The Reading / Listening - Donald Trump - Level 6

Donald Trump has been impeached by the House of Representatives in the USA. The House took the historic step of impeaching the President. It is just the third time in history that a US president has been impeached. President Trump has been charged with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. These represent the impeachable acts of "high crimes and misdemeanors," which could lead to his removal from power. This is unlikely, however, as the Republican-controlled US Congress has to vote in favor of that by a majority of two-thirds. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said: "If we do not act now, we would be derelict in our duty. It is tragic that the President's reckless actions make impeachment necessary."

The impeachment is the culmination of a lengthy and acrimonious three-month investigation into allegations that President Trump pressured Ukraine to investigate his political rivals for personal gain. Mr Trump has continually called the probe the greatest witch-hunt in history. Republicans also reacted angrily to the impeachment. Republican Barry Loudermilk compared the process to the fate of Jesus Christ at his death. He said: "Pontius Pilate afforded more rights to Jesus than Democrats have afforded this president in this process." Mr Trump said: "The Democrats are surrendering their majority, their dignity. They look like a bunch of fools." He tweeted: "They are not after me; they are after you."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Donald Trump - Level 4  or  Donald Trump - Level 5

Sources
  • https://edition.cnn.com/2019/12/18/politics/house-impeachment-vote/index.html
  • https://www.foxnews.com/media/house-impeaches-trump-part-history-part-reality-show
  • https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-50840934


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. DONALD TRUMP: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about Donald Trump. 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?
       impeachment / President Trump / historic / abuse / power / crimes / vote / tragic /
       culmination / allegations / investigation / rivals / death / majority / Jesus / fools
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. WITCH-HUNT: Students A strongly believe the process to impeach and remove Donald Trump is a witch-hunt; Students B strongly believe it isn't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. PRESIDENT TRUMP: What do you think of Donald Trump's presidency? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Good Things

Bad Things

Economy

 

 

International Trade

 

 

Foreign Policy

 

 

War on Terror

 

 

Immigration

 

 

Climate Change

 

 

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

  • Donald Trump
  • Barack Obama
  • George W Bush
  • Bill Clinton
  • John F Kennedy
  • Franklin D Roosevelt
  • Abraham Lincoln
  • George Washington

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. historic a. Shamefully careless in not having done what one should have done.
      2. abuse b. Use something to bad effect or for a bad purpose.
      3. obstruction c. A wrongdoing.
      4. misdemeanors d. Famous or important in the past.
      5. majority e. Without thinking or caring about the consequences of an action.
      6. derelict f. The action of getting in the way of someone or something doing something.
      7. reckless g. The greater number of something.

    Paragraph 2

      8. culmination h. A person or thing competing with another for the same objective or for superiority in the same field of activity.
      9. acrimonious i. A claim that someone has done something illegal or wrong, usually one made without proof.
      10. allegations j. A campaign directed against a person or group holding unorthodox or unpopular views.
      11. rivals k. The highest point of something, especially reached after a long time.
      12. probe l. Angry and bitter.
      13. witch-hunt m. The state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect.
      14. dignity n. An investigation into a crime or other matter.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The US Congress has impeached U.S. President Trump.     T / F
  2. It is the third time a U.S. president has been impeached.     T / F
  3. President Trump has been impeached for committing "low crimes".     T / F
  4. Nancy Pelosi said her duty is to be derelict.     T / F
  5. The impeachment process has taken three years so far.     T / F
  6. President Trump has called his impeachment a "witch-hunt".     T / F
  7. A Republican suggested Jesus Christ was treated better than Mr Trump.  T / F
  8. President Trump tweeted that Democrats were after the US people.   T / F

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

  1. step
  2. misuse
  3. unlikely
  4. derelict
  5. reckless
  6. culmination
  7. rivals
  8. fate
  9. surrendering
  10. bunch
  1. irresponsible
  2. negligent
  3. giving up
  4. exploitation
  5. adversaries
  6. destiny
  7. improbable
  8. group
  9. action
  10. climax

