Live · Oct 19, 2026

Vol. 12 · Nº292Monday Edition

Learn English with attitude

Current Affairs English

Nothing is normal — question everything

§ 01

Listen to the full report

Audio

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§ 02

Audio Word Matching

2 sets

Want a vocabulary drill from this episode? Finish the Audio Quiz to unlock the transcript — the gap-fill drill is underneath it.

§ 03

Audio Quiz

9 questions

§ 04

Audio Transcript

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Answer all the audio questions to read the text of the audio.

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§ 05

Audio Grammar

4 forms

§ 06

Audio Discussion

5 questions

Discussion Questions

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01

The audio raises the possibility that a Western leader may have deliberately blocked a peace deal. If this were proven true, what do you think the motive could have been — and what would be the consequences for how we judge that decision today?

02

Some people argue that prolonging the war in Ukraine served Western interests by weakening Russia economically and militarily. Do you think powerful countries ever fight wars "by proxy" to gain geopolitical advantages without risking their own soldiers? Can you think of any historical examples?

03

The idea of breaking a large, powerful country into smaller states — sometimes called "balkanisation" — has been discussed in relation to Russia. Do you think this is a realistic goal of Western foreign policy, or does it sound more like a conspiracy theory? What evidence would change your mind either way?

04

The source in the audio "completely flips the mainstream narrative." How do you decide which sources to trust when two very different stories are being told about the same event? Does the fact that a view is unpopular or controversial make it more or less credible to you?

05

The audio describes the invasion as something that "spiralled out of control." Do you think most wars start that way — as limited actions that escalate beyond anyone's original intention — or do you believe large-scale conflicts are usually planned from the beginning? Does it matter which is true when we judge who is responsible?

§ 07

Personal Notes

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