Learning English

Brazil's president on the edge

Brazil is split between those who support President Rousseff and those who believe she has committed serious crimes. But a vote last night has moved the situation one step closer to officially declaring her to be a criminal.

In the video, Finn and Catherine explore language used by newspapers and websites across the world to talk about this story.

Language challenge

Which of these body parts cannot be used as a verb?

a) head

b) back

c) shoulder

d) nostril

Watch the video and complete the activity

The story

A Brazilian congressional committee has recommended the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff. After stormy debate that lasted all day, the committee voted by 38 votes to 27 in favour of impeachment. The lower house of Congress will consider the matter within the next week. President Rousseff has condemned the moves as a political coup.

Wyre Davies – BBC correspondent

"Dilma out! Dilma out!" shouted the government's jubilant opponents after ten hours of often bitter, noisy debate which highlighted the deep divisions in Brazilian society.

At the end of which the special committee on impeachment voted by 38 votes to 27 to recommend the impeachment of President Rousseff.

The president has been hit hard by a faltering economy and a damaging corruption scandal focused on the state-controlled oil giant Petrobras which has implicated several senior politicians and business leaders.

President Rousseff and her supporters in the ruling Workers Party say the proceedings in congress amount to a parliament coup against a democratically elected government.

Key words and phrases

impeachment
a formal accusation that a public official has committed a serious crime while in power

stormy
loud, involving strong emotions

coup
sudden seizing of political power, often by an army

back
support

hurdle
obstacle, challenge, difficulty

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Language challenge - answer

The answer is: d) nostril.

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