The Reading / Listening - Joe Biden - Level 6

Joe Biden has promised to re-establish global alliances in his first speech as U.S. President. Mr Biden was sworn in as the 46th U.S. President on Wednesday amid tight security in Washington. In unprecedented scenes, around 25,000 National Guard troops were positioned to make sure the inauguration took place without incident. In the first days of his presidency, Mr Biden will make several executive orders to change the direction of America's foreign policy. He will rejoin the Paris climate accord. Biden spoke about restoring America's reputation overseas. He said: "America has been tested. And we've come out stronger for it. We will repair our alliances and engage with the world once again."

Outgoing President Donald Trump left office vowing to "be back". His parting words to the American public were: "Have a good life, we will see you soon." Mr Trump broke with tradition by not attending his successor's inauguration. In his farewell speech, Mr Trump said: "This has been an incredible four years. We've accomplished so much together. What we've done has been amazing by any standard." He added: "It's been a great honour and privilege to be your president. I will always fight for you....I wish the new administration great luck and great success. I think they will have great success. They have the foundation to do something really spectacular."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Joe Biden - Level 4  or  Joe Biden - Level 5

Sources
  • https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/20/trump-leaves-white-house-biden-to-be-sworn-in
  • https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2021/01/20/inauguration-day-world-watches-trump-exits-biden-takes-over/4209958001/
  • https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-55736856


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. JOE BIDEN: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Joe Biden. 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?
       global / alliance / security / unprecedented / inauguration / presidency / reputation /
       office / parting words / a good life / tradition / accomplish / privilege / luck / success
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. SUCCESS: Students A strongly believe Joe Biden's administration will be successful; Students B strongly believe it won't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. U.S. PRESIDENTS: What do you know about these U.S. Presidents? How good were they? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What You Know

How Good Were They?

Donald Trump

 

 

Barack Obama

 

 

George W Bush

 

 

John F. Kennedy

 

 

Abraham Lincoln

 

 

George Washington

 

 
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. PRESIDENT: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "president". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. POLICY: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important policy areas at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Foreign policy
  • Healthcare
  • Law and Order
  • Environment
  • Homeland Security
  • Education
  • Taxation
  • Social Welfare

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. alliances a. The beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone or something.
      2. sworn in b. Admitted to a particular office or position by asking them to take a formal oath (promise).
      3. unprecedented c. The formal admission of someone to office (especially as president).
      4. inauguration d. A union formed  between countries or organizations to benefit everyone.
      5. incident e. Participate or become involved in.
      6. reputation f. Never done or known before.
      7. engage g. An event or occurrence.

    Paragraph 2

      8. vowing h. Achieved or completed successfully.
      9. parting i. A person that takes over from another.
      10. successor j. An underlying basis or principle.
      11. accomplished k. Solemnly promising to do a specified thing.
      12. privilege l. The action of leaving.
      13. foundation m. Strikingly large or obvious.
      14. spectacular n. Something thought of as a rare opportunity and bringing particular pleasure.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Joe Biden promised to re-establish global alliances in his second speech.  T / F
  2. There were nearly 20,000 National Guard troops at the inauguration.     T / F
  3. Joe Biden said he would rejoin the Paris climate accord.     T / F
  4. Joe Biden said America had yet to be tested.     T / F
  5. Donald Trump told people to have a good life.     T / F
  6. Donald Trump did not attend Joe Biden's inauguration.     T / F
  7. Donald Trump said he would continue to fight for people.     T / F
  8. Donald Trump thinks Biden's administration will be successful.     T / F

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

  1. promised
  2. amid
  3. unprecedented
  4. incident
  5. reputation
  6. parting words
  7. tradition
  8. accomplished
  9. foundation
  10. spectacular
  1. impressive
  2. drama
  3. good name
  4. farewell
  5. surrounded by
  6. achieved
  7. vowed
  8. basis
  9. unheard of
  10. custom

