The Reading / Listening - Michelle Obama - Level 6

The new autobiography penned by the former First Lady of the USA Michelle Obama has stormed to the top of the bestseller lists. The in-depth memoir of her life and times at the White House is now the fastest-selling book of 2018 and holds the top spot on Amazon's bestseller list. The 448-page book is called 'Becoming'. Amazon calls it: "An intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States." The book's publisher, Penguin Random House, said: "We are thrilled by the extraordinary response to Ms Obama's beautifully rendered and deeply personal memoir, and we are confident that 'Becoming' will inspire millions of readers."

Michelle Obama summed up the idea behind her book. She said: "Becoming is never giving up on the idea that there's more growing to be done." An Amazon reviewer wrote: "Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her - from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world's most famous address." The autobiography and Ms Obama's accompanying nationwide tour to promote it have ignited talk of the former First Lady running for President in 2020. One of her aides quickly dismissed any speculation, saying: "Let me be very clear, it will never happen."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Michelle Obama - Level 4  or  Michelle Obama - Level 5

Sources
  • https://edition.cnn.com/2018/11/20/media/michelle-obama-book-sales/index.html
  • https://www.latimes.com/books/la-et-jc-obama-bestseller-20181119-story.html
  • https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Michelle-Obama/dp/1524763136


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 :-)

Warm-ups

1. MICHELLE OBAMA: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Michelle Obama. 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?
       autobiography / former / First Lady / bestseller / White House / memoir / personal /
        idea / never giving up / experiences / childhood / motherhood / nationwide / tour
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. GIVING UP: Students A strongly believe we should never give up; Students B strongly believe giving up is OK.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. FIRST LADIES: Who is the First Lady of these things? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Who?

Why?

Niceness

 

 

Business

 

 

Acting

 

 

Politics

 

 

Education

 

 

Power

 

 
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. WHITE HOUSE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "White House". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. MEMOIRS: Rank these with your partner. Put the best memoirs to read at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Oprah Winfrey
  • Queen Elizabeth II
  • Aung San Suu Kyi
  • Queen Noor of Jordan
  • Michelle Obama
  • Melania Trump
  • Beyonce
  • Melinda Gates

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. autobiography a. Written or composed.
      2. penned b. A historical account or biography written from personal knowledge or special sources.
      3. stormed c. A reaction to something.
      4. memoir d. Moved very quickly to a position in a game, contest or other thing.
      5. intimate e. Filling someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.
      6. inspiring f. An account / story of a person's life written by that person.
      7. response g. Private and personal.

    Paragraph 2

      8. summed up h. A person who writes critical reports of books, plays, movies, etc., for publication.
      9. reviewer i. Recording a related series of events in a factual and detailed way.
      10. chronicling j. The forming of a theory or opinion without strong evidence.
      11. demands k. Be present or occur at the same time as something else.
      12. accompanying l. Jobs and tasks people are requiring you to do (quickly).
      13. ignited m. Gave a brief account of the main points of something.
      14. speculation n. Started or further stimulated an emotion or situation.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The article says Ms Obama wrote her book with a fountain pen.     T / F
  2. The article says Ms Obama's was very stormy.     T / F
  3. The book is slightly under 450 pages long.     T / F
  4. The publisher said the book was thrilled.     T / F
  5. Ms Obama said 'Becoming' means giving up when you need to.     T / F
  6. An Amazon reviewer says Ms Obama talks about growing up.     T / F
  7. A book tour has sparked rumors Ms Obama will run for President.     T / F
  8. A close associate says Ms Obama won't run for President.     T / F

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

  1. autobiography
  2. in-depth
  3. intimate
  4. thrilled
  5. inspire
  6. summed up
  7. chronicling
  8. demands
  9. ignited
  10. speculation
  1. private
  2. recording
  3. motivate
  4. thorough
  5. conjecture
  6. life story
  7. needs
  8. started
  9. excited
  10. outlined

