Please note that the materials I create have a pedagogical, not political, purpose, and that the texts or speeches I use do not necessarily reflect my actual views.
Warm-up
I’ve created an easy crossword for you to help activate relevant vocabulary.
Brainstorming
Spend a couple of minutes writing every relevant term you can think of on a piece of paper.
Here are some of the terms that occurred to me.
vulnerability
trauma
safe haven
resilience
refugee
reconstruction
NGOs
shelter
raise money
deliver aid
rebuild communities
camp
displacement
human dignity
humanitarian corridor
access
disaster management
aid agencies
human rights
international cooperation
support
aid
Now see if you can tackle the gap filling exercise. The aim is to find words or phrases that are grammatically correct and plausible, even if they are not exactly what was written in the original.
Gap filling exercise
The text of today’s gap filling exercise is an abridged version of a speech by Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, at the International Humanitarian Conference for the Civilian Population in Gaza (Paris, 9 November 2023).
I want to ___________ my sincere thanks to President Macron for ___________ this conference today on the______________humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The attendance under his leadership of such a broad range of Member States reflects the ____________ of the situation.
The devastating and growing civilian ___________ of this conflict is as distressing as it is unconscionable.
Over the past few weeks, I have engaged with various leaders, partners, and interlocutors to _____________humanitarian efforts and ____________ access. I have been to Egypt, Israel, and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. I have met with the families of some of the Israeli hostages and spoken to families in Gaza.
The situation is _____________. To allow it to continue would be a _______________.
Allow me here to share some thoughts on what needs to happen urgently to avoid that ______________.
First: We must have complete respect – by all parties – for international humanitarian law and basic human _____________. This means that civilians must be protected, and their essential needs met, wherever they are in Gaza.
On behalf of the humanitarian community that I represent, I can tell you that we have serious concerns: Concerns about the safety of civilians in any so-called safe zones if there is no agreement between all the parties on their establishment.
Concerns that satisfactory conditions do not exist anywhere in Gaza to ensure ____________ shelter, food, water, sanitation and health.
And concerns regarding the protection of civilians anywhere in Gaza.
Second: We must be allowed to get __________supplies and humanitarian _____________ – including fuel – into Gaza safely, without ______________, reliably and at scale.
The modest number of trucks we have so far managed to get in via the Rafah border crossing is wholly inadequate compared to the vast ________________. I want to thank the Government of Egypt for ___________access via Rafah and for ____________to host the UN technical humanitarian team in Al Arish. But we are clear that we need more than one ___________ into Gaza. We need to get hundreds of trucks per day into Gaza, not dozens, and be allowed to reach every place people are ______________.
Third: We need a humanitarian ceasefire.
In plain terms, this is a ______________fighting for humanitarian purposes to provide some ______________ from the onslaught, to ______________the delivery of humanitarian aid, and to ______________the release of hostages.
Excellencies, colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I want to extend my sincere thanks to President Macron for convening this conference today on the intolerable humanitarian situation in Gaza.
[You could replace intolerablewith many other adjectives, e.g. unacceptable, appalling, horrifying, calamitous, disastrous.]
The attendance under his leadership of such a broad range of Member States reflects the severity of the situation.
[Instead of severity, you could say the gravity of the situation. In less formal settings, you could use other words, such as awfulness].
The devastating and growing civilian toll of this conflict is as distressing as it is unconscionable.
Over the past few weeks, I have engaged with various leaders, partners, and interlocutors to support humanitarian efforts and negotiate access. I have been to Egypt, Israel, and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. I have met with the families of some of the Israeli hostages and spoken to families in Gaza.
The situation is insupportable. To allow it to continue would be a travesty.
[There are many alternatives to insupportable, e.g. intolerable. Other words would make sense instead of a travesty, but they have a different meaning. You could use a tragedy, for instance, or a disaster.]
Allow me here to share some thoughts on what needs to happen urgently to avoid that travesty.
[Different meaning, but you could say ‘to avoid that outcome‘.]
First: We must have complete respect – by all parties – for international humanitarian law and basic human dignity. This means that civilians must be protected, and their essential needs met, wherever they are in Gaza.
