The Reading / Listening - Kamala Harris - Level 3

Kamala Harris is the U.S. Vice President-elect. The major television networks in the USA have announced that Joe Biden has won the 2020 U.S. Election. They said Mr Biden has 279 votes in the Electoral College, which is enough for him to be elected as America's 46th President. Ms Harris will be the first woman in U.S. history to hold the post of Vice President. She will also be the first black American and the first of South Asian descent to hold the post. Harris, 56, simply tweeted: "We did it, Joe Biden." She added: "This election is about so much more than Joe Biden or me. It's about the soul of America and our willingness to fight for it. We have a lot of work ahead of us. Let's get started."

Kamala Harris has been a rising star in the Democratic Party for the last two decades. She served as California's attorney general before becoming a US senator. She ran to become the nominee for the 2020 Democratic presidential campaign but lost to Joe Biden. However, Mr Biden chose her as his running mate. They will be sworn in as President and Vice President on January 20. Jemele Hill, writing in the Atlantic magazine, said: "Harris' ascent to the vice-presidency is certainly a reflection of what's possible. She has accomplished something that no other black woman has. I can't help but daydream about Harris someday stepping one level up to the presidency."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Kamala Harris - Level 0,  Kamala Harris - Level 1   or  Kamala Harris - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/the-americas/kamala-harris-america-s-first-woman-vice-president-1.1107375
  • https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-53728050
  • https://edition.cnn.com/2020/11/07/politics/kamala-harris-first-vice-president-female-black-south-asian/index.html


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. KAMALA HARRIS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Kamala Harris. 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?
       Vice President / television / networks / election / history / American / fight / work /
       a rising star / attorney general / campaign / running mate / possible / daydream
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. BIDEN-HARRIS: Students A strongly believe Biden-Harris will be better for the USA than Trump-Pence; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. WHAT'S POSSIBLE: What's possible in your life regarding the things in the table? How likely is it these will be reality? Why / Why not? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What's Possible?

Likelihood of This Happening

Why (Not)?

True love

 

 

 

Fluency in English

 

 

 

Be super fit

 

 

 

Be rich

 

 

 

Get a great job

 

 

 

Give up bad habits

 

 

 
MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. ELECTION: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "election". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. DAYDREAMS: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things to daydream about at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Love
  • Money
  • Travel
  • Food
  • The future
  • Speaking English
  • Driving
  • Work

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. major a. Said something in public and formally about a fact, occurrence, or plan.
      2. announced b. Chose someone to hold be in a job by voting for them.
      3. vote c. Important, serious, or significant.
      4. elected d. Whatever it is that makes a person, thing or country that person, thing or country.
      5. post e. A position of paid employment; a job.
      6. soul f. The action of being ready and prepared to do something.
      7. willingness g. The choice of people who take part in elections.

    Paragraph 2

      8. star h. Lots of nice thoughts that make you forget about the present.
      9. decade i. Took part in an effort to win an election as a leader.
      10. served j. Got someone to do a job (like being President) by making them say they will promise to do a good job.
      11. ran k. A famous or very, very talented person, sports player, actor or performer.
      12. sworn in l. A period of ten years.
      13. ascent m. An upward slope or path.
      14. daydream n. Performed duties or services.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Kamala Harris is the President-elect of the USA.     T / F
  2. The article says Joe Biden won over 279 Electoral College votes.     T / F
  3. Kamala Harris will be the first woman to serve as Vice President.     T / F
  4. Kamala Harris said the election was about the soul of America.     T / F
  5. Kamala Harris has served the Democrats for over 30 years.     T / F
  6. Kamala Harris is a former attorney general.     T / F
  7. Kamala Harris chose Joe Biden to be her running mate.     T / F
  8. A magazine hoped that one day Kamala Harris would be President.     T / F

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

  1. major
  2. announced
  3. post
  4. soul
  5. ahead
  6. star
  7. nominee
  8. ascent
  9. accomplished
  10. level
  1. spirit
  2. candidate
  3. achieved
  4. big
  5. job
  6. in front
  7. rise
  8. declared
  9. step
  10. big name