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

  1. It is just the third
  2. Trump has been charged with
  3. lead to his removal
  4. a majority of
  5. the President's reckless
  6. a lengthy and acrimonious
  7. investigate his political
  8. the greatest witch-
  9. Pontius Pilate afforded more rights
  10. They look like a bunch of
  1. to Jesus
  2. actions
  3. three-month investigation
  4. hunt in history
  5. from power
  6. abuse of power
  7. fools
  8. two-thirds
  9. rivals
  10. time in history

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
abuse
removal
reckless
historic
derelict
acts
just
majority

Donald Trump has been impeached by the House of Representatives in the USA. The House took the (1) ____________ step of impeaching the President. It is (2) ____________ the third time in history that a US president has been impeached. President Trump has been charged with (3) ____________ of power and obstruction of Congress. These represent the impeachable (4) ____________ of "high crimes and misdemeanors," which could lead to his (5) ____________ from power. This is unlikely, however, as the Republican-controlled US Congress has to vote in favor of that by a (6) ____________ of two-thirds. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said: "If we do not act now, we would be (7) ____________ in our duty. It is tragic that the President's (8) ____________ actions make impeachment necessary."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
process
gain
bunch
culmination
fate
dignity
pressured
witch-hunt

The impeachment is the (9) ____________ of a lengthy and acrimonious three-month investigation into allegations that President Trump (10) ____________ Ukraine to investigate his political rivals for personal (11) ____________. Mr Trump has continually called the probe the greatest (12) ____________ in history. Republicans also reacted angrily to the impeachment. Republican Barry Loudermilk compared the process to the (13) ____________ of Jesus Christ at his death. He said: "Pontius Pilate afforded more rights to Jesus than Democrats have afforded this president in this (14) ____________." Mr Trump said: "The Democrats are surrendering their majority, their (15) ____________. They look like a (16) ____________ of fools." He tweeted: "They are not after me; they are after you."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  by the House of Representatives in the USA. The House took ______
     a.  the history step
     b.  the histrionic step
     c.  the historian step
     d.  the historic step
2)  a US president has been impeached. President Trump has been charged with ______
     a.  abuser of powder
     b.  abuse off power
     c.  abuser of power
     d.  abuse of power
3)  high crimes and misdemeanors which could lead to his ______
     a.  remove all from power
     b.  rim move all from power
     c.  ream oval from power
     d.  removal from power
4)  he Republican-controlled US Congress has to vote in favor of that by a majority ______
     a.  off two-thirds
     b.  on two-thirds
     c.  of two-thirds
     d.  or two-thirds
5)  If we do not act now, we would be ______ duty
     a.  derelict on our
     b.  derelict in our
     c.  derelict in your
     d.  derelict on your

6) impeachment is the culmination of a lengthy and acrimonious three-______
     a.  month investigate in
     b.  month invest litigation
     c.  month investigation
     d.  month in vest in nation
7)  Trump pressured Ukraine to investigate his political rivals ______
     a.  for personal gain
     b.  for personal grain
     c.  for personal game
     d.  for personal glare
8)  Mr Trump has continually called the probe the greatest ______
     a.  which hunt in history
     b.  witch-hunt in history
     c.  which hunting history
     d.  witch-hunting history
9)  Republican Barry Loudermilk compared the process to ______ Jesus Christ
     a.  the fate of
     b.  the fete of
     c.  the fit of
     d.  the feet of
10)  Mr Trump said: "The Democrats are surrendering their majority, ______"
     a.  their dignify
     b.  their signify
     c.  their dignity
     d.  their digital

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Donald Trump has been impeached by the House of Representatives in the USA. The House took (1) ___________________ of impeaching the President. It is just the third time in history that a US president has been impeached. President Trump has been charged with (2) ___________________ and obstruction of Congress. These represent the impeachable acts of "high crimes and misdemeanors," which could lead (3) ___________________ from power. This is unlikely, however, as the Republican-controlled US Congress has to (4) ___________________ of that by a majority of two-thirds. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said: "If we do (5) ___________________, we would (6) ___________________ our duty. It is tragic that the President's reckless actions make impeachment necessary."