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

  1. amid tight
  2. the inauguration took place without
  3. change the direction of America's
  4. restoring America's reputation
  5. engage with the
  6. His parting
  7. Mr Trump broke with
  8. We've accomplished
  9. It's been a great honour
  10. do something really
  1. words
  2. tradition
  3. world once again
  4. spectacular
  5. incident
  6. and privilege
  7. security
  8. overseas
  9. so much
  10. foreign policy

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
incident
climate
sworn
repair
positioned
reputation
tight
executive

Joe Biden has promised to re-establish global alliances in his first speech as U.S. President. Mr Biden was (1) _____________________ in as the 46th U.S. President on Wednesday amid (2) _____________________ security in Washington. In unprecedented scenes, around 25,000 National Guard troops were (3) _____________________ to make sure the inauguration took place without (4) _____________________. In the first days of his presidency, Mr Biden will make several (5) _____________________ orders to change the direction of America's foreign policy. He will rejoin the Paris (6) _____________________ accord. Biden spoke about restoring America's (7) _____________________ overseas. He said: "America has been tested. And we've come out stronger for it. We will (8) _____________________ our alliances and engage with the world once again."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
farewell
privilege
accomplished
spectacular
vowing
administration
broke
standard

Outgoing President Donald Trump left office (9) _____________________ to "be back". His parting words to the American public were: "Have a good life, we will see you soon." Mr Trump (10) _____________________ with tradition by not attending his successor's inauguration. In his (11) _____________________ speech, Mr Trump said: "This has been an incredible four years. We've (12) _____________________ so much together. What we've done has been amazing by any (13) _____________________." He added: "It's been a great honour and (14) _____________________ to be your president. I will always fight for you....I wish the new (15) _____________________ great luck and great success. I think they will have great success. They have the foundation to do something really (16) _____________________."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  Joe Biden has promised to re-establish global alliances in ______
     a.  his first speak
     b.  his first beseech
     c.  his first screech
     d.  his first speech
2) President on Wednesday amid tight security in Washington. In ______
     a.  unprecedented schemes
     b.  unprecedented scenes
     c.  unprecedented scene
     d.  unprecedented seen
3)  positioned to make sure the inauguration took ______
     a.  place without incidence
     b.  place without in accident
     c.  place without incident
     d.  place without incitement
4)  rejoin the Paris climate accord. Biden spoke about restoring ______
     a.  America's reap action overseas
     b.  America's reputation overseas
     c.  America's reputation over the seas
     d.  America's reputation overseen
5)  we've come out stronger for it. We will repair our alliances and ______ world
     a.  enrage with the
     b.  end game with the
     c.  a gauge with the
     d.  engage with the

6)  Mr Trump broke with tradition by not attending his ______
     a.  successor inauguration
     b.  successive inauguration
     c.  successor's inauguration
     d.  succession inauguration
7)  What we've done has been amazing ______
     a.  by any standard
     b.  by many standard
     c.  biannual standard
     d.  be any standard
8)  He added: "It's been a great ______
     a.  honour end privilege
     b.  honey and privilege
     c.  honour and privilege
     d.  honey and privileged
9)  I wish the new administration great luck ______
     a.  and grate success
     b.  and greet success
     c.  and great success
     d.  and graft success
10)  I think they will have great success. They have the foundation to do ______
     a.  something really spectacular
     b.  something real speculative
     c.  something rally spectacular
     d.  something really speculative

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Joe Biden has (1) ____________________ global alliances in his first speech as U.S. President. Mr Biden was (2) ____________________ the 46th U.S. President on Wednesday (3) ____________________ in Washington. In unprecedented scenes, around 25,000 National Guard troops were positioned to make sure the inauguration took (4) ____________________. In the first days of his presidency, Mr Biden will make several executive orders to change the direction of America's foreign policy. He will rejoin the (5) ____________________. Biden spoke about restoring America's reputation overseas. He said: "America has been tested. And we've come out stronger for it. We will repair our alliances (6) ____________________ the world once again."