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

  1. The major television
  2. the first of South Asian
  3. This election is about so
  4. It's about the soul
  5. We have a lot of work
  6. Kamala Harris has been a rising
  7. attorney
  8. sworn in
  9. I can't help but
  10. stepping one level
  1. much more
  2. ahead of us
  3. as President
  4. star
  5. up to the presidency
  6. networks in the USA
  7. daydream
  8. descent
  9. general
  10. of America

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
descent
soul
major
ahead
hold
simply
enough
announced

Kamala Harris is the U.S. Vice President-elect. The (1) _____________________ television networks in the USA have (2) _____________________ that Joe Biden has won the 2020 U.S. Election. They said Mr Biden has 279 votes in the Electoral College, which is (3) _____________________ for him to be elected as America's 46th President. Ms Harris will be the first woman in U.S. history to (4) _____________________ the post of Vice President. She will also be the first black American and the first of South Asian (5) _____________________ to hold the post. Harris, 56, (6) _____________________ tweeted: "We did it, Joe Biden." She added: "This election is about so much more than Joe Biden or me. It's about the (7) _____________________ of America and our willingness to fight for it. We have a lot of work (8) _____________________ of us. Let's get started."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
reflection
nominee
mate
level
star
daydream
writing
campaign

Kamala Harris has been a rising (9) _____________________ in the Democratic Party for the last two decades. She served as California's attorney general before becoming a US senator. She ran to become the (10) _____________________ for the 2020 Democratic presidential (11) _____________________ but lost to Joe Biden. However, Mr Biden chose her as his running (12) _____________________. They will be sworn in as President and Vice President on January 20. Jemele Hill, (13) _____________________ in the Atlantic magazine, said: "Harris' ascent to the vice-presidency is certainly a (14) _____________________ of what's possible. She has accomplished something that no other black woman has. I can't help but (15) _____________________ about Harris someday stepping one (16) _____________________ up to the presidency."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Kamala Harris is the U.S. Vice President-elect. The ______
     a.  major television network
     b.  major television net works
     c.  major television nets work
     d.  major television net work
2)  They said Mr Biden has 279 votes in the Electoral College, which is ______
     a.  enough from him
     b.  enough of him
     c.  enough for him
     d.  enough fear him
3)  Ms Harris will be the first woman in U.S. history to ______
     a.  hold the pastel
     b.  hold the paste
     c.  hold the post
     d.  hold the boast
4) This election is about so much more than Joe Biden or me. It's about the ______
     a.  soul off America
     b.  soul of America
     c.  sole of America
     d.  sale of America
5)  We have a lot of work ahead of us. ______
     a.  Let's get start it
     b.  Let's get start Ted
     c.  Let's get star Ted
     d.  Let's get started

6)  Kamala Harris has been a rising star in the Democratic Party for the ______
     a.  last too decade
     b.  last too decadence
     c.  last two decades
     d.  last two decadence
7)  She served as California's attorney general before becoming ______
     a.  a US senatorial
     b.  a US senator
     c.  a US senators
     d.  a US sent after
8)  She ran to become the nominee for the 2020 Democratic presidential ______
     a.  campaign but lost
     b.  campaigned but lost
     c.  campaign bet lost
     d.  campaign bet loss
9) Atlantic magazine, said: "Harris' ascent to the vice-presidency is ______
     a.  certainly a reflection
     b.  certainly a reflect shun
     c.  certainly a reef election
     d.  certainly a rift election
10)  I can't help but daydream about Harris someday stepping ______
     a.  one level upper
     b.  one level upped
     c.  one level ups
     d.  one level up

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Kamala Harris is the U.S. Vice President-elect. The (1) ____________________ in the USA have announced that Joe Biden has won the 2020 U.S. Election. They said Mr Biden has 279 votes in the Electoral College, which is enough for him (2) ____________________ as America's 46th President. Ms Harris will be the first woman in U.S. history to (3) ____________________ of Vice President. She will also be the first black American and the first of South (4) ____________________ hold the post. Harris, 56, simply tweeted: "We did it, Joe Biden." She added: "This election is about so much more than Joe Biden or me. It's (5) ____________________ of America and our willingness to fight for it. We have a lot of (6) ____________________ us. Let's get started."

