Speed Reading — Level 5 — 500 wpm

Now do this put-the-text-back-together activity.

This is the text (if you need help).

The business magazine "Forbes" said Russia's Vladimir Putin is the world's most powerful person. He knocks Barack Obama from the top. "Forbes" is well known for making lists comparing the rich and famous. This list asked: "Who’s more powerful: the autocratic leader of a former superpower or the handcuffed commander-in-chief of the most dominant country in the world?" Forbes gives several reasons why Obama is now number two, and has become a "lame duck" president. These include the recent government shutdown, Syria, and spying and security leaks scandals.

Forbes wrote: "There are nearly 7.2 billion people on the planet. These are the 72 that matter the most." It said its list showed the top heads of state, financiers, philanthropists and entrepreneurs "who truly run the world." Forbes' editors looked at four things. One is who has power over lots of people; second is the financial resources each person controls; third is if the person has power "in multiple spheres"; and finally, how much he or she "actively uses their power". The editors put the U.N. Secretary-General 22 places behind the CEO of retail giant Wal-Mart.

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