Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. monitor (n.) [mon-i-ter] – someone who checks or observes something
Example: Time monitors make sure the workers follow
the schedule.
2. ceasefire (n.) [sees-fahyuhr] – an agreement to stop fighting temporarily
2. ceasefire (n.) [sees-fahyuhr] – an agreement to stop fighting temporarily
Example: Both forces agreed to
a ceasefire so they can talk about a
peaceful end to the war.
3. mediator (n.) [mee-dee-ey-ter] – one who helps settle conflict between two parties
Example: Teachers must serve as
mediators when there are fights
between their students.
4. ambush (v.) [am-boosh] – to attack by surprise or without any warning
Example: Guards prevent the
enemy from ambushing the camp.
5. verify (v.) [ver-uh-fahy] – to prove a claim to be true and correct using an evidence
Example: Applicants must
present their IDs to verify their
identities.
Article
Read the text below.
Last month, United
Nations peace monitors arrived in
Syria amid civil war and violence that continue in the country despite the
government’s promise of a ceasefire.
International mediator Kofi Annan had asked the
government for a ceasefire as part of a six-point peace plan for Syria. The
plan aims to stop violence in the country caused by fighting between
government and rebel armies.
U.N. peace monitors
have been assigned to check if the ceasefire is being followed as well as to begin
peacekeeping activities.
However, on April
15, bombings started by government troops were reported in the city of Homs, while
the first group of peace monitors was entering the country.
The same day, government-controlled
TV reported that rebel terrorists had ambushed
government soldiers in the province of Idlib.
The Syrian
government has so far said all killings are due to “terrorist groups” that
wish to take down President Bashar al-Assad from power. But whether the
government is telling the truth cannot be verified because international journalists have been denied
access to the country.
According to Syrian
government TV, the ceasefire from the government’s side has led to more
terrorist activity. The report said the government will have to fight back to
protect Syrian people.
Meanwhile, U.N.
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon warned that the government must still commit to
its promise of ceasefire.
Around 300 peace
monitors will be entering the country to continue the U.N.’s support to end
the Syrian conflict. The U.N. estimates that government forces have already
killed more than 9,000 people since the violence began last year.
|
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
·
Is war the best solution to end terrorism?
Please explain your answer.
·
Can you think of a way how terrorism can be
ended in countries like Syria?
Discussion B
·
Why is the United Nations organization
important?
·
Should other countries be involved in the
conflict happening within one nation? Why or why not?