[Basic human rights would fit here.]
On behalf of the humanitarian community that I represent, I can tell you that we have serious concerns: Concerns about the safety of civilians in any so-called safe zones if there is no agreement between all the parties on their establishment.
Concerns that satisfactory conditions do not exist anywhere in Gaza to ensure adequate shelter, food, water, sanitation and health.
And concerns regarding the protection of civilians anywhere in Gaza.
Second: We must be allowed to get essential supplies and humanitarian relief – including fuel – into Gaza safely, without impediment, reliably and at scale.
[ You could say basic supplies instead of essential, and replace humanitarian relief with aid. Without impediment = without obstacles.]
The modest number of trucks we have so far managed to get in via the Rafah border crossing is wholly inadequate compared to the vast sea of needs. I want to thank the Government of Egypt for facilitating access via Rafah and for consenting to host the UN technical humanitarian team in Al Arish. But we are clear that we need more than one entry point into Gaza. We need to get hundreds of trucks per day into Gaza, not dozens, and be allowed to reach every place people are sheltering.
[You could substitute facilitating access with ensuring (which is stronger), and consenting to host with agreeing to host.]
Third: We need a humanitarian ceasefire.
In plain terms, this is a cessation of fighting for humanitarian purposes to provide some respite from the onslaught, to expedite the delivery of humanitarian aid, and to facilitate the release of hostages.
[Respite = relief; to expedite the delivery = to speed up, but you could also use ‘to facilitate’.]
Sad to say, many interpreters sometimes interpret in the wake of terrible tragedies: natural disasters, armed hostilities, terrorist attacks, etc.
This is not a topic that gladdens my heart to write about, but I’m doing so because I know many of you (well, us) find it difficult to talk about this subject in our B language (or even in our A language).
There is a particular vocabulary that is necessary in these situations, including some set phrases and a whole lot of adjectives to describe what has happened and what the effects are.
In today’s post, I’m going to suggest a few exercises to help you consolidate this vocabulary. Some of the exercises are based on a speech given by Australia’s Foreign Minister, Penny Wong. You can find the full text of her speech here.
Exercise 1: brainstorming
First things first, let’s gather a selection of suitable adjectives for describing attacks or similar situations.
Grab a pen, set the timer for 2 minutes, and write a list of adjectives that would be good alternatives for the idea of ‘awful, disgusting’.
Despicable
Ignominious
Contemptible
Disgraceful
Loathsome
Reprehensible
Shameful
Vile
Abominable
Appalling
Disgusting
Heinous
Exercise 2: brainstorming
Now set the timer for 2 minutes again, and write a list of adjectives that would be good alternatives for ‘shocking’. You may find that there is some overlap with your first list.
Appalling
Awful
Disgraceful
Disgusting
Dreadful
Incomprehensible
Unimaginable
Nauseating
Revolting
Sickening
Monstrous
Heinous
Horrifying
Shameful
Senseless
Barbarous
Unconscionable
Exercise 3: gap filling
Can you fill in the blanks with words or phrases that are grammatically correct and make sense in context?
President –
The Senate must __________ these acts of evil __________ a hateful group ____________ the destruction of the State of Israel and the eradication of Jews.
This was an assault on Israel, on the Jewish people.
But also an attack on our collective humanity.
We ___________ condemn these attacks, and we _____________ the immediate release of hostages.
Australia ____________ Israel, and always will.
Just as we always remember the thousands of years of persecution and atrocities perpetrated against the Jewish people…
The six million European Jews killed in the Holocaust…
That finally resolved the international community to establish the state of Israel.
And as more Jews were killed in this attack than on any single day since the Holocaust, we understand how it brings back that ________.
The attack by Hamas was ___________ in its brutality and its scale.
1,400 civilians murdered, 3,500 injured.
As many as 150 taken from Israel and held hostage in Gaza.
Men, women and children. From babies to the infirm and elderly. Holocaust survivors.
Place names that days ago were known to only a few, now ___________ in our memory.
I again __________ my __________ sympathies to those impacted by these _______________ acts.
