English Lesson on Angela Merkel

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THE LESSON ON ANGELA MERKEL

Try the online quiz, reading, listening, and activities on grammar, spelling and vocabulary for this lesson on Angela Merkel. Click on the links above or see the activities below this article:


READ

Angela Merkel was born in Hamburg in 1954. She became Germany’s first female Chancellor and the first from communist East Germany in 2005. ‘Forbes’ magazine listed her as the most powerful woman in the world in 2006 and 2007. Western media often dub her the “Iron Lady” because of her no-nonsense approach to her work and reputation as a tough negotiator.

Merkel grew up in the former German Democratic Republic. She was a member of the socialist youth movement and participated in many communist-led activities. She speaks Russian fluently. She studied physics at the University of Leipzig in the 1970s and physical chemistry in Berlin in the 1980s. She earned a Ph.D. based on her research on quantum chemistry.

After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, Merkel became involved in the growing democracy movement. She won a seat in the unified German parliament in 1990 and was appointed Minister for Women and Youth. In 1994, she was made Minister for the Environment. This was her springboard to rise to the top. She was elected Chancellor in November 2005.

In 2007, Merkel took on the six-month rotating position of President of the European Council and chair of the G8. That same year, she met the Dalai Lama in Berlin, thus angering the Chinese. In 2008, she spoke of Germany’s “Holocaust Shame” in Israel’s Knesset. She also received the Charlemagne Prize "for her work to reform the European Union".

239 words

Sources: http://www.wikipedia.org/ and assorted biographies.

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SYNONYM MATCH

Match the words from the article on the left with their synonyms on the right. Are your answers the same as other students’?

Paragraphs 1 and 2
 

 

 

1.

female

a.

image

2

dub

b.

woman

3.

reputation

c.

ex-

4.

former

d.

got

5.

participated

e.

nickname

6.

earned

f.

joined


Paragraphs 3 and 4
 

 

 

7.

fall

g.

disgrace

8.

appointed

h.

revolving

9.

rise

i.

chosen

10.

rotating

j.

collapse

11

angering

k

climb

12

shame

l

annoying

PHRASE MATCH

Match the following phrases from the article:

1.

She became Germany’s first

a.

youth movement

2

Western media often dub her

b.

democracy movement

3.

her no-nonsense

c.

the “Iron Lady”

4.

She was a member of the socialist

d.

female Chancellor

5.

She earned a Ph.D. based

e.

position of President

6.

Merkel became involved in the growing

f.

in Israel’s Knesset

7.

This was her springboard

g.

thus angering the Chinese

8.

Merkel took on the six-month rotating

h.

approach to her work

9.

she met the Dalai Lama in Berlin,

i.

on her research

10.

she spoke of Germany’s “Holocaust Shame”

j.

to rise to the top

LISTENING GAP FILL

Angela Merkel was born in Hamburg in 1954. She became Germany’s first female Chancellor __________________ communist East Germany in 2005. ‘Forbes’ magazine __________________ most powerful woman in the world in 2006 and 2007. Western media __________________ “Iron Lady” because of her no-nonsense approach __________________ reputation as a tough negotiator.

Merkel grew __________________ German Democratic Republic. She was a member of the socialist __________________ and participated in many communist-led activities. She __________________. She studied physics at the University of Leipzig in the 1970s and physical chemistry in Berlin in the 1980s. She earned a Ph.D. __________________ on quantum chemistry.

__________________ the Berlin Wall in 1989, Merkel became involved in the growing democracy movement. __________________ the unified German parliament in 1990 __________________ Minister for Women and Youth. In 1994, she was made Minister for the Environment. This was her springboard __________________. She was elected Chancellor in November 2005.

In 2007, Merkel __________________ rotating position of President of the European Council and __________________. That same year, she met the Dalai Lama in Berlin, __________________ Chinese. In 2008, she spoke of Germany’s “Holocaust Shame” in Israel’s Knesset. She also received the Charlemagne Prize "for her __________________ European Union".

CHOOSE THE CORRECT WORD

Delete the wrong word in each of the pairs of italics:

Angela Merkel was born in Hamburg in 1954. She became Germany’s first female Chancellor and the first from communist East Germany in 2005. ‘Forbes’ magazine listed her was / as the most powerful woman in the world in 2006 and 2007. Western media often dub / dab her the “Iron Lady” because of her no-nonsense approach to / for her work and reputation as a tough negotiation / negotiator.

Merkel grew / grown up in the former German Democratic Republic. She was a member of the socialist youth / youths movement and participated in many communist-led activities. She speaks Russian fluently. She studied physics / physical at the University of Leipzig in the 1970s and physical chemistry in Berlin in the 1980s. She earned a Ph.D. based on her research by / on quantum chemistry.

After the fall / fallen of the Berlin Wall in 1989, Merkel became involved in the growing democracy movement / moving. She won a seat in the untied / unified German parliament in 1990 and was appointed Minister for Women and Youth. In 1994, she was made Minister for the Environment. This was her springboard to rise / raise to the top. She was elected Chancellor in November 2005.

In 2007, Merkel took on / off the six-month rotating position of President of the European Council and seat / chair of the G8. That same year, she met the Dalai Lama in Berlin, thus angry / angering the Chinese. In 2008, she spoke of Germany’s “Holocaust Shame” in Israel’s Knesset. She also received the Charlemagne Prize "for her work to deform / reform the European Union".

SPELLING

The underlined, jumbled words are from the text. Spell them correctly.

Paragraph 1
 

1.

She became Germany’s first emlefa Chancellor

2.

the most loupwerf woman in the world

3.

her no-nnenoses approach to her work

4.

a utgho negotiator


Paragraph 2
 

5.

Merkel grew up in the mrfoer German Democratic Republic

6.

