https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTPdKUA9Ipg

I love Michelle Obama’s speech.

Exercise #1 that I gave you focussed on fact, while this exercise, #2, focusses on concepts.

Michelle Obama, the wife of President Barack Obama, made this speech at the Democratic Party National Convention. This exercise deals with concepts such as love, poverty, and justice.  I will give you questions about the first part of Michelle Obama’s speech in this exercise, and I’ll give you questions about the rest of her speech in another exercise.

First listen to the entire speech and try to understand as much as you can.  Then follow my notes on the time of the speech where you should listen carefully for the answers to the questions.

You can post or email me your answers, and I will correct them.

Michelle talks about things that she and Barack Obama had in common:  similar values which they learned from their parents and grandparents.  Both of them came from families with little money, but their parents gave them support and encouragement for getting ahead.

1.  Michelle’s family and their values (starting at about 4.00 minutes).

a.  Her father had multiple sclerosis (MS).  Describe this illness.  (Here are two good sources of information on MS:  www.msandyou.org/ and  www.mymsaa.org/)

b.  How did her father show his love, encouragement, and support for her?

2.  Barack’s family and their values (starting at about 7.00 minutes)

a.  Describe Barack’s grandmother’s experiences at her job.  Why were they unfair? (Note:  “Glass ceiling” means that some people are not allowed to advance as much as they deserve.  It is like rising a certain distance and then not being allowed to rise any farther because your head is bumping into something invisible, like a glass ceiling.)

b.  What are the fundamental American values that Barack’s mother and grandmother had?  

c.  Explain what Barack’s family taught him about about gratitude and humility.  (Hint:  See the current discussion on EnglishClub about expressing gratitude.)

3.  Nonverbal messages in the video.  The camera frequently shows the facial expressions of women listening to Michelle Obama’s speech.  What emotions are they feeling and showing?

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