Every month, we take a look at a word in the headlines, in English, for your English. See more at The Word of the Month.
Definitions
Asylum (noun): Shelter or protection, like for refugees or people in danger.
Also: A hospital for mentally ill people.
Example: Ironically, the migrants were given asylum at the asylum.
Asylum in the news
This month, waves of migrants seeking asylum continue to divide Europe.
EU countries are responding in wildly different ways, ranging from aid to deportation. Have you helped a refugee lately?
Reasons to refuse asylum
Xenophobia: That’s still cool, right?
Cheese: The migrants might eat all our precious cheese.
Science: Many migrants are doctors and stuff. There’s no need for that in Europe.
Reasons to grant asylum
Contribution to society. Migrants aren’t rich enough yet to avoid paying taxes.
It’s a fundamental human right. Like voting and free wifi.
Be a good neighbor. You’re always saying you want to meet new people.
Take a look through our Word of the Month archives, or improve your English with gymglish.com.