The Reading / Listening - Brownface - Level 3

The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, has apologized for a photo of him in brownface. This is the wearing of face make-up to look like a brown-skinned person. It used to be common in theatrical shows, but it is racist, offensive and disrespectful. The photo of Mr Trudeau wearing brownface was given to Time magazine on Wednesday. It was taken when he was a teacher in 2001. He was attending an end-of-year school gala that had an Arabian Nights theme. He put on dark brown make-up to dress as a character from Aladdin. Mr Trudeau said he was sorry for the photo. He told reporters: "I shouldn't have done it. I should have known better, but I didn't. And I'm really sorry."

The photo could mean trouble for Mr Trudeau. He is running for re-election as Canada's leader and is neck-and-neck in the polls. His biggest rival told reporters: "Like all Canadians, I was extremely shocked and disappointed when I learned of Justin Trudeau's actions this evening. Wearing brownface is an act of open mockery and racism. It was just as racist in 2001 as it is in 2019." He added: "What Canadians saw this evening was someone...who's not fit to govern this country." Another election hopeful, Jagmeet Singh, said "We see one Mr. Trudeau in public, and I'll be honest with you, he seems really nice - very friendly, very warm....But behind closed doors, he seems like he's a different Mr. Trudeau."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Brownface - Level 0,  Brownface - Level 1   or  Brownface - Level 2

Sources
  • https://edition.cnn.com/2019/09/18/americas/justin-trudeau-brownface-photo-canada/index.html
  • https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/lilley-2
  • https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/trudeaus-brownface-mistake-could-cost-him-in-b-c-swing-ridings-expert-says


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. BROWNFACE: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about brownface. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?
       apologized / brownface / make-up / theatrical / disrespectful / gala / character / sorry
       trouble / re-election / polls / disappointed / racism / evening / in public / closed doors
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. QUIT: Students A strongly believe Justin Trudeau should quit; Students B strongly believe he shouldn't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. ~ISM: Why do these ~isms exist? How can we stop them? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Why It Exists?

How To Stop It?

Racism

 

 

Sexism

 

 

Ageism

 

 

Fascism

 

 

Terrorism

 

 

Vandalism

 

 
MY e-BOOK
See a sample

5. PHOTO: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "photo". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. ROLE MODELS: Rank these with your partner. Put the people most responsible for being a good role model at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • celebrity
  • community leader
  • rock star
  • religious leader
  • national leader
  • teacher
  • parent
  • sports star

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. apologized a. Causing someone to feel deeply hurt, upset, or angry.
      2. make-up b. Cosmetics such as lipstick or powder put on the face, used to make it look better.
      3. common c. Of, for, or relating to acting, actors, or the theater.
      4. theatrical d. Said you are sorry for doing something wrong.
      5. racist e. A part played by an actor.
      6. offensive f. Occurring, found, or done often.
      7. character g. Going to or being at an event.

    Paragraph 2

      8. running h. A person competing with another for the same thing.
      9. neck-and-neck i. A record of the number of votes cast in an election or of how people might vote.
      10. polls j. A person who believes, shows or feels they are better than other people with a different skin color.
      11. rival k. The action of taking part in an election to become leader.
      12. extremely l. In the same position in a race or competition.
      13. racist m. In view of other people; when other people are present.
      14. in public n. Very, very, very.

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. Justin Trudeau is the President of Canada.     T / F
  2. The article said brownface used to be common in theatrical shows.     T / F
  3. A photo of Mr Trudeau in brownface was given to Vogue magazine.     T / F
  4. Mr Trudeau dressed up as the character Aladdin.     T / F
  5. The article said Mr Trudeau is far ahead in the polls.     T / F
  6. Mr Trudeau's rival said he was shocked at Trudeau's actions.     T / F
  7. The rival said Mr Trudeau was not fit to govern Canada.     T / F
  8. A politician said Mr Trudeau is a different person behind closed doors.     T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. apologized
  2. make-up
  3. racist
  4. gala
  5. character
  6. trouble
  7. neck-and-neck
  8. fit
  9. honest
  10. warm
  1. bigoted
  2. truthful
  3. party
  4. level
  5. cosmetics
  6. friendly
  7. role
  8. said sorry
  9. suitable
  10. concern

