Discussing a sensitive news report objectively
CEFR: B2
Read/Listen first
We read a news article about a government backing away from a promise to stop small boats. During the call we discussed why people migrate, such as war, famine, and poverty, and how politics can change the response. My teacher showed a map of Melilla, a Spanish enclave in North Africa, and explained that people need visas to enter. The language was emotional, but we tried to stay factual and precise. I learned useful phrases to give an opinion carefully and ask for clarification without starting an argument. We also compared different headlines and checked the meaning of key words to avoid misunderstanding. We also compared different headlines and checked the meaning of key words to avoid misunderstanding. We also compared different headlines and checked the meaning of key words to avoid misunderstanding. We also compared different headlines and checked the meaning of key words to avoid misunderstanding.⚡ Learning goals
- Summarise a news report objectively
- Express a careful opinion
- Ask for clarification on geography
✨ Key language
- From my perspective, … ““From my perspective, the headline is misleading.””
- If I understand correctly,… ““If I understand correctly, you mean Melilla.””
- According to the report,… ““According to the report, visas are required.””
⚙️ Rules & Grammar — 4 Structures
1 Hedging for careful opinion
Rule: Use softeners like ‘seems’, ‘might’, ‘from my perspective’.Examples: It seems the policy has changed.; From my perspective, the article is unclear.; This might be about funding.
Common pitfall + fix: Over-confident claims — Add hedging to reduce face-threat.
______ my perspective, the wording is confusing.
Tip: Fixed preposition ‘from’.
Fill with the best answer: It ______ that the promise was revised.
Tip: Use ‘seems’ to hedge.
2 Reported speech for sources
Rule: Use ‘according to’ or backshifted verbs to cite sources.Examples: According to the BBC, visas are required.; The article said the minister had resigned.; They reported that boats were intercepted.
Common pitfall + fix: Quoting without attribution — Name the source or use reported speech.
According ______ the report, crossings fell.
Tip: Set phrase: according to.
Fill with the best answer: The minister said the policy ____ changed.
Tip: Backshift after past reporting verb.
3 Defining relative clauses
Rule: Use who/which/that to define a noun precisely.Examples: Melilla, which is in North Africa, is Spanish.; People who seek safety need documents.; A fence that is high is hard to cross.
Common pitfall + fix: Comma misuse with defining clauses — Usually no comma in defining clauses.
People ______ need visas must apply early.
Tip: Use ‘who’ for people.
Fill with the best answer: An enclave ______ belongs to another country is unusual.
Tip: ‘that’ can define a noun.
4 Clarifying questions
Rule: Use ‘Do you mean…?’ or ‘If I understand correctly…’ to check meaning.Examples: Do you mean Melilla or Ceuta?; If I understand correctly, you refer to visas.; Could you clarify the map?
Common pitfall + fix: Assuming and correcting too directly — Ask neutral questions first.
______ I understand correctly, it is in Morocco.
Tip: Conditional opener for clarifying.
Fill with the best answer: Do you ____ Melilla, not Ibiza?
Tip: Common clarification question.
✍️ Vocabulary
enclave
Meaning: territory inside another areaSynonyms: outpost, exclave, district
Chunk/Idiom: a Spanish enclave
Example: A spanish enclave.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Find two enclaves on a map.
back away
Meaning: withdraw from a commitmentSynonyms: retreat, step back, reverse
Chunk/Idiom: back away from a promise
Example: Back away from a promise.
Morphology: phrasal verb
Self-practice: Write one sentence using ‘back away’.
visa
Meaning: permission to enter a countrySynonyms: permit, authorization, entry document
Chunk/Idiom: apply for a visa
Example: Apply for a visa.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: List two documents for a visa.
headline
Meaning: title of a news articleSynonyms: title, heading, banner
Chunk/Idiom: read the headline
Example: Read the headline.
Morphology: noun
Self-practice: Rewrite one neutral headline.
clarify
Meaning: make something clearerSynonyms: explain, specify, illuminate
Chunk/Idiom: clarify a point
Example: Clarify a point.
Morphology: verb
Self-practice: Ask one clarifying question.
objective
Meaning: not influenced by feelingsSynonyms: neutral, unbiased, factual
Chunk/Idiom: stay objective
Example: Stay objective.
Morphology: adjective
Self-practice: Write a neutral summary in one line.
☁️ Examples (+ audio)
From my perspective, the claim is unclear.
According to the report, visas are required.
People who seek safety often need documents.
Do you mean Melilla, not Ibiza?
✏️ Exercises
Grammar
It ______ the policy changed last month.
Tip: Hedging verb.
According ______ the article, crossings fell.
Tip: Fixed phrase.
Fill with the best answer:
An enclave ______ to another state is unusual.Tip: -ing participle as modifier.
Fill with the best answer:
Do you ______ Ceuta or Melilla?Tip: Clarifying question.
Vocabulary & Comprehension
Which word means ‘permission to enter’?
Tip: Key noun.
‘Back away’ is closest to ______.
Tip: Phrasal verb meaning.
Fill with the best answer:
Stay ______ when you report the story.Tip: Adjective of neutral reporting.
Fill with the best answer:
Please ______ this point about visas.Tip: Verb for making clear.
✅ Guided practice
Mini-dialogue:
A: According to the report, crossings fell.B: If I understand correctly, Melilla is in Morocco.
Yes, it is Spanish territory in North Africa.
Why this matters:
Sensitive topics need neutral language. Clarification prevents mistakes. Attribution shows respect for facts.Verb & Adjective Pack:
interpret — “Interpret the headline carefully.”verify — “Verify the source and the numbers.”
summarise — “Summarise the key points neutrally.”
Try & compare:
Fill with the best answer: From my ______, the headline is misleading.
Tip: Collocation: from my perspective.
Self-correction: Fix the sentence: According with the BBC, visas are needed.
Tip: Use ‘to’ after ‘according’.
Practice aloud: Listen, repeat, then type the sentence.
According to the report, visas are required for entry.
Tip: Keep the stress on ‘visas’ and ‘required’.