Learning English

Singapore bars Boeing 737 Max 8 planes

After two fatal incidents involving the Boeing 737 Max 8, Singaporean authorities have banned the aircraft from its airspace.

Language challenge

Which word means 'a thing that is slightly different to other things of the same kind'?

a) knock off
b) duplication
c) variant

Watch the video and complete the activity

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The story

Singapore's aviation regulator says it has temporarily suspended the operation of all variants of the Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft in its airspace following two fatal accidents, the most recent on Sunday, involving an Ethiopian Airlines jet that killed 157 people.

Key words and phrases

suspends
stops or pauses

• The school automatically suspends any pupil who is caught taking or selling drugs.
• Factory operations have been suspended over health and safety concerns.

airworthy
suitable and safe for flying

• By modern safety standards, the first aeroplanes ever designed were barely airworthy.
• Sorry sir, but your car is unroadworthy. Please park it and take public transport.

mounting
gradually increasing

• Despite mounting production costs, the item product made it to market and turned a profit.
• Children's excitement often mounts as Christmas gets closer.

To do

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Language challenge answer

c) variant

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