Trump Is Opening America's Most Dangerous Prison: English for IELTS and TOEFL episode artwork

EPISODE · May 7, 2025 · 18 MIN

Trump Is Opening America's Most Dangerous Prison: English for IELTS and TOEFL

from American English With Brent · host Brent

In this English lesson, we explore a surprising news story—former President Trump wants to reopen Alcatraz! Learn 22 or more key vocabulary words and expressions while diving into the history and mystery of this famous prison island. Perfect for English learners who want to build their vocabulary using real news stories!👨‍🏫 Do you want to be my student? https://brentspeak.as.me/💙 OVER 100 BONUS ENGLISH LESSONS? Become a channel member. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCakDTg9dhhAsr3WmHyJDa-g/joinTrump Wants to Reopen America’s Most Dangerous Prison1. Alcatraz: A famous prison on an island near San Francisco.: President Trump said he might reopen Alcatraz to hold the country’s most dangerous criminals.2. Notorious: Famous for something bad.: Alcatraz is notorious for being one of the toughest prisons in history.: Los Angeles is a city that’s notorious for its traffic jams. 3. Escape Proof: Impossible to escape from.: Trump called Alcatraz escape-proof and perfect for dangerous inmates.4. “I’m in”: I agree or want to join.: When Trump announced the Alcatraz plan, his supporters replied, “I’m in!”5. Expand: To make bigger or add more.: Trump said he wants to expand Alcatraz to hold more prisoners.6. Ruthless: Cruel and without kindness.: Trump said only the most ruthless criminals would be sent to Alcatraz.7. Radicalized: Made extreme in beliefs, often political or religious.: He claimed radicalized individuals are too dangerous for regular prisons.8. Due process: Fair treatment under the law.: Critics said reopening Alcatraz could ignore due process for prisoners.9. Brilliant: Very smart or clever.: One supporter called Trump’s idea to reopen Alcatraz brilliant.10. Obviously: Clearly or without a doubt.: “Obviously, putting dangerous criminals on an island keeps others safer,” Trump said.11. Interpretation: The way someone understands or explains something.: Trump’s interpretation of the law allows for reopening closed prisons like Alcatraz.12. Driving up: Increasing (usually numbers or costs).: Some people worry that reopening Alcatraz will drive up prison costs.13. Assessing: Judging or figuring something out.: The government is assessing whether Alcatraz is ready to use again.14. Potential: Possible or likely in the future.: Trump believes Alcatraz has the potential to help fix the prison system.15. Looking ahead: Thinking about the future.: Looking ahead, Trump says America needs stronger prisons like Alcatraz.16. Turn it over: To give control to someone else.: Trump said if he wins and reopens Alcatraz, he’ll turn it over to the Department of Justice.17. Ideally: In the best situation.: Ideally, Alcatraz would be used only for the most dangerous criminals.18. Carry it forward: Continue or move an idea into the future.: Even after Trump leaves office, he wants the next president to carry it forward.19. Successor: The person who comes next in a job.: Trump hopes his successor will support keeping Alcatraz open.20. Comply: To follow rules or laws.: Any new Alcatraz prison must comply with modern safety rules.21. Maintenance: The work needed to keep something in good condition.: Alcatraz will need a lot of maintenance before it can be used again.

In this English lesson, we explore a surprising news story—former President Trump wants to reopen Alcatraz! Learn 22 or more key vocabulary words and expressions while diving into the history and mystery of this famous prison island. Perfect for English learners who want to build their vocabulary using real news stories!👨‍🏫 Do you want to be my student? https://brentspeak.as.me/💙 OVER 100 BONUS ENGLISH LESSONS? Become a channel member. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCakDTg9dhhAsr3WmHyJDa-g/joinTrump Wants to Reopen America’s Most Dangerous Prison1. Alcatraz: A famous prison on an island near San Francisco.: President Trump said he might reopen Alcatraz to hold the country’s most dangerous criminals.2. Notorious: Famous for something bad.: Alcatraz is notorious for being one of the toughest prisons in history.: Los Angeles is a city that’s notorious for its traffic jams. 3. Escape Proof: Impossible to escape from.: Trump called Alcatraz escape-proof and perfect for dangerous inmates.4. “I’m in”: I agree or want to join.: When Trump announced the Alcatraz plan, his supporters replied, “I’m in!”5. Expand: To make bigger or add more.: Trump said he wants to expand Alcatraz to hold more prisoners.6. Ruthless: Cruel and without kindness.: Trump said only the most ruthless criminals would be sent to Alcatraz.7. Radicalized: Made extreme in beliefs, often political or religious.: He claimed radicalized individuals are too dangerous for regular prisons.8. Due process: Fair treatment under the law.: Critics said reopening Alcatraz could ignore due process for prisoners.9. Brilliant: Very smart or clever.: One supporter called Trump’s idea to reopen Alcatraz brilliant.10. Obviously: Clearly or without a doubt.: “Obviously, putting dangerous criminals on an island keeps others safer,” Trump said.11. Interpretation: The way someone understands or explains something.: Trump’s interpretation of the law allows for reopening closed prisons like Alcatraz.12. Driving up: Increasing (usually numbers or costs).: Some people worry that reopening Alcatraz will drive up prison costs.13. Assessing: Judging or figuring something out.: The government is assessing whether Alcatraz is ready to use again.14. Potential: Possible or likely in the future.: Trump believes Alcatraz has the potential to help fix the prison system.15. Looking ahead: Thinking about the future.: Looking ahead, Trump says America needs stronger prisons like Alcatraz.16. Turn it over: To give control to someone else.: Trump said if he wins and reopens Alcatraz, he’ll turn it over to the Department of Justice.17. Ideally: In the best situation.: Ideally, Alcatraz would be used only for the most dangerous criminals.18. Carry it forward: Continue or move an idea into the future.: Even after Trump leaves office, he wants the next president to carry it forward.19. Successor: The person who comes next in a job.: Trump hopes his successor will support keeping Alcatraz open.20. Comply: To follow rules or laws.: Any new Alcatraz prison must comply with modern safety rules.21. Maintenance: The work needed to keep something in good condition.: Alcatraz will need a lot of maintenance before it can be used again.

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Trump Is Opening America's Most Dangerous Prison: English for IELTS and TOEFL

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This episode was published on May 7, 2025.

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In this English lesson, we explore a surprising news story—former President Trump wants to reopen Alcatraz! Learn 22 or more key vocabulary words and expressions while diving into the history and mystery of this famous prison island. Perfect for...

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