ESL Voices

First Lady Michelle Obama: The Force Behind the Power

I. Pre-Reading Tasks

A. Prediction

Students’ choice.

B.  Stimulating Background Knowledge

Pre-reading Discussion Questions

Students’ choice.

II. While Reading Tasks

1.  Word Inference

1. fuming verb [ intrans. ] feel, show, or express great anger : he is fuming over the interference in his work.
2. even-keeled characterized by stability or consistency; Fig. to remain cool and calm. (Originally nautical.)
3. fathom verb [ trans. ] [usu. with negative ] understand (a difficult problem or an enigmatic person) after much thought : he could scarcely fathom the idea that people actually lived in Las Vegas | [with clause ] he couldn’t fathom why she was being so anxious.
4. insular adjective. ignorant of or uninterested in cultures, ideas, or peoples outside one’s own experience : a stubbornly insular farming people.
5. strategic adjective. • carefully designed or planned to serve a particular purpose or advantage : alarms are positioned at strategic points around the prison.
6. motivator noun. in this case a person who stimulates (someone’s) interest in or enthusiasm for doing something : I’m going to motivate kids to study civics.
7. charmer noun. a person with an attractive, engaging personality.
8. canny adjective. having or showing shrewdness and good judgment, esp. in money or business matters : canny shoppers came early for a bargain.
9. force noun. a person or thing regarded as exerting power or influence : he might still be a force for peace and unity.
10. turnaround noun. an abrupt or unexpected change, esp. one that results in a more favorable situation : it was a remarkable turnaround in his fortunes.
11. anxious adjective.  experiencing worry, unease, or nervousness, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome : she was extremely anxious about her.
12. conventional adjective. based on or in accordance with what is generally done or believed : a conventional morality had dictated behavior.
13. groundbreaking adjective. breaking new ground; innovative; pioneering.
14. subtly adverb– subtle adjective. • making use of clever and indirect methods to achieve something : he tried a more subtle approach.
15. acclimated verb [ intrans. ] (usu. be acclimated) become accustomed to a new climate or to new conditions : it will take a few days to get acclimated to the altitude.
16. appease verb [ trans. ] pacify or placate (someone) by acceding to their demands : amendments have been added to appease local pressure groups. See note at pacify .
17. rallied verb ( -lies, -lied) [ intrans. ]  • come together in order to support a person or cause or for concerted action : The players on the team rallied behind their captain.
18. buoying verb [ trans. ] (often be buoyed) cause to become cheerful or confident : the party was buoyed by an election victory.
19. warning verb.   give someone forceful or cautionary advice about their actions or conduct : they warned people not to keep large amounts of cash in their
20. stemwinder noun. informal an entertaining and rousing speech : the speech was a classic stem-winder for all present to enjoy.
21. embarrassed adjective. embarrass verb [ trans. ]  cause (someone) to feel awkward, self-conscious, or ashamed : she wouldn’t embarrass either of them by making a scene.