B1 – Intermediate
Prisoner swap or exchange is the return of personnels from the opposing nations at war. As a general rule, captured enemies cannot be enslaved and should be handed over to the nation they served by the end of the war.
Listen to this audio and read the transcript to find out more about the recent prisoner exchange between the U.S. and Iran.
https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/iran-us-prisoner-swap-level-3/
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does the adjective “unfrozen” mean in this context? “…alongside the transfer of $6 billion in unfrozen Iranian funds to banks in Qatar.” Use it in a sentence.
- What is the meaning of the word “detained“? “This carefully orchestrated exchange will see detained US dual nationals released from Iran.” Use it in your own sentence and give two synonyms.
- Define the verb “hint at“. “...followed by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken hinting at their eventual return.” Use it in a sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- What does this prisoner swap entail?
- Do you agree that this exchange can be likened to a ransom? Why or why not?
- What do you know about the US-Iran tension?
- Does your country have a prisoner exchange treaty with other countries? What is your opinion on this kind of treaty?