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

  1. The new autobiography penned
  2. The in-depth memoir of
  3. holds the top spot on
  4. Ms Obama's beautifully rendered and
  5. 'Becoming' will inspire
  6. Michelle Obama summed up the
  7. chronicling the experiences that
  8. balancing the demands of
  9. running
  10. her aides quickly dismissed
  1. Amazon's bestseller list
  2. have shaped her
  3. millions of readers
  4. any speculation
  5. for President
  6. deeply personal memoir
  7. motherhood and work
  8. by the former First Lady
  9. idea behind her book
  10. her life and times

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
publisher
stormed
holds
confident
penned
response
memoir
intimate

The new autobiography (1) ____________ by the former First Lady of the USA Michelle Obama has (2) ____________ to the top of the bestseller lists. The in-depth (3) ____________ of her life and times at the White House is now the fastest-selling book of 2018 and (4) ____________ the top spot on Amazon's bestseller list. The 448-page book is called 'Becoming'. Amazon calls it: "An (5) ____________, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States." The book's (6) ____________, Penguin Random House, said: "We are thrilled by the extraordinary (7) ____________ to Ms Obama's beautifully rendered and deeply personal memoir, and we are (8) ____________ that 'Becoming' will inspire millions of readers."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
executive
giving
tour
summed
clear
former
chronicling
address

Michelle Obama (9) ____________ up the idea behind her book. She said: "Becoming is never (10) ____________ up on the idea that there's more growing to be done." An Amazon reviewer wrote: "Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, (11) ____________ the experiences that have shaped her - from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an (12) ____________ balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world's most famous (13) ____________." The autobiography and Ms Obama's accompanying nationwide (14) ____________ to promote it have ignited talk of the (15) ____________ First Lady running for President in 2020. One of her aides quickly dismissed any speculation, saying: "Let me be very (16) ____________, it will never happen."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) penned by the former First Lady of the USA Michelle Obama has ______ top
     a.  stormed at the
     b.  stormed into the
     c.  stormed to the
     d.  stormed unto the
2)  the fastest-selling book of 2018 and holds the top spot on Amazon's ______
     a.  bestseller wrist
     b.  bestseller list
     c.  bestseller Liszt
     d.  bestseller writs
3)  The book's publisher, Penguin Random House, said: "______."
     a.  We are thriller
     b.  We are frilled
     c.  We are frilly
     d.  We are thrilled
4) extraordinary response to Ms Obama's beautifully rendered and deeply ______
     a.  personal memory
     b.  personal memoir
     c.  personal meme were
     d.  personal meme war
5)  and we are confident that 'Becoming' will ______ readers
     a.  inspired millions of
     b.  inspires millions of
     c.  respire millions of
     d.  conspire millions of

6)  Becoming is never giving up on the idea that there's more growing ______
     a.  to be done
     b.  to be doing
     c.  to be gone
     d.  to bygone
7) Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that ______
     a.  have sharpened her
     b.  have shaved her
     c.  have chafed her
     d.  have shaped her
8)  from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years ______
     a.  as an executive
     b.  is an executive
     c.  as and executive
     d.  is and executive
9) autobiography and Ms Obama's accompanying nationwide tour to promote ______ talk
     a.  it have ignite it
     b.  it have ignite
     c.  it have ignited
     d.  it have ignites
10)  One of her aides quickly dismissed ______
     a.  many speculation
     b.  many speck undulation
     c.  any speck undulation
     d.  any speculation

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The new autobiography (1) ___________________ former First Lady of the USA Michelle Obama (2) ___________________ the top of the bestseller lists. The in-depth memoir of her life and times at the White House is now the fastest-selling book of 2018 and (3) ___________________ spot on Amazon's bestseller list. The 448-page book is called 'Becoming'. Amazon calls it: "An intimate, powerful, and (4) ___________________ the former First Lady of the United States." The book's publisher, Penguin Random House, said: "We (5) ___________________ the extraordinary response to Ms Obama's beautifully rendered and deeply personal memoir, and we are confident that 'Becoming' will inspire (6) ___________________."

