Learning English

Colombia's peace vote

A vote has taken place in Colombia to sign a peace agreement between the government and Farc rebels - however the result of this referendum has shocked many.

Language challenge

'Pick up' has many different meanings in English, but which of these sentences is NOT a correct use of 'pick up'?

a) I'll pick you up from the airport at 6.00.
b) I picked up a cold at the weekend.
c) You should pick up your hand if you don't know the answer in class.
d) I tried phoning her but she's not picking up.

You'll hear the answer in the programme.

Watch the video and complete the activity

The story

The Colombian president, Juan Manuel Santos, has met opposition leaders to find a way to salvage the peace process after voters rejected a deal that was four years in the making.

He's appointed senior officials to discuss ways of amending the landmark peace agreement with the Farc rebel group.

Leonardo Rocha - BBC News

Two cabinet ministers and the man who led the negotiations with the Farc, Humberto De La Calle, have been appointed by Mr Santos to talk to the opposition.

They will try to find some common ground to save the peace process. The leader of the 'no' campaign, the former president Álvaro Uribe has demanded changes to the terms of the agreement if he's to support it. Like many Colombians Mr Uribe believes the government gave the rebels too many concessions. He wants those who committed serious crimes to serve time in jail and more compensation for the victims of five decades of conflict.

Key words and phrases

common ground
something people agree about, especially when they disagree about other things

pick yourself up
recover from a difficult situation

scramble
try very hard to do something in a hurry, often when competing with other people

Farc
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia

To do

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Downloads

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Language challenge - answer

The correct answer is c). In this sentence we would use 'put up' not 'pick up'. "You should put up your hand if you don't know the answer in class". The other three sentences are correct uses of 'pick up'.

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