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

  1. This is the wearing
  2. it is racist, offensive
  3. He was attending an end-of-
  4. dress as a
  5. I should have known better,
  6. The photo could mean
  7. neck-and-neck
  8. I was extremely shocked and
  9. someone who's not fit
  10. behind closed
  1. doors
  2. trouble for Mr Trudeau
  3. but I didn't
  4. disappointed
  5. of face make-up
  6. year school gala
  7. to govern this country
  8. in the polls
  9. character from Aladdin
  10. and disrespectful

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
offensive
better
wearing
theme
sorry
apologized
common
gala

The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, has (1) ____________ for a photo of him in brownface. This is the (2) ____________ of face make-up to look like a brown-skinned person. It used to be (3) ____________ in theatrical shows, but it is racist, (4) ____________ and disrespectful. The photo of Mr Trudeau wearing brownface was given to Time magazine on Wednesday. It was taken when he was a teacher in 2001. He was attending an end-of-year school (5) ____________ that had an Arabian Nights (6) ____________. He put on dark brown make-up to dress as a character from Aladdin. Mr Trudeau said he was (7) ____________ for the photo. He told reporters: "I shouldn't have done it. I should have known (8) ____________, but I didn't. And I'm really sorry."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
fit
extremely
doors
mean
racist
leader
honest
evening

The photo could (9) ____________ trouble for Mr Trudeau. He is running for re-election as Canada's (10) ____________ and is neck-and-neck in the polls. His biggest rival told reporters: "Like all Canadians, I was (11) ____________ shocked and disappointed when I learned of Justin Trudeau's actions this (12) ____________. Wearing brownface is an act of open mockery and racism. It was just as (13) ____________ in 2001 as it is in 2019." He added: "What Canadians saw this evening was someone...who's not (14) ____________ to govern this country." Another election hopeful, Jagmeet Singh, said "We see one Mr. Trudeau in public, and I'll be (15) ____________ with you, he seems really nice - very friendly, very warm....But behind closed (16) ____________, he seems like he's a different Mr. Trudeau."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, has ______ photo
     a.  apologies for a
     b.  apologizing for a
     c.  apologizes for a
     d.  apologized for a
2)  This is the wearing of face make-up to look like a ______ person
     a.  brown-skin
     b.  brown-skin and
     c.  browns-kin
     d.  brown-skinned
3)  It used to be common in theatrical shows, but ______
     a.  it is racy
     b.  it is race is
     c.  it is racist
     d.  it is race cyst
4)  It was taken when he was a teacher in 2001. He was attending an end-of-year ______
     a.  school gala
     b.  school color
     c.  school gull
     d.  school gull a
5)  Mr Trudeau said he was sorry for the photo. He told reporters: "I shouldn't ______."
     a.  have do it
     b.  have been it
     c.  have doing it
     d.  have done it

6)  The photo could mean trouble for Mr Trudeau. He is running ______
     a.  four reel election
     b.  for real action
     c.  for re-election
     d.  for real election
7)  Canada's leader and is neck-and-______ polls
     a.  neck in the
     b.  face in the
     c.  shoulders in the
     d.  foot in the
8)  What Canadians saw this evening was someone...who's not ______
     a.  fits to govern
     b.  flit to govern
     c.  fit to govern
     d.  frit to govern
9)  Jagmeet Singh, said "We see one Mr. Trudeau ______"
     a.  imp pub lick
     b.  in pub lick
     c.  in publicly
     d.  in public
10)  he seems really nice - very friendly, very warm....But behind ______, he seems...
     a.  closet doors
     b.  closed doors
     c.  closer doors
     d.  close doors

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, (1) ___________________ a photo of him in brownface. This is the (2) ___________________ make-up to look like a brown-skinned person. It used to be common in theatrical shows, but it is (3) ___________________ disrespectful. The photo of Mr Trudeau wearing brownface was given to Time magazine on Wednesday. It was taken when he was a teacher in 2001. He (4) ___________________ end-of-year school gala that had an Arabian Nights theme. He put on dark brown make-up to dress (5) ___________________ from Aladdin. Mr Trudeau said he was sorry for the photo. He told reporters: "I shouldn't have done it. I should (6) ___________________, but I didn't. And I'm really sorry."