Michelle Obama (7) ___________________ idea behind her book. She said: "Becoming is never giving up (8) ___________________ that there's more growing to be done." An Amazon reviewer wrote: "Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that (9) ___________________ - from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing (10) ___________________ motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world's most famous address." The autobiography and Ms Obama's accompanying nationwide tour to promote it have (11) ___________________ the former First Lady running for President in 2020. One (12) ___________________ quickly dismissed any speculation, saying: "Let me be very clear, it will never happen."

Comprehension questions

  1. What list is the book top of?
  2. What three adjectives did an Amazon reviewer use to describe the book?
  3. What is the name of the book's publisher?
  4. What was the publisher's reaction to the book?
  5. Who did the publisher say the book would inspire?
  6. What did Michelle Obama saw there was more of to be done?
  7. Where did Michelle Obama grow up?
  8. What did Amazon suggest the White House was?
  9. What has started rumors of Ms Obama's possible run for President?
  10. Who said Ms Obama will not run for President?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What list is the book top of?
a) Donald Trump's reading list
b) a Christmas tree
c) Amazon's bestseller list
d) the bestselling First Lady books
2) What three adjectives did an Amazon reviewer use to describe the book?
a) intimate, powerful and inspiring
b) fun, jolly and interesting
c) intense, heavy and serious
d) mind-blowing, extraordinary and amazing
3) What is the name of the book's publisher?
a) Penguin Random House
b) Random Penguin House
c) Penguin House Random
d) Random House Penguin
4) What was the publisher's reaction to the book?
a) it was disappointed
b) it was thrilled
c) it was stunned
d) it was heartened
5) Who did the publisher say the book would inspire?
a) all Americans
b) Donald Trump
c) former First Ladies
d) millions of readers

6) What did Michelle Obama saw there was more of to be done?
a) writing
b) growing
c) reading
d) fighting
7) Where did Michelle Obama grow up?
a) the South Side of Chicago
b) Detroit
c) New York
d) Houston
8) What did Amazon suggest the White House was?
a) a hive of activity
b) big
c) the world's most famous address
d) a great place to write
9) What has started rumors of Ms Obama's possible run for President?
a) her aide
b) newspapers
c) gossip
d) a nationwide book tour
10) Who said Ms Obama will not run for President?
a) her aide
b) Barack Obama
c) Donald Trump
d) her best friend

Role play

Role  A – Michelle Obama
You think Michelle Obama's memoirs would be most interesting. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with the other memoirs. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): Beyonce, Queen Elizabeth II or Melania Trump.

Role  B – Beyonce
You think Beyonce's memoirs would be most interesting. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with the other memoirs. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): Michelle Obama, Queen Elizabeth II or Melania Trump.

Role  C – Queen Elizabeth II
You think Queen Elizabeth II's memoirs would be most interesting. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with the other memoirs. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): Beyonce, Michelle Obama or Melania Trump.

Role  D – Melania Trump
You think Melania Trump's memoirs would be most interesting. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with the other memoirs. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): Beyonce, Queen Elizabeth II or Michelle Obama.

After reading / listening

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

'book'

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

    • and 'biography'.

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

    • • 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:

    • summed
    • growing
    • south
    • address
    • tour
    • clear
    • penned
    • times
    • list
    • powerful
    • response
    • millions

    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 - Michelle Obama's book best-selling of 2018

    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 'book'?
    3. What do you know about Michelle Obama?
    4. Would you like to read Michelle Obama's book?
    5. How interesting would your memoirs be?
    6. What's the best book you've read this year?
    7. What is the best biography you've ever read?
    8. Why do you think the book might be "powerful and inspiring"?
    9. What do you think of the book's title, "Becoming"?
    10. What advice do you have for Michelle Obama?