The impeachment is the culmination (7) ___________________ and acrimonious three-month investigation into allegations that President Trump pressured Ukraine to investigate (8) ___________________ for personal gain. Mr Trump has continually called the (9) ___________________ witch-hunt in history. Republicans also (10) ___________________ the impeachment. Republican Barry Loudermilk compared the process to the fate of Jesus Christ at his death. He said: "Pontius Pilate (11) ___________________ to Jesus than Democrats have afforded this president in this process." Mr Trump said: "The Democrats are surrendering their majority, their dignity. They look like a (12) ___________________." He tweeted: "They are not after me; they are after you."

Comprehension questions

  1. How many previous presidents have been impeached?
  2. What has President Trump been accused of abusing?
  3. What impeachable act is Mr Trump accused of besides misdemeanors?
  4. What majority is needed in Congress to remove a president?
  5. What did Nancy Pelosi say President Trump's actions were?
  6. How long was the impeachment process?
  7. Who is President Trump accused of asking Ukraine to investigate?
  8. What did President Trump call the impeachment?
  9. Who did a Republican say was treated better than President Trump?
  10. Who did President Trump say the Democrats were after?

Multiple choice quiz

1)  How many previous presidents have been impeached?
a) three
b) two
c) four
d) one
2) What has President Trump been accused of abusing?
a) the White House
b) workers
c) people
d) power
3) What impeachable act is Mr Trump accused of besides misdemeanors?
a) theft
b) corruption
c) high crimes
d) espionage
4) What majority is needed in Congress to remove a president?
a) a two-thirds majority
b) 51%
c) a three-quarters majority
d) sixty per cent of the vote
5) What did Nancy Pelosi say President Trump's actions were?
a) idiotic
b) reckless
c) brainless
d) dangerous

6) How long was the impeachment process?
a) three months
b) four months
c) two months
d) five months
7) Who is President Trump accused of asking Ukraine to investigate?
a) President Putin
b) North Korea
c) his political rivals
d) Mexico's leader
8) What did President Trump call the impeachment?
a) a witch-hunt
b) a joke
c) sick
d) fake news
9) Who did a Republican say was treated better than President Trump?
a) Mexico's leader
b) North Korea's leader
c) Barack Obama
d) Jesus Christ
10) Who did President Trump say the Democrats were after?
a) car workers
b) Republicans
c) the American people
d) social media visitors

Role play

Role  A – Donald Trump
You think Donald Trump is the best world leader. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their leaders. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): Queen Elizabeth II, Vladimir Putin or Narendra Modi.

Role  B – Queen Elizabeth II
You think Queen Elizabeth II is the best world leader. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their leaders. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin or Narendra Modi.

Role  C – Vladimir Putin
You think Vladimir Putin is the best world leader. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their leaders. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): Queen Elizabeth II, Donald Trump or Narendra Modi.

Role  D – Narendra Modi
You think Narendra Modi is the best world leader. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their leaders. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): Queen Elizabeth II, Vladimir Putin or Donald Trump.

After reading / listening

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

'president'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'abuse'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • • 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:

    • step
    • power
    • high
    • favor
    • act
    • tragic
    • lengthy
    • gain
    • compared
    • process
    • dignity
    • after

    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 - Donald Trump

    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 'president'?
    3. What do you know about President Trump being impeached?
    4. What do you think of President Trump?
    5. What is behind the impeachment?
    6. What do you think of U.S. politics?
    7. Has Donald trump been a force for good on the world?
    8. What are Donald Trump's biggest successes?
    9. What three adjectives best describe Donald Trump, and why?
    10. What advice do you have for Donald Trump?

