Vladimir Putin most powerful person in the world (2nd November, 2014)

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

The American business magazine "Forbes" has announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin is the most powerful person in the world. He knocks US President Barack Obama from the top spot. "Forbes" is well known for compiling annual lists comparing the rich and famous. In its latest ranking, it 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?" The magazine cites a number of reasons why Obama lost his top ranking and has become a "lame duck" president. These included the recent "government shutdown mess," his foreign policy on Syria and the ongoing 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 added that its list is: "An annual snapshot of the heads of state, financiers, philanthropists and entrepreneurs who truly run the world." It is put together by Forbes' editors, who have four "dimensions" to take into consideration. One is whether the candidate has power over lots of people; second is the financial resources at the disposal or control of each person; third is to what degree the person has power "in multiple spheres"; and finally, the extent to which he or she "actively uses their power". These factors put the U.N. Secretary-General 22 places behind the CEO of retail giant Wal-Mart.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 4 or Level 5

Sources

http://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinehoward/2013/10/30/the-worlds-most-powerful-people-2013/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinehoward/2013/10/30/ranking-the-worlds-most-powerful-people-2013/

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. POWERFUL PEOPLE: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about powerful people. 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.

business magazine / the top spot / annual lists / latest ranking / superpower / scandal / the planet / philanthropists / run the world / financial resources / power / retail giant

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

3. MOST POWERFUL: How powerful are these people? Score them: "1" = not powerful; "10" is very powerful. Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	1 - 10	Can bring change	Affect your life
USA President
Facebook CEO
UN Secretary-General
CNN owner
Head of World Bank
Top Hollywood actor

4. PUTIN: Students A strongly believe Vladimir Putin is the world's most powerful person; Students B strongly believe he isn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

MY e-BOOK

ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers

See a sample

• a computer hacker

• the boss of Apple

• an army general

• the head of Al Qaeda

• world footballer of the year

• head of the BBC

• the Pope

• N. Korea's leader

6. LIST: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "list". 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.	A Russian magazine said Putin is the world's most powerful person.	T / F
b.	Barack Obama was number one before Vladimir Putin.	T / F
c.	A magazine suggests Obama has limited use of his power.	T / F
d.	The magazine likens Obama to a spring chicken.	T / F
e.	The magazine took a photograph of 72 powerful people.	T / F
f.	People who chose the most powerful person looked at four areas.	T / F
g.	One factor to be most powerful was influence in different areas.	T / F
h.	The U.N. Secretary-General was 22 places higher than Wal-Mart's CEO.	T / F

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

1.	announced	a.	putting together
2.	spot	b.	make a difference
3.	compiling	c.	areas
4.	former	d.	yearly
5.	ongoing	e.	declared
6.	matter	f.	control
7.	annual	g.	continuing
8.	run	h.	position
9.	spheres	i.	colossus
10.	giant	j.	ex-

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

1.	compiling	a.	duck president
2.	autocratic	b.	control of each person
3.	a lame	c.	policy on Syria
4.	the recent government	d.	entrepreneurs
5.	his foreign	e.	that matter the most
6.	These are the 72	f.	leader
7.	philanthropists and	g.	giant
8.	take into	h.	shutdown mess
9.	at the disposal or	i.	annual lists
10.	retail	j.	consideration

GAP FILL

The American business magazine "Forbes" has (1) ____ that Russian President Vladimir Putin is the most powerful person in the world. He (2) ____ US President Barack Obama from the top spot. "Forbes" is well known for (3) ____ annual lists comparing the rich and famous. In its latest ranking, it asked: "Who's more powerful: the (4) ____ leader of a former superpower or the handcuffed commander-in-chief of the most dominant country in the world?" The magazine (5) ____ a number of reasons why Obama lost his top ranking and has become a "lame (6) ____" president. These included the recent "government shutdown (7) ____," his foreign policy on Syria and the (8) ____ spying and security leaks scandals.