The photo (7) ___________________ for Mr Trudeau. He is running for re-election as Canada's leader and is neck-and-neck in the polls. His biggest rival told reporters: "Like all Canadians, I (8) ___________________ and disappointed when I learned of Justin Trudeau's actions this evening. Wearing brownface is an act (9) ___________________ and racism. It was just as racist in 2001 as it is in 2019." He added: "What Canadians saw this evening was someone...who's not (10) ___________________ this country." Another election hopeful, Jagmeet Singh, said "We see one Mr. Trudeau in public, and I'll (11) ___________________ you, he seems really nice - very friendly, very warm....But (12) ___________________, he seems like he's a different Mr. Trudeau."

Comprehension questions

  1. What kind of shows did the article say brownface used to be common in?
  2. What magazine was the photo of Justin Trudeau given to?
  3. When was the photo taken?
  4. Who did Justin Trudeau dress up as?
  5. What did Mr Trudeau say he should have done?
  6. What is Mr Trudeau running for?
  7. Who told reporters that he was extremely shocked?
  8. What did a rival say Justin Trudeau was not fit to do?
  9. Where is Mr Trudeau warm and friendly, according to Jagmeet Singh?
  10. Where is Mr Trudeau different, according to Jagmeet Singh?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What kind of shows did the article say brownface used to be common in?
a) comedy shows
b) theatrical shows
c) TV shows
d) cultural shows
2) What magazine was the photo of Justin Trudeau given to?
a) Rolling Stone
b) Sports Illustrated
c) Vogue
d) Time
3) When was the photo taken?
a) 2001
b) 2002
c) 2003
d) 2000
4) Who did Justin Trudeau dress up as?
a) an Iraqi farmer
b) an Indian king
c) a character from Aladdin
d) Sinbad
5) What did Mr Trudeau say he should have done?
a) stayed at home
b) known better
c) covered his face
d) told people earlier

6) What is Mr Trudeau running for?
a) re-election as Canada's leader
b) a marathon
c) head of the World Bank
d) someone is chasing him
7) Who told reporters that he was extremely shocked?
a) Canada's Finance Secretary
b) the writer of Aladdin
c) Mr Trudeau's rival
d) the head of Mr Trudeau's school
8) What did a rival say Justin Trudeau was not fit to do?
a) govern the country
b) run a marathon
c) speaki in public
d) talk about race
9) Where is Mr Trudeau warm and friendly, according to Jagmeet Singh?
a) in public
b) in restaurants
c) at home
d) in his office
10) Where is Mr Trudeau different, according to Jagmeet Singh?
a) in the media
b) underground
c) in public
d) behind closed doors

Role play

Role  A – National Leaders
You think national leaders have the biggest responsibility to be good role models. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their role models aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least responsible of these (and why): teachers, celebrities or religious leaders.

Role  B – Teachers
You think teachers have the biggest responsibility to be good role models. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their role models aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least responsible of these (and why): national leaders, celebrities or religious leaders.

Role  C – Celebrities
You think celebrities have the biggest responsibility to be good role models. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their role models aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least responsible of these (and why): teachers, national leaders or religious leaders.

Role  D – Religious Leaders
You think religious leaders have the biggest responsibility to be good role models. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their role models aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least responsible of these (and why): teachers, celebrities or national leaders.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'racist'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'photo'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • Share your findings with your partners.

    • Make questions using the words you found.

    • Ask your partner / group your questions.

    2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

    •Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

    3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

    4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

    5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

    • make-up
    • common
    • magazine
    • gala
    • dark
    • better
    • mean
    • rival
    • learned
    • fit
    • honest
    • doors

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Canada's Justin Trudeau apologizes for brownface photo

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'racism'?
    3. What do you know about the action of brownface?
    4. What do you think of people who use brownface?
    5. What do you think of Justin Trudeau's actions?
    6. What do you think of Trudeau brownfacing many times?
    7. Is it wrong to dress up as someone a different color at a party?
    8. How racist do you think brownface and blackface are?
    9. Should Justin Trudeau quit because of his actions?
    10. What advice would you give Mr Trudeau?

