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* 26-page lesson
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* 2-page MINI
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* MP3 (British)

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* MP3 (20 Qs)

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* Jumble 1

* Jumble 2

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* Word order

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Obama praises Mandela as an inspiration (1st July, 2013)

U.S. President Barack Obama has hailed Nelson Mandela as a personal inspiration while on a visit to South Africa. Mr Obama declined to visit Mr Mandela due to the former South African president's poor health. A White House statement explained: "Out of deference to Nelson Mandela's peace and comfort and the family's wishes, [the Obamas] will not be visiting the hospital." Obama made it clear to reporters on Air Force One that he had no intention of putting Mr Mandela's health any further at risk, saying: "I don't need a photo op….The last thing I want to do is to be in any way obtrusive at a time when the family is concerned about Nelson Mandela's condition."


 

President Obama called Mandela a "personal hero" and that Mandela's sacrifices to achieve equal rights helped inspire his own political career. While flying to South Africa, Obama told reporters: "The main message we'll want to deliver…is simply a profound gratitude for his leadership all these years, and that the thoughts and prayers of the American people are with him and his family and his country." Obama later told university students in Pretoria to learn lessons from Mandela's strength while he was in prison for 27 years. He said: "Think about the hardships and the struggles and being away from family and friends. There were dark moments that tested his faith in humanity, but he refused to give up."

Sources:
http://mg.co.za/article/2013-06-29-obama-our-thoughts-are-with-nelson-mandela
http://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/obama-lauds-mandela-makes-africa-pledge-1.1539382#.Uc9kr-u2b80
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-23109574


 

WARM-UPS

1. NELSON MANDELA: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Nelson Mandela. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

 

inspiration / South Africa / poor health / at risk / photo op / obtrusive / condition / sacrifices / equal rights / political career / main message / gratitude / hardships

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. INSPIRATION: Who inspires you and why? Complete this table and share what you wrote with your partner(s). Change partners often.

 

Who?

Why?

Politician

 

 

Business leader

 

 

Family / Friend

 

 

Entertainer

 

 

Activist

 

 

Writer

 

 

4. EQUAL RIGHTS: Students A strongly believe there will be no inequality in the world one day; Students B strongly believe the opposite.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.



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5. HERO: Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Nelson Mandela
  • Gandhi
  • Beyonce
  • Lionel Messi
  • Hillary Clinton
  • Queen Rania of Jordan
  • Steve Jobs
  • Florence Nightingale

6. HOSPITAL: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word 'hospital'. Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

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

a.

Barack Obama visited Nelson Mandela to tell him he was an inspiration.

T / F

b.

The White House wished Mandela peace and comfort.

T / F

c.

Obama said he didn't want to do anything that would make Mandela ill.

T / F

d.

Obama said it was not the time to be photographed with Mandela.

T / F

e.

Mandela's sacrifices for equality helped shape Obama's career.

T / F

f.

Obama's main message to Mandela was for winning a Nobel Peace.

T / F

g.

Obama spoke to students from a Johannesburg university.

T / F

h.

Obama asked students to learn from Mandela's time in prison.

T / F

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

1.

hailed

a.

in danger

2.

deference

b.

mankind

3.

intention

c.

belief

4.

at risk

d.

praised

5.

condition

e.

plan

6.

achieve

f.

suffering

7.

profound

g.

state

8.

hardships

h.

heartfelt

9.

faith

i.

respect

10.

humanity

j.

bring about

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

1.

hailed Nelson Mandela

a.

op

2.

poor

b.

and the struggles

3.

putting Mr Mandela's health

c.

I want to do

4.

I don't need a photo

d.

rights

5.

The last thing

e.

faith in humanity

6.

achieve equal

f.

any further at risk

7.

helped inspire his

g.

gratitude

8.

profound

h.

as a personal inspiration

9.

the hardships

i.

own political career

10.

dark moments that tested his

j.

health

 

GAP FILL

U.S. President Barack Obama has (1) ____________ Nelson Mandela as a personal inspiration while on a visit to South Africa. Mr Obama declined to visit Mr Mandela (2) ____________ to the former South African president's poor health. A White House statement explained: "Out of deference to Nelson Mandela's peace and (3) ____________ and the family's wishes, [the Obamas] will not be visiting the hospital." Obama made it (4) ____________ to reporters on Air Force One that he had no (5) ____________ of putting Mr Mandela's health any further at risk, saying: "I don't need a photo (6) ____________ ….The last thing I want to do is to be in any way (7) ____________ at a time when the family is (8) ____________ about Nelson Mandela's condition."