mess
autocratic
knocks
duck
announced
ongoing
compiling
cites

Forbes wrote: "There are nearly 7.2 billion people on the planet. These are the 72 that (9) ____ the most." It added that its list is: "An annual (10) ____ of the heads of state, financiers, philanthropists and entrepreneurs who (11) ____ run the world." It is put together by Forbes' editors, who have four "dimensions" to (12) ____ into consideration. One is whether the candidate has power over lots of people; second is the financial resources at the (13) ____ or control of each person; third is to what degree the person has power "in (14) ____ spheres"; and finally, the extent to which he or she "actively uses their power". These (15) ____ put the U.N. Secretary-General 22 places behind the CEO of (16) ____ giant Wal-Mart.

truly
multiple
retail
matter
disposal
snapshot
factors
take

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	He knocks US President Barack Obama from ______
	a. the top sport b. the tops pot c. the top spot d. the tops spot
2)	The magazine cites a number of reasons why Obama lost ______
	a. his top rank in b. his stop ranking c. his stop rank in d. his top ranking
3)	has become a "______" president
	a. lame duck b. lane duck c. rain duck d. lame duct
4)	These included the recent government ______
	a. shutdown messy b. shutdown mess c. shutdown messed d. shutdown messes
5)	his foreign policy on Syria and the ongoing spying and ______
	a. security leak scandals b. security leaks sandals c. security leak sandals d. security leaks scandals
6)	An ______ the heads of state, financiers, philanthropists and entrepreneurs
	a. annual snapped shot of b. annual snap short of c. annual snap shod of d. annual snapshot of
7)	It is put together by Forbes' editors, who have four "dimensions" to take ______
	a. into consideration b. unto consideration c. onto consideration d. in too consideration
8)	second is the financial resources at the ______ of each person
	a. this pose all or control b. disposal or control c. disposal or controls d. dispose all or control
9)	third is to what degree the person has power "______"
	a. in multi-pull spears b. in multiply spheres c. in multiple spheres d. in multiple spears
10)	These factors put the U.N. Secretary-General 22 places behind the CEO ______ Wal-Mart
	a. of retailling giant b. of the tail giant c. of retain giant d. of retail giant

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

The American business magazine "Forbes" (1) ___________________ Russian President Vladimir Putin is the most powerful person in the world. He knocks US President Barack Obama (2) ___________________. "Forbes" is well known for (3) ___________________ comparing the rich and famous. In its latest ranking, it asked: "Who's more powerful: the autocratic leader of a (4) ___________________ the handcuffed commander-in-chief of the most dominant country in the world?" The magazine (5) ___________________ reasons why Obama lost his top ranking and has become a "lame duck" president. These included the recent "(6) ___________________," his foreign policy on Syria and the ongoing spying and security leaks scandals.