    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 'biography'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you think about Michelle Obama?
    5. What do you think will be in Michelle Obama's book?
    6. What's the most inspiring book you've ever read?
    7. What do you think life was like as First Lady?
    8. What can we learn from Michelle Obama?
    9. Should Michelle Obama run for President in 2020?
    10. What questions would you like to ask Michelle Obama?

    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)

    The new autobiography () ____ by the former First Lady of the USA Michelle Obama has (2) ____ to the top of the bestseller lists. The in-depth memoir of her life and times at the White House is now the fastest-selling book of 2018 and (3) ____ the top spot on Amazon's bestseller list. The 448-page book is called 'Becoming'. Amazon calls it: "An (4) ____, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States." The book's publisher, Penguin Random House, said: "We are thrilled by the extraordinary response (5) ____ Ms Obama's beautifully rendered and (6) ____ personal memoir, and we are confident that 'Becoming' will inspire millions of readers."

    Michelle Obama (7) ____ up the idea behind her book. She said: "Becoming is never giving up (8) ____ the idea that there's more growing to be done." An Amazon reviewer wrote: "Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have (9) ____ her - from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the (10) ____ of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world's most famous address." The autobiography and Ms Obama's accompanying nationwide tour to promote it have (11) ____ talk of the former First Lady running for President in 2020. One of her aides quickly dismissed any speculation, saying: "Let me be very (12) ____, it will never happen."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     stenciled     (b)     penciled     (c)     inked     (d)     penned    
    2. (a)     hailed     (b)     snowed     (c)     rained     (d)     stormed    
    3. (a)     grasps     (b)     holds     (c)     clasps     (d)     clenches    
    4. (a)     imitation     (b)     integrity     (c)     intimate     (d)     intimidate    
    5. (a)     in     (b)     by     (c)     to     (d)     as    
    6. (a)     deeply     (b)     deepen     (c)     depth     (d)     deeps    
    7. (a)     rammed     (b)     summed     (c)     hemmed     (d)     brimmed    
    8. (a)     on     (b)     at     (c)     under     (d)     through    
    9. (a)     demanded     (b)     shaped     (c)     published     (d)     written    
    10. (a)     supplies     (b)     surges     (c)     demands     (d)     provides    
    11. (a)     exploded     (b)     charred     (c)     ignited     (d)     incendiary    
    12. (a)     clarity     (b)     clearly     (c)     clearness     (d)     clear

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. The in-depth eommir of her life
    2. Amazon's setsellber list
    3. The book's iblpshuer
    4. We are hitllred
    5. the extraordinary eopsnrse
    6. 'Becoming' will nspiire millions of readers

    Paragraph 2

    1. Obama usmmed up the idea
    2. An Amazon vreiewer
    3. her years as an eucxtevie
    4. balancing the demands of trheohomod
    5. gnitied talk
    6. quickly dismissed any peustalicon

    Put the text back together

    (...)  lists. The in-depth memoir of her life and times at the White House is now the fastest-selling book of 2018 and holds the top
    (...)  work, to her time spent at the world's most famous address." The autobiography and Ms Obama's accompanying nationwide
    (...)  on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and
    (...)  it: "An intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States." The book's
    (...)  up on the idea that there's more growing to be done." An Amazon reviewer wrote: "Michelle Obama invites
    (...)  publisher, Penguin Random House, said: "We are thrilled by the extraordinary response
    (...)  Michelle Obama summed up the idea behind her book. She said: "Becoming is never giving
    (...)  in 2020. One of her aides quickly dismissed any speculation, saying: "Let me be very clear, it will never happen."
    (  1  ) The new autobiography penned by the former First Lady of the USA Michelle Obama has stormed to the top of the bestseller
    (...)  memoir, and we are confident that 'Becoming' will inspire millions of readers."
    (...)  tour to promote it have ignited talk of the former First Lady running for President
    (...)  readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her - from her childhood
    (...)  to Ms Obama's beautifully rendered and deeply personal
    (...)  spot on Amazon's bestseller list. The 448-page book is called 'Becoming'. Amazon calls

