QUESTIONS:

1. Do Americans think that Osama bin Laden has left Afghanistan at the moment? Why?

2. Are they sure the voice they heard was that of Mr. bin Laden? Why?

3. How many Al Qaeda fighters have Afghan militia captured in the Tora Bora region in the past five days?

4. Where did an American cruise missile strike in August 1998?

5. Is bin Laden careful when speaking on radio or cellphone? Why?

6. What does C.I.A. mean?

7. Who is the most important Al Qaeda leader killed in Afghanistan? Why was he so important?

8. Look for in the text and write down at least 12 words related to "war".

ANSWERS:

1. No, because The United States has intercepted radio communications in recent days with the voice of Osama bin Laden giving orders to Al Qaeda troops in Tora Bora.

2. No, They aren't sure. Experts who have listened to the intercepted communications are "reasonably certain" that the voice is that of Mr. bin Laden, but they aren't absolutely sure.

3. Afghan militia have captured between 200 and 300 Al Qaeda fighters in the Tora Bora region during intense fighting in the past five days.

4. American cruise missile strike on Al Qaeda terrorist training camps near Khost, Afghanistan, in August 1998.

5. Yes, he is. Because he knows that Americans are always trying to intercept his communications.

6. C.I.A. means: Central Intelligency Agency.

7. The most important Al Qaeda leader killed in Afghanistan is Muhammad Atef. He was Al Qaeda's chief of military operations and was accused of being one of the planners of the Sept. 11 attacks.

8. Possible answers: soldiers, combat, enemy, official, bombing, campaign, fighters,  killed, given up, captured,
militia, fighting, forces, command, admiral, prisoners, high-ranking, rank-and-file, leaders, military, policy, raids, missile, terrorist, training, camps, exile, attack, plans, communications, security, force, defeat, operations, intercept, strike, hit.