Iran Internet Access Restored After Months-Long Blackout

Internet access has started to be restored in Iran after being cut off almost three months ago, the country's first vice-president has said. The shutdown was imposed following US and Israeli attacks on February 28, and authorities had described it as a national security measure. Some citizens report being able to reconnect via home WiFi, though access remains tightly controlled and inconsistent across the country.

Paris Sweats Under Record May Heatwave

Paris saw a record high temperature of 42.6°C (108.7°F) on Thursday, amid a heatwave that broke records across Western Europe. The extreme heat is attributed to a heat dome trapping hot air from Morocco under high pressure. Authorities have warned of health risks, with schools and the Eiffel Tower closing during peak alerts.

Ukraine Gains Edge in War Against Russia, Think Tank Says

Ukraine may have turned the tide of Russian territorial gains, according to a recent analysis by a prominent think tank. The Institute for the Study of War reported a progressive slowing of the Russian advance by at least two-thirds over the past 18 months. Ukrainian forces have reportedly destroyed significant amounts of Russian armored vehicles while sustaining lower losses themselves.

Grammar Point 1: Passive Voice

The passive voice is used when the focus is on the action and not on who or what is performing the action. Structure: subject + be + past participle

Examples from the text:

• Internet access has started to be restored in Iran...

(Focus is on the internet access being restored, not on who is restoring it)

• The shutdown was imposed following US and Israeli attacks...

(Focus is on the shutdown being imposed, not on who imposed it)

Grammar Point 2: Modal Verbs for Speculation

Modal verbs like may, might, could are used to express possibility or uncertainty.

Examples from the text:

• Internet access has started to be restored... Some citizens report being able to reconnect...
• Ukraine may have turned the tide of Russian territorial gains...
• The deal could include the release of blocked Iranian assets...

Grammar Point 3: Present Perfect vs Past Simple

Present perfect (have/has + past participle) is used for actions that started in the past and continue to the present, or for past actions with present relevance. Past simple is used for completed actions at a specific time in the past.

Examples from the text:

• Internet access has started to be restored... (action began in past and continues)
• The shutdown was imposed following US and Israeli attacks on February 28... (specific past time)
• Paris saw a record high temperature... (specific completed action)

Vocabulary Exercises (Choose the best answer)

1. The government announced that internet access would be ______ after months of blackout.
   1. restricted
   2. restored
   3. destroyed
   <
   4. removed
2. The heatwave effects were ______ across different regions of the country.
   1. consistent
   2. constant
   3. inconsistent
   4. persistent
3. The extreme heat was ______ to a high-pressure system trapping hot air.
   1. contributed
   2. attributed
   3. distributed
   <
   4. attached
4. Analysts observed a ______ slowing of the Russian advance over 18 months.
   1. progressive
   2. regressive
   3. aggressive
   4. expressive
5. Both countries agreed to discuss a ______ for ending the conflict.
   1. framework
   2. foundation
   3. facility
   4. formation

Grammar Exercises

1. Identify the correct passive voice sentence:
   1. The government restored internet access.
   2. Internet access was restored by the government.
   3. The government has been restoring internet access.
   4. Internet access restoring has been done.
2. Choose the correct modal verb for speculation:
   1. Ukraine ______ have gained an advantage in the conflict. (possibility)
   2. must
   3. should
   4. may
   5. will
3. Select the correct tense:
   1. The shutdown ______ (impose) in January. (past simple)
   2. was imposed
   3. has been imposed
   4. is imposed
   5. will be imposed
4. Identify the present perfect usage:
   1. Internet access ______ (start) to be restored. (action continuing to present)
   2. started
   3. has started
   4. was starting
   5. starts
5. Choose the correct sentence structure:
   1. Some citizens report ______ (be able) to reconnect via home WiFi.
   2. being able
   3. to be able
   4. have been able
   5. were able

Reading Comprehension Exercises

1. What caused the internet blackout in Iran according to the text?
   1. Economic sanctions
   2. US and Israeli attacks
   3. Internal political protests
   4. Technical infrastructure failure
2. What temperature record did Paris set according to the article?
   1. 31.9°C
   2. 34.8°C
   3. 42.6°C
   4. 35.0°C
3. What does the Institute for the Study of War report about the Russian advance?
   1. It has doubled in speed
   2. It has stopped completely
   3. It has slowed by at least two-thirds
   4. It has increased by 50%
4. What is part of the discussed framework between the US and Iran?
   1. Increasing military presence in the Strait of Hormuz
   2. Maintaining the naval blockade indefinitely
   3. Ensuring safe transit in the Strait of Hormuz
   4. Blocking all Iranian oil exports
5. According to meteorologists, what is happening to heat events in Europe?
   1. They are becoming less frequent
   2. They are becoming more frequent, intense, and earlier
   3. They are staying the same
   4. They are only occurring in summer months

Vocabulary Answers

1. B
2. C
3. B
4. A
5. A

Grammar Answers

1. B
2. C
3. A
4. B
5. A

Reading Comprehension Answers

1. B
2. C
3. C
4. C
5. B