Part 1: Reading

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio shake hands
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a symbolic handshake, highlighting continued cooperation between NATO and the United States on global security issues.

Greenlanders protest against Trump outside new US consulate
Protesters in Greenland gathered outside the newly opened US consulate, chanting "No means no" to oppose former President Donald Trump's previous interest in acquiring the autonomous territory.

Ukraine uses AI and interceptors to drone-proof its skies
After years of Russian air attacks, Ukraine is deploying AI-powered systems and interceptor drones to defend its airspace, aiming to counter increasingly sophisticated aerial threats.

US court dismisses criminal charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia
A federal judge in Maryland dismissed criminal charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was accused of human trafficking, citing insufficient evidence and procedural concerns in the case.

Uganda health officials screen for Ebola amid regional outbreak concerns
Health workers in Uganda are using thermometers to screen passersby near hospitals in Kampala as a precautionary measure, reflecting ongoing vigilance against potential Ebola spread in East Africa.

Part 2: Vocabulary

Part 3: Grammar

1. Present Perfect Tense for Recent News
We use the present perfect tense to talk about recent news events that happened at an unspecified time before now. The exact time is not important.
Examples from the text:
- "NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio"
- "Ukraine has been deploying AI-powered systems"
- "Health workers in Uganda have been using thermometers"

2. Passive Voice for News Reporting
The passive voice is often used in news reporting when the focus is on the action or the recipient of the action rather than who performed it.
Examples from the text:
- "charges were dismissed by a federal judge"
- "the consulate was opened recently"
- "AI-powered systems are being deployed"

3. Relative Clauses for Adding Information
Relative clauses (who, which, that) are used to add extra information about a noun without starting a new sentence.
Examples from the text:
- "Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was accused of human trafficking"
- "the newly opened US consulate, which is located in Greenland"
- "thermometers, which are used to screen passersby"

Part 4: Exercises

Vocabulary Exercises (Questions 1-5)

Choose the best word to complete each sentence:

1. The two leaders showed their _______ by shaking hands during the summit.
   1. conflict
   2. cooperation
   3. competition
   4. confusion
2. The protest was _______, meaning it represented the people's opposition to the policy.
   1. symbolic
   2. sympathetic
   3. symptomatic
   4. systematic
3. Ukraine is _______ new defense systems along its border.
   1. destroying
   2. deploying
   3. denying
   4. delaying
4. The judge _______ the case due to lack of evidence.
   1. delayed
   2. debated
   3. dismissed
   4. defended
5. Health officials are maintaining _______ to prevent disease outbreaks.
   1. vacancy
   2. vagueness
   3. vigilance
   4. vanity

Grammar Exercises (Questions 6-10)

Choose the correct grammatical form:

1. The news about the protest _______ (spread) quickly on social media.
   1. has spread
   2. had spread
   3. was spreading
   4. is spreading
2. The consulate _______ (open) last week and has already received visitors.
   1. was opened
   2. has opened
   3. is opened
   4. opens
3. Kilmar Abrego Garcia, _______ (accuse) of human trafficking, was released.
   1. accusing
   2. accused
   3. who accuses
   4. who was accused
4. Thermometers _______ (use) to check for fever symptoms.
   1. are used
   2. were used
   3. using
   4. use
5. After years of conflict, Ukraine _______ (strengthen) its defenses.
   1. has been strengthening
   2. had strengthened
   3. was strengthening
   4. is strengthening

Reading Comprehension (Questions 11-15)

Answer based on the reading passage:

1. What was the purpose of the meeting between NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio?
   1. To discuss trade agreements
   2. To highlight continued cooperation on global security issues
   3. To negotiate a military alliance
   4. To plan a joint military exercise
2. Why were protesters in Greenland gathered outside the US consulate?
   1. To celebrate the opening of the consulate
   2. To apply for US visas
   3. To oppose former President Trump's interest in acquiring Greenland
   4. To request humanitarian aid
3. What is Ukraine using to defend its airspace against Russian attacks?
   1. Only traditional fighter jets
   2. AI-powered systems and interceptor drones
   3. Ground-to-air missiles only
   4. Electronic jamming devices
4. Why did the federal judge dismiss the charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia?
   1. Because he proved his innocence
   2. Due to insufficient evidence and procedural concerns
   3. Because the statute of limitations expired
   4. As part of a plea bargain
5. What precautionary measure are health workers in Uganda taking regarding Ebola?
   1. Vaccinating the entire population
   2. Closing all hospitals in Kampala
   3. Using thermometers to screen passersby near hospitals
   4. Distributing free medicine to everyone

Part 5: Answer Key

Vocabulary Answers

1. b) cooperation
2. a) symbolic
3. b) deploying
4. c) dismissed
5. c) vigilance

Grammar Answers

6. a) has spread
7. a) was opened
8. d) who was accused
9. a) are used
10. a) has been strengthening

Reading Comprehension Answers

11. b) To highlight continued cooperation on global security issues
12. c) To oppose former President Trump's interest in acquiring Greenland
13. b) AI-powered systems and interceptor drones
14. b) Due to insufficient evidence and procedural concerns
15. c) Using thermometers to screen passersby near hospitals