Attacks on Ships Continue Near Strait of Hormuz
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A container ship has sunk near the Strait of Hormuz, as attacks on merchant vessels in the region continue to multiply.
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow stretch of water between Iran and Oman that connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the wider ocean.
It is one of the most important shipping lanes in the world, since a large part of global oil supplies passes through it.
In addition to the sinking, an oil tanker has caught fire in the Gulf of Oman.
Iran's military announced the fire, though details about the cause remain unclear.
These events are part of a growing series of attacks on merchant ships travelling through or near the strait.
The identity of those responsible for the attacks has not been confirmed in the available reports.
Because of the rising danger, shipping companies are now paying crews much higher wages to sail through Hormuz.
This kind of extra payment is sometimes known as 'danger money', given for work that involves serious personal risk.
Sailors who agree to cross the strait can earn significantly more than usual for the journey.
The situation highlights how important, yet fragile, this narrow waterway is for international trade.
Any disruption to traffic through Hormuz can have a direct effect on global oil prices.
Authorities and shipping firms are closely monitoring the area as the attacks continue.
No official count of total incidents was given in the available information.
Vocabulary9 words
- container ship
- a large ship built to carry goods in big metal boxes
- Strait of Hormuz
- a narrow sea passage between Iran and Oman
- shipping lanes
- usual sea routes that ships follow
- oil tanker
- a ship built to carry large amounts of oil
- merchant ships
- ships used to carry and sell goods
- crews
- the group of people working on a ship
- danger money
- extra pay given for doing risky work
- disruption
- something that stops a normal process
- monitoring
- watching something carefully over time
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Quiz
Answer key
1. A container ship sinking and a tanker catching fire 2. A large part of global oil supplies passes through it 3. Because the journey through Hormuz is risky
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A container ship has sunk near the _____, as attacks on merchant vessels continue to multiply.
The strait connects the _____ to the Gulf of Oman and the wider ocean.
It is one of the most important _____ in the world.
A large part of global _____ supplies passes through it.
An oil tanker has caught _____ in the Gulf of Oman.
Iran's _____ announced the fire.
These events are part of a growing series of _____ on merchant ships.
Shipping companies are now paying _____ much higher wages to sail through Hormuz.
This kind of extra payment is sometimes known as '_____ money'.
Any _____ to traffic through Hormuz can affect global oil prices.
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