Forbes wrote: "There are nearly 7.2 billion people on the planet. These are the 72 (7) ___________________." It added that its list is: "An annual snapshot of the heads of state, (8) ___________________ and entrepreneurs who (9) ___________________." It is put together by Forbes' editors, who have four "dimensions" to (10) ___________________. One is whether the candidate has power over lots of people; second is the financial resources at the disposal or control of each person; third is to what degree the person has power (11) ___________________; and finally, the extent to which he or she "actively uses their power". These factors put the U.N. Secretary-General (12) ___________________ CEO of retail giant Wal-Mart.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	What kind of magazine is "Forbes"?
2.	Who was number one on the list last year?
3.	How did the article describe the commander-in-chief as being?
4.	What kind of President did the article say Obama now was?
5.	What foreign policy was mentioned?
6.	How many people matter the most?
7.	How often is this "snapshot" of the powerful taken?
8.	How many factors did the editors take into consideration?
9.	What was the fourth consideration?
10.	Who was 22 positions behind the CEO of a chain store?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	What kind of magazine is "Forbes"?	6.	How many people matter the most?
	a) a political magazine b) a magazine full of lists c) a celebrity gossip magazine d) a business magazine		a) 7.2 billion b) 72 c) thousands d) countless numbers
2.	Who was number one on the list last year?	7.	How often is this "snapshot" of the powerful taken?
	a) Vladimir Putin b) Barack Obama c) Mark Zuckerberg d) Angela Merkel		a) every 4 years b) once in a blue moon c) when they gather in Davos d) yearly
3.	How did the article describe the commander-in-chief as being?	8.	How many factors did the editors take into consideration?
	a) duck-like b) awesome c) handcuffed d) rudderless		a) 4 b) 6 c) 8 d) 10
4.	What kind of President did the article say Obama now was?	9.	What was the fourth consideration?
	a) a lame duck b) a spring chicken c) a cooked goose d) a Christmas turkey		a) to be or not to be b) wealth c) active use of power d) how many degrees they have
5.	What foreign policy was mentioned?	10.	Who was 22 positions behind the CEO of a chain store?
	a) never fight wars overseas b) the international one c) that on Syria d) the first rule of diplomacy		a) Barack Obama b) the U.N. Secretary-General c) Mark Zuckerberg d) Bill Gates

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Vladimir Putin

You think Vladimir Putin is the most powerful person in the world. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their people. Also, tell the others who is the least powerful of these (and why): Barack Obama, Facebook's CEO or the U.N. Secretary-General.

Role B – Barack Obama

You think Barack Obama is the most powerful person in the world. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their people. Also, tell the others who is the least powerful of these (and why): Vladimir Putin, Facebook's CEO or the U.N. Secretary-General.

Role C – Facebook's CEO

You think Facebook's CEO is the most powerful person in the world. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their people. Also, tell the others who is the least powerful of these (and why): Barack Obama, Vladimir Putin or the U.N. Secretary-General.

Role D – The U.N. Secretary-General

You think the U.N. Secretary-General is the most powerful person in the world. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their people. Also, tell the others who is the least powerful (and why): Barack Obama, Facebook's CEO or Vladimir Putin.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

business

magazine

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:

announced
spot
latest
number
duck
security

72
state
four
second
finally
22

POWERFUL PEOPLE SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about powerful people 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.

POWERFUL PEOPLE 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 'powerful'?
c)	What do you think of the Forbes list?
d)	What power does Vladimir Putin have in Russia and in the world?
e)	Do you think Vladimir Putin is more powerful than Barack Obama?
f)	Why did Forbes call Putin an "autocratic leader"?
g)	Why did Forbes say Obama is "handcuffed"?
h)	Is Obama a weak president?
i)	Who is the most powerful person who isn't a national leader?
j)	Are lists like this important?

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

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

a)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
b)	Do the 72 people on the list really "matter the most"?
c)	Who is more important, a financier or a philanthropist?
d)	What do you think of the four dimensions used to decide the "winner"?
e)	What responsibilities does the most powerful person in the world have?
f)	Does power corrupt?
g)	Does having power change people?
h)	What power do you have?
i)	What kind of power would you like to have?
j)	What would you like to ask Vladimir Putin about the Forbes list?

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.	________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

The American business magazine "Forbes" has announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin is the most powerful person in the world. He (1) ____ US President Barack Obama from the top spot. "Forbes" is well known for (2) ____ annual lists comparing the rich and famous. In its latest (3) ____, it asked: "Who's more powerful: the autocratic leader of a former superpower or the (4) ____ commander-in-chief of the most dominant country in the world?" The magazine (5) ____ a number of reasons why Obama lost his top ranking and has become a "lame duck" president. These included the recent "government shutdown mess," his foreign policy (6) ____ Syria and the ongoing spying and security leaks scandals.