We are shocked. We are horrified.
We grieve with you and we affirm our solidarity with you.
The Albanese Government’s _______________ has always been the pursuit of peace and progress toward a __________________ two-state solution where Israelis and Palestinians can live within secure borders.
One of the many _____________ consequences of Hamas’s _______________ attack is that it has pushed that two-state solution further out of reach.
That also makes this an __________________ perpetrated by Hamas against the Palestinian people.
Hamas’s actions have precipitated a _______________ situation in Israel and Gaza.
Civilians on all sides are suffering.
Regardless of religion or ethnicity, we _________________ each innocent life lost.
President –
The Senate must condemn these acts of evil perpetrated by a hateful group bent on the destruction of the State of Israel and the eradication of Jews. [for perpetrated by, you could say committed by; instead of bent on the destruction, you could say intent on the destruction, determined to achieve the destruction, dead set on the destruction]
This was an assault on Israel, on the Jewish people.
But also an attack on our collective humanity.
We unequivocally condemn these attacks, and we call for the immediate release of hostages. [for unequivocally condemn, you could say emphatically condemn]
Australia stands with Israel, and always will. [what about we support Israel?]
Just as we always remember the thousands of years of persecution and atrocities perpetrated against the Jewish people…
The six million European Jews killed in the Holocaust…
That finally resolved the international community to establish the state of Israel.
And as more Jews were killed in this attack than on any single day since the Holocaust, we understand how it brings back that trauma. [instead of trauma, you could say something like that terrible memory, that nightmare,….]
The attack by Hamas was shocking in its brutality and its scale. [this is where you could use several of the adjectives you brainstormed, e.g. devastating, horrific]
1,400 civilians murdered, 3,500 injured.
As many as 150 taken from Israel and held hostage in Gaza.
Men, women and children. From babies to the infirm and elderly. Holocaust survivors.
Place names that days ago were known to only a few, now seared in our memory.
I again express my deepest sympathies to those impacted by these heinous acts. [you could extend profound sympathy instead of express deepest sympathy. For heinous acts, try one of your brainstormed adjectives, e.g. terrible acts, despicable acts, egregious acts]
We are shocked. We are horrified.
We grieve with you and we affirm our solidarity with you.
The Albanese Government’s guiding principle has always been the pursuit of peace and progress toward a just and enduring two-state solution where Israelis and Palestinians can live within secure borders. [you could replace guiding principle with approach]
One of the many tragic consequences of Hamas’s abhorrent attack is that it has pushed that two-state solution further out of reach. [substitute some of your other adjectives here, for instance one of the many terrible consequences of Hamas’s incomprehensible attack; one of the many sad consequences of Hamas’s reprehensible attack]
That also makes this an unconscionable crime perpetrated by Hamas against the Palestinian people. [for unconscionable: barbarous, reprehensible, monstrous, senseless]
Hamas’s actions have precipitated a devastating situation in Israel and Gaza.
Civilians on all sides are suffering.
Regardless of religion or ethnicity, we mourn each innocent life lost.
Exercise 4: improvisation
I’m going to give you two models to help you build sentences in English to describe attacks and their effects.
MODEL 1: an adjective attack on adjective noun [by adjective noun]:
• a callous attack on innocent civilians
•A cowardly attack on innocent people
•A shameful attack on unsuspecting civilians by a callous sociopath
•A horrendous attack on defenceless children
MODEL 2: a adjective(s) act of adjective noun [by adjective noun]
•An appalling act of senseless violence
•A vicious and contemptible act of brutal slaughter by a deranged extremist
•An unimaginable act of appalling, sickening cowardice
Spend two minutes brainstorming adjectives to describe an attack, e.g. vicious, violent
I’ve chosen to focus today on a recent decision by the UK regulator to authorise oil and gas extraction at Rosebank, off the coast of Scotland.
This is a very topical issue in the UK, but it also illustrates many important arguments that are relevant to the energy security and climate debate more broadly.
In today’s exercise, you are going to be improvising a short speech about the Rosebank project.
