Global Citizenship and Civic Responsibility
Before you read:
1) Look at the photo. What is this man doing?
2) What do you know about Martin Luther King?
[PHOTO of Martin Luther King giving a speech at a march or rally]
Martin Luther King made a positive contribution to society. Do you agree?
1.
“We must meet hate with love!” The man who said these words was
Martin Luther King. He wanted equal opportunities for people today. He
wanted no racism or injustice.
2.
Martin Luther King's famous speech, 'I have a dream' speaks about
equality. No more prejudice against people because of their colour. No
more laws that separated African Americans from white people. He
wanted everyone to have the right to vote, better education and more job
opportunities for African Americans.
3.
Martin Luther King believed in non-violence. He led many non-violent
marches to get people to listen to his message. He wanted the state
leaders to consider changes. African Americans wanted the right to vote
and they also wanted an end to police violence. In 1964, the African
Americans got the right to vote.
4.
The effects of Martin Luther King's actions can be seen in society today.
There are many African American role models: Oprah Winfrey, Denzel
Washington, Condoleeza Rice and Shakeel Oneil for example. Martin
Luther King was an amazing man!
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Reading comprehension:
1) What is the purpose of this text?
A) to inform
B) to advise
C) to persuade
2) Complete the sentences with words below.
equality
inspiring
non-violence
racism
speech
the vote
a. What were Martin Luther's ideas? He believed in ________________ and he was against
____________________.
b. What were his achievements? He helped to get ___________________________for
African Americans.
c. He believed in the power of ________________ and ____________________.
d. What can we guess/ understand about his personality? He was brave and
__________________.
3. Who are the role-models mentioned in the text and why are they famous?
__________________________________________________________________________
Vocabulary:
Find these words in the text – which paragraph do they belong to?
Non-violence,
opportunities,
laws,
vote,
racism,
prejudice
Grammar:
A. Write sentences using the words provided.
1) He asked (march / people / peacefully. / to )
____________________________________________________________________
2) He persuaded ( to / listen. / the leaders)
____________________________________________________________________
3) He influenced (differently. / society / think / to)
____________________________________________________________________
4) He inspired (African Americans / become / to / leaders.)
____________________________________________________________________
5) He wanted (equal. / to / everyone / be )
____________________________________________________________________
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6) He encouraged (rights. / to / their / people / speak for )
____________________________________________________________________
7) He wanted (education / better / jobs. / and)
B. Complete each sentence with the correct preposition.
1. He had a huge impact in / on society.
2. He made a difference of / to society.
3. He wanted equality for / to people.
4. He believed in / on non-violence.
5. He wanted state leaders at / to listen.
Critical Thinking:
1) If Martin Luther King were alive today, what causes do you think he would be fighting
for?
2) What injustices are there in our society that we could try to improve?
3) How could you make a contribution to society in the future?
Writing:
1. Choose a famous person that you feel is important to society.
2. Use the Internet to find out about their lives. Prepare a table where the following are
headings and students note down their research and then develop their sentences.
Include- : Biographical information, family, study, work/employment, job titles.
3. Explain why this person is important to you
4. Write up the sentences from the table into one paragraph.
#
1
Research Item
Biographical
2
3
4
Education
Employment
Achievements
5
My opinion
Notes
 Birth
 Death
 City lived in
 Family
Studies
Where the person
Certificates received
Important honour
Sentence
1
2
Why do you like this
person
1
1
1
1
2
3
Extension:
“Everyone has the responsibility to make a positive contribution to society.”
Work in groups of no more than four. Two students will argue in favor of this statement and
two students will argue that it isn't true. Make notes in the table.
Reasons why this statement is true
Reasons why this statement isn't true.
Reason 1 ________________________________
Example ________________________________
Reason 2 ________________________________
Example ________________________________
Reason 1 ________________________________
Example ________________________________
Reason 2 ________________________________
Example________________________________
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