Forbes wrote: "There are nearly 7.2 billion people on the (7) ____. These are the 72 that matter the most." It added that its list is: "An (8) ____ snapshot of the heads of state, financiers, philanthropists and entrepreneurs who (9) ____ run the world." It is put together by Forbes' editors, who have four "dimensions" to take into consideration. One is whether the candidate has power (10) ____ lots of people; second is the financial resources at the disposal or control of each person; third is to what (11) ____ the person has power "in multiple spheres"; and finally, the extent (12) ____ which he or she "actively uses their power". These factors put the U.N. Secretary-General 22 places behind the CEO of retail giant Wal-Mart.

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

1.	(a)	knockings	(b)	knocks	(c)	knockers	(d)	knocking
2.	(a)	replying	(b)	compiling	(c)	refilling	(d)	complaining
3.	(a)	thanking	(b)	hankering	(c)	banking	(d)	ranking
4.	(a)	cuff links	(b)	handcuffed	(c)	handless	(d)	handy
5.	(a)	sights	(b)	cites	(c)	sites	(d)	sates
6.	(a)	at	(b)	by	(c)	on	(d)	from
7.	(a)	planets	(b)	planetary	(c)	planet	(d)	planetarium
8.	(a)	annually	(b)	annualised	(c)	annual	(d)	annuals
9.	(a)	reality	(b)	facts	(c)	honest	(d)	truly
10.	(a)	from	(b)	under	(c)	for	(d)	over
11.	(a)	degree	(b)	temperature	(c)	angle	(d)	ratio
12.	(a)	at	(b)	as	(c)	to	(d)	of

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	giilpomcn annual lists
2.	the ctacroatiu leader
3.	the fhddefunac commander-in-chief
4.	The magazine tecis a number of reasons
5.	foreign yiclpo
6.	usytecri leaks
Paragraph 2
7.	financiers, philanthropists and tnpenesreerur
8.	four "dimensions" to take into nooesdicatirn
9.	the dtaiaencd has power
10.	at the lsspdioa or control of each person
11.	in multiple erepshs
12.	ealirt giant

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	lost his top ranking and has become a "lame duck" president. These included the recent
( )	is the most powerful person in the world. He knocks US President Barack Obama from the top
( )	commander-in-chief of the most dominant country in the world?" The magazine cites a number of reasons why Obama
( )	"actively uses their power". These factors put the U.N. Secretary-General 22 places behind the CEO of retail giant Wal-Mart.
( )	matter the most." It added that its list is: "An annual snapshot of the heads of state, financiers, philanthropists
( )	spot. "Forbes" is well known for compiling annual lists comparing the rich and famous. In its latest
( 1 )	The American business magazine "Forbes" has announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin
( )	Forbes wrote: "There are nearly 7.2 billion people on the planet. These are the 72 that
( )	"dimensions" to take into consideration. One is whether the candidate has power over lots of people;
( )	second is the financial resources at the disposal or control of each person; third is to what
( )	degree the person has power "in multiple spheres"; and finally, the extent to which he or she
( )	and entrepreneurs who truly run the world." It is put together by Forbes' editors, who have four
( )	"government shutdown mess," his foreign policy on Syria and the ongoing spying and security leaks scandals.
( )	ranking, it asked: "Who's more powerful: the autocratic leader of a former superpower or the handcuffed

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	Obama from the top spot He knocks US President Barack.
2.	the Compiling rich annual and lists famous comparing.
3.	number of reasons why Obama lost The magazine cites a.
4.	recent the included These mess shutdown government.
5.	Syria ongoing His on the policy and spying foreign.
6.	the the most 72 that These matter are.
7.	of the An heads annual of snapshot state.
8.	dimensions take consideration Four to into.
9.	the power of Whether has lots candidate over people.
10.	is degree has Third what person to the power.