Kamala Harris has been a (7) ____________________ the Democratic Party for the last two decades. She served as California's attorney general before becoming a US senator. She ran to (8) ____________________ for the 2020 Democratic presidential campaign but lost to Joe Biden. However, Mr Biden chose her as his running mate. They will be (9) ____________________ President and Vice President on January 20. Jemele Hill, writing in the Atlantic magazine, said: "Harris' (10) ____________________ vice-presidency is certainly a reflection of what's possible. She has accomplished something that no other black woman has. I can't (11) ____________________ about Harris someday stepping (12) ____________________ to the presidency."

Comprehension questions

  1. Who does the article say announced the news that Joe Biden had won?
  2. How many Electoral College votes does the article say Joe Biden won?
  3. How many U.S. Presidents have there been before?
  4. How old is Kamala Harris?
  5. What did Kamala Harris say was ahead of her?
  6. What kind of star does the article describe Kamala Harris as being?
  7. What was Kamala Harris' job before she became a senator?
  8. When will Kamala Harris be sworn in as Vice President?
  9. What is the name of the magazine that wrote about Kamala Harris?
  10. What did a magazine write say she couldn't help doing?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Who does the article say announced the news that Joe Biden had won?
a) major television networks
b) the Internet
c) the Washington Post
d) Donald Trump
2) How many Electoral College votes does the article say Joe Biden won?
a) 277
b) 278
c) 279
d) 280
3) How many U.S. Presidents have there been?
a) 44
b) 45
c) 46
d) 43
4) How old is Kamala Harris?
a) 52
b) 65
c) 50
d) 56
5)  What did Kamala Harris say was ahead of her?
a) a lot of work
b) brighter times
c) a great future
d) hard times

6) What kind of star does the article describe Kamala Harris as being?
a) a shining star
b) a bright star
c) a shooting star
d) a rising star
7) What was Kamala Harris' job before she became a senator?
a) journalist
b) attorney general
c) lawyer
d) professor
8) When will Kamala Harris be sworn in as Vice President?
a) January 21
b) January 22
c) January 19
d) January 20
9) What is the name of the magazine that wrote about Kamala Harris?
a) Pacific
b) Arctic
c) Atlantic
d) Indian
10) What did a magazine write say she couldn't help doing?
a) write
b) daydream
c) smile
d) plan

Role play

Role  A – Love
You think love is the best thing to daydream about. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): travel, speaking English or food.

Role  B – Travel
You think travel is the best thing to daydream about. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): love, speaking English or food.

Role  C – Speaking English
You think speaking English is the best thing to daydream about. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): travel, love or food.

Role  D – Food
You think food is the best thing to daydream about. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): travel, speaking English or love.

After reading / listening

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

'woman'

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

    • and 'president'.

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

    • • 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:

    • major
    • 279
    • history
    • descent
    • more
    • ahead
    • star
    • served
    • campaign
    • sworn
    • other
    • level

    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 - Kamala Harris

    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 'president'?
    3. What do you know about Kamala Harris?
    4. What do you think of the US election result?
    5. What does a Vice President do?
    6. Do you think Kamala Harris should do as Vice President?
    7. How happy are you with your country's leaders?  
    8. What is the soul of America?
    9. What work does Kamala Harris have ahead of her?
    10. What advice do you have for Kamala Harris?

    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 'election'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Do you think Kamala Harris will be sworn in on January 20?
    5. What can Kamala Harris do to be a role model?
    6. What three adjectives best describe Kamala Harris?
    7. What is possible for you in life?
    8. What do you daydream about?
    9. What kind of president would Kamala Harris be?
    10. What questions would you like to ask Kamala Harris?