Outgoing President Donald Trump (7) ____________________ to "be back". His parting words to the American public were: "Have a good life, we will see you soon." Mr Trump (8) ____________________ by not attending his successor's inauguration. In (9) ____________________, Mr Trump said: "This has been an incredible four years. We've accomplished so much together. What we've done has been amazing (10) ____________________." He added: "It's been a great (11) ____________________ to be your president. I will always fight for you....I wish the new administration great luck and great success. I think they will have great success. They have the (12) ____________________ something really spectacular."

Comprehension questions

  1. What did Joe Biden say he would re-establish?
  2. How many National Guard troops were in Washington?
  3. How many executive orders does the article say Biden will make?
  4. What does Joe Biden want to restore?
  5. Who did Joe Biden say he would engage with?
  6. What did Donald Trump vow he would do?
  7. What did Donald Trump break with?
  8. What did Donald Trump say he'd accomplished?
  9. What did Mr Trump say being president was besides an honour?
  10. What did Donald Trump say the new administration could do?

Multiple choice quiz

1)  What did Joe Biden say he would re-establish?
a) his faith
b) global alliances
c) democracy
d) trust
2) How many National Guards were in Washington?
a) just fewer than 25,000
b) exactly 25,000
c) just over 25,000
d) around 25,000
3) How many executive orders does the article say Biden will make?
a) dozens
b) a few
c) several
d) 11
4) What does Joe Biden want to restore?
a) America's reputation
b) his Internet connection
c) trust
d) democracy
5) Who did Joe Biden say he would engage with?
a) his party
b) the world
c) China
d) Kim Jong-un

6) What did Donald Trump vow he would do?
a) be back
b) run for President
c) retire
d) start a TV station
7) What did Donald Trump break with?
a) the past
b) the Republican Party
c) tradition
d) Washington DC
8) What did Donald Trump say he'd accomplished?
a) so much
b) loads
c) unbelievable amounts
d) a tremendous job
9) What did Mr Trump say being president was besides an honour?
a) a tremendous memory
b) a duty
c) tough
d) a privilege
10) What did Donald Trump say the new administration could do?
a) not a lot
b) loads
c) something really spectacular
d) less well than he did

Role play

Role  A – Foreign Policy
You think foreign policy is the most important thing for governments to focus on. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): homeland security, the environment or education.

Role  B – Homeland Security
You think homeland security is the most important thing for governments to focus on. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): foreign policy, the environment or education.

Role  C – The Environment
You think the environment is the most important thing for governments to focus on. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): homeland security, foreign policy or education.

Role  D – Education
You think education is the most important thing for governments to focus on. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): homeland security, the environment or foreign policy.

After reading / listening

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

'global'

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

    • and 'alliance'.

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

    • • 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:

    • first
    • tight
    • without
    • several
    • rejoin
    • stronger
    • left
    • soon
    • farewell
    • much
    • fight
    • really

    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 - Joe Biden

    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 'global'?
    3. What do you know about Joe Biden?
    4. What do you think of Joe Biden?
    5. What kind of President will Joe Biden be?
    6. What are the most important things Biden needs to do?
    7. How important are global alliances?
    8. What news of the inauguration did you see?
    9. Should the USA re-join the Paris climate accord?
    10. What is the USA's reputation around the world?

    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 'alliance'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What advice do you have for Joe Biden?
    5. What do you think of Donald Trump?
    6. How did Donald Trump change America?
    7. What advice do you have for Donald Trump?
    8. What do you think Donald Trump will do for the rest of this year?
    9. What are Donald Trump's biggest accomplishments?
    10. What questions would you like to ask Donald Trump?