    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 'history'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Do you think Donald Trump should be removed from office?
    5. Is Donald trump better than Barack Obama?
    6. Why might some people not like Donald Trump?
    7. Do you think the impeachment is part of a witch-hunt?
    8. How would you assess Donald Trump's character?
    9. Will Donald Trump win the 2020 election?
    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)

    Donald Trump has been impeached by the House of Representatives in the USA. The House took the (1) ____ step of impeaching the President. It is just the third time in history that a US president has been impeached. President Trump has been charged with (2) ____ of power and obstruction of Congress. These represent the impeachable acts of "(3) ____ crimes and misdemeanors," which could lead to his (4) ____ from power. This is unlikely, however, as the Republican-controlled US Congress has to vote (5) ____ favor of that by a majority of two-thirds. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said: "If we do not act now, we would be (6) ____ in our duty. It is tragic that the President's reckless actions make impeachment necessary."

    The impeachment is the (7) ____ of a lengthy and acrimonious three-month investigation into allegations that President Trump pressured Ukraine to investigate his political rivals for personal (8) ____. Mr Trump has continually called the probe the greatest (9) ____ in history. Republicans also reacted angrily to the impeachment. Republican Barry Loudermilk compared the process to the (10) ____ of Jesus Christ at his death. He said: "Pontius Pilate afforded more rights to Jesus than Democrats have (11) ____ this president in this process." Mr Trump said: "The Democrats are surrendering their majority, their dignity. They look like a (12) ____ of fools." He tweeted: "They are not after me; they are after you."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     historic     (b)     history     (c)     historian      (d)     histrionic    
    2. (a)     abuser     (b)     abusive     (c)     abuse      (d)     abuses    
    3. (a)     low     (b)     wide     (c)     high     (d)     deep    
    4. (a)     quit     (b)     sacked     (c)     dropped     (d)     removal    
    5. (a)     in     (b)     on     (c)     of     (d)     at    
    6. (a)     abandoned     (b)     derelict     (c)     destroyed     (d)     rundown    
    7. (a)     domination     (b)     abomination     (c)     rumination     (d)     culmination    
    8. (a)     again     (b)     gain     (c)     regain     (d)     ongoing    
    9. (a)     search     (b)     look     (c)     witch-hunt     (d)     coven    
    10. (a)     dole     (b)     mire     (c)     base     (d)     fate    
    11. (a)     affianced     (b)     affront     (c)     afford     (d)     afforded    
    12. (a)     bouquet     (b)     bunch     (c)     flock     (d)     school

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. abuse of power and tsrobtcouin of Congress
    2. high crimes and ioesasermdmn
    3. These nsepetrre the impeachable acts
    4. we would be decilrte in our duty
    5. It is aitrgc
    6. the President's sklreecs actions

    Paragraph 2

    1. The impeachment is the imutlnanico
    2. a lengthy and uoranosicim three-month investigation
    3. investigate his political srialv
    4. Republicans also decreta angrily
    5. Pilate drofdfae more rights to Jesus
    6. ueirsredgnnr their majority, their dignity

    Put the text back together

    (.1.) Donald Trump has been impeached by the House of Representatives in the USA. The House took the historic
    (...)  derelict in our duty. It is tragic that the President's reckless actions make impeachment necessary."
    (...)  to his removal from power. This is unlikely, however, as the Republican-controlled US Congress has to vote in
    (...)  death. He said: "Pontius Pilate afforded more rights to Jesus than Democrats have afforded this
    (...)  impeached. President Trump has been charged with abuse of power and obstruction
    (...)  step of impeaching the President. It is just the third time in history that a US president has been
    (...)  majority, their dignity. They look like a bunch of fools." He tweeted: "They are not after me; they are after you."
    (...)  The impeachment is the culmination of a lengthy and acrimonious three-month investigation into
    (...)  of Congress. These represent the impeachable acts of "high crimes and misdemeanors," which could lead
    (...)  president in this process." Mr Trump said: "The Democrats are surrendering their
    (...)  angrily to the impeachment. Republican Barry Loudermilk compared the process to the fate of Jesus Christ at his
    (...)  favor of that by a majority of two-thirds. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said: "If we do not act now, we would be
    (...)  allegations that President Trump pressured Ukraine to investigate his political rivals for personal
    (...)  gain. Mr Trump has continually called the probe the greatest witch-hunt in history. Republicans also reacted