    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)

    Kamala Harris is the U.S. Vice President-elect. The (1) ____ television networks in the USA have announced that Joe Biden has won the 2020 U.S. Election. They said Mr Biden has 279 votes (2) ____ the Electoral College, which is enough for him to be elected (3) ____ America's 46th President. Ms Harris will be the first woman in U.S. history to (4) ____ the post of Vice President. She will also be the first black American and the first of South Asian (5) ____ to hold the post. Harris, 56, simply tweeted: "We did it, Joe Biden." She added: "This election is about so much more than Joe Biden or me. It's about the (6) ____ of America and our willingness to fight for it. We have a lot of work ahead of us. Let's get started."

    Kamala Harris has been a rising (7) ____ in the Democratic Party for the last two decades. She served as California's attorney general before (8) ____ a US senator. She ran to become the nominee for the 2020 Democratic presidential campaign but lost (9) ____ Joe Biden. However, Mr Biden chose her as his running mate. They will be sworn in as President and Vice President on January 20. Jemele Hill, (10) ____ in the Atlantic magazine, said: "Harris' ascent to the vice-presidency is certainly a (11) ____ of what's possible. She has accomplished something that no other black woman has. I can't help but (12) ____ about Harris someday stepping one level up to the presidency."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     meteor     (b)     metre     (c)     major     (d)     more    
    2. (a)     in     (b)     of     (c)     as     (d)     to    
    3. (a)     as     (b)     is     (c)     was     (d)     has    
    4. (a)     hold     (b)     clench     (c)     grasp     (d)     stroke    
    5. (a)     rise     (b)     descent     (c)     fall     (d)     level    
    6. (a)     sale     (b)     seal     (c)     sole     (d)     soul    
    7. (a)     comet     (b)     moon     (c)     star     (d)     sun    
    8. (a)     become     (b)     became     (c)     becomes     (d)     becoming    
    9. (a)     to     (b)     of     (c)     at     (d)     on    
    10. (a)     written     (b)     writing     (c)     wrote     (d)     writes    
    11. (a)     image     (b)     reflection     (c)     mirrors     (d)     shine    
    12. (a)     nightmare     (b)     dreamland     (c)     daydream     (d)     nightlife

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. The armoj television networks
    2. enough for him to be lceteed
    3. the first of South Asian desntec
    4. It's about the lous of America
    5. our weilinglsns to fight for it
    6. We have a lot of work ahdae

    Paragraph 2

    1. for the last two aceddse
    2. She served as California's tatoerny general
    3. She ran to become the oneneim
    4. the 2020 Democratic presidential apmingac
    5. a eflriotcen of what's possible
    6. I can't help but ydradema

    Put the text back together

    (...)  "This election is about so much more than Joe Biden or me. It's about the soul of
    (...)  magazine, said: "Harris' ascent to the vice-presidency is certainly a reflection of what's
    (...)  announced that Joe Biden has won the 2020 U.S. Election. They said Mr Biden has 279
    (...)  general before becoming a US senator. She ran to become the nominee for the 2020 Democratic presidential
    (...)  in as President and Vice President on January 20. Jemele Hill, writing in the Atlantic
    (...)  daydream about Harris someday stepping one level up to the presidency."
    (...)  campaign but lost to Joe Biden. However, Mr Biden chose her as his running mate. They will be sworn
    (...)  America and our willingness to fight for it. We have a lot of work ahead of us. Let's get started."
    (...)  votes in the Electoral College, which is enough for him to be elected as America's 46th President. Ms Harris will be the first woman
    (  1  ) Kamala Harris is the U.S. Vice President-elect. The major television networks in the USA have
    (...)  in U.S. history to hold the post of Vice President. She will also be the first black American and the first
    (...)  possible. She has accomplished something that no other black woman has. I can't help but
    (...)  Kamala Harris has been a rising star in the Democratic Party for the last two decades. She served as California's attorney
    (...)  of South Asian descent to hold the post. Harris, 56, simply tweeted: "We did it, Joe Biden." She added:

    Put the words in the right order

    1. networks   USA   .   in   major   television   the   The
    2. 279   Electoral   in   has   College   .   the   votes   Biden
    3. woman   post   .   to   the   hold   first   The
    4. This   much   so   is   more   .   about   election
    5. work   We   of   of   ahead   have   lots   us   .
    6. in   been   star   a   party   .   Harris   the   has
    7. the   become   She   nominee   to   2020   .   for   ran
    8. as   However,   his   running   chose   Biden   her   mate   .
    9. a   of   what's   reflection   Certainly   possible   .
    10. stepping   one   Someday   to   up   presidency   .   the   level

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Kamala Harris is the U.S. Vice President-elect. The major / majorly television networks in the USA have announced / announcement that Joe Biden has winning / won the 2020 U.S. Election. They said Mr Biden has 279 votes on / in the Electoral College, which is enough as / for him to be elected as America's 46th President. Ms Harris will be the first woman in U.S. history to hold / belief the post of Vice President. She will also be the first black American and the first of South Asian descend / descent to hold the post. Harris, 56, simply / simple tweeted: "We did it, Joe Biden." She added: "This election is about so many / much more than Joe Biden or me. It's about the soul of America and our willingness to fight for it. We have a lot of work ahead / heading of us. Let's get started."

    Kamala Harris has been a rising star / start in the Democratic Party for the last two decades. She serviced / served as California's attorney general before / ahead becoming a US senator. She ran / jogged to become the nominee for the 2020 Democratic presidential campaign but losing / lost to Joe Biden. However, Mr Biden chose her as his running pal / mate. They will be sworn in / out as President and Vice President on January 20. Jemele Hill, writing in the Atlantic magazine, said: "Harris' descent / ascent to the vice-presidency is certainly a reflection / mirror of what's possible. She has accomplished something that no other black woman has. I can't help but daydream about Harris someday stepping on / one level up to the presidency."

    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)

    K_m_l_ H_rr_s _s th_ _.S. V_c_ Pr_s_d_nt-_l_ct. Th_ m_j_r t_l_v_s__n n_tw_rks _n th_ _S_ h_v_ _nn__nc_d th_t J__ B_d_n h_s w_n th_ 2020 _.S. _l_ct__n. Th_y s__d Mr B_d_n h_s 279 v_t_s _n th_ _l_ct_r_l C_ll_g_, wh_ch _s _n__gh f_r h_m t_ b_ _l_ct_d _s _m_r_c_'s 46th Pr_s_d_nt. Ms H_rr_s w_ll b_ th_ f_rst w_m_n _n _.S. h_st_ry t_ h_ld th_ p_st _f V_c_ Pr_s_d_nt. Sh_ w_ll _ls_ b_ th_ f_rst bl_ck _m_r_c_n _nd th_ f_rst _f S__th _s__n d_sc_nt t_ h_ld th_ p_st. H_rr_s, 56, s_mply tw__t_d: "W_ d_d _t, J__ B_d_n." Sh_ _dd_d: "Th_s _l_ct__n _s _b__t s_ m_ch m_r_ th_n J__ B_d_n _r m_. _t's _b__t th_ s__l _f _m_r_c_ _nd __r w_ll_ngn_ss t_ f_ght f_r _t. W_ h_v_ _ l_t _f w_rk _h__d _f _s. L_t's g_t st_rt_d."

