LINGUAWIRE
Oil ships caught fire near Iran, and Democrats won control of the US House.
A current English news story adapted for language learners at A1, with audio, transcript, vocabulary and comprehension work.
Welcome to LinguaWire.
Today: tanker fires near Iran, and Democrats win the US House.
To help you follow today's episode, full transcripts and vocabulary look-ups are available at linguawire.com.
First, fires on oil tankers near Iran.
With us is Liam, LinguaWire's correspondent for security.
Hello, Daniel. Iranian forces said at least five oil tankers were damaged.
They said the ships caught fire.
The incidents happened near the Strait of Hormuz.
What did Iran say caused the fires?
Iranian forces said several tankers struck naval mines.
One large tanker caught fire south of the strait.
It then stopped moving.
Another very large tanker caught fire while leaving the strait.
A tugboat went to help that tanker.
Iranian forces said the tugboat also caught fire.
Were there more fires later?
Yes, Daniel. Iran's army reported three more tanker fires.
It said these ships also struck naval mines.
The incidents were east of the Strait of Hormuz.
Why is this route important for many countries?
The strait is an important route for oil ships.
Normally, about one-fifth of world oil use passes there.
Iran has greatly limited ship traffic since late February.
The United States and Israel are at war with Iran.
Iran said ships will remain in danger during the war.
Was there also an attack near Qatar?
Yes. The British military reported an attack on a tanker.
It said two projectiles hit the ship.
The ship was about 93 kilometres north of Qatar.
Nobody immediately said they carried out that attack.
Do officials know how many ships are attacked?
British officials said many ships now refuse to report attacks.
They said the true number is hard to know.
Thank you, Liam.
Now, Democrats win control of the US House.
With us is Sophie, LinguaWire's correspondent for politics.
Hello, Daniel. Democrats won control of the House of Representatives.
They won key races across the country.
Some races still have no final result.
What was at stake in this election?
All 435 House seats were up for election.
Democrats had 214 seats before the vote.
They won seats Republicans held before.
Where did Democrats win important races?
They won in battleground areas across the country.
These included North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
They also won races in Michigan and New York.
They won in Ohio, Kentucky, and Colorado too.
What worried many voters?
Many voters were worried about the cost of living.
Eighty-nine percent called it a major issue.
President Trump's approval rating was 38 percent.
What happens when the new Congress starts?
Democrats will control the House in January.
Hakeem Jeffries leads the House Democrats.
He expects at least 255 Democratic seats.
He said Democrats have not discussed removing Trump from office.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson will not run for minority leader.
Thank you, Sophie.
Part one: vocabulary.
Seat.
A seat is a position in an elected group; in the story, “All 435 House seats were up for election.”
My town has one seat on the council.
Race.
A race is an election for a position; in the story, “They won key races across the country.”
She is in a race for mayor.
Issue.
An issue is an important problem or topic; in the story, “Eighty-nine percent called it a major issue.”
Clean water is an important issue.
Part two: the grammar.
Past simple of “win”.
Use “won” for a victory that happened and finished in the past.
“Win” becomes “won”.
In the story, “Democrats won control of the House of Representatives.”
My team won the game yesterday.
Repeat after me: Democrats won control of the House of Representatives.
English news for learners · English podcast · English Coursebook · English level test · Today's episodes · How it works · Podcast and video · Programme · News · Coursebook · Level check · For students and exams · Weekly crossword · Enrol