    Put the words in the right order

    1. Lady   the   Penned   former   America   .   of   by   First
    2. memoir   in-depth   life   and   times   .   of   her   The
    3. intimate   First   memoir   the   by   Lady   .   An   former
    4. are   response   .   We   extraordinary   by   thrilled   the
    5. that   millions   .   'Becoming'   confident   are   We   will   inspire
    6. summed   idea   her   book   .   behind   Obama   the   up
    7. have   shaped   the   that   experiences   her   .   Chronicling
    8. balancing   An   demands   executive   motherhood   .   of   the
    9. speculation   .   dismissed   her   One   of   any   aides   quickly
    10. me   happen   .   it   will   never   clear,   Let   be

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    The new autobiography panned / penned by the former First Lady of the USA Michelle Obama has stymied / stormed to the top of the bestseller lists. The in-depth memorial / memoir of her life and times at the White House is now the fastest-selling book of 2018 and beholds / holds the top spot on Amazon's bestseller list. The 448-page book is called / scald 'Becoming'. Amazon calls it: "An intimate / inanimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States." The book's publish / publisher, Penguin Random House, said: "We are thrilling / thrilled by the extraordinary response to Ms Obama's beautifully engendered / rendered and deeply personal memoir, and we are confident / confidential that 'Becoming' will inspire millions of readers."

    Michelle Obama summed / shunned up the idea behind her book. She said: "Becoming is never giving up in / on the idea that there's more growing to be doing / done." An Amazon reviewer wrote: "Michelle Obama invites readers onto / into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her - from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her year / years as an executive balancing the demands / supplies of motherhood and work, to her time spend / spent at the world's most famous address." The autobiography and Ms Obama's accompanying nationwide tourism / tour to promote it have ignited talk of the former First Lady ruining / running for President in 2020. One of her aides quickly dismissed any speculation, saying: "Let me be very clear / clarity, it will never happen."

    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)

    T h_ n_w __ t_b__ g r_p h y p_n n_d b y t h_ f_r m_r F_r s t L_d y _f t h_ U S A M_c h_l l_ O b_m_ h_s s t_r m_d t_ t h_ t_p _f t h_ b_s t s_l l_r l_s t s . T h_ _n - d_p t h m_m__ r _f h_r l_f_ _n d t_m_s _t t h_ W h_t_ H__ s_ _s n_w t h_ f_s t_s t - s_l l_n g b__ k _f 2 0 1 8 _n d h_l d s t h_ t_p s p_t _n A m_z_n ' s b_s t s_l l_r l_s t . T h_ 4 4 8 - p_g_ b__ k _s c_l l_d ' B_c_m_n g ' . A m_z_n c_l l s _t : " A n _n t_m_t_, p_w_r f_l , _n d _n s p_r_n g m_m__ r b y t h_ f_r m_r F_r s t L_d y _f t h_ U n_t_d S t_t_s . " T h_ b__ k ' s p_b l_s h_r , P_n g__ n R_n d_m H__ s_, s__ d : " W_ _r_ t h r_l l_d b y t h_ _x t r__ r d_n_r y r_s p_n s_ t_ M s O b_m_' s b___t_f_l l y r_n d_r_d _n d d__ p l y p_r s_n_l m_m__ r , _n d w_ _r_ c_n f_d_n t t h_t ' B_c_m_n g ' w_l l _n s p_r_ m_l l__ n s _f r__ d_r s . "