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'apology'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Is the quality of our politicians going down and down?
    5. Do you think Mr Trudeau will get re-elected?
    6. What do people of color think about the Trudeau photo?
    7. Is Justin Trudeau fit to govern?
    8. What do you think of your country's leader?
    9. Are all politicians two-faced?
    10. What questions would you like to ask Justin Trudeau?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, has (1) ____ for a photo of him in brownface. This is the wearing of face make-up to look like a brown-skinned person. It used to be (2) ____ in theatrical shows, but it is racist, (3) ____ and disrespectful. The photo of Mr Trudeau wearing brownface was given to Time magazine on Wednesday. It was (4) ____ when he was a teacher in 2001. He was attending an end-of-year school gala that had an Arabian Nights (5) ____. He put on dark brown make-up to dress as a character from Aladdin. Mr Trudeau said he was sorry for the photo. He told reporters: "I shouldn't have done it. I should have (6) ____ better, but I didn't. "And I'm really sorry."

    The photo could mean trouble for Mr Trudeau. He is (7) ____ for re-election as Canada's leader and is neck-and-neck in the polls. His biggest (8) ____ told reporters: "Like all Canadians, I was extremely shocked and disappointed when I learned of Justin Trudeau's actions this evening. Wearing brownface is an act of     (9) ____ mockery and racism. It was just as racist in 2001 (10) ____ it is in 2019." He added: "What Canadians saw this evening was someone...who's not fit to govern this country." Another election hopeful, Jagmeet Singh, said "We see one Mr. Trudeau (11) ____ public, and I'll be honest with you, he seems really nice - very friendly, very warm....But behind (12) ____ doors, he seems like he's a different Mr. Trudeau."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     apologies     (b)     apologized     (c)     apologize     (d)     apology    
    2. (a)     commons     (b)     common     (c)     commoner     (d)     coming    
    3. (a)     reflexive     (b)     defensive     (c)     abusive     (d)     offensive    
    4. (a)     given     (b)     taken     (c)     been     (d)     doing    
    5. (a)     meme     (b)     rhyme     (c)     mine     (d)     theme    
    6. (a)     knew     (b)     knows     (c)     known     (d)     knowing    
    7. (a)     running     (b)     ruining     (c)     ruling     (d)     runes    
    8. (a)     libel     (b)     rebel     (c)     rival     (d)     revel    
    9. (a)     ajar     (b)     closed     (c)     shut     (d)     open    
    10. (a)     as     (b)     was     (c)     thus     (d)     has    
    11. (a)     in     (b)     of     (c)     at     (d)     up    
    12. (a)     closed     (b)     white     (c)     big     (d)     wooden

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. the wearing of face kaem-pu
    2. It used to be common
    3. in hitlcratea shows
    4. an Arabian Nights mehet
    5. a rcaerctah from Aladdin
    6. I'm really orysr

    Paragraph 2

    1. He is running for er-oeciltne
    2. neck-and-neck in the osllp
    3. His biggest aivrl
    4. I was xyeemertl shocked
    5. an act of open mockery and aricsm
    6. I'll be sonhte with you

    Put the text back together

    (...)  of face make-up to look like a brown-skinned person. It used to be common in theatrical shows, but it is racist,
    (...)  The photo could mean trouble for Mr Trudeau. He is running for re-election as Canada's leader and is neck-and-
    (...)  doors, he seems like he's a different Mr. Trudeau."
    (...)  have done it. I should have known better, but I didn't. And I'm really sorry."
    (...)  on Wednesday. It was taken when he was a teacher in 2001. He was attending an end-of-year school
    (  1  ) The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, has apologized for a photo of him in brownface. This is the wearing
    (...)  public, and I'll be honest with you, he seems really nice - very friendly, very warm....But behind closed
    (...)  to govern this country." Another election hopeful, Jagmeet Singh, said "We see one Mr. Trudeau in
    (...)  offensive and disrespectful. The photo of Mr Trudeau wearing brownface was given to Time magazine
    (...)  neck in the polls. His biggest rival told reporters: "Like all Canadians, I was extremely shocked and disappointed when I learned
    (...)  from Aladdin. Mr Trudeau said he was sorry for the photo. He told reporters: "I shouldn't
    (...)  racism. It was just as racist in 2001 as it is in 2019." He added: "What Canadians saw this evening was someone...who's not fit
    (...)  of Justin Trudeau's actions this evening. Wearing brownface is an act of open mockery and
    (...)  gala that had an Arabian Nights theme. He put on dark brown make-up to dress as a character

