ESL Podcast 803 - Negotiating a Peace Treaty
nation - country
How many nations belong to the United Nations?
peace treaty - an official agreement between two governments to end a war
They'll never be able to sign a peace treaty if they aren't willing to compromise.
ceasefire - an agreement to stop shooting or sending bombs
With the ceasefire in place, people were finally able to leave their homes without fear.
hostilities - fighting; acts of war
If these hostilities continue, we will be forced to send in the army.
historic - something that will be remembered in the future because it has become an important part of history
Do you remember the historic day when humans first reached the moon?
to be settled - to be agreed upon or decided; for all the details of an agreement or arrangement to be worked out
It took a while, but everything has finally been settled. They've agreed to get married in front of the waterfalls at the national park.
border - an imaginary line separating two areas or countries; a line on a map between two areas of land
The Columbia River forms the border between Washington and Oregon.
recognition of statehood - an official statement that one government agrees that another group of people and area of land forms a separate country
In what year did the United States receive recognition of statehood?
political prisoner - a person who is put in jail or held captive (not allowed to leave) because of his or her beliefs or actions related to politics and government
After he defied the government, he was held in jail for 10 years as a political prisoner.
to ratify - to officially agree to and confirm or approve an important agreement or document, especially when many people or representatives must do so together
It took many years for the states to ratify the U.S. Constitution.
formality - a technicality; something that must be done according to the rules, but that does not present any difficulties or obstacles
Congratulations, you've passed the exam! We need the dean to sign the final results, but that's really just a formality and you'll have your diploma soon.
refugee - a person who must leave his or her country because it is too dangerous to continue living there
During the civil war, thousands of refugees went to neighboring countries.
at long last - finally; after a long period of time spent waiting for something to happen
At long last, their 10-month-old baby finally started sleeping through the night.
banner day - an important, noteworthy day that should be recognized and remembered
It was a banner day for the stock market and investors were very pleased.
world peace - the idea that there are no wars and all countries and people are calm, free, and happy, no longer fighting against each other
Do you think we'll ever achieve world peace, or is it only a dream?
in that spirit - along those lines; on a related topic
The boss said the key to better teamwork is to spend more time together outside of the office. In that spirit, who wants to leave work early to get a beer?
formal apology - a very serious, maybe written statement that one is sorry for what has happened, asking for another person's forgiveness
The senator went on television to make a formal apology for his actions and ask voters to forgive him.
reparations - compensation; something offered or given to apologize and/or make up for a past mistake, especially one that caused damage or harm to another person
The judge declared Vic guilty and demanded that he pay $20,000 in reparations to his tenants.