    K_m_l_ H_rr_s h_s b__n _ r_s_ng st_r _n th_ D_m_cr_t_c P_rty f_r th_ l_st tw_ d_c_d_s. Sh_ s_rv_d _s C_l_f_rn__'s _tt_rn_y g_n_r_l b_f_r_ b_c_m_ng _ _S s_n_t_r. Sh_ r_n t_ b_c_m_ th_ n_m_n__ f_r th_ 2020 D_m_cr_t_c pr_s_d_nt__l c_mp__gn b_t l_st t_ J__ B_d_n. H_w_v_r, Mr B_d_n ch_s_ h_r _s h_s r_nn_ng m_t_. Th_y w_ll b_ sw_rn _n _s Pr_s_d_nt _nd V_c_ Pr_s_d_nt _n J_n__ry 20. J_m_l_ H_ll, wr_t_ng _n th_ _tl_nt_c m_g_z_n_, s__d: "H_rr_s' _sc_nt t_ th_ v_c_-pr_s_d_ncy _s c_rt__nly _ r_fl_ct__n _f wh_t's p_ss_bl_. Sh_ h_s _cc_mpl_sh_d s_m_th_ng th_t n_ _th_r bl_ck w_m_n h_s. _ c_n't h_lp b_t d_ydr__m _b__t H_rr_s s_m_d_y st_pp_ng _n_ l_v_l _p t_ th_ pr_s_d_ncy."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    kamala harris is the us vice presidentelect the major television networks in the usa have announced that joe biden has won the 2020 us election they said mr biden has 279 votes in the electoral college which is enough for him to be elected as americas 46th president ms harris will be the first woman in us history to hold the post of vice president she will also be the first black american and the first of south asian descent to hold the post harris 56 simply tweeted we did it joe biden she added this election is about so much more than joe biden or me its about the soul of america and our willingness to fight for it we have a lot of work ahead of us lets get started

    kamala harris has been a rising star in the democratic party for the last two decades she served as californias attorney general before becoming a us senator she ran to become the nominee for the 2020 democratic presidential campaign but lost to joe biden however mr biden chose her as his running mate they will be sworn in as president and vice president on january 20 jemele hill writing in the atlantic magazine said harris ascent to the vicepresidency is certainly a reflection of whats possible she has accomplished something that no other black woman has i cant help but daydream about harris someday stepping one level up to the presidency

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    KamalaHarrisistheU.S.VicePresident-elect.Themajortelevisionnet
    worksintheUSAhaveannouncedthatJoeBidenhaswonthe2020U.S.El
    ection.TheysaidMrBidenhas279votesintheElectoralCollege,whichis
    enoughforhimtobeelectedasAmerica's46thPresident.MsHarriswillbe
    thefirstwomaninU.S.historytoholdthepostofVicePresident.Shewillal
    sobethefirstblackAmericanandthefirstofSouthAsiandescenttoholdth
    epost.Harris,56,simplytweeted:"Wedidit,JoeBiden."Sheadded:"Thi
    selectionisaboutsomuchmorethanJoeBidenorme.It'saboutthesoulof
    Americaandourwillingnesstofightforit.Wehavealotofworkaheadofus
    .Let'sgetstarted."KamalaHarrishasbeenarisingstarintheDemocratic
    Partyforthelasttwodecades.SheservedasCalifornia'sattorneygenera
    lbeforebecomingaUSsenator.Sherantobecomethenomineeforthe20
    20DemocraticpresidentialcampaignbutlosttoJoeBiden.However,Mr
    Bidenchoseherashisrunningmate.TheywillbesworninasPresidentan
    dVicePresidentonJanuary20.JemeleHill,writingintheAtlanticmagazi
    ne,said:"Harris'ascenttothevice-presidencyiscertainlyareflectiono
    fwhat'spossible.Shehasaccomplishedsomethingthatnootherblackw
    omanhas.Ican'thelpbutdaydreamaboutHarrissomedaysteppingonel
    eveluptothepresidency."

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    Kamala Harris will greatly change many people's lives. 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. KAMALA HARRIS: Make a poster about Kamala Harris. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. ROLE MODEL: Write a magazine article about Kamala Harris being able to positively impact millions of lives. Include an imaginary interview with her.
    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. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on Kamala Harris. Ask him/her three questions about her. Give him/her three pieces of advice. 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

    $US 9.99

    Answers

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

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