 

 

clear
concerned
comfort
hailed
op
due
obtrusive
intention

President Obama called Mandela a "personal hero" and that Mandela's (9) ____________ to achieve equal rights helped inspire his own political career. While flying to South Africa, Obama told reporters: "The main message we'll want to (10) ____________ …is simply a profound (11) ____________ for his leadership all these years, and that the (12) ____________ and prayers of the American people are with him and his family and his country." Obama later told university students in Pretoria to learn lessons from Mandela's (13) ____________ while he was in prison for 27 years. He said: "Think about the (14) ____________ and the struggles and being away from family and friends. There were (15) ____________ moments that tested his faith in (16) ____________, but he refused to give up."

 

gratitude
strength
humanity
sacrifices
dark
deliver
thoughts
hardships

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

Barack Obama has hailed Nelson Mandela as a ______

 

a.  personal inspirations
b.  personal inspirational
c.  personal inspiration
d.  personal inspiring

2)

Obama declined to visit Mr Mandela due to the former South African ______

 

a.  president's poor healthy
b.  president's poorly health
c.  president's poor health
d.  president's poorly healthy

3)

Out of deference to Nelson Mandela's peace and comfort ______

 

a.  and the family's wish
b.  and the family's wishes
c.  and the family's wished
d.  and the family's wishing

4)

he had no intention of putting Mr Mandela's health ______

 

a.  any further at risk
b.  any further at risky
c.  any further at riskiness
d.  any further at risked

5)

at a time when the family is concerned about ______

 

a.  Nelson Mandela's condition
b.  Nelson Mandela's conditions
c.  Nelson Mandela's conditioning
d.  Nelson Mandela's conditional

6)

Mandela's sacrifices to achieve equal rights helped inspire ______

 

a.  his own politics career
b.  his own politically career
c.  his own politic career
d.  his own political career

7)

The main message we'll want to deliver…is simply ______

 

a.  a pro-fund gratitude
b.  a prof-found gratitude
c.  a profound gratitude
d.  a pro frowned gratitude

8)

Obama later told university students in Pretoria to learn lessons ______

 

a.  from Mandela's strengths
b.  from Mandela's strength
c.  from Mandela's strengthen
d.  from Mandela's strengthens

9)

He said: "Think about the hardships ______

 

a.  and the struggle
b.  and the struggles
c.  and the straggles
d.  and the straggle

10)

There were dark moments that tested his ______

 

a.  faith in human
b.  faith in humanity
c.  faith in humans
d.  faith in humankind

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

U.S. President Barack Obama has hailed Nelson Mandela as a personal inspiration (1) ______________________ South Africa. Mr Obama declined to visit Mr Mandela due to the former South African president's poor health. A White House statement explained: "(2) ______________________ Nelson Mandela's peace and (3) ______________________ wishes, [the Obamas] will not be visiting the hospital." Obama made it clear to reporters on Air Force One (4) ______________________ of putting Mr Mandela's health any further at risk, saying: "(5) ______________________ ….The last thing I want (6) ______________________ way obtrusive at a time when the family is concerned about Nelson Mandela's condition."

President Obama called Mandela a "personal hero" and that Mandela's sacrifices (7) ______________________ helped inspire his own political career. While flying to South Africa, Obama told reporters: "The main message (8) ______________________ …is simply a profound gratitude for his leadership all these years, (9) ______________________ and prayers of the American people are with him and his family and his country." Obama later told university students in Pretoria (10) ______________________ Mandela's strength while he was in prison for 27 years. He said: "Think about the hardships (11) ______________________ being away from family and friends. There were dark moments (12) ____________________ humanity, but he refused to give up."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

Why didn't Barack Obama visit Nelson Mandela?

2.

Who issued a statement on Obama's behalf?

3.

Where did Obama talk to reporters?

4.

What did Obama say he wasn't interested in?

