Listening Part 4: News Item

A team of workers who do a particular job together, such as firefighting or road repair.

“Hydro crews worked through the night to restore power in the east end.”

“Road crews will begin patching potholes on Victoria Avenue next week.”

Often used: fire crews · repair crews · crews are working to

CELPIP tip: The word before crew tells you which service is involved. Hydro, fire and road crews point to different kinds of events.

The official groups, such as police or government departments, that have the power to make decisions and act.

“Local authorities are asking drivers to avoid the downtown core until Friday.”

“Health authorities in the region have issued a boil-water advisory for three neighbourhoods.”

Often used: local authorities · health authorities · authorities say

CELPIP tip: Reporters often say authorities without naming a department. If an answer option names police or the city, check that the report actually specified it.

A person who travels regularly between home and work or school, usually by car or transit.

“Commuters on Highway 401 are being warned to expect delays after this morning’s crash.”

“The new GO train schedule is good news for commuters travelling from Oshawa.”

Often used: daily commuters · commuters are advised to · transit commuters

CELPIP tip: In a news item, commuters are often the people affected by a closure or delay. Listen for advice aimed at them, which may be the answer to a question.

To open again after being closed for a period of time, such as a road, park or business.

“The Lions Gate Bridge is expected to reopen to traffic by Monday morning.”

“City officials say the outdoor pool will reopen once repairs to the filter are finished.”

Often used: reopen to the public · expected to reopen · reopen next week

CELPIP tip: Questions often ask what will happen next, and reopen is a common answer. Note the date or condition that goes with it, because options may change only that detail.

A person chosen to speak to the media on behalf of a company, police service or government office.

“A spokesperson for Halifax Regional Police said the road would reopen by evening.”

“The hospital's spokesperson declined to comment on the number of patients moved.”

Often used: a spokesperson for · a spokesperson said · the city's spokesperson

CELPIP tip: When a question asks who gave information, the answer is often the organization behind the spokesperson, not the person's name. Note the organization.

To cause a reaction, such as anger, debate or worry, often suddenly.

“The proposal to close the rink has sparked a petition with over 2,000 signatures.”

“A post about rising parking fees sparked a heated debate at city hall.”

Often used: spark concern · spark debate · spark a protest

CELPIP tip: Whatever comes after sparked is the effect, and the subject is the cause. Reverse them in your head to check an answer about cause and effect.

To happen as planned, especially after some doubt about whether it would.

“Despite the rain, the Harvest Fair will go ahead this weekend.”

“The mall expansion can go ahead now that the permit has been approved.”

Often used: will go ahead as planned · get the go-ahead · go ahead with

CELPIP tip: Pay attention to negatives such as will not go ahead. A single not reverses the meaning of the whole report.

For authorities, to start dealing much more strictly with a behaviour they want to stop.

“Police in Surrey say they will crack down on speeding near school zones this fall.”

“The city plans to crack down on illegal dumping behind the shopping plaza.”

Often used: crack down on speeding · a crackdown on · vow to crack down on

CELPIP tip: The noun form crackdown is also common in reports. When you hear it, note who is acting and what behaviour is targeted, since questions may ask either.

Shut for a limited time, with plans to open again later.

“The public library on Elm Street is temporarily closed while the roof is repaired.”

“Part of the bike path will be temporarily closed during the marathon.”

Often used: remain temporarily closed · temporarily closed to traffic · temporarily closed until

CELPIP tip: Listen for until after this phrase. The reopening date or condition is a likely detail for a question about what happens next.

To tell the public officially about something that an organization intends to do.

“The province announced plans to build a new clinic in Moncton by 2028.”

“A local bakery chain has announced plans to open three more locations.”

Often used: announced plans to · announced plans for · has announced plans

CELPIP tip: Plans are not facts yet. If a question asks what has already happened, do not choose something that was only announced.

The elected group of people who make decisions and laws for a city.

“City council voted nine to four in favour of the new bike lanes.”

“Residents can share their views at the city council meeting on Tuesday night.”

Often used: city council voted · a city council meeting · city council approved

CELPIP tip: Vote counts and meeting dates tied to city council are typical detail questions. Jot them down as figures, not words.

Placed before a number to show that it is a careful guess rather than an exact count.

“An estimated 4,000 people lined the waterfront for the Canada Day fireworks.”

“The storm left an estimated 12,000 homes without power overnight.”

Often used: an estimated number of · an estimated cost of · an estimated total

CELPIP tip: Write the number down the moment you hear an estimated. Numbers pass quickly and are hard to recall once the reporter moves on.

Being examined carefully by officials to find out what happened or who is responsible.

“The cause of the warehouse fire remains under investigation.”

“Two contractors are under investigation after complaints about unfinished renovations.”

Often used: remains under investigation · currently under investigation · placed under investigation

CELPIP tip: If the cause is still under investigation, an answer option that names a definite cause is probably a trap.

Shows that the information comes from a particular person, report or organization.

“According to the fire department, the blaze started in a kitchen on the second floor.”

“Ridership on the new bus route has doubled, according to Transit Windsor.”

Often used: according to police · according to a new report · according to witnesses

CELPIP tip: Whatever follows according to is the source. Questions that ask where a figure came from usually point back to this phrase.

A standard news line meaning that, as far as officials know, nobody was hurt.

“A delivery truck hit a light pole on Queen Street, but no injuries were reported.”

“Everyone left the school safely, and no injuries were reported.”

Often used: fortunately, no injuries were reported · no serious injuries were reported

CELPIP tip: Notice small additions like serious. No serious injuries means some minor injuries may have happened, which changes the correct answer.

At the place where an event such as an accident or fire is happening or has just happened.

“Paramedics were on the scene within minutes of the first call.”

“Our reporter on the scene says traffic is backed up for several kilometres.”

Often used: arrived on the scene · crews on the scene · first on the scene

CELPIP tip: This phrase often introduces the order of events. Track who arrived first and what they did, because sequence questions are common in news items.

Following, and usually because of, an important or unpleasant event.

“In the wake of last spring's flooding, the town is rebuilding two bridges.”

“Several stores added security cameras in the wake of a string of break-ins.”

Often used: in the wake of the storm · in the wake of complaints · in the wake of the decision

CELPIP tip: This phrase links a cause to a response. When a question asks why something was done, the event after in the wake of is usually the reason.

Because of; introduces the reason for something.

“The ferry to Nanaimo was cancelled due to high winds.”

“Due to low registration, the fall soccer league will not run this year.”

Often used: due to weather · due to safety concerns · largely due to

CELPIP tip: Due to is the most frequent cause marker in news reports. Underline the words after it in your notes, because why questions draw on them.