Upper-Intermediate - Protest! (D0018)

 Upper-Intermediate - Protest! (D0018)

A: This is Action 5 News reporter Sarah O’Connell reporting live from Washington, D. C. where a

protest has broken out. Thousands of angry citizens are protesting against the proposed bailout

of the auto manufacturing industry! Sir, sir, Sarah O’Connell, Action 5 news. Can you tell us what’s

happening?

B: Yeah, yeah, we’re here because we feel this is an injustice! The financial irresponsibility of big

business has to stop! We’re there to show the government that we don’t like the way that they’re

spending our tax dollars!

A: Sir but what exactly is making everyone so angry?

B: It’s an absolute outrage, Sarah, the US government wants to give 25 billion dollars of taxpayers’

money to the auto industry. These are companies that have been mismanaged and are now nearly

bankrupt.

A: I see. But, many supporters of the bailout argue that it could help save the jobs of millions of hardworking Americans.

B: That maybe true, and I for one don’t want to see anyone lose their job, but how can these CEOs

ask for a bailout when they’re making millions of dollars? And then, they have the nerve to fly to

Washington in private jets! This costs hundreds of thousands of dollars! And they’re asking for

money! That is just not right!

A: Good point. This is Sarah O’Connell reporting live from Washington D. C., back to you, Tom.

Key Vocabulary

protest 

Noun (singular)

an event where people gather together to show disapproval of something

break out 

Verb,Present Perfect

start suddenly

bailout 

Noun (singular)

the act of saving a company form money problems

injustice 

Noun (singular)

an unfair situation 

outrage 

Noun (singular)

something that is morally wrong

mismanage 

Verb, Present Perfect

manage badly

have the nerve 

Phrase 

dare to

Supplementary Vocabulary

Pronoun

placard Noun (singular)

sign people hold at protests, usually a piece of cardboard on a stick

rally 

Noun (singular)

public meeting in support or opposition of something

demonstration 

Noun (singular)

event where people gather together to show that they support or oppose something

demonstrators 

Noun (plural)

people who go to a demonstration or protest

opponent 

Noun (singular)

a person who opposes something or someone 

proponent 

Noun (singular)

person who supports someone or something