English Daily: The Red Cross

Engramme: Your Daily English Programme #67: The Red Cross (Listening B1-B2)

Think Before You Listen

Do you know any organizations that help people in times of need?

Have you ever seen this sign (picture below)? What does it mean? What do people who work in this organization do?

On October 26, 1863, the Red Cross came into existence after an international conference in Geneva on improving medical help during times of war.

Watch and Listen

Watch the Video: What is the Red Cross/Crescent and what does it do?

Let's Practice

Listen Again: In this lesson, we are going to practice 'pronunciation skills'. Listen and find out what the missing words/expressions are:

(mouse over the colored words to see their meaning)

We live in a world crowded with signs and symbols. If I asked you whether you _______ these symbols, I think most of you would say yes. What if I asked you what they mean? “It's a sign of ______ ____.” “It’s the sign that help is at hand.” “Hope. I think it means hope.” These _______ or emblems can mean many things to many people. So let me explain what they mean to all of us. In one word: protection. The Red Cross, Red Crescent and Red Crystal are symbols of protection that the international _____ gives to the wounded and sick and those caring for them in armed conflict. They tell those fighting that they must not attack anyone or anything that _______ them. “I'm a military doctor. I’m not part of the fight. I _____ a red cross so that people can see that I'm just here to help the wounded, so that I can do my job.” These emblems can also show a connection to the Red Cross and Red Crescent organizations. “As a Red Crescent volunteer, I help people during emergencies like an earthquake or in times of ____. When people see the emblems, they know we are humanitarian, that we help people purely based on _____.” The emblems aren't religious symbols; they serve humanity. And it's important that everyone understands their meaning, because as we said the emblems are a symbol of protection: the sign that help is ___  _____, and a symbol of hope. Let's ensure that they are respected.

(compare your answers with the ones in the first comment below)

Over to You

Are there any organizations similar to the Red Cross in your country? What do they do to help people in need?

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