    M_c h_l l_ O b_m_ s_m m_d _p t h_ _d__ b_h_n d h_r b__ k . S h_ s__ d : " B_c_m_n g _s n_v_r g_v_n g _p _n t h_ _d__ t h_t t h_r_' s m_r_ g r_w_n g t_ b_ d_n_. " A n A m_z_n r_v__ w_r w r_t_: " M_c h_l l_ O b_m_ _n v_t_s r__ d_r s _n t_ h_r w_r l d , c h r_n_c l_n g t h_ _x p_r__ n c_s t h_t h_v_ s h_p_d h_r - f r_m h_r c h_l d h__ d _n t h_ S__ t h S_d_ _f C h_c_g_ t_ h_r y__ r s _s _n _x_c_t_v_ b_l_n c_n g t h_ d_m_n d s _f m_t h_r h__ d _n d w_r k , t_ h_r t_m_ s p_n t _t t h_ w_r l d ' s m_s t f_m__ s _d d r_s s . " T h_ __ t_b__ g r_p h y _n d M s O b_m_' s _c c_m p_n y_n g n_t__ n w_d_ t__ r t_ p r_m_t_ _t h_v_ _g n_t_d t_l k _f t h_ f_r m_r F_r s t L_d y r_n n_n g f_r P r_s_d_n t _n 2 0 2 0 . O n_ _f h_r __ d_s q__ c k l y d_s m_s s_d _n y s p_c_l_t__ n , s_y_n g : " L_t m_ b_ v_r y c l__ r , _t w_l l n_v_r h_p p_n . "

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    the new autobiography penned by the former first lady of the usa michelle obama has stormed to the top of the bestseller lists the indepth memoir of her life and times at the white house is now the fastestselling book of 2018 and holds the top spot on amazons bestseller list the 448page book is called becoming amazon calls it an intimate powerful and inspiring memoir by the former first lady of the united states the books publisher penguin random house said we are thrilled by the extraordinary response to ms obamas beautifully rendered and deeply personal memoir and we are confident that becoming will inspire millions of readers

    michelle obama summed up the idea behind her book she said becoming is never giving up on the idea that theres more growing to be done an amazon reviewer wrote michelle obama invites readers into her world chronicling the experiences that have shaped her  from her childhood on the south side of chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work to her time spent at the worlds most famous address the autobiography and ms obamas accompanying nationwide tour to promote it have ignited talk of the former first lady running for president in 2020 one of her aides quickly dismissed any speculation saying let me be very clear it will never happen"

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    ThenewautobiographypennedbytheformerFirstLadyoftheUSAMiche
    lleObamahasstormedtothetopofthebestsellerlists.Thein-depthme
    moirofherlifeandtimesattheWhiteHouseisnowthefastest-sellingbo
    okof2018andholdsthetopspotonAmazon'sbestsellerlist.The448-pa
    gebookiscalled'Becoming'.Amazoncallsit:"Anintimate,powerful,and
    inspiringmemoirbytheformerFirstLadyoftheUnitedStates."Thebook'
    spublisher,PenguinRandomHouse,said:"Wearethrilledbytheextraor
    dinaryresponsetoMsObama'sbeautifullyrenderedanddeeplypersona
    lmemoir,andweareconfidentthat'Becoming'willinspiremillionsofrea
    ders."MichelleObamasummeduptheideabehindherbook.Shesaid:"B
    ecomingisnevergivingupontheideathatthere'smoregrowingtobedon
    e."AnAmazonreviewerwrote:"MichelleObamainvitesreadersintoher
    world,chroniclingtheexperiencesthathaveshapedher-fromherchildh
    oodontheSouthSideofChicagotoheryearsasanexecutivebalancingth
    edemandsofmotherhoodandwork,tohertimespentattheworld'smost
    famousaddress."TheautobiographyandMsObama'saccompanyingn
    ationwidetourtopromoteithaveignitedtalkoftheformerFirstLadyrunn
    ingforPresidentin2020.Oneofheraidesquicklydismissedanyspeculati
    on,saying:"Letmebeveryclear,itwillneverhappen."

    Free writing

    Write about Michelle Obama for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    Autobiographies are the best kinds of books. 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. MICHELLE OBAMA: Make a poster about Michelle Obama. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. AUTOBIOGRAPHIES: Write a magazine article about everyone having to write an autobiography. 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 Michelle Obama. Ask him/her three questions about her. Give him/her three of your opinions on Ms Obama. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

    $US 9.99

    Answers

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

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