5.

What's the last thing Obama wants to be?

6.

What helped shape Obama's career?

7.

What did Obama want to thank Mandela for most?

8.

Whose prayers and thoughts are with Mandela?

9.

For how long was Mandela imprisoned?

10.

What tested Nelson Mandela's faith?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

Why didn't Barack Obama visit Nelson Mandela?

6.

What helped shape Obama's career?

 

a) visiting hours wouldn't allow it
b) he had no time
c) he's on official business
d) Mandela is ill in hospital

 

a) growing up in Hawaii
b) his wife Michelle
c) Mandela's sacrifices for racial
    equality
d) his family name

2.

Who issued a statement on Obama's behalf?

7.

What did Obama want to thank Mandela for most?

 

a) the CIA
b) the White House
c) his wife Michelle
d) the US Embassy

 

a) his leadership
b) a gift he received during his visit
c) inviting him to South Africa
d) his strength

3.

Where did Obama talk to reporters?

8.

Whose prayers and thoughts are with Mandela?

 

a) at an airport in Senegal
b) in a hotel in Johannesburg
c) outside Mandela's hospital
d) on board Air Force One

 

a) the Obama family's
b) the nurses in the hospital
c) the American people's
d) university students'

4.

What did Obama say he wasn't interested in?

9.

For how long was Mandela imprisoned?

 

a) the Republican party in the USA
b) football
c) a photo opportunity
d) going on a safari

 

a) 26 years
b) 27 years
c) 28 years
d) 29 years

5.

What's the last thing Obama wants to be?

10.

What tested Nelson Mandela's faith?

 

a) old
b) a Republican
c) vice-president
d) obtrusive

 

a) dark moments
b) a difficult examination
c) South Africa's church
d) being President

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Business leader

You think a business leader is the most inspirational person. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that not inspiring about themselves. Also, tell the others which is the least inspiring of these (and why): a soldier, an IT inventor or a charity worker.

Role  B – A soldier

You think a soldier is the most inspirational person. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that not inspiring about themselves. Also, tell the others which is the least inspiring of these (and why): a business leader, an IT inventor or a charity worker.

Role  C – An IT inventor

You think an IT inventor is the most inspirational person. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that not inspiring about themselves.  Also, tell the others which is the least inspiring of these (and why): a soldier, a business leader or a charity worker.

Role  D – A charity worker

You think a charity worker is the most inspirational person. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that not inspiring about themselves.  Also, tell the others which is the least inspiring of these (and why): a soldier, an IT inventor or a business leader.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

poor

health

 

 

 

  • 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:

  • hailed
  • due
  • peace
  • clear
  • risk
  • time
  • achieve
  • main
  • prayers
  • learn
  • family
  • dark

NELSON MANDELA SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about Nelson Mandela 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.

 

STUDENT 1

_____________

STUDENT 2

_____________

STUDENT 3

_____________

Q.1.

 

 

 

 

Q.2.

 

 

 

 

Q.3.

 

 

 

 

Q.4.

 

 

 

 

Q.5.

 

 

 

 

  • Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.
  • Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

NELSON MANDELA DISCUSSION

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

a)

What did you think when you read the headline?

b)

What springs to mind when you hear the word 'inspiration'?

c)

What do you know about Nelson Mandela?

d)

Who is the most inspirational person you know?

e)

What might others think is inspirational about you?

f)

What are Nelson Mandela's greatest strengths?

g)

Should the U.N. create an International Nelson Mandela Day?

h)

What are your feelings for Nelson Mandela?

i)

What are the similarities and differences between Obama and Mandela?

j)

How great is Nelson Mandela?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

a)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

b)

Who are your personal heroes?

c)

What message would you like to give Nelson Mandela?

d)

What is your earliest memory of Nelson Mandela?

e)

Where would South Africa be today if Mandela hadn't come along?

f)

What other former world leaders are loved as much as Nelson Mandela?

g)

What do you think of Mandela's 27-year imprisonment?

h)

What lessons can we learn from Nelson Mandela?

i)

How would you feel if you met Nelson Mandela?

j)

What questions would you like to ask Nelson Mandela?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

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

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

MULTIPLE CHOICE - LANGUAGE

U.S. President Barack Obama has (1) ____ Nelson Mandela as a personal inspiration while on a visit to South Africa. Mr Obama declined to visit Mr Mandela due (2) ____ the former South African president's (3) ____ health. A White House statement explained: "Out of deference to Nelson Mandela's peace and comfort and the family's wishes, [the Obamas] will not be visiting the hospital." Obama made it (4) ____ to reporters on Air Force One that he had no intention of (5) ____ Mr Mandela's health any further at risk, saying: "I don't need a photo (6) ____ ….The last thing I want to do is to be in any way obtrusive at a time when the family is concerned about Nelson Mandela's condition."

