs more money. But it can make a country safer. Many experts now say this idea is important for the future.

This story shows how war can change ideas about safety and technology, even in other countries far from the fighting.

Vocabulary15 words

underground
below the ground; not on top
infrastructure
big systems a country needs, like power or water
vital
very important; needed
protecting
keeping something safe
attacked
hit or hurt by an enemy
systems
groups of things that work together
safety
being safe; not in danger
power
electricity
cables
long wires that carry electricity or information
pipes
long tubes that carry water
damage
harm or break something
experts
people who know a lot about something
war
fighting between countries
future
time that has not happened yet
safer
more safe; less danger

Quiz

1. What has the war in Ukraine made people think about?
2. Why is underground infrastructure safer?
3. True or False: Vital infrastructure includes things like power and water.

Fill-in-the-blank listening

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

The war in Ukraine is changing how people think about _____. Many important systems, like power and internet, can be attacked in a war. Now, some people want to put these systems _____.

This kind of important system is called _____. It includes things like power lines, internet _____, and water _____. These things are _____. This means people need them every day.

In a war, buildings and systems above the ground can be hit. But systems under the ground are _____. They are hard to see and hard to attack.

The war in Ukraine has shown how easy it is to _____ infrastructure. Because of this, some countries now think about _____ their systems better.

Putting infrastructure underground costs more money. But it can make a country safer. Many _____ now say this idea is important for the future.

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