III Vocabulary exercises.

1. Explain the meanings of the following words without using a dictionary:

1. a truce;

2. a faction;

3. aid;

4. intifada;

5. in the aftermath;

6. to retaliate;

7. suicide bombing;

8. at flashpoints;

9. ceasefire;

10. to seal borders.

2. Give English equivalents from the article to the following Russian ones:

1. оживленный обмен мнениями;

2. осуждение теракта;

3. привести в действие прекращение огня;

4. восстание;

5. действовать незамедлительно;

6. закрыть границы;

7. ограничить передвижение.

3. Give Russian equivalents to the following English phrases:

1. to disvowe the pledge;

2. to visit the scene;

3. to read something out;

4. to exert a ceasefire;

5. to carry out the bombing;

6. in a statement;

7. to weigh the response;

8. to end incitement;

9. to set up security patrols;

10. to tighten the closure.

4. Fill in the blanks with the right words in the correct form: violence, to pledge, heated exchange, condemnation, bloodshed, a suicide bomber, to set up.

1. The terrorist act was carried out by a... .

2. A new outbreak of violence in the Middle East caused universal ...

3. Faction leaders ... to do their best to achieve ceasefire.

4. To contain the situation the Palestinian Authorities will have to… … security patrols.

5. Peacekeepers in the region make all possible efforts to stop ….

6. Israelis demand from the Palestinians to end acts of terror and ….

7. A ... ... took place between the leaders of different militant factions as to how to contain unrest.

IV Grammar exercises.

Find in the text sentences with Gerund and Infinitive. Recollect the verbs after which only Gerund or Infinitive follows. Fill in the blanks with these parts of speech. Mind that:

Verb + Infinitive after:

decide, afford, promise, expect, refuse, continue, want, need, advise, plan.

Verb + Gerund after:

suggest, can't stand, miss, dislike, not mind, consider, avoid, enjoy, recommend.

1. The German government suggested Y. Arafat (to commit) himself to a truce, with Israel.

2. Leaders of some political factions refused (to support) ceasefire agreement.

3. Israeli officials advise Mr. Arafat (to rearrest) Islamic militants.

4. The Palestinians refuse (to take orders) from Israel.

5. The father of the suicide bomber refused (to comment) on his son's actions.

6. Israel considers (to tighten) the borders with Palestine.

7. The Palestinian government had planned (to impose) ceasefire long before.

VI Rendering.

Use the points of the plan to render the article:

1. Palestinian leader's commitment to a truce with Israel;

2. Suicide bombing in Tel Aviv and the reaction to it of Palestinian faction leaders and Western leaders;

3. the reaction of the suicide bomber's father;

4. the meeting of Palestinian faction leaders and their declaration;

5. casualties of the disco bombing;

6. actions of the Israeli government and Palestinian administration.

VII Writing activity.

Write what you would do if you represented the UN in attempts to resolve the Middle East conflict. Write about some of your ideas on the issue in not more than 200 words.

UNIT III HOSTAGE CRISIS

I. Pre-reading task:

a) Before reading the article study the following list of collocations on the topic:

1. to be taken hostage at gun point;

2. to be kept (held) hostage;

3. to be kidnapped for ransom;

4. to be moved from place to place blindfolded;

5. to be kept chained and handcuffed;

6. to be gagged, to have one's mouth sealed with a strip of band aid;

7. hostage trade , hostage trafficking;

8. to negotiate the terms of ransom;

9. to be on the Federal (Interpol) wanted list;

10. release hostages , to free hostages;

11. to fire indiscriminately;

12. to die in a shootout (from friendly fire);

13. to storm the building;

14. to establish somebody's identity;

15. to turn (hand) over hostages;

16. to give oneself up without struggle;

17. to refrain from the use of force;

18. to come up with a number of demands;

19. to meet the demands;

20. to highjack a plane.

b) Discuss the following points. Make use of the vocabulary listed above:

1. Do you, personally, feel any threat of being kidnapped or taken hostage?

2. Do people get kidnapped (taken hostage) only in war zones?

3. What demands do kidnappers come up with most often?(ransom, political, territorial or criminal demands)

4. Is hostage taking an effective means of putting pressure on governments or local authorities?

5. In what parts of the world are people most likely to be taken hostage or kidnapped?