Witn Whaling for PDF Elt

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BBC Learning English Words in the News Beginning of the end for Japanese whaling? 7 April 2014 _____________________________________________________ Words in the News © British Broadcasting Corporation 2014 Page 1 of 2 bbclearningenglish.com Three Japanese ships have returned home at the end of the annual hunt for whales in the Southern Ocean. Japan has said they will not set sail again next year, after the International Court of Justice said the hunt was illegal. Michael Bristow reports for the BBC. It wasn't much of a homecoming: family and friends on the dockside. The crews waved back and then unloaded their cargo of whale meat. It could be the last one for some time from the waters off the Antarctic. Japan has cancelled next year's hunt after the International Court of Justice said it was illegal. Australia and New Zealand convinced the judges that Japan was not catching whales for scientific research, as it had claimed - to get round a worldwide ban on whaling. Those welcoming home the flotilla were glum. One official bowed in apology. "People don't understand Japanese ways," said this man. The captain from one of the returning ships said he hoped he'd someday return to the Antarctic. But next year will be the first time in 25 years that Japan has not hunted whales in the Southern Ocean.

Transcript of Witn Whaling for PDF Elt

Page 1: Witn Whaling for PDF Elt

BBC Learning English

Words in the News

Beginning of the end for Japanese whaling? 7 April 2014 _____________________________________________________

Words in the News © British Broadcasting Corporation 2014 Page 1 of 2

bbclearningenglish.com

Three Japanese ships have returned home at the end of the annual hunt for whales in the

Southern Ocean. Japan has said they will not set sail again next year, after the

International Court of Justice said the hunt was illegal.

Michael Bristow reports for the BBC.

It wasn't much of a homecoming: family and friends on the dockside. The crews waved

back and then unloaded their cargo of whale meat. It could be the last one for some

time from the waters off the Antarctic.

Japan has cancelled next year's hunt after the International Court of Justice said it was

illegal. Australia and New Zealand convinced the judges that Japan was not catching

whales for scientific research, as it had claimed - to get round a worldwide ban on

whaling.

Those welcoming home the flotilla were glum. One official bowed in apology. "People

don't understand Japanese ways," said this man.

The captain from one of the returning ships said he hoped he'd someday return to the

Antarctic. But next year will be the first time in 25 years that Japan has not hunted

whales in the Southern Ocean.

Page 2: Witn Whaling for PDF Elt

Words in the News © British Broadcasting Corporation 2014

Page 2 of 2

bbclearningenglish.com

Vocabulary and definitions

homecoming a time when someone or a group of people return home

cargo items or goods carried on a ship, plane or other large vehicle

convinced made someone certain about something

ban official rule saying something is not allowed

flotilla large group of boats or small ships

glum disappointed, unhappy; looking sad

bowed bent their body forward (here to show regret)

Read and listen to the story and the vocabulary online: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2014/04/140407_witn_whaling.shtml

Related story:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-26830505