Learning English

Koreas talk for the first time in two years

North and South Korea have met for high-level talks for the first time in two years. Among the topics for their discussion were next month's South Korean Winter Olympics, which North Korea has agreed to attend.

Language challenge

“The first talks between North and South Korea in more than two years have produced an immediate dividend.” What does the word ‘dividend’ mean in this report from the BBC World Service?

a) monetary profit
b) positive result
c) heated disagreement  

Watch the video and complete the activity

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The story

The first talks between North and South Korea in more than two years have produced an immediate dividend.

Pyongyang has agreed to send a delegation to the Winter Olympics in the south next month.

It’s hoped this thaw could provide a period of stability after months of heightened tensions.

Key words and phrases

invaluable
extremely useful

foolproof
impossible to get wrong

break (the) ice
reduce tension

To do

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Language challenge - answer

b) positive result

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