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Listen&Learn: John Lewis

Posted by: Jaksyn Peacock
One of the most important leaders of the civil rights movement

Pre-listening vocabulary

  • activist: someone who fights for political change
  • politician: someone who works in government
  • segregation: the separation of people based on race
  • advocate: to actively support or promote something
  • marginalized: cast out and treated poorly by society
  • elect: to vote someone into public office

Listening activity

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Gapfill exercise

John Lewis was an American activist and politician. He was born in 1940 in Troy, Alabama. When Lewis was growing up, segregation was still in Southern states. As a teenager, Lewis was inspired by the of activist Martin Luther King, Jr. While he was a student in college, Lewis became involved in the American civil rights movement, which aimed to gain rights and opportunities for Black people. He even helped to the March on Washington, one of the most important of the entire movement. Lewis continued to advocate for the rights of Black Americans long after the Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964. He decided to run for office in the 1980s to help marginalized communities. Lewis was elected to Congress in 1986, and he served until his death in 2020.

Comprehension questions

1. John Lewis was born in

Correct! Wrong!

John Lewis was born in 1940

2. Lewis became involved in the civil rights movement because

Correct! Wrong!

Lewis became involved in the civil rights movement because he was inspired by the speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr.

3. In 1986, Lewis

Correct! Wrong!

In 1986, Lewis ran for office.

Discussion/essay questions

  1. Although the civil rights movement ended a long time ago, racism did not. In recent years, a new movement called Black Lives Matter has gained international support. This movement aims to end racism and abuse of power within the police system. What are some of the major similarities and differences between this movement and the movement of the 1960s?

Transcript

John Lewis was an American activist and politician. He was born in 1940 in Troy, Alabama. When Lewis was growing up, segregation was still common in Southern states. As a teenager, Lewis was inspired by the speeches of activist Martin Luther King, Jr. While he was a student in college, Lewis became involved in the American civil rights movement, which aimed to gain equal rights and opportunities for Black people. He even helped to organize the March on Washington, one of the most important events of the entire movement. Lewis continued to advocate for the rights of Black Americans long after the Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964. He decided to run for office in the 1980s to help marginalized communities. Lewis was elected to Congress in 1986, and he served until his death in 2020.

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Written and recorded by Jaksyn Peacock for EnglishClub
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