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People flying in the United States do not have to take off their shoes at the airport anymore. This new rule started on Tuesday.
The old rule for people to take off their shoes began about 20 years ago. It started after a man put a bomb in his shoe and went on an airplane in 2001.
Now, new technology will make security checks faster. People will not wait so long.
Sometimes, officers might ask some people to take off their shoes. This is only if they need to check more.
Other rules are the same. You still need to show your ID. Your bags will still go through a scanner.
The TSA PreCheck program will still be there. You pay money for this program. Then, you do not have to take off your shoes, belt or jacket. You can also keep your laptop in your bag.
The TSA helps make flying safe. It started in 2001. They are looking for new ways to make travel safer.
Vocabulary
- United States – USA; The United States of America; The US
- Airport – A place where airplanes land and take off; a place people go to to travel by airplane ?
- Anymore – no longer; from now on; If you do not do something or something does not happen anymore, you have stopped doing it or it does not now happen
- Rule – A guideline or regulation; sometimes a law; A guide that tells us what we should or shouldn’t do; something we have to do or can’t do
- Begin – start
- Bomb – something dangerous that can explode; ?
- Technology – Tools and machines that help us do things better or easier;
- Security check – When people and their bags are looked at carefully to make sure everyone is safe
- Officer – a person who works to keep people safe, like a police officer or a prison worker.
- Show – To display or present something; to share; to let people see something
- ID – Short for “identification,” like a card or document that proves who you are; Something that shows/says who you are, like a driver’s license or passport
- Scanner – a machine that looks inside things, like bags, clothes, or also people
- Program – project; initiative; a group of activities or things to be achieved; a plan with many parts
- Belt – cloth or leather, that you wear around your waist; something that helps keep your pants up;
- Laptop – a computer that you can carry with you; a computer that you can fold close; notebook PC
Discussion Questions
- Do you think the new rule about not taking off shoes will make flying better? Why or why not?
- How do you feel about new technology helping with airport security? Is it a good idea?
- Do you think it is fair that officers can still ask some people to take off their shoes?
- If you had the choice, would you pay for TSA PreCheck? Why or why not?
- What other rules at the airport do you think should change?
- English teachers looking for teaching ideas, check out my post on using easy news articles for lessons.
- English learners looking for study ideas, check out my post on using news stories for English practice.
Original Story
Fill-in-the-Blank Listening Practice
People _____ in the United States do not have to take off their _____ at the airport anymore. This new rule started on _____ .
The old rule for people to _____ off their shoes began about 20 years ago. It _____ after a man put a bomb in his shoe and went _____ an airplane in 2001.
Now, new technology will _____ security checks faster. People will not _____ so long.
Sometimes, officers _____ ask some people to take off their shoes. _____ is only if they need to check more.
Other rules are the _____ . You still need to show your ID. _____ bags will still go through a scanner.
_____ TSA PreCheck program will still be there. You _____ money for this program. Then, you do not _____ to take off your shoes, belt or jacket. You _____ also keep your laptop in your bag.
The TSA helps _____ flying safe. It started in _____ . They are looking for new ways to make _____ safer.