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

The American business magazine "Forbes" has / was announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin is the most powerful person in the world. He knocks / shoves US President Barack Obama from the top spot. "Forbes" is well known for competing / compiling annual lists comparing the rich and famous. In its latest ranking / wrangling, it asked: "Who's more powerful: the autocratic / autocracy leader of a former superpower or the cufflinked / handcuffed commander-in-chief of the most dormant / dominant country in the world?" The magazine cites / sights a number of reasons why Obama lost his top ranking and has become a "cooked goose" / "lame duck" president. These included the recent "government shutdown mess," his foreign policy on Syria and the goings on / ongoing spying and security leaks scandals.

Forbes wrote: "There are nearly 7.2 billion people on / in the planet. These are the 72 that matter the most." It added that its rank / list is: "An annual snapshot of the heads / faces of state, financiers, philanthropists and entrepreneurs who truly / truthfully run the world." It is put together by Forbes' editor / editors, who have four "dimensions" to take onto / into consideration. One is whether the candidate has power under / over lots of people; second is the financial resources at the disposal or control of each person; third is to how / what degree the person has power "in multiple spheres"; and finally, the extent to / as which he or she "actively uses their power". These factors put the U.N. Secretary-General 22 places arrears / behind the CEO of retail giant Wal-Mart.

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)

Th_ _m_r_c_n b_s_n_ss m_g_z_n_ "F_rb_s" h_s _nn__nc_d th_t R_ss__n Pr_s_d_nt Vl_d_m_r P_t_n _s th_ m_st p_w_rf_l p_rs_n _n th_ w_rld. H_ kn_cks _S Pr_s_d_nt B_r_ck _b_m_ fr_m th_ t_p sp_t. "F_rb_s" _s w_ll kn_wn f_r c_mp_l_ng _nn__l l_sts c_mp_r_ng th_ r_ch _nd f_m__s. _n _ts l_t_st r_nk_ng, _t _sk_d: "Wh_'s m_r_ p_w_rf_l: th_ __t_cr_t_c l__d_r _f _ f_rm_r s_p_rp_w_r _r th_ h_ndc_ff_d c_mm_nd_r-_n-ch__f _f th_ m_st d_m_n_nt c__ntry _n th_ w_rld?" Th_ m_g_z_n_ c_t_s _ n_mb_r _f r__s_ns why _b_m_ l_st h_s t_p r_nk_ng _nd h_s b_c_m_ _ "l_m_ d_ck" pr_s_d_nt. Th_s_ _ncl_d_d th_ r_c_nt "g_v_rnm_nt sh_td_wn m_ss," h_s f_r__gn p_l_cy _n Syr__ _nd th_ _ng__ng spy_ng _nd s_c_r_ty l__ks sc_nd_ls.

F_rb_s wr_t_: "Th_r_ _r_ n__rly 7.2 b_ll__n p__pl_ _n th_ pl_n_t. Th_s_ _r_ th_ 72 th_t m_tt_r th_ m_st." _t _dd_d th_t _ts l_st _s: "_n _nn__l sn_psh_t _f th_ h__ds _f st_t_, f_n_nc__rs, ph_l_nthr_p_sts _nd _ntr_pr_n__rs wh_ tr_ly r_n th_ w_rld." _t _s p_t t_g_th_r by F_rb_s' _d_t_rs, wh_ h_v_ f__r "d_m_ns__ns" t_ t_k_ _nt_ c_ns_d_r_t__n. _n_ _s wh_th_r th_ c_nd_d_t_ h_s p_w_r _v_r l_ts _f p__pl_; s_c_nd _s th_ f_n_nc__l r_s__rc_s _t th_ d_sp_s_l _r c_ntr_l _f __ch p_rs_n; th_rd _s t_ wh_t d_gr__ th_ p_rs_n h_s p_w_r "_n m_lt_pl_ sph_r_s"; _nd f_n_lly, th_ _xt_nt t_ wh_ch h_ _r sh_ "_ct_v_ly _s_s th__r p_w_r". Th_s_ f_ct_rs p_t th_ _.N. S_cr_t_ry-G_n_r_l 22 pl_c_s b_h_nd th_ C__ _f r_t__l g__nt W_l-M_rt.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

