Lesson
Ebola Outbreak Hits Record Deaths
Read this news story in English at three levels, easy, standard, and advanced (B1–C1) — with vocabulary and a comprehension quiz.
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has resulted in over 2,000 deaths since May, potentially becoming the deadliest in history.
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Standard — Natural English
60 words · ~1 min readEasy version (A2–B1)
Ebola is a serious disease. It has caused many deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since May, more than 2,000 people have died. Health teams are working hard to stop the spread of the virus. This outbreak could be the worst ever.Standard version (B1–B2)
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has led to more than 2,000 deaths since it began in May. This epidemic is on track to become the deadliest in the country's history. Health teams are facing challenges in controlling the spread of the virus. Experts are working on strategies to contain the outbreak and protect the population.Advanced version (C1–C2)
Since the first case of the current Ebola outbreak was recorded in May, over 2,000 individuals have succumbed to the virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This epidemic is poised to become the deadliest in the nation's history, as health teams encounter significant obstacles in their efforts to manage and contain the spread of the disease. Conversations with health experts, such as Yap Boum II from CDC Africa, reveal the complexities of the situation and the measures being implemented to combat this public health crisis.Lesson audio
Standard level
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Test your understanding
01How many people have died from Ebola in this outbreak?
02What is the potential significance of this outbreak?
03Who did The Guardian speak to for insights on the outbreak?
04When was the first case of this epidemic recorded?
Discussion
What measures do you think are most effective in controlling outbreaks like Ebola?
Vocabulary
epidemic word
a sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease
“The Ebola epidemic has affected many people.”
contain word
to keep something harmful under control
“Health teams are trying to contain the spread of Ebola.”
outbreak word
a sudden rise in the occurrence of a disease
“The outbreak of Ebola has caused many deaths.”
correspondent word
a person who reports news from a specific location
“The correspondent reported on the Ebola crisis.”
strategies word
plans of action designed to achieve a specific goal
“Health officials are developing strategies to fight the outbreak.”