    Put the words in the right order

    1. make-up   .   is   of   face   the   wearing   This
    2. It   theatrical   used   shows   .   common   be   in   to
    3. was   attending   an   school   end-of-year   He   gala   .
    4. sorry   was   said   the   he   photo   .   Trudeau   for
    5. but   have   should   known   I   I   better,   didn't   .
    6. for   mean   Mr   trouble   Trudeau   .   could   The   photo
    7. running   as   is   leader   .   re-election   Canada's   He   for
    8. shocked   .   I   was   Canadians,   all   Like   extremely
    9. in   was   just   as   2001   .   racist   It
    10. this   country   .   not   fit   Someone   govern   to   who's

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    The Prime Minister off / of Canada, Justin Trudeau, has apologized for a photo of him in brownface. This is the worn / wearing of face make-up to look like a brown-skinned person. It used to be commonly / common in theatrical shows, but it is racist, offensive / offense and disrespectful. The photo of Mr Trudeau wearing brownface was given / gave to Time magazine on Wednesday. It was taken when he has / was a teacher in 2001. He was attending an end-of-year school gale / gala that had an Arabian Nights theme. He put on dark brown make-up to dress as / was a character from Aladdin. Mr Trudeau said he was apology / sorry for the photo. He told reporters: "I shouldn't have done it. I should have known / knowing better, but I didn't. And I'm really sorry."

    The photo could mean / meant trouble for Mr Trudeau. He is running for re-election as Canada's leader and is neck-and-neck in the pills / polls. His biggest rival told reporters: "Like all Canadians, I was extreme / extremely shocked and disappointed when I leaned / learned of Justin Trudeau's actions this evening. Wearing brownface is an act off / of open mockery and racism. It was just as racist in 2001 as it is in 2019." He add / added: "What Canadians saw this evening was someone...who's not fit to govern this country." Another election hopefully / hopeful, Jagmeet Singh, said "We see one Mr. Trudeau in public, and I'll be honest / honesty with you, he seems really nice - very friendly, very warm....But behind open / closed doors, he seems like he's a different / difference Mr. Trudeau."

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    T h_ P r_m_ M_n_s t_r _f C_n_d_, J_s t_n T r_d___, h_s _p_l_g_z_d f_r _ p h_t_ _f h_m _n b r_w n f_c_. T h_s _s t h_ w__ r_n g _f f_c_ m_k_-_p t_ l__ k l_k_ _ b r_w n - s k_n n_d p_r s_n . I t _s_d t_ b_ c_m m_n _n t h__ t r_c_l s h_w s , b_t _t _s r_c_s t , _f f_n s_v_ _n d d_s r_s p_c t f_l . T h_ p h_t_ _f M r T r_d___ w__ r_n g b r_w n f_c_ w_s g_v_n t_ T_m_ m_g_z_n_ _n W_d n_s d_y . I t w_s t_k_n w h_n h_ w_s _ t__ c h_r _n 2 0 0 1 . H_ w_s _t t_n d_n g _n _n d -_f - y__ r s c h__ l g_l_ t h_t h_d _n A r_b__ n N_g h t s t h_m_. H_ p_t _n d_r k b r_w n m_k_-_p t_ d r_s s _s _ c h_r_c t_r f r_m A l_d d_n . M r T r_d___ s__ d h_ w_s s_r r y f_r t h_ p h_t_. H_ t_l d r_p_r t_r s : " I s h__ l d n ' t h_v_ d_n_ _t . I s h__ l d h_v_ k n_w n b_t t_r , b_t I d_d n ' t . A n d I ' m r__ l l y s_r r y . "

