Learn English with the News: “Pink balloons for Afghanistan”

Dear all,

Learning English with the news is a great way to stay up to date with current topics and practice new vocabulary words. So, are you ready for today’s lesson?

1. Read the text
2. Understand the vocabulary
3. Watch the news

Text

Ten thousand pink balloons invade the streets of Kabul. It’s all about sending a message of happiness and peace to Afghans, says the project’s founder, New York artist Yazmany Arboleda.

– The idea is really to allow people to wonder what is this and what does it mean. And to drive home the opportunity for possibility so they can think in the context of this community and of the war and in the context of the history of Afghanistan that there is possibility.

In a country that has suffered from three decades of war and poverty, moods were lifted by the balloons.

– These balloons show the message of peace for the people of Afghanistan. I am holding this because I want peace for Afghanistan.

– These balloons in reality mean nothing but they carry a big hope for people, which is peace. They show that Afghans want peace. I personally am seeking peace that is why I’m holding this balloon.

Arboleda has also unleashed colored balloons in India, Japan and Kenya.

Vocabulary

Invade – to enter (a place) in large numbers.

Allow – to permit (something) : to regard or treat (something) as acceptable.

Decades – a period of 10 years.

Moods – the way someone feels : a person’s emotional state.

Unleashed – to allow or cause (something very powerful) to happen suddenly.

News