President Obama called Mandela a "personal hero" and that Mandela's sacrifices to (7) ____ equal rights helped inspire his own political career. While flying to South Africa, Obama told reporters: "The main message we'll want to (8) ____ …is simply a profound gratitude for his leadership all these years, and that the (9) ____ and prayers of the American people are with him and his family and his country." Obama later told university students in Pretoria to (10) ____ lessons from Mandela's strength while he was in prison for 27 years. He said: "Think about the hardships and the (11) ____ and being away from family and friends. There were dark (12) ____ that tested his faith in humanity, but he refused to give up."

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.

(a)

hailed

(b)

mailed

(c)

failed

(d)

nailed

2.

(a)

for

(b)

of

(c)

to

(d)

at

3.

(a)

poorly

(b)

poorest

(c)

poor

(d)

poverty

4.

(a)

clearly

(b)

crystal

(c)

clarity

(d)

clear

5.

(a)

putting

(b)

doing

(c)

making

(d)

getting

6.

(a)

ob

(b)

op

(c)

pop

(d)

bop

7.

(a)

matter

(b)

victory

(c)

remain

(d)

achieve

8.

(a)

mail

(b)

deliver

(c)

post

(d)

comment

9.

(a)

thinks

(b)

thinking

(c)

thoughts

(d)

thought

10.

(a)

take

(b)

learn

(c)

study

(d)

revise

11.

(a)

straggles

(b)

strangles

(c)

strengthens

(d)

struggles

12.

(a)

instances

(b)

moments

(c)

happening

(d)

bit

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

Obama has lhidea Nelson Mandela

2.

Obama eniceldd to visit Mr Mandela

3.

Out of ceerdfeen to Nelson Mandela's peace

4.

he had no iitonennt of…

5.

be in any way trivebsou

6.

the family is nncecrode

Paragraph 2

7.

Mandela's ifsearscci to achieve equal rights

8.

profound ttedigura

9.

thoughts and arpyres

10.

Mandela's gsnhtetr

11.

the hardships and the sgeutrgsl

12.

he defuser to give up

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

health. A White House statement explained: "Out of deference to Nelson Mandela's peace

(    )

President Obama called Mandela a "personal hero" and that Mandela's sacrifices to achieve

(    )

and prayers of the American people are with him and his family and his country." Obama later told

(    )

equal rights helped inspire his own political career. While flying to South Africa, Obama told reporters: "The main

(    )

message we'll want to deliver…is simply a profound gratitude for his leadership all these years, and that the thoughts

(    )

at a time when the family is concerned about Nelson Mandela's condition."

(    )

hardships and the struggles and being away from family and friends. There were dark

(    )

university students in Pretoria to learn lessons from Mandela's strength while he was in prison for 27 years. He said: "Think about the

(    )

moments that tested his faith in humanity, but he refused to give up."

(    )

Air Force One that he had no intention of putting Mr Mandela's health any further

(    )

and comfort and the family's wishes, [the Obamas] will not be visiting the hospital." Obama made it clear to reporters on

(    )

at risk, saying: "I don't need a photo op….The last thing I want to do is to be in any way obtrusive

(    )

a visit to South Africa. Mr Obama declined to visit Mr Mandela due to the former South African president's poor

1  )

U.S. President Barack Obama has hailed Nelson Mandela as a personal inspiration while on

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

visit     declined     Mr     Mr     to     Obama     Mandela.    

2.

deference     of     Out     peace     Mandela's     Nelson     to.    

3.

hospital     not     be     The     visiting     Obamas     the     will.    

4.

at     Mandela's     risk     health     any     Putting     further     Mr.    