    T h_ p h_t_ c__ l d m__ n t r__ b l_ f_r M r T r_d___. H_ _s r_n n_n g f_r r_-_l_c t__ n _s C_n_d_' s l__ d_r _n d _s n_c k -_n d - n_c k _n t h_ p_l l s . H_s b_g g_s t r_v_l t_l d r_p_r t_r s : " L_k_ _l l C_n_d__ n s , I w_s _x t r_m_l y s h_c k_d _n d d_s_p p__ n t_d w h_n I l__ r n_d _f J_s t_n T r_d___' s _c t__ n s t h_s _v_n_n g . W__ r_n g b r_w n f_c_ _s _n _c t _f _p_n m_c k_r y _n d r_c_s m . I t w_s j_s t _s r_c_s t _n 2 0 0 1 _s _t _s _n 2 0 1 9 . " H_ _d d_d : " W h_t C_n_d__ n s s_w t h_s _v_n_n g w_s s_m__ n_. . . w h_' s n_t f_t t_ g_v_r n t h_s c__ n t r y . " A n_t h_r _l_c t__ n h_p_f_l , J_g m__ t S_n g h , s__ d " W_ s__ _n_ M r . T r_d___ _n p_b l_c , _n d I ' l l b_ h_n_s t w_t h y__ , h_ s__ m s r__ l l y n_c_ - v_r y f r__ n d l y , v_r y w_r m . . . . B_t b_h_n d c l_s_d d__ r s , h_ s__ m s l_k_ h_' s _ d_f f_r_n t M r . T r_d___. "

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    the prime minister of canada justin trudeau has apologized for a photo of him in brownface this is the wearing of face makeup to look like a brownskinned person it used to be common in theatrical shows but it is racist offensive and disrespectful the photo of mr trudeau wearing brownface was given to time magazine on wednesday it was taken when he was a teacher in 2001 he was attending an endofyear school gala that had an arabian nights theme he put on dark brown makeup to dress as a character from aladdin mr trudeau said he was sorry for the photo he told reporters i shouldnt have done it i should have known better but i didnt and im really sorry

    the photo could mean trouble for mr trudeau he is running for reelection as canadas leader and is neckandneck in the polls his biggest rival told reporters like all canadians i was extremely shocked and disappointed when i learned of justin trudeaus actions this evening wearing brownface is an act of open mockery and racism it was just as racist in 2001 as it is in 2019 he added what canadians saw this evening was someone whos not fit to govern this country another election hopeful jagmeet singh said we see one mr trudeau in public and ill be honest with you he seems really nice  very friendly very warm but behind closed doors he seems like hes a different mr trudeau

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    ThePrimeMinisterofCanada,JustinTrudeau,hasapologizedforaphoto
    ofhiminbrownface.Thisisthewearingoffacemake-uptolooklikeabro
    wn-skinnedperson.Itusedtobecommonintheatricalshows,butitisrac
    ist,offensiveanddisrespectful.ThephotoofMrTrudeauwearingbrownf
    acewasgiventoTimemagazineonWednesday.Itwastakenwhenhewa
    sateacherin2001.Hewasattendinganend-of-yearschoolgalathatha
    danArabianNightstheme.Heputondarkbrownmake-uptodressasac
    haracterfromAladdin.MrTrudeausaidhewassorryforthephoto.Hetold
    reporters:"Ishouldn'thavedoneit.Ishouldhaveknownbetter,butIdid
    n't.AndI'mreallysorry."ThephotocouldmeantroubleforMrTrudeau.H
    eisrunningforre-electionasCanada'sleaderandisneck-and-neckinth
    epolls.Hisbiggestrivaltoldreporters:"LikeallCanadians,Iwasextreme
    lyshockedanddisappointedwhenIlearnedofJustinTrudeau'sactionsth
    isevening.Wearingbrownfaceisanactofopenmockeryandracism.Itw
    asjustasracistin2001asitisin2019."Headded:"WhatCanadianssawth
    iseveningwassomeone...who'snotfittogovernthiscountry."Anothere
    lectionhopeful,JagmeetSingh,said"WeseeoneMr.Trudeauinpublic,a
    ndI'llbehonestwithyou,heseemsreallynice-veryfriendly,verywarm..
    ..Butbehindcloseddoors,heseemslikehe'sadifferentMr.Trudeau."

    Free writing

    Write about brownface for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    Canada's leader should step down because of the brownface photo. Discuss.

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. BROWNFACE: Make a poster about brownface. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. STEP DOWN: Write a magazine article about Canada's leader having to step down because of the brownface photo. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
    Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
    5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
    6. BROWNFACE: Write a letter to an expert on brownface. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on the Justin Trudeau photo. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

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    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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