Lesson
Mpox Smuggling Case Raises NIH Concerns
Read this news story in English at three levels, easy, standard, and advanced (B1–C1) — with vocabulary and a comprehension quiz.
Two NIH scientists face charges for smuggling mpox samples into the US, prompting congressional scrutiny of the agency.
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Standard — Natural English
48 words · ~1 min readEasy version (A2–B1)
Two scientists from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are in trouble. They are accused of bringing mpox samples into the US without telling customs. This has led to questions about the NIH's safety practices.Standard version (B1–B2)
Two scientists from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have been charged with smuggling mpox samples into the United States. They allegedly did not declare the samples to customs and misled investigators. This incident has raised concerns in Congress about the NIH's safety and handling of dangerous pathogens.Advanced version (C1–C2)
The recent smuggling case involving two scientists from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has drawn significant congressional scrutiny. Dr. Vincent Munster and Claude Kwe are accused of transporting vials containing mpox into the United States without declaring them to customs and subsequently misleading investigators. This alarming situation has raised serious questions regarding the NIH's protocols for handling dangerous pathogens, especially given the facility's role in studying severe viral diseases.Lesson audio
Standard level
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Test your understanding
01What were the scientists accused of smuggling?
02Which agency is examining the NIH due to this case?
03Where did the scientists conduct their research before arriving in the US?
04What is mpox?
Discussion
What measures should be taken to ensure the safe handling of dangerous pathogens?
Vocabulary
smuggling word
the act of bringing goods into a country illegally
“The scientists were charged with smuggling mpox samples.”
customs word
the government agency that regulates the flow of goods into a country
“They failed to declare the samples to customs.”
misleading word
causing someone to believe something that is not true
“They misled investigators about the contents of their case.”
pathogen word
a microorganism that can cause disease
“Researchers study dangerous pathogens like Ebola.”
congressional word
related to the legislative body of the United States
“The case has prompted congressional scrutiny of the NIH.”