    Put the words in the right order

    1. history   .   the   time   just   in   is   It   third
    2. been   with   of   power   .   abuse   Trump   President   has   charged
    3. high   the   crimes   .   of   represent   acts   impeachable   These
    4. by   Vote   of   that   majority   .   in   favor   a
    5. impeachment   The  reckless   actions  President's   make   necessary   .
    6. and   lengthy   A   acrimonious   three-month   investigation   .
    7. his   rivals   personal   Investigate   political   for   gain   .
    8. the   greatest   is   in   probe   The   history   .   witch-hunt
    9. majority,  their   Democrats   their   dignity   .   The   surrendering   are
    10. a   bunch   of   They   like   fools   .   look

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Donald Trump has been impeached by the House of Representatives in the USA. The House took the historic / historian step of impeaching the President. It is just the third times / time in history that a US president has been impeached. President Trump has been changed / charged with abuse of power and construction / obstruction of Congress. These represent the impeachable acts of "high criminals / crimes and misdemeanors," which could lead to his removal of / from power. This is unlikely, however / although, as the Republican-controlled US Congress has to vote on / in favor of that by a majority of two-thirds. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said: "If we do not act now, we would be derelict / abandoned in our duty. It is tragic that the President's wreck / reckless actions make impeachment necessary."

    The impeachment is the culmination on / of a lengthy and acrimonious three-month investigation into / onto allegations that President Trump pressured Ukraine to investigate his political rivals / rebels for personal gain / again. Mr Trump has continually called the prove / probe the greatest witch-hunt in history. Republicans also reacted angry / angrily to the impeachment. Republican Barry Loudermilk compared the process to the fate / fete of Jesus Christ at his death. He said: "Pontius Pilate afforded / spent more rights to Jesus than Democrats have afforded this president in this process." Mr Trump said: "The Democrats are purchasing / surrendering their majority, their dignity. They look like a bunch / bouquet of fools." He tweeted: "They are not after me; they are after you."

    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)

    D_n_l d T r_m p h_s b__ n _m p__ c h_d b y t h_ H__ s_ _f R_p r_s_n t_t_v_s _n t h_ U S A . T h_ H__ s_ t__ k t h_ h_s t_r_c s t_p _f _m p__ c h_n g t h_ P r_s_d_n t . I t _s j_s t t h_ t h_r d t_m_ _n h_s t_r y t h_t _ U S p r_s_d_n t h_s b__ n _m p__ c h_d . P r_s_d_n t T r_m p h_s b__ n c h_r g_d w_t h _b_s_ _f p_w_r _n d _b s t r_c t__ n _f C_n g r_s s . T h_s_ r_p r_s_n t t h_ _m p__ c h_b l_ _c t s _f " h_g h c r_m_s _n d m_s d_m__ n_r s , " w h_c h c__ l d l__ d t_ h_s r_m_v_l f r_m p_w_r . T h_s _s _n l_k_l y , h_w_v_r , _s t h_ R_p_b l_c_n - c_n t r_l l_d U S C_n g r_s s h_s t_ v_t_ _n f_v_r _f t h_t b y _ m_j_r_t y _f t w_- t h_r d s . H__ s_ S p__ k_r N_n c y P_l_s_ s__ d : " I f w_ d_ n_t _c t n_w , w_ w__ l d b_ d_r_l_c t _n __ r d_t y . I t _s t r_g_c t h_t t h_ P r_s_d_n t ' s r_c k l_s s _c t__ n s m_k_ _m p__ c h m_n t n_c_s s_r y . "