She was a member of the socialist uoyth movement

7.

She speaks Russian uyntllef

8.

her ahceserr on quantum chemistry


Paragraph 3
 

9.

the ingorgw democracy movement

10.

She won a seat in the feiudni German parliament

11.

her asibdgornpr to rise to the top

12.

She was deetelc Chancellor in November 2005


Paragraph 4
 

13.

the six-month rotating ntpoisio of President

14.

annergig the Chinese

15.

she spoke of Germany’s “Holocaust ehSam

16.

her work to eofrrm the European Union

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

 

Minister for Women and Youth. In 1994, she was made Minister for the Environment. This was her springboard

(    )

 

nonsense approach to her work and reputation as a tough negotiator.

(    )

 

Merkel grew up in the former German Democratic Republic. She was a member of the socialist youth movement and

(    )

 

physics at the University of Leipzig in the 1970s and physical chemistry in Berlin in the

(    )

 

After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, Merkel became involved in the growing democracy

(    )

 

position of President of the European Council and chair of the G8. That same year, she met the Dalai Lama in

(    )

 

also received the Charlemagne Prize "for her work to reform the European Union".

1  )

 

Angela Merkel was born in Hamburg in 1954. She became Germany’s first

(    )

 

to rise to the top. She was elected Chancellor in November 2005. In 2007, Merkel took on the six-month rotating

(    )

 

female Chancellor and the first from communist East Germany in 2005. ‘Forbes’ magazine listed her as the most powerful

(    )

 

Berlin, thus angering the Chinese. In 2008, she spoke of Germany’s “Holocaust Shame” in Israel’s Knesset. She

(    )

 

participated in many communist-led activities. She speaks Russian fluently. She studied

(    )

 

1980s. She earned a Ph.D. based on her research on quantum chemistry.

(    )

 

woman in the world in 2006 and 2007. Western media often dub her the “Iron Lady” because of her no-

(    )

 

movement. She won a seat in the unified German parliament in 1990 and was appointed

SCRAMBLED SENTENCES

With your partner, put the words back into the correct order.

1.

Germany’s    became    She    Chancellor    female    first

2.

”    often    the    Lady    media    her    Iron    Western    dub    “

3.

nonsense    -    no    her    work    her    to    approach

4.

of    She    the    was    socialist    a    youth    member    movement

5.

a    Ph.D.    her    earned    on    She    based    research

6.

in   involved   became   Merkel   movement   democracy    growing   the

7.

the    springboard    top    to    This    rise    was    to    her

8.

the    President    of    position    rotating    month    -    six

9.

in    Berlin    That    same    year    ,    she    met    the    Dalai    Lama

10.

Holocaust   ”    In   “   2008    ,    she   Shame    spoke   of   Germany’s

DISCUSSION (Write your questions)

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

1.

What do you know about Angela Merkel?

2.

Would you like to meet Angela Merkel?

3.

What would you like to know about Angela Merkel and why?

4.

___________________________________________________

5.

___________________________________________________

6.

___________________________________________________

7.

___________________________________________________

8.

___________________________________________________

------------------------------------

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

1.

What did you learn from this text about Angela Merkel?

2.

What questions would you like to ask Angela Merkel?

3.

What would her answers be to those questions?

4.

___________________________________________________

5.

___________________________________________________

6.

___________________________________________________

7.

___________________________________________________

8.

___________________________________________________

THE ANGELA MERKEL SURVEY

Write five questions about Angela Merkel in the table. Do this in pairs/groups. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

Without your partner, interview other students. Write down their answers.

 

STUDENT 1

_____________

STUDENT 2

_____________

STUDENT 3

_____________

Q.1.

 

 

 

 

Q.2.

 

 

 

 

Q.3.

 

 

 

 

Q.4.

 

 

 

 

Q.5.

 

 

 

 

Return to your original partner(s) and share and talk about what you found out.  Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

WRITING

Write about Angela Merkel for 10 minutes. Show your partner your paper. Correct each other’s work.

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

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 more information about Angela Merkel. Talk about what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. ANGELA MERKEL POSTER: Make a poster showing the different stages of the life of Angela Merkel. Show your poster to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all find out similar things?

4. MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Write a magazine article about Angela Merkel. Include an imaginary interview with her. Write about what she does every day and what she thinks about.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

5. LETTER: Write a letter to Angela Merkel. Ask her three questions about her life. Give her three suggestions on what she should do in her future. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your “Angela Merkel expert” partner(s) will try and answer your questions.

ANSWERS

SYNONYM MATCH:

Paragraphs 1 and 2
 

 

 

1.

female

a.

woman

2

dub

b.

nickname

3.

reputation

c.

image

4.

former

d.

ex-

5.

participated

e.

joined

6.

earned

f.

got


Paragraphs 3 and 4
 

 

 

7.

fall

g.

collapse

8.

appointed

h.

chosen

9.

rise

i.

climb

10.

rotating

j.

revolving

11

angering

k

annoying

12

shame

l

disgrace

PHRASE MATCH:

1.

She became Germany’s first

a.

female Chancellor

2

Western media often dub her

b.

the “Iron Lady”

3.

her no-nonsense

c.

approach to her work

4.

She was a member of the socialist

d.

youth movement

5.

She earned a Ph.D. based

e.

on her research

6.

Merkel became involved in the growing

f.

democracy movement

7.

This was her springboard

g.

to rise to the top

8.

Merkel took on the six-month rotating

h.

position of President

9.

she met the Dalai Lama in Berlin,

i.

thus angering the Chinese

10.

she spoke of Germany’s “Holocaust Shame”

j.

in Israel’s Knesset

ALL OTHER EXERCISES:

Check your answers in "THE READING / TAPESCRIPT" section at the top of this page.

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