the american business magazine "forbes" has announced that russian president vladimir putin is the most powerful person in the world he knocks us president barack obama from the top spot "forbes" is well known for compiling annual lists comparing the rich and famous in its latest ranking it 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" the magazine cites a number of reasons why obama lost his top ranking and has become a "lame duck" president these included the recent "government shutdown mess" his foreign policy on syria and the ongoing spying and security leaks scandals

forbes wrote "there are nearly 72 billion people on the planet these are the 72 that matter the most" it added that its list is "an annual snapshot of the heads of state financiers philanthropists and entrepreneurs who truly run the world" it is put together by forbes' editors who have four "dimensions" to take into consideration one is whether the candidate has power over lots of people second is the financial resources at the disposal or control of each person third is to what degree the person has power "in multiple spheres" and finally the extent to which he or she "actively uses their power" these factors put the un secretary-general 22 places behind the ceo of retail giant wal-mart

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

TheAmericanbusinessmagazine"Forbes"hasannouncedthatRussianPresident
VladimirPutinisthemostpowerfulpersonintheworld.HeknocksUSPresidentBar
ackObamafromthetopspot."Forbes"iswellknownforcompilingannuallistscom
paringtherichandfamous.Initslatestranking,itasked:"Who'smorepowerful:th
eautocraticleaderofaformersuperpowerorthehandcuffedcommander-in-chie
fofthemostdominantcountryintheworld?"Themagazinecitesanumberofreaso
nswhyObamalosthistoprankingandhasbecomea"lameduck"president.Thesei
ncludedtherecent"governmentshutdownmess,"hisforeignpolicyonSyriaandt
heongoingspyingandsecurityleaksscandals.Forbeswrote:"Therearenearly7.
2billionpeopleontheplanet.Thesearethe72thatmatterthemost."Itaddedthatit
slistis:"Anannualsnapshotoftheheadsofstate,financiers,philanthropistsande
ntrepreneurswhotrulyruntheworld."ItisputtogetherbyForbes'editors,whoha
vefour"dimensions"totakeintoconsideration.Oneiswhetherthecandidatehasp
oweroverlotsofpeople;secondisthefinancialresourcesatthedisposalorcontrol
ofeachperson;thirdistowhatdegreethepersonhaspower"inmultiplespheres";
andfinally,theextenttowhichheorshe"activelyusestheirpower".Thesefactorsp
uttheU.N.Secretary-General22placesbehindtheCEOofretailgiantWal-Mart.

FREE WRITING

Write about powerful people for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

Barack Obama is more powerful than Vladimir Putin. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

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 the world's powerful people. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. POWERFUL PEOPLE: Make a poster about powerful people in your country. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. VLADIMIR PUTIN: Write a magazine article about Vladimir Putin being the most powerful person in the world. Include imaginary interviews with people who agree and with people who disagree.

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 Vladimir Putin. Ask him three questions about life as the world's most powerful people. Give him three ideas on how he can use his power to help the world. 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

T

c

T

d

F

e

F

f

T

g

T

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	announced	a.	declared
2.	spot	b.	position
3.	compiling	c.	putting together
4.	former	d.	ex-
5.	ongoing	e.	continuing
6.	matter	f.	make a difference
7.	annual	g.	yearly
8.	run	h.	control
9.	spheres	i.	areas
10.	giant	j.	colossus

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	A business magazine
2.	Barack Obama
3.	Handcuffed
4.	A "lame duck" president
5.	That on Syria
6.	72
7.	Annually
8.
9.	Four
10.	Whether they actively use their power

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

d

2.

b

3.

c

4.

a

5.

c

6.

b

7.

d

8.

a

9.

c

10.

b

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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Vladimir Putin most powerful person in the world (2nd November, 2014)

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