Kamala Harris makes history: BBC News Review

TL;DR

Kamala Harris becomes the first Black woman nominated as US Vice-President.

Transcript

Hello and welcome to News Review. I'm Rob and joining me today is Catherine – hello Catherine! Hello Rob and hello everybody. Yes we've got a great story today about a female politician who's making history in the United States. Great and if you want to test yourself on the vocabulary that we're going to be talking about today there's a quiz on our... Read More

Key Insights

• Kamala Harris is the first Black and Asian woman to accept a nomination for US Vice-President, making history in American politics.
• The term 'nod' is used to describe an official act of suggesting someone for a position or prize, indicating approval or recognition.
• The word 'mongering' refers to the act of encouraging an activity that is damaging or hurtful, often used with negative connotations like 'fear-mongering'.
• The term 'blasts' is used to describe severe criticism, often delivered with anger and force, similar to an explosive outburst.
• Kamala Harris will run alongside Joe Biden against President Trump, who has been criticized by former President Obama for not taking the job seriously.
• The discussion includes vocabulary relevant to the US elections, providing tools to articulate thoughts on political developments.
• The news review emphasizes the importance of understanding political language to engage in informed discussions about current events.
• The program offers additional resources for learning English vocabulary, including quizzes and related language learning materials.

Questions & Answers

Q: What historical significance does Kamala Harris's nomination hold?

Kamala Harris's nomination is historically significant as she is the first Black and Asian woman to be nominated for the position of US Vice-President. This marks a milestone in American politics, reflecting increased diversity and representation in political leadership roles.

Q: What does the term 'nod' signify in the context of the news review?

In the context of the news review, 'nod' signifies an official act of suggesting someone for a position or prize. It indicates approval or recognition, as in the case of Kamala Harris receiving the nod for the vice-presidential nomination, highlighting her acceptance and endorsement for the role.

Q: How is the term 'mongering' used in the discussion?

The term 'mongering' is used to describe the act of encouraging an activity that is damaging or hurtful. It often carries negative connotations, such as 'fear-mongering', where individuals spread fear or worry unnecessarily, impacting public perception and behavior, as discussed in the context of political discourse.

Q: What does 'blasts' mean in the context of the news review?

In the context of the news review, 'blasts' refers to severe criticism delivered with anger and force. It is akin to an explosive outburst where an individual or entity is heavily criticized, as seen in the political arena where figures may blast opponents or policies they disagree with.

Q: Who is Kamala Harris running with in the US elections?

Kamala Harris is running alongside Joe Biden in the US elections. Together, they form the Democratic ticket challenging President Donald Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence, aiming to bring change and address issues they believe are mishandled by the current administration.

Q: What criticism has President Trump faced according to the news review?

According to the news review, President Trump has faced criticism from former President Barack Obama, who accused him of not taking the job seriously. This criticism underscores the perceived deficiencies in leadership and governance that the Democratic ticket aims to address in the upcoming elections.

Q: How does the news review help with language learning?

The news review aids language learning by introducing vocabulary relevant to current political events, such as 'nod', 'mongering', and 'blasts'. It provides context and examples, enhancing understanding and enabling learners to articulate their thoughts on political developments effectively.

Q: What additional resources does the program offer for language learning?

The program offers additional resources for language learning, including quizzes to test vocabulary understanding and related materials available on social media and the BBC Learning English website. These resources aim to reinforce language skills and provide comprehensive support for learners engaging with English language content.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Kamala Harris has made history by becoming the first Black and Asian woman to be nominated for US Vice-President. She will run alongside Joe Biden in the upcoming elections against President Trump, who has faced criticism from former President Obama.

• The news review introduces vocabulary relevant to discussing the nomination, including 'nod', which signifies approval or recognition, 'mongering', which refers to encouraging harmful activities, and 'blasts', which means severe criticism.

• The program aims to equip viewers with the language tools needed to discuss political events, offering quizzes and additional resources to enhance their understanding and ability to engage in discussions about the US elections.