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　　The “Rena” broke in half today. This was not surprising because the weather was stormy and the sea was rough. The waves were 6m high last night. The rough sea could continue until Wednesday.

　　The two halves of the ship are now about 20 to 30m apart. It is possible the back half, the stern, could sink. 200 to 300 containers fell into the sea. About 20% of them will float but the rest will sink. Some containers may float to the beach or out to sea. Containers which are hidden in the water are dangerous for other ships. Small boats have to keep away from the area, and large ships which are arriving or leaving the port have to take extra care.

　　Nothing can be done to the ship until the weather improves.

　　Vocabulary

　　spill – liquid falls by accident e.g. Be careful. Don’t spill your coffee on the floor.

　　remove – take away

　　improve – get better

　　heavy oil – opposite is light oil

　　rough sea – opposite is calm sea

　　float – opposite is sink

　　apart – opposite is together

　　Useful phrases:

　　There were still X remaining; there are still 358 days remaining this year.

　　Nothing can be done

　　Grammar

　　Showing possibility: could continue, could sink, may float

　　Showing necessity: have to keep away, have to take extra care

　　Adjectives:

　　It is not surprising – we are not surprised

　　There are many adjectives in English like this e.g. It is interesting, I am interested

　　Here are some others: amazing/ amazed; astonishing/ astonished; tiring/ tired; fascinating / fascinated; frightening / frightened