America, the greatest country in the world
Introduction Question (discuss below in the comments section): Why is America the greatest country in the world?
Key Vocabulary (look up meaning of unknown words/expressions):
Expressions: To lean right or left (politically speaking), a human moment, sorority girl
Words: News anchor, incarcerated citizens, democrat, republican, independent, liberal, conservative
Main Idea Question: What does the news anchor (the main speaker) think about America now compared to the past?
Listen to the Clip:
Detail Questions
1) What two political ideologies (right or left) do the first two answers represent, “diversity & opportunity” and “freedom and freedom” (1:30)?
2) Why do they laugh when he says “The New York Jets”? Who are the New York Jets and why do you think that he uses it as an answer (1:40)?
3) Why is the announcer not happy with his answer?
4) Why does he use the term sorority girl (3:37)? What is he implying and what sterotype is associated with sorority girls?
5) America is (3:47):
7th in ______________________ 27th in _____________________ 22nd in ____________________ 49th in _____________________ 178th in ____________________ 3rd in _______________________ Number 4 in _______________________ and _______________________________
6) America leads in (4:00):
Number of __________________________________________________ Number of adults who believe __________________________________________________ and _________________________________ where we spend more than the _______________________________________ combined.
7) Why does he mention ‘Yosemite’ as being the reason for the USA being so great? Is he being serious or sarcastic?
Why did America use to be so great (4:40)?
8) Waged war on __________________ not __________________________
9) We put ___________________ where our __________________ were and we never ____________________ chests.
10) Made ____________________ technological advances.
11) __________________________ the world’s greatest artists & economy.
12) We ________________________________ the stars.
13) We _____________________ to intelligence and didn’t __________________ it.
14) What’s the first step in solving a problem?
Discussion Question:
- What do you think about the speaker’s answer? Do you think that America still is the greatest country on Earth? Do you think that America was the greatest country? Why or why not?
- What kind of underlying political views do you think the news anchor has based on his speech?
- Do you think that the speaker’s speech is bias in any way? Why or why not?
- How has America changed in the last 50 years according to the speaker? Do you think his analysis is correct? Do you think America was a better country in the past? Why or why not?