5.

time    a    At    Nelson    about    concerned    is   family    the    when.

6.

sacrifices     Mandela's     helped     rights     equal     achieve     to.    

7.

profound     for     leadership     A     gratitude     his.    

8.

the     thoughts     American     and     people     prayers     of     The.    

9.

struggles     the     and     hardships     the     about     Think.    

10.

tested     were     his     dark     faith     moments     that     There.    

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

U.S. President Barack Obama has hailed Nelson Mandela as / was a personal inspiration while on a visit to South Africa. Mr Obama declined to visit Mr Mandela due for / to the former South African president's poorly / poor health. A White House statement / stated explained: "Out of deference to Nelson Mandela's peace and comfort and the family's wishing / wishes, [the Obamas] will not be visited / visiting the hospital." Obama made it clear to reporters on Air Force One that he had no / not intention of putting Mr Mandela's health any / many further at risk, saying: "I don't need a photo op….The last thing I want to do is to be / do in any way obtrusive at a time when the family is concerned around / about Nelson Mandela's condition."

President Obama called Mandela a "personal hero" and that Mandela's sacrifices / sacrificial to achieve equal rights helped inspire / inspiration his own political career. While flying / flew to South Africa, Obama told reporters: "The main message we'll wanting / want to deliver…is simply a profound gratitude / greatness for his leadership all these years, and that the thoughts and praying / prayers of the American people are with him and his family and his country." Obama later / latter told university students in Pretoria to learn lessons from Mandela's strengthened / strength while he was in prison for 27 years. He said: "Think about the hardships and the struggles / stragglers and being away from family and friends. There were dark moments that tested his faith in human / humanity, but he refused to give up."

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)

_.S. Pr_s_d_nt B_r_ck _b_m_ h_s h__l_d N_ls_n M_nd_l_ _s _ p_rs_n_l _nsp_r_t__n wh_l_ _n _ v_s_t t_ S__th _fr_c_. Mr _b_m_ d_cl_n_d t_ v_s_t Mr M_nd_l_ d__ t_ th_ f_rm_r S__th _fr_c_n pr_s_d_nt's p__r h__lth. _ Wh_t_ H__s_ st_t_m_nt _xpl__n_d: "__t _f d_f_r_nc_ t_ N_ls_n M_nd_l_'s p__c_ _nd c_mf_rt _nd th_ f_m_ly's w_sh_s, [th_ _b_m_s] w_ll n_t b_ v_s_t_ng th_ h_sp_t_l." _b_m_ m_d_ _t cl__r t_ r_p_rt_rs _n __r F_rc_ _n_ th_t h_ h_d n_ _nt_nt__n _f p_tt_ng Mr M_nd_l_'s h__lth _ny f_rth_r _t r_sk, s_y_ng: "_ d_n't n__d _ ph_t_ _p….Th_ l_st th_ng _ w_nt t_ d_ _s t_ b_ _n _ny w_y _btr_s_v_ _t _ t_m_ wh_n th_ f_m_ly _s c_nc_rn_d _b__t N_ls_n M_nd_l_'s c_nd_t__n."

Pr_s_d_nt _b_m_ c_ll_d M_nd_l_ _ "p_rs_n_l h_r_" _nd th_t M_nd_l_'s s_cr_f_c_s t_ _ch__v_ _q__l r_ghts h_lp_d _nsp_r_ h_s _wn p_l_t_c_l c_r__r. Wh_l_ fly_ng t_ S__th _fr_c_, _b_m_ t_ld r_p_rt_rs: "Th_ m__n m_ss_g_ w_'ll w_nt t_ d_l_v_r…_s s_mply _ pr_f__nd gr_t_t_d_ f_r h_s l__d_rsh_p _ll th_s_ y__rs, _nd th_t th_ th__ghts _nd pr_y_rs _f th_ _m_r_c_n p__pl_ _r_ w_th h_m _nd h_s f_m_ly _nd h_s c__ntry." _b_m_ l_t_r t_ld _n_v_rs_ty st_d_nts _n Pr_t_r__ t_ l__rn l_ss_ns fr_m M_nd_l_'s str_ngth wh_l_ h_ w_s _n pr_s_n f_r 27 y__rs. H_ s__d: "Th_nk _b__t th_ h_rdsh_ps _nd th_ str_ggl_s _nd b__ng _w_y fr_m f_m_ly _nd fr__nds. Th_r_ w_r_ d_rk m_m_nts th_t t_st_d h_s f__th _n h_m_n_ty, b_t h_ r_f_s_d t_ g_v_ _p."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