Preparation
The first thing to do is for you to find out a bit about Rosebank.
Start by reading these articles (click on the images).
Structuring your thoughts
Now grab a pen and write down:
a few basic points about Rosebank (what it is, where it is located, what its potential production is)
the government’s arguments in favour of drilling
arguments against the project
When you’ve finished, you can compare with my ideas if you like.
Basic points:
Rosebank lies off the coast of Scotland
oil + gas field
could contain 300 million barrels of oil or more
could account for 80% of total UK oil production from 2026-2030
owned by Norwegian energy giant Equinor and UK firm Ithaca energy
Arguments in favour of development:
could bolster UK energy security (greater energy independence, “make us more secure against tyrants like Putin”
“makes sense” for UK to use its own oil and gas supplies during energy transition
job creation: 1600 jobs at peak time (during construction), then 450
over £6 bn spent in UK supply chain – beneficial for local energy in Aberdeenshire
Overall: stability for the economy, shot in the arm for UK energy sector
Arguments against:
harm to local wildlife (whales, clams, corals, sponges; dolphins, whales; commercially important fish e.g. haddock)
harms the UK’s efforts to reach net zero. Huge potential CO2 emissions, when International Energy Agency has said there should be NO new oil/gas projects
it won’t reduce UK households’ bills. The oil and gas will be distilled abroad, and the UK would have to buy it on the international market, like anyone else.
Equinor and Ithaca will be able to reduce their tax bills by reinvesting in new North Sea energy projects (government incentive scheme) -> not paying full tax, and continuing activities harmful to the environment.
Improvisation
Your task is to prepare a short speech based on the information you have gathered. You have one additional challenge: to incorporate the following phrases:
the green light was given
it gives the lie to arguments that
playing politics with the climate emergency
it sends a disastrous message
for short term electoral gain
economic myopia is sabotaging
Here’s the process to follow (if you like!):
Choose which arguments you will use
see where you can incorporate the phrases I’ve given you
write a bullet point outline
switch on your recording device and give your speech in English
listen back to your performance, and see if you can pick up any sections that could have been phrased better.
Obviously I’m not with you right now to correct your English or give you suggestions, so on this occasion I’m going to show you how you can use Artificial Intelligence to give you a helping hand.
Comparing your version with others
When you don’t have a tame native speaker to help you out, you can use an AI like ChatGPT. We may as well harness AI for our own purposes, since it can sometimes be useful!
I gave a prompt to ChatGPT, and here’s what it came up with:
“In the heart of Scotland, the Rosebank oil field has been a contentious issue for years. Environmentalists and climate advocates have long argued that exploiting this vast reserve of hydrocarbons would be a grave mistake, given the looming climate emergency. However, recently, the green light was given for its development, and this decision has ignited a fresh wave of debate.
Supporters of the Rosebank oil field development argue that it provides a significant economic boost to the region, generating jobs and revenue. It gives the lie to arguments that prioritizing environmental concerns must always come at the expense of economic growth. Yet, this perspective risks overlooking the larger picture.
In a time when the world is grappling with the dire consequences of climate change, playing politics with the climate emergency for short-term electoral gainsends a disastrous message to the global community. The decision to move forward with Rosebank’s development highlights a troubling trend where economic myopia is sabotaging long-term sustainability efforts.
The Rosebank oil field is undoubtedly an economic boon for the local community and the energy sector, but its extraction and combustion contribute to the very climate crisis we are urgently trying to address. It underscores the inherent tension between immediate economic interests and the imperative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Rather than choosing sides in this divisive debate, it’s essential for stakeholders to seek a balance between economic development and environmental responsibility. This could involve investing in cleaner energy alternatives, transitioning the workforce, and mitigating the environmental impact of extraction. In this way, we can ensure that the Rosebank oil field development becomes a model for sustainable resource management, rather than a symbol of short-sighted decision-making.
As we move forward, it’s imperative that we recognize the significance of the Rosebank oil field debate. It serves as a stark reminder of the choices we make today and their far-reaching consequences for our planet’s future. Balancing economic prosperity with environmental stewardship is not an easy task, but it’s one we must undertake if we are to navigate the climate emergency successfully.”