    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)

    Joe Biden has promised to re-establish global alliances in his first speech as U.S. President. Mr Biden was (1) ____ in as the 46th U.S. President on Wednesday amid tight security in Washington. In (2) ____ scenes, around 25,000 National Guard troops were positioned to make sure the inauguration took place without (3) ____. In the first days of his presidency, Mr Biden will make several (4) ____ orders to change the direction of America's foreign policy. He will rejoin the Paris climate accord. Biden spoke about restoring America's (5) ____ overseas. He said: "America has been tested. And we've come out stronger for it. We will repair our alliances and engage (6) ____ the world once again."

    Outgoing President Donald Trump left office (7) ____ to "be back". His parting words to the American public were: "Have a good life, we will see you soon." Mr Trump broke with tradition (8) ____ not attending his successor's inauguration. In his farewell speech, Mr Trump said: "This has been an incredible four years. We've (9) ____ so much together. What we've done has been amazing by any standard." He added: "It's been a great honour and (10) ____ to be your president. I will always fight for you....I wish the new (11) ____ great luck and great success. I think they will have great success. They have the (12) ____ to do something really spectacular."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     sworn     (b)     worn     (c)     shorn     (d)     spawn    
    2. (a)     recounted     (b)     accounted     (c)     unprecedented     (d)     absented    
    3. (a)     indecent     (b)     increment     (c)     incident     (d)     indolent    
    4. (a)     operative     (b)     considerate     (c)     freely     (d)     executive    
    5. (a)     virtual     (b)     augmented     (c)     reputation     (d)     post    
    6. (a)     to     (b)     with     (c)     of     (d)     at    
    7. (a)     wowing     (b)     vowing      (c)     rowing     (d)     sowing    
    8. (a)     as     (b)     by     (c)     at     (d)     to    
    9. (a)     vectored     (b)     reputed     (c)     accomplished     (d)     tangible    
    10. (a)     works     (b)     negotiation     (c)     trophy     (d)     privilege    
    11. (a)     power     (b)     population     (c)     counterpart     (d)     administration    
    12. (a)     ambassador     (b)     prop     (c)     microcosm     (d)     foundation

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. In nprcteeduedne scenes
    2. took place without ctinedin
    3. In the first days of his rcsedeyipn
    4. rejoin the Paris climate rcdcao
    5. restoring America's tnpurteioa overseas
    6. neeagg with the world once again

    Paragraph 2

    1. not attending his successor's ioruuinnaagt
    2. We've diecmoaslcph so much
    3. amazing by any sadrtand
    4. a great honour and gvieirelp
    5. the new minstitondiara
    6. do something really ptclaauercs

    Put the text back together

    (...)  the new administration great luck and great success. I think they will have great
    (...)  in as the 46th U.S. President on Wednesday amid tight security in Washington. In unprecedented
    (...)  success. They have the foundation to do something really spectacular."
    (...)  tested. And we've come out stronger for it. We will repair our alliances and engage with the world once again."
    (...)  Outgoing President Donald Trump left office vowing to "be back". His parting words to the American
    (...)  scenes, around 25,000 National Guard troops were positioned to make sure the inauguration took
    (...)  inauguration. In his farewell speech, Mr Trump said: "This has been an incredible four years. We've accomplished
    (...)  place without incident. In the first days of his presidency, Mr Biden will make several executive
    (...)  public were: "Have a good life, we will see you soon." Mr Trump broke with tradition by not attending his successor's
    (...)  honour and privilege to be your president. I will always fight for you....I wish
    (...)  so much together. What we've done has been amazing by any standard." He added: "It's been a great
    (...)  accord. Biden spoke about restoring America's reputation overseas. He said: "America has been
    (  1  ) Joe Biden has promised to re-establish global alliances in his first speech as U.S. President. Mr Biden was sworn
    (...)  orders to change the direction of America's foreign policy. He will rejoin the Paris climate