us president barack obama has hailed nelson mandela as a personal inspiration while on a visit to south africa mr obama declined to visit mr mandela due to the former south african president's poor health a white house statement explained "out of deference to nelson mandela's peace and comfort and the family's wishes [the obamas] will not be visiting the hospital" obama made it clear to reporters on air force one that he had no intention of putting mr mandela's health any further at risk saying "i don't need a photo op…the last thing i want to do is to be in any way obtrusive at a time when the family is concerned about nelson mandela's condition"

president obama called mandela a "personal hero" and that mandela's sacrifices to achieve equal rights helped inspire his own political career while flying to south africa obama told reporters "the main message we'll want to deliver…is simply a profound gratitude for his leadership all these years and that the thoughts and prayers of the american people are with him and his family and his country" obama later told university students in pretoria to learn lessons from mandela's strength while he was in prison for 27 years he said "think about the hardships and the struggles and being away from family and friends there were dark moments that tested his faith in humanity but he refused to give up"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

U.S.PresidentBarackObamahashailedNelsonMandelaasapersonalinspiration
whileonavisittoSouthAfrica.MrObamadeclinedtovisitMrMandeladuetothe
formerSouthAfricanpresident'spoorhealth.AWhiteHousestatementexplained:
"OutofdeferencetoNelsonMandela'speaceandcomfortandthefamily'swishes,
[theObamas]willnotbevisitingthehospital."Obamamadeitcleartoreporterson
AirForceOnethathehadnointentionofputtingMrMandela'shealthanyfurtherat
risk,saying:"Idon'tneedaphotoop….ThelastthingIwanttodoistobeinanyway
obtrusiveatatimewhenthefamilyisconcernedaboutNelsonMandela'scondition."
PresidentObamacalledMandelaa"personalhero"andthatMandela'ssacrificesto
achieveequalrightshelpedinspirehisownpoliticalcareer.WhileflyingtoSouth
Africa,Obamatoldreporters:"Themainmessagewe'llwanttodeliver…issimply
aprofoundgratitudeforhisleadershipalltheseyears,andthatthethoughtsand
prayersoftheAmericanpeoplearewithhimandhisfamilyandhiscountry."Obama
latertolduniversitystudentsinPretoriatolearnlessonsfromMandela'sstrength
whilehewasinprisonfor27years.Hesaid:"Thinkaboutthehardshipsandthe
strugglesandbeingawayfromfamilyandfriends.Thereweredarkmomentsthat
testedhisfaithinhumanity,butherefusedtogiveup."

FREE WRITING

Write about Nelson Mandela for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

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ACADEMIC WRITING

Nelson Mandela is the greatest inspiration of the past century.   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 Nelson Mandela. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. NELSON MANDELA: Make a poster about Nelson Mandela. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. MANDELA /OBAMA: Write a magazine article about the two men. Include imaginary interviews with people who know them both.

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 a Nelson Mandela expert. Ask him/her three questions about Mandela. Give him/her three of your opinions on the great man. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

F

c

T

d

T

e

T

f

F

g

F

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

hailed

a.

praised

2.

deference

b.

respect

3.

intention

c.

plan

4.

at risk

d.

in danger

5.

condition

e.

state

6.

achieve

f.

bring about

7.

profound

g.

heartfelt

8.

hardships

h.

suffering

9.

faith

i.

belief

10.

humanity

j.

mankind

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

Mandela is too ill in hospital

2.

The White House

3.

On Air Force One (the presidential plane)

4.

A photo op with Nelson Mandela

5.

Obtrusive in any way

6.

Mandela's sacrifices for racial equality

7.

For his leadership

8.

The American people's

9.

27 years

10.

Dark moments

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

d

2.

b

3.

d

4.

c

5.

d

6.

c

7.

a

8.

c

9.

b

10.

a

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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