Learning English

China virus spreads

The World Health Organisation is going to meet to discuss the rapidly spreading disease.

Language challenge

Which word means ‘record something officially’?

a) wood
b) log
c) tree

Watch the video and complete the activity

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The story

A fourth person has died in China from a new virus that has spread rapidly across the country. The 89-year-old man is the latest victim of the illness that causes a type of pneumonia. Authorities have now confirmed it can be spread person-to-person with 200 infected so far.

Key words and phrases

human-to-human
from one person to another person

• Travel increases the risk of human-to-human transmission.
• Human-to-human transfer is not thought to be likely.

on alert
ready to react quickly to a difficult situation

• Maria was on alert for the baby’s birth.
• Rob is always on alert for biscuits!

convene
arrange a meeting or gathering

• The department head convened a meeting to discuss redundancies.
• The politicians convened to debate the new legislation.

To do

Try our quiz to see how well you've learned today's language.

Downloads

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Language challenge answer

b) log

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