    Put the words in the right order

    1. Biden   46th   the   in   US   sworn   as   was   President   .
    2. incident   .   Make   without   inauguration   sure   the   took   place
    3. foreign   America's   policy   .   Change   of   direction   the
    4. restoring   spoke   overseas   .   Biden   America's   about   reputation
    5. and   Repair   the   with   alliances   engage   world   .   our
    6. vowing   back   .   Trump   left   to   be   office
    7. tradition   broke   not   by   Trump   Mr   with   attending   .
    8. years   .   been   has   This   four   an   incredible
    9. to   president   .   It's   great   privilege   a   been   be
    10. foundation   really   spectacular   .   do   The   to   something

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Joe Biden has promised to re-establish globally / global alliances in his first speech as U.S. President. Mr Biden was swore / sworn in as the 46th U.S. President on Wednesday amid tight / light security in Washington. In unprecedented scenery / scenes, around 25,000 National Guard troops were positioned to make sure the inauguration took / gave place without incident. In the first days of his presidency, Mr Biden will make several operative / executive orders to change the direction of America's foreign police / policy. He will rejoin the Paris climate / warming accord. Biden spoke about restoring America's reputation / meeting overseas. He said: "America has been tested. And we've come out stronger for it. We will repair our alliances and engage / marry with the world once again."

    Outgoing President Donald Trump left office wowing / vowing to "be back". His parting words / word to the American public were: "Have a good life, we will see you soon." Mr Trump broke / bloke with tradition by not attending his successor's inauguration. In his farewell speech, Mr Trump said: "This has been an incredible / incredibly four years. We've acclimatised / accomplished so much together. What we've done has been amazed / amazing by any standard." He added: "It's been a great honour and privilege / trophy to be your president. I will always fight for you....I wish the new administration / opportunity great luck and great success. I think they will have greatly / great success. They have the foundation to do something really spectacular / speculative."

    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)

    J__  B_d_n  h_s  pr_m_s_d  t_  r_-_st_bl_sh  gl_b_l  _ll__nc_s  _n  h_s  f_rst  sp__ch  _s  _.S.  Pr_s_d_nt.  Mr  B_d_n  w_s  sw_rn  _n  _s  th_  46th  _.S.  Pr_s_d_nt  _n  W_dn_sd_y  _m_d  t_ght  s_c_r_ty  _n  W_sh_ngt_n.  _n  _npr_c_d_nt_d  sc_n_s,  _r__nd  25,000  N_t__n_l  G__rd  tr__ps  w_r_  p_s_t__n_d  t_  m_k_  s_r_  th_  _n__g_r_t__n  t__k  pl_c_  w_th__t  _nc_d_nt.  _n  th_  f_rst  d_ys  _f  h_s  pr_s_d_ncy,  Mr  B_d_n  w_ll  m_k_  s_v_r_l  _x_c_t_v_  _rd_rs  t_  ch_ng_  th_  d_r_ct__n  _f  _m_r_c_'s  f_r__gn  p_l_cy.  H_  w_ll  r_j__n  th_  P_r_s  cl_m_t_  _cc_rd.  B_d_n  sp_k_  _b__t  r_st_r_ng  _m_r_c_'s  r_p_t_t__n  _v_rs__s.  H_  s__d:  "_m_r_c_  h_s  b__n  t_st_d.  _nd  w_'v_  c_m_  __t  str_ng_r  f_r  _t.  W_  w_ll  r_p__r  __r  _ll__nc_s  _nd  _ng_g_  w_th  th_  w_rld  _nc_  _g__n."

