Listen&Learn: Joe Biden

Learn about the new president of the United States.

Pre-listening vocabulary

• council: a group of politicians who make decisions for a city, town, or county
• candidate: someone who is running in an election
• tragedy: a sad and terrible event
• campaign: to take action for a specific goal, such as winning an election
• incumbent: a politician who is already in office
• inaugurate: to formally put an elected candidate into office

Listening activity

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:20 — 1.2MB)

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Gapfill exercise

Joe Biden is the 46th of the United States. He was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania in November 1942. Biden first became involved in in 1970, when he was elected to a county council in Delaware. Two years later, he ran for the U.S. Senate as a candidate for the Democratic Party. However, before he was able to begin working as a senator, Biden experienced a tragedy. He lost his wife and daughter in a terrible car accident that also injured both of his sons, and he had to begin his in the Senate while he was still grieving this loss. In 2008, Biden became the running mate of presidential candidate Barack Obama, and they were elected for two . Biden decided to run for the presidency himself in 2020. He campaigned against incumbent president Donald Trump and won the in November of 2020. Two months later, Biden was officially inaugurated as the 46th U.S. president.

Comprehension questions

Discussion/essay questions

1. Many of Biden’s speeches since his election have mentioned uniting people of different backgrounds and political beliefs. He seems to believe that his country will be stronger if people can work together. Why is this an important message?

Transcript

Joe Biden is the 46th president of the United States. He was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania in November 1942. Biden first became involved in politics in 1970, when he was elected to a county council in Delaware. Two years later, he ran for the U.S. Senate as a candidate for the Democratic Party. However, before he was able to begin working as a senator, Biden experienced a tragedy. He lost his wife and daughter in a terrible car accident that also injured both of his sons, and he had to begin his career in the Senate while he was still grieving this loss. In 2008, Biden became the running mate of presidential candidate Barack Obama, and they were elected for two terms. Biden decided to run for the presidency himself in 2020. He campaigned against incumbent president Donald Trump and won the race in November of 2020. Two months later, Biden was officially inaugurated as the 46th U.S. president.