Useful ideas for you
I’ve highlighted in bold the phrases I asked ChatGPT to include. You’ll see I’ve also highlighted lots of other things, and that’s because the text contains many useful phrases that you could steal:
a contentious issue
they have long argued
the looming climate emergency
the decision has ignited a fresh wave of debate
it provides a significant economic boost to the region
the world is grappling with the dire consequences of…
it highlights a troubling trend
it is undoubtedly an economic boon
it contributes to the very climate crisis we are urgently trying to address
the inherent tension between…
the imperative to..(reduce greenhouse gas emissions)
rather than choosing sides in this divisive debate
a symbol of short-sighted decision-making
it serves as a stark reminder
to navigate the climate emergency successfully
Note that all of these can be used in other contexts.
Second ChatGPT version
Just in case you’re interested, I tried a different prompt, to get ChatGPT to include specific arguments (harm to wildlife, the effect on the UK’s climate targets, and the fact that drilling at Rosebank won’t reduce UK household energy bills).
Here’s the result, which you might like to scour for useful phrases:
“The Rosebank oil field development has been a source of intense debate and controversy in recent years. Despite concerns over its environmental impact, the green light was given to proceed with drilling operations. This decision, while seen as a boost to the local economy in Aberdeenshire, gives the lie to arguments that prioritize short-term gains over long-term sustainability.
One of the foremost concerns surrounding the Rosebank project is its potential harm to local wildlife. The North Sea is a vital habitat for various species, including seals, dolphins, and seabirds. Drilling activities and increased shipping traffic can disrupt these ecosystems, jeopardizing their fragile balance.
Moreover, the development of the Rosebank oil field directly contradicts the United Kingdom’s ambitious climate goals. It is no secret that the fossil fuel industry is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. The extraction, transportation, and combustion of oil from Rosebank will add to this burden, making it even more challenging for the UK to meet its emissions reduction targets. Playing politics with the climate emergency for short-term electoral gain sends a disastrous message to the world.
Another argument frequently touted in favor of the Rosebank project is its potential to reduce energy bills for UK households. However, this claim needs careful examination. The global oil market is influenced by various factors, and local production doesn’t guarantee lower energy prices. In reality, prices are determined by a complex interplay of global supply and demand. Pinning hopes on Rosebank to significantly impact household energy bills may be overly optimistic.
On a more positive note, the development of the Rosebank oil field undoubtedly has economic benefits for Aberdeenshire. It brings jobs, investment, and economic activity to the region, providing much-needed support for local communities. However, it’s crucial to balance these short-term economic gains with the long-term environmental and climate consequences.
In conclusion, the Rosebank oil field development is emblematic of how economic myopia is sabotaging our efforts to combat climate change. While it promises economic prosperity for one region, it raises critical questions about our commitment to addressing the climate emergency and protecting the environment. Balancing economic interests with environmental responsibility remains a challenging but necessary endeavor in the face of an ever-worsening climate crisis.”
Last words
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting that ChatGPT is always perfect, but it can be a useful tool.
If you’ve read both texts generated by the AI, you may feel, as I do, that the arguments can be a bit vague and circular; but that’s not what we’re using it for! Its usefulness to you lies in its ability to generate quite well-written English with phrases that you can lift and re-use in other contexts.
This is (sadly) the second gap filling exercise about Ukraine. You can find the first one here, and this exercise is in two parts.
The exercise is based on an article in The Guardian (theguardian.com), with minor adaptations.
Your task is to find suitable words or expressions to fill in the gaps, taking into account syntax as well as register, and bringing to bear your background knowledge.
I have given some suggestions following the exercise.
Exercise
There is still the possibility of a diplomatic __________ that would bring an early end to this dreadful war and Russian military withdrawal while __________ the vital interests of Ukraine. Indeed, if the Russians are ever to withdraw, a diplomatic agreement on the terms of withdrawal will be necessary.
