1. UPP B1 LEVEL MONTHLY EXAM I 27/10/2015
Listening – Note Taking Text (for TEACHERS)
TERRORIST ATTACKS
Terrorism is the use of violence or threats to force people to do something. Every day in newspapers we read about
diseases, deaths and deadly terrorism attacks. In today’s lecture, I will focus on seven horrible terrorist attacks in history.
First, I will talk about the Ma’a lot Massacre. Later, I will inform you about the TWA-flight terrorist attack, the 2003 Istanbul
bombings, the Anthrax attack, the Mumbai attack, the Oklahoma City bombing, and finally the World Trade Center 9/11
attacks.
First let’s begin with the Ma’a Massacre. Many of you might not know the word “massacre.” Massacre is the act or
an instance of killing a large number of usually helpless or unresisting under circumstances of brutality or cruelty. Shortly, it
is the act of killing helpless people in the most violent ways. In Israeli history, May 15, 1973 is considered the worst day. On
this terrible day, May 15, 1973, more than 115 people were taken as hostages. In the end, 25 were killed and the rest were
injured. The terrorists, who killed these 25 people, belonged to the Palestinian Liberation Organization.
Secondly, I want to talk about the TWA-flight attack that occurred in 1974, which was done by the Abu Nidal
organization, another Palestinian terrorist group. It was the worst terrorist attack in the air and killed 80 passengers. The
day was September 8, 1974. In the middle of the plane’s journey, the plane suddenly crashed into the Ionian Sea, near
Greece. At first engine failure was given as a reason and the blame was put on the pilot’s mistake. But very soon, the bitter
and shocking truth came out. The crash was 100% the result of a terrorist bomb blast which belonged to the Abu Nidal
Organization, a Palestinian terrorist group, as I have mentioned. 80 passengers traveled in this plane and none of them
survived.
The Anthrax attack was one of the most complicated attacks in history, and happened in 2001. It had a slow start
and steadily caused an impact after several weeks. It claimed the lives of 5 innocent people and injured 17 people. This
was one of the most complicated cases to handle in history because this attack did not have bombs, weapons or anything
else. Yes you have heard it right. No bombs, no weapons, nothing! It was just through letters that contained anthrax
bacteria. Let me explain what anthrax is. Anthrax is a serious disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Most
forms of the disease are lethal; I mean they cause death. Therefore, this was a biological terrorist attack. Letters containing
anthrax spores were posted to several news media offices and two Democratic U.S. Senators, killing 5 people and infecting
17 others. The reason behind these attacks is not known exactly. Firstly it was blamed on Al Qaeda, later the FBI
suspected Dr Bruce Edwards Ivins. After a few weeks, Dr Ivins committed suicide. Dr Ivins was a biodefense researcher for
the United States Army and the key suspect in the 2001 anthrax attacks. He committed suicide after learning that criminal
charges were likely to be filed against him by the FBI for an alleged criminal connection to the 2001 anthrax attack. No
formal charges were ever actually filed against him for the crime, and no direct evidence of his involvement has been
uncovered.
Now, I would like to inform you about the 2003 Istanbul bombings. Four truck bomb attacks were carried out on
November 15 and November 20, in Istanbul, Turkey, leaving 57 people dead, and 700 wounded. On November 15, two
trucks carrying bombs slammed into the Bet Israel and Neve Shalom synagogues in Istanbul and exploded. The explosions
destroyed the two synagogues and killed many people, most of whom were Turkish citizens. Five days later, on November
20, two more truck bombs exploded. One of the truck bombs exploded at the British consulate in Beyoglu, and the other at
the London-based bank, HSBC, Levent Headquarters. Several Britons were killed in the two attacks, including the top
British diplomat in Istanbul, Consul-General Roger Short, while the rest of the victims were mostly Turkish, as in the earlier
synagogue blasts. Let me repeat. The top British diplomat in Istanbul, Consul-General Roger Short, was among people
killed atthe consulate in Beyoglu. Several al-Qaeda terrorists have been convicted for their involvementin the bombing.
Conducted by Pakistani terrorists, the Mumbai attack is the worst attack to take place in Indian History and
happened in November, 2008. The spot was India’s most famous Hotel, the Hotel Taj Mahal. There was a 64- hour long
battle between the military and police forces and the terrorists. There were continuous shooting and bombing from both
sides, which killed 100 people. The date 26 November 2008 will remain as a black day in Indian history forever. There were
other attacks in several places of Mumbai on the same day; however, Hotel Taj Mahal was the main target which witnessed
the death of 100 innocentpeople.
Now, let me move on to the Oklahoma City bombing. Oklahoma City’s, Alfred.P. Murrah Federal building was
attacked with a truck filled with bombs in April 1995. Around 170 people were killed including 20 children and 680 more
victims were injured. Yes, unfortunately lots of children died in this terrorist act. The terrorist, Timothy McVeigh, was
2. UPP B1 LEVEL MONTHLY EXAM I 27/10/2015
imprisoned and put to death 6 years later. Timothy McVeigh was an American terrorist who exploded the truck bomb in
front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.
Finally, I would like talk about the World Trade Center attack, known as the 9/11 attacks which happened in 2001. It
is the worst terrorist attack in world history as almost 3000 were killed and 9000 were injured. The 9/11 attack on the World
Trade Center is truly on top of the list as it is the worst terrorist attack that has been faced by humans living anywhere in
any part of the world so far. As I have said, 3000 were killed and 9000 were injured.
No matter if the attacks are small or big, terrorism must be completely stopped. No religion has mandated their
followers to kill the followers of another religion. On the other hand, killing innocent people does not give any justice to any
nation. Killing soldiers or getting killed by soldiers in a war zone may be done to rescue someone‘s homeland. However,
terrorism is an evil act. That’s all for today. Thank you for listening.
4. UPP B1 LEVEL MONTHLY EXAM I 27/10/2015
NOTE-TAKING GUIDE
Take notes using the headings below while listening to the lecture called ″Terrorist Attacks″. You will hear the
lecture ONCE.
Ma’a Massacre
TWA-Flight Attack
2003 Istanbul Bombings
Anthrax Attack
5. UPP B1 LEVEL MONTHLY EXAM I 27/10/2015
Mumbai Attack
Oklahoma City Bombing
World Trade Center 9/11
