Listening
Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
- tear gas / tɪər gæs / (n) – a gas that irritates the eyes, causing them to hurt and fill with tears
Example:The police used tear gas when the demonstration became out of control.
- defiant / dɪˈfaɪ ənt / (adj) – proudly refusing to obey someone or something
Example:Betty remained defiant even after her teacher told her to follow the school dress code.
- decade / ˈdɛk eɪd / (n) – a ten-year period
Example:I haven’t seen her in over a decade!
- oust / aʊst / (v) – to forcibly remove someone from a position of power, responsibility, etc.
Example:The politician was ousted from office by members of his own party.
- junta / ˈhʊn tə / (n) – a military group that rules over a country after power is taken from the government by force
Example:The junta ordered the arrest of anyone who joined the demonstration.
Article
Read the text below.
Police in Myanmar’s biggest city fired tear gas March 1 at defiant crowds who returned to the streets to protest the Feb. 1 coup, despite reports security forces had killed at least 18 people a day earlier.
The protesters in Yangon were chased as they tried to gather at their usual meeting spot at the Hledan Center intersection.
The military coup reversed years of slow progress toward democracy in Myanmar after five decades of military rule. It came on the same day a newly elected Parliament was supposed to take office. Ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s party would have led that government, but instead she was detained along with other senior officials.
Since the takeover, protests in cities across the country have been growing — and the junta’s response has become increasingly violent.
On Feb. 26, Myanmar’s U.N. ambassador, Kyaw Moe Tun, appealed for the international community to take the “strongest possible action” to immediately restore democracy, in a dramatic speech to the U.N. General Assembly. He was fired the next day. (AP)
This article was provided by The Japan Times Alpha.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
- Do you think it’s likely that democracy will be restored in Myanmar soon? Why or why not? Discuss.
- Should the international community take action in Myanmar? Why or why not? Discuss.
Discussion B
- How do you feel about the police using tear gas and other force on protestors? Why? Discuss.
- Do you think it’s important for citizens to protest when they feel something isn’t right, or are there better ways to effect change? Why? Discuss.