    __tg__ng  Pr_s_d_nt  D_n_ld  Tr_mp  l_ft  _ff_c_  v_w_ng  t_  "b_  b_ck".  H_s  p_rt_ng  w_rds  t_  th_  _m_r_c_n  p_bl_c  w_r_:  "H_v_  _  g__d  l_f_,  w_  w_ll  s__  y__  s__n."  Mr  Tr_mp  br_k_  w_th  tr_d_t__n  by  n_t  _tt_nd_ng  h_s  s_cc_ss_r's  _n__g_r_t__n.  _n  h_s  f_r_w_ll  sp__ch,  Mr  Tr_mp  s__d:  "Th_s  h_s  b__n  _n  _ncr_d_bl_  f__r  y__rs.  W_'v_  _cc_mpl_sh_d  s_  m_ch  t_g_th_r.  Wh_t  w_'v_  d_n_  h_s  b__n  _m_z_ng  by  _ny  st_nd_rd."  H_  _dd_d:  "_t's  b__n  _  gr__t  h_n__r  _nd  pr_v_l_g_  t_  b_  y__r  pr_s_d_nt.  _  w_ll  _lw_ys  f_ght  f_r  y__...._  w_sh  th_  n_w  _dm_n_str_t__n  gr__t  l_ck  _nd  gr__t  s_cc_ss.  _  th_nk  th_y  w_ll  h_v_  gr__t  s_cc_ss.  Th_y  h_v_  th_  f__nd_t__n  t_  d_  s_m_th_ng  r__lly  sp_ct_c_l_r."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    joe biden has promised to reestablish global alliances in his first speech as us president mr biden was sworn in as the 46th us president on wednesday amid tight security in washington in unprecedented scenes around 25000 national guard troops were positioned to make sure the inauguration took place without incident in the first days of his presidency mr biden will make several executive orders to change the direction of americas foreign policy he will rejoin the paris climate accord biden spoke about restoring americas reputation overseas he said america has been tested and weve come out stronger for it we will repair our alliances and engage with the world once again

    outgoing president donald trump left office vowing to be back his parting words to the american public were have a good life we will see you soon mr trump broke with tradition by not attending his successors inauguration in his farewell speech mr trump said this has been an incredible four years weve accomplished so much together what weve done has been amazing by any standard he added its been a great honour and privilege to be your president i will always fight for you i wish the new administration great luck and great success i think they will have great success they have the foundation to do something really spectacular

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    JoeBidenhaspromisedtore-establishglobalalliancesinhisfirstspeec
    hasU.S.President.MrBidenwassworninasthe46thU.S.PresidentonW
    ednesdayamidtightsecurityinWashington.Inunprecedentedscenes,
    around25,000NationalGuardtroopswerepositionedtomakesurethei
    naugurationtookplacewithoutincident.Inthefirstdaysofhispresidenc
    y,MrBidenwillmakeseveralexecutiveorderstochangethedirectionofA
    merica'sforeignpolicy.HewillrejointheParisclimateaccord.Bidenspok
    eaboutrestoringAmerica'sreputationoverseas.Hesaid:"Americahas
    beentested.Andwe'vecomeoutstrongerforit.Wewillrepairouralliance
    sandengagewiththeworldonceagain."OutgoingPresidentDonaldTru
    mpleftofficevowingto"beback".HispartingwordstotheAmericanpubli
    cwere:"Haveagoodlife,wewillseeyousoon."MrTrumpbrokewithtradit
    ionbynotattendinghissuccessor'sinauguration.Inhisfarewellspeech,
    MrTrumpsaid:"Thishasbeenanincrediblefouryears.We'veaccomplis
    hedsomuchtogether.Whatwe'vedonehasbeenamazingbyanystanda
    rd."Headded:"It'sbeenagreathonourandprivilegetobeyourpresident
    .Iwillalwaysfightforyou....Iwishthenewadministrationgreatluckand
    greatsuccess.Ithinktheywillhavegreatsuccess.Theyhavethefoundat
    iontodosomethingreallyspectacular."

    Free writing

    Write about the lesson page for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    Joe Biden will be a great U.S. President. 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. JOE BIDEN: Make a poster about Joe Biden. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. DONALD TRUMP: Write a magazine article about Donald Trump running for office again. 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. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on Joe Biden. Ask him/her three questions about him. Give him/her three of your opinions on Joe Biden. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    Answers

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

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