The West should __________ a peace agreement and Russian withdrawal by offering Russia the lifting of all new sanctions imposed on it. The offer to Ukraine should be a __________ reconstruction package that will also help Ukraine to move towards the West economically and politically rather than militarily – just as Finland and Austria were able to do during the Cold War despite their neutral status.
The demands by the Russian side are that Ukraine should sign a treaty of neutrality; engage in “demilitarisation” and “denazification”; and recognise Russian sovereignty over Crimea, which was _______________ by Russia after the Ukrainian Revolution. These demands are a __________ of the acceptable, the unacceptable, and the undefined.
The option of neutrality for Ukraine has often been called “Finlandisation”, and perhaps the ________________ Ukrainian response to Russian aggression over the past week has given a new meaning to that term in the case of Ukraine. For like the Finns in the “winter war” of 1939-40, the Ukrainians have also been abandoned militarily by the West, which has declared publicly and repeatedly that it ________________ defend them.
On the other hand, it seems that the extraordinary courage and resolution with which the Finns fought convinced Stalin that to rule Finland would be too much of a challenge. Finland became the only part of the former Russian Empire not to be incorporated in the USSR, and during the cold war, though neutral by treaty, was able to develop as a successful social market democracy. Similarly, we must hope that the courage and determination of the Ukrainians has convinced Putin that it will be impossible to run Ukraine as a Russian _________________, and neutrality is the best deal he is going to get.
Suggestions
There is still the possibility of a diplomatic settlement that would bring an early end to this dreadful war and Russian military withdrawal while safeguarding the vital interests of Ukraine. Indeed, if the Russians are ever to withdraw, a diplomatic agreement on the terms of withdrawal will be necessary. [Instead of ‘settlement’, you could say agreement or resolution; and you could substitute ‘safeguarding’ with protecting or securing. Looking after would also work, but is more informal.]
The West should back a peace agreement and Russian withdrawal by offering Russia the lifting of all new sanctions imposed on it. The offer to Ukraine should be a massive reconstruction package that will also help Ukraine to move towards the West economically and politically rather than militarily – just as Finland and Austria were able to do during the Cold War despite their neutral status. [The obvious alternative to ‘back’ is support; or you could try advocate for or encourage. Instead of a ‘massive’ reconstruction package, you could say generous, substantial or sizeable. There are many other synonyms for ‘massive’, such as huge, immense, gigantic, gargantuan, etc. but they don’t fit so well here.]
The demands by the Russian side are that Ukraine should sign a treaty of neutrality; engage in “demilitarisation” and “denazification”; and recognise Russian sovereignty over Crimea, which was seized back by Russia after the Ukrainian Revolution. These demands are a mixed bag of the acceptable, the unacceptable, and the undefined. [For ‘seized back’, you could say retaken or perhaps reappropriated. And a ‘mixed bag’ could simply be rendered as a mixture.]
The option of neutrality for Ukraine has often been called “Finlandisation”, and perhaps the determined and unified Ukrainian response to Russian aggression over the past week has given a new meaning to that term in the case of Ukraine. For like the Finns in the “winter war” of 1939-40, the Ukrainians have also been abandoned militarily by the West, which has declared publicly and repeatedly that it has no intention of fightingto defend them. [You could imagine all sorts of alternatives to ‘determined and unified’, depending on your view of the Ukrainian response. Resolute, tenacious, robust, dogged and resolved are possibilities. Or you could go in a different direction with impressive, surprising, astonishing, remarkable, extraordinary or inspiring. As for ‘has no intention of fighting to defend them’, you could say it won’t send troops to defend them, it won’t put troops on the ground to defend them, it won’t defend them, it won’t step up and defend them, etc.]
On the other hand, it seems that the extraordinary courage and resolution with which the Finns fought convinced Stalin that to rule Finland would be too much of a challenge. Finland became the only part of the former Russian Empire not to be incorporated in the USSR, and during the cold war, though neutral by treaty, was able to develop as a successful social market democracy. Similarly, we must hope that the courage and determination of the Ukrainians has convinced Putin that it will be impossible to run Ukraine as a Russian client state, and neutrality is the best deal he is going to get. [Not many other options here, except satellite state or dependency.]
