Suez Canal: Delays continue: BBC News Review

Summary

In this episode of BBC Learning English's News Review, Tom and Catherine discuss a significant issue in Egypt’s Suez Canal, where the Ever Given ship became stuck, causing delays in global shipping. They explore the vocabulary surrounding this story, including the words 'stricken', 'budges', and 'stretches'. 'Stricken' refers to something or someone severely affected by problems, 'budges' means to move or shift, and 'stretches' refers to something becoming longer than usual, often used in the context of time. The episode also explains common idiomatic expressions and provides viewers with a quiz for further learning.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Suez Canal is experiencing significant delays due to the Ever Given ship being stuck since March 23rd, causing disruptions in one of the busiest shipping routes in the world.
• 😀 The efforts to free the ship are ongoing, but experts predict that the canal may remain closed for some time.
• 😀 The word 'stricken' is used to describe something or someone seriously affected by problems, like the Ever Given ship being stuck or people stricken with grief or disease.
• 😀 'Stricken' can be applied to people, animals, and things, often with negative connotations, indicating serious, overwhelming problems.
• 😀 The word 'budge' refers to movement and is used informally to describe things that move or, conversely, things that won't move, such as a stubborn object or a person refusing to change their stance.
• 😀 A common phrase with 'budge' is 'won't budge an inch,' meaning someone is unwilling to change their position or opinion, often used in contexts like negotiations or debates.
• 😀 The phrase 'a bit of a stretch' refers to something that is unlikely, difficult, or out of the ordinary, often used to describe an implausible situation.
• 😀 'Stretch' can be a verb meaning to make something longer, like stretching muscles or clothing. It can also refer to time, such as when a situation extends longer than expected.
• 😀 The ship’s location in a 'stretch of water' (the Suez Canal) is also a play on the word 'stretch,' which refers to a body of water.
• 😀 The script emphasizes that the words 'stricken,' 'budges,' and 'stretches' are useful in everyday language to describe serious problems, movement (or lack thereof), and extending durations or physical length.
• 😀 The BBC Learning English program encourages viewers to test their vocabulary knowledge through a quiz and highlights their presence on social media.

Q & A

What major event in Egypt is discussed in the news story?

The news story discusses the Ever Given, a large ship that got stuck in the Suez Canal on March 23rd, causing delays in one of the world's busiest shipping routes.

What does the term 'stricken' mean in the context of the Suez Canal incident?

'Stricken' refers to something that is badly affected or in a very bad condition. In this case, the ship is 'stricken' because it is stuck and unable to move, which is a serious problem.

Can 'stricken' be used for people and emotions? Give an example.

Yes, 'stricken' can be used for people and emotions. For example, someone can be 'stricken by poverty' or 'stricken with grief' to describe a person severely affected by these conditions.

What does the word 'budges' mean, and how is it used in everyday language?

'Budges' is a verb meaning to move. It is commonly used informally. For example, when asking someone to make space, one might say 'Budge up!' or 'Budge over!'

How is the word 'budge' used in a figurative sense?

In a figurative sense, 'budge' is used to describe someone who refuses to change their position or opinion. For example, a politician might 'refuse to budge' on a decision.

What does the phrase 'won't budge an inch' mean?

The phrase 'won't budge an inch' means that someone is not willing to change their mind or move from their position, indicating stubbornness.

What is the significance of the word 'stretches' in the context of the Suez Canal situation?

'Stretches' refers to time becoming longer than normal. In this case, the situation in the Suez Canal is 'stretching' as the ship remains stuck, causing delays.

Why is the word 'stretch' also used to describe a body of water?

'Stretch' is also used as a noun to describe a body of water, such as a river or canal. The term 'stretch of water' is relevant here because the ship is stuck in the Suez Canal, a body of water.

What does the expression 'a bit of a stretch' mean?

'A bit of a stretch' refers to something that is unlikely, difficult, or out of the ordinary. For example, if someone suggests something that seems hard to believe, you might say, 'That's a bit of a stretch.'

How can the audience test their understanding of the vocabulary from the show?

The audience can test their understanding of the vocabulary by taking a quiz available on the BBC Learning English website at bbclearningenglish.com.