A Drone Photograph Shows the Human and Environmental Cost of Ship Recycling in Bangladesh

Study the questions and tasks

Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.

Practice level

B2. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.

Question formats

Single choice

How to approach this practice

Read the questions, then listen before opening the transcript. Notice names, numbers and any corrections the speaker makes.

1. Question 1 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What happened first in the recording’s opening account?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. The industry received criticism from labor unions
   2. The photograph won the overall award
   3. The crew prepared metal for overseas resale
   4. The ship was brought to Bangladesh for recycling
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   The photograph won the overall award

   The award is introduced before the photographer and image title.

   A photograph showing a huge ship being dismantled on the mudflats of the Bay of Bengal has won the overall prize in the 2026 Siena Drone Photo Awards.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   How many men are in the crew shown in the scene?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. 13
   2. 26
   3. 60
   4. 2026
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   60

   The recording states the crew’s size directly when describing the image.

   In the image’s scene, a crew of 60 men uses blow torches and winches to break apart the ship.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What happens to the recovered metal?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. It is buried beneath the mudflats
   2. It is prepared for overseas resale
   3. It is returned to the original tanker
   4. It is used only for local construction
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   It is prepared for overseas resale

   The metal is processed and then prepared for sale outside Bangladesh.

   Large quantities of metal are recovered and prepared for resale overseas.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Why are ships brought to the coast?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. They need new fuel for another voyage
   2. They are close to the end of their working lives
   3. They are being transported to photography competitions
   4. They require repairs before carrying passengers
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   They are close to the end of their working lives

   The recording says they arrive there near the end of their working lives.

   Ships from around the world are brought to the coast when they are close to the end of their working lives.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Which groups are specifically included among the industry’s critics?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Tourists, architects, and shipping customers
   2. Environmental groups, human rights organizations, and labor unions
   3. Photographers, judges, and museum directors
   4. Fishermen, exporters, and electricity companies
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Environmental groups, human rights organizations, and labor unions

   The recording names several organized groups concerned about the industry.

   However, the industry has also faced criticism from environmental groups, human rights organizations, labor unions, and other non-governmental organizations.

6. Question 6 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What danger is directly connected to the sea?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Metal shortages along the coast
   2. Chemicals entering the sea
   3. Ships disappearing during transport
   4. Tanker fuel becoming too expensive
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Chemicals entering the sea

   Chemical entry into the sea is identified as an environmental concern.

   Their concerns include uncontrolled pollution, chemicals entering the sea, and dangerous conditions for workers.

7. Question 7 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   What does bird’s-eye photography help viewers notice?

   Return to the passage, recording or visual
   1. Only the technical quality of camera equipment
   2. Landscapes and human experiences that ground views may hide
   3. The private opinions of every worker shown
   4. The future price of recovered metal
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   Landscapes and human experiences that ground views may hide

   The awards use aerial views to reveal experiences hidden from ground level.

   The Siena awards use bird’s-eye photography to show landscapes, livelihoods, and human experiences that may be difficult to see from the ground.

What to review next

Listen again to difficult sections, then open the transcript to check what you heard. Repeat a useful phrase aloud and try the recording once more without the text.

A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.

Before you practise: a worked example

Listen for the final information, especially when a speaker corrects or changes an earlier statement.

Example transcript: “Let’s meet at five — actually, half past five would be better.” What is the final suggested time?

The final suggested time is 5:30. Actually signals a correction; the first time is replaced by the later suggestion.

This teaching example is separate from the scored questions. After your test, compare any mistakes with the explanation and revisit the topic before trying again.