📚 English Lesson — 20/05/2026
Learn English Through World News
📖 Vocabulary — Key Words from Today's News
| Word | IPA | Meaning (VI) | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| ceasefire | /ˈsiːs.faɪər/ | lệnh ngừng bắn | The U.S.-brokered ceasefire in Gaza is being monitored by the UN. |
| disarm | /dɪsˈɑːrm/ | giải trừ vũ khí | The UNSC will press Hamas to disarm. |
| humanitarian | /hjuːˌmæn.ɪˈteə.ri.ən/ | nhân đạo | Humanitarian aid is critical for Afghanistan. |
| chokepoint | /ˈtʃoʊk.pɔɪnt/ | điểm nghẽn, điểm thắt cổ chai | The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil trade. |
| laureate | /ˈlɔːr.i.ət/ | người đoạt giải | Smiljan Radić is the 2026 Pritzker laureate. |
| competitiveness | /kəmˈpe.tə.tɪv.nəs/ | năng lực cạnh tranh | Draghi's report focuses on European competitiveness. |
| acute | /əˈkjuːt/ | trầm trọng, cấp tính | Acute food insecurity affects millions worldwide. |
📝 Grammar Focus: Passive Voice in News Reporting
Why it matters: News articles frequently use the passive voice to emphasize the action or the recipient rather than the doer.
Structure: Subject + be + past participle (+ by + agent)
Examples from today's news:
- "Smiljan Radić was awarded the 2026 Pritzker Prize." (focus on the person, not the committee)
- "Iran's team was given a state farewell ceremony." (focus on the team)
- "22 million people are expected to face hardship." (focus on the people)
Active vs Passive:
- Active: "The committee awarded Radić the prize."
- Passive: "Radić was awarded the prize (by the committee)."
Tip: In news, the passive voice is preferred when the action is more important than who performed it, or when the agent is unknown/obvious.
✏️ Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct vocabulary word.
1. The __________ in Gaza has reduced violence but tensions remain high.
2. The UN is calling on all armed groups to __________.
3. __________ organizations are struggling to reach those in need.
4. The Strait of Hormuz is a major __________ for global trade.
5. She is a Nobel Peace __________ for her work in conflict resolution.
6. The country is facing __________ food shortages due to the drought.
Exercise 2: Rewrite these sentences in the passive voice.
1. The committee awarded Mario Draghi the Charlemagne Prize.
2. The UN Security Council will press Hamas to disarm.
3. Drought and aid cuts have worsened the humanitarian crisis.
Exercise 3: Reading Comprehension
Read the sentence and answer:
"Nearly three in four Afghans cannot meet basic needs, with 22 million requiring humanitarian assistance."
1. What percentage of Afghans cannot meet basic needs?
2. How many people need humanitarian aid?
3. What factors are mentioned as causes of the crisis?
✅ Answer Key
Exercise 1: 1. ceasefire 2. disarm 3. Humanitarian 4. chokepoint 5. laureate 6. acute
Exercise 2:
1. Mario Draghi was awarded the Charlemagne Prize (by the committee).
2. Hamas will be pressed to disarm (by the UN Security Council).
3. The humanitarian crisis has been worsened (by drought and aid cuts).
Exercise 3:
1. About 75% (three in four).
2. 22 million people.
3. Drought, mass returns, and shrinking international aid.