AUTHENTIC NEWS

(26th February 2024)

Part 1: Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfWlB4mGcr8

For questions 1– 10, listen to a piece of news report and complete the following passage with
the missing phrases or words. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS taken from the
recording for each blank. Write your answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided.

Jury selection has started in the criminal trial of “Rust” (1) _ film amorer___________
Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. Gutierrez-Reed, who was responsible for the film’s weapons is on trial

for (2) _ involuntary manslaughter___________ and tampering with evidence

for (3) allegedly handing off_____________ a bag of cocaine to a friend after the
shooting. “I can’t believe Alec Baldwin was holding the gun.” It’s been over two years since the

deadly shooting when actor Alec Baldwin fired a (4) _ prop gun___________, loaded with
live ammunition, killing (5) _ cinematographer___________ Halyna Hutchins and
injuring director Joel Souza. “I didn’t pull the trigger. Someone is responsible for what happened
and I can’t say who that is. But I know it was not me.” Alec Baldwin will stand trial this summer

after a (6) grand jury indicted____________ him on one count of involuntary

manslaughter. He has pleaded not guilty. “So here’s the box that I got them out of…” Gutierrez-

Reed’s (7) attorney ____________telling NBC News she is ready for her day in court and
looks forward to the full truth finally coming out. She is not guilty of the crimes charged against

her. Evidence presented at the trial could include (8) _ videos exclusively
obtained___________ by NBC News in November. As well as text messages, (9)

prosecutors ____________say showed Gutierrez-Reed was using alcohol and drugs

after work, including the night before the fatal shooting. If convicted, Gutierrez-Reed faces three

years in prison. All eyes are now on whether Reed herself will take the stand in (10) her
own defense____________ .
Your answer:

1
 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Part 2:

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgRAvRWJl3o

For questions 11– 15, listen to a news report about the arrest of an American actress in Russia
and decide whether the statements are True (T) or False (F). Write your answers in the
corresponding numbered boxes provided.

11. According to US officials -> Russian authorities, Zseniya Karelina was incarcerated
following her act of treason for supporting Ukraine. FALSE
12. Karelina was apprehended in the same Russian town where American reporter Evan
Gershkovich was captured earlier this month. NOT GIVEN Karelina was arrested earlier
this month, but the time when Evan Gershkovic was arrested/ apprehended was not
mentioned
13. A Russian court drew out Evan Gershkovich’s pretrial detention for allegations of
espionage conduct. TRUE
14. Russian prison service claimed that Navalny passed away after losing consciousness
following a walk. TRUE
15. A US official states that President Biden will join a meeting of G7 leaders in person on
Saturday, which coincides with the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of
Ukraine. FALSE

Your answer:

11. 12. 13. 14. 15.

Transcript:

This is Zseniya Karelina, a 33-year-old ballerina who lives in Los Angeles and is a
Russian duel National. Tonight, authorities in Russia said they’ve detained her on
suspicion of treason for allegedly donating money to support Ukraine. “We are
seeking consular assistance that has not yet been granted.” Russia's Federal Security
Service released this video apparently showing Karelina being led into a courtroom.
“She is not safe there and if we do not help her, so she will spend the rest of her life
2
in jail.” Karelina was initially arrested earlier this month in the same Russian town
where American reporter Evan Gershkovich was captured. Today a Russian court
extended his pretrial detention for allegations of spying which he strongly denied. It
all comes as The White House prepares to announce new sanctions against Russia
following the mysterious death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
“We’ll have a major package announced on Friday.” The Biden administration is
pushing for complete transparency as the Russian prison service says 47-year-old
Navalny died last week in a penal colony after losing consciousness following a
walk. He was serving a sentence of more than 30 years on charges of extremism
and fraud which he denied. The day before, Navalny had looked healthy during this
court proceeding, his wife and mother now demanding Russia return his body.
“Make no mistake! Putin is responsible for Navalny's death.” A US official now
says that President Biden will join a virtual meeting of G7 leaders on Saturday, the
second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Keys & explanations:

11. F 12. NOT GIVEN 13. T

14. T 15. F

11. False:
According to Russian authorities, not the US officials
Karelina was only suspected of committing treason ( “following her act of treason”:
literally means she has done it in real life and was detained because of it)

12. NOT GIVEN

13. True

14. True

3
15. False: President Biden will join a virtual meeting of G7 leaders, not (in person
= physically join the meeting)

Part 3:
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UohzbdwEQGQ

Part 3:

For questions 16– 25, listen to a news report about U.S. opposition to Gaza’s ceasefire Security
Council resolution and complete the following summary with the missing phrases or words.
Write NO MORE THAN FOUR WORDS taken from the recording for each blank. Write your
answers in the corresponding numbered boxes provided.
As an act of supporting Israel, a widely approved (16) ____________ has been (17)
____________ by the US, resulting in a call for an immediate ceasefire.
Instead, the proposal of a (18) ____________ warrants a temporary ceasefire as part of (19)
____________.
Nevertheless, this (20) ____________ has unsuccessfully put an end to the war for Gaza’s most at
risk.
According to the UN’s estimation, 50. 000 women are pregnant in Gaza, with nearly 180 babies
born daily.
30-year-old Salma Hajaj in Rafah is eight months pregnant with no (21) ____________, no
vitamins, no fruits, no vegetables, and even no clean water.
Close by, Meariam Alhore, who walked out of the hospital just 2 hours after birth, is (22)
____________ Brazan. She says. “They’ve terminated our motherhood”.
Being interviewed in the (23) ____________, doctor Najev Salama says that where labor starts
poses the greatest threat.
Additionally, with (24) ____________ and pain medications, infections are almost unavoidable.
“How dangerous in your assessment is it to be pregnant in Gaza today?” Replied Najev Salama:
“Always be concerned about your pregnancy by providing yourself and your baby with the best
medical services.”
The same scenario continues at the Emirati maternity hospital in Rafah, with four lucky babies to
an (25) ____________.

Your answer:

16. UN 17. vetoed 18. rival draft 19. hostage 20. diplomatic
Security negotiations wrangling
Council
Resolution

21. prenatal 22. rocking 23. occupied 24. extreme 25. incubator
care 15- day-old West bank shortages of

4
 antibiotics