EXPERIENCES

Chapter 2: FACING LIFE’S CHALLENGES

DOES OUR PAST SHAPE OUR PRESENT AND OUR FUTURE?

Section A: LIFE STORIES
Rosa Parks Martin Luther King Elena Caffarena

 What are the life stories of the people in each photograph?

 Do you see the protesters as people who should be admired and whose example should be followed?
Or they are just troublemakers?
 Are these protests still relevant today? Are they just part of the past?

Reading 1: ROSA PARKS – A GREAT AMERICAN ROLE MODEL

 Reading comprehension
 In the text the section headings 1 to 8 are missing. Choose the correct heading from the list below for each
paragraph.

A. An explanation-4 G. Education
B. Segregation-2 H. Solidarity with Rosa
C. The Verdict and Aftermath-8 I. Gaol Time-6
D. The bus ride-3 J. The roots of activism-5
E. Early life-1 K. A violent reaction-7
F. The judgment L. Rose and Martin Luther King

Find words or phrases in paragraph 2 and 3 that correspond to the phrases 9 to 12.
9. made complicated by: _____fraught with daily frustrations_______________________
10.specific: _______________designated section________________________
11. travelling home: _____commuting from a long day of work by bus___________________________
12. set aside: ________reserved_____________________________

13. Reread paragraph 4. From statements A to F, select the four that are true.
Write the letters in the boxes provided.
A. Rosa phoned E.D. Nixon in order to raise enough money to get out of jail.
B. E.D. Nixon wanted Rosa’s help to fight for justice because she was an excellent
role model for the civil rights movement.
c
C. Nixon’s plan was to use Rosa’s case to fight segregation laws. e
D. At the same time the black population of Montgomery started a successful g
i
Campaign to avoid using the buses.
E. Rosa was found guilty because of her bus protests.
F. Martin Luther King formed the Montgomery Improvement Association and became its president.
G. The homes of Nixon and King were partially damaged in fire-bombings.
H. The U.S. Supreme Court supported the verdict of the Montgomery courts.
I. Rosa Park became a role model for the followers of the civil rights movement.

 Time to reflect:
Why did Rosa Park refuse to move seats?
Was is because …a) she was tired at that moment b) she wanted to change the world
c) she was influenced by the past d) history dictated the moment,
e) all or some of these answers.
Give your opinion and justify it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNzQW_lwOko
 Reading 2: I HAVE A DREAM, MARTIN LUTHER KING

1. What is the topic of the speech?

2. What techniques does the speaker use to communicate his message effectively?

3. If you had been in the crowd when the speech was made, what emotions might have you felt? Explain your
answer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP4iY1TtS3s
4. On the evidence of the text, why do you think Martin Luther King was able to change the course of the
history.