    T h_ _m p__ c h m_n t _s t h_ c_l m_n_t__ n _f _ l_n g t h y _n d _c r_m_n___s t h r__ - m_n t h _n v_s t_g_t__ n _n t_ _l l_g_t__ n s t h_t P r_s_d_n t T r_m p p r_s s_r_d U k r__ n_ t_ _n v_s t_g_t_ h_s p_l_t_c_l r_v_l s f_r p_r s_n_l g__ n . M r T r_m p h_s c_n t_n__ l l y c_l l_d t h_ p r_b_ t h_ g r__ t_s t w_t c h - h_n t _n h_s t_r y . R_p_b l_c_n s _l s_ r__ c t_d _n g r_l y t_ t h_ _m p__ c h m_n t . R_p_b l_c_n B_r r y L__ d_r m_l k c_m p_r_d t h_ p r_c_s s t_ t h_ f_t_ _f J_s_s C h r_s t _t h_s d__ t h . H_ s__ d : " P_n t__ s P_l_t_ _f f_r d_d m_r_ r_g h t s t_ J_s_s t h_n D_m_c r_t s h_v_ _f f_r d_d t h_s p r_s_d_n t _n t h_s p r_c_s s . " M r T r_m p s__ d : " T h_ D_m_c r_t s _r_ s_r r_n d_r_n g t h__ r m_j_r_t y , t h__ r d_g n_t y . T h_y l__ k l_k_ _ b_n c h _f f__ l s . " H_ t w__ t_d : " T h_y _r_ n_t _f t_r m_; t h_y _r_ _f t_r y__ . "

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    donald trump has been impeached by the house of representatives in the usa the house took the historic step of impeaching the president it is just the third time in history that a us president has been impeached president trump has been charged with abuse of power and obstruction of congress these represent the impeachable acts of high crimes and misdemeanors which could lead to his removal from power this is unlikely however as the republican controlled us congress has to vote in favor of that by a majority of two thirds house speaker nancy pelosi said if we do not act now we would be derelict in our duty it is tragic that the presidents reckless actions make impeachment necessary

    the impeachment is the culmination of a lengthy and acrimonious threemonth investigation into allegations that president trump pressured ukraine to investigate his political rivals for personal gain mr trump has continually called the probe the greatest witchhunt in history republicans also reacted angrily to the impeachment republican barry loudermilk compared the process to the fate of jesus christ at his death he said pontius pilate afforded more rights to jesus than democrats have afforded this president in this process mr trump said the democrats are surrendering their majority their dignity they look like a bunch of fools he tweeted they are not after me they are after you

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    DonaldTrumphasbeenimpeachedbytheHouseofRepresentativesinth
    eUSA.TheHousetookthehistoricstepofimpeachingthePresident.Itisj
    ustthethirdtimeinhistorythataUSpresidenthasbeenimpeached.Presi
    dentTrumphasbeenchargedwithabuseofpowerandobstructionofCon
    gress.Theserepresenttheimpeachableactsof"highcrimesandmisde
    meanors,"whichcouldleadtohisremovalfrompower.Thisisunlikely,ho
    wever,astheRepublican-controlledUSCongresshastovoteinfavorof
    thatbyamajorityoftwo-thirds.HouseSpeakerNancyPelosisaid:"Ifw
    edonotactnow,wewouldbederelictinourduty.ItistragicthatthePresid
    ent'srecklessactionsmakeimpeachmentnecessary."Theimpeachme
    ntistheculminationofalengthyandacrimoniousthree-monthinvestig
    ationintoallegationsthatPresidentTrumppressuredUkrainetoinvesti
    gatehispoliticalrivalsforpersonalgain.MrTrumphascontinuallycalledt
    heprobethegreatestwitch-huntinhistory.Republicansalsoreacteda
    ngrilytotheimpeachment.RepublicanBarryLoudermilkcomparedthe
    processtothefateofJesusChristathisdeath.Hesaid:"PontiusPilateaffo
    rdedmorerightstoJesusthanDemocratshaveaffordedthispresidentin
    thisprocess."MrTrumpsaid:"TheDemocratsaresurrenderingtheirma
    jority,theirdignity.Theylooklikeabunchoffools."Hetweeted:"Theyar
    enotafterme;theyareafteryou."

    Free writing

    Write about Donald Trump for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    Donald Trump is the best US President ever and should not be impeached. 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. DONALD TRUMP: Make a poster about Donald Trump. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. IMPEACHMENT: Write a magazine article about impeaching Donald Trump. 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 Donald Trump. Ask him/her three questions about him. Give him/her three of your ideas on his presidency. 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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