ENGLISH ACTIVITY - BECOMING

▶ Task 1

Read these sentences about Michelle Obama and check if the use of the underlined
words are correct.

a) Michelle Obama was born in January 17, 1964, in Chicago, Illinois.

b) Michelle Obama is a lawyer, writer and former First Lady of the United States (from
2009 to 2017).

c) In 2018, Michelle launched her memoir Becoming.

d) Becoming is considered one of the best-seller autobiographies of all time.

▶ Task 2

Michelle talks about her grandfather Dandy. Watch the scene and mark T (true), F
(false) or DS (doesn’t say).

a) Dandy was a professor

b) He couldn’t study at a college

c) Unlike most black people at that time, he had good opportunities as a professional

d) He was a talented musician

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 ENGLISH ACTIVITY - BECOMING

▶ Task 3

Complete the gaps with one word. Then, watch the scene with subtitles and check.

a) My grandfather Dandy expected us _____ be great but he went _____ life being
underestimated.

b) Growing up, he was a brilliant young man. Somebody that loved to read books, loved
to delve _____ things in a deep and meaningful way.

c) He could _____ been a professor, he could _____ been a doctor. But because of
race and class he couldn’t get _____ colleges.

d) And imagine walking around with all this ability, and the world _____ you “no”.

e) Watching people half your intelligence being promoted _____ you. Watching
opportunities slip _____, not because you’re not able, but because nobody thinks you
deserve it.

f) That caused him a lot of disappointment and anger. That made him push us _____ be
better.

▶ Task 4

Discussion & Writing

a) What do you think about Michelle Obama? Do you admire her? Why (not)?

b) Along her career, she has played an important role in the fight against racism. In your
opinion, which actions must be taken to combat racial prejudice?

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 ENGLISH ACTIVITY - BECOMING

GLOSSARY

former - of an earlier time, but not now (ex-, antigo/a)

to launch - to begin or to introduce a new plan or product (lançar)

meaningful - having a serious, important, or useful quality or purpose. (significativo)

to delve into (something) - to dig into something; to study or examine something

carefully; (dedicar-se, ir fundo, mergulhar em algo)

to go through- to experience a difficult or unpleasant situation (passar por)

to slip away - if an opportunity slips away, it is no longer available (escapar)

to push - to forcefully persuade or direct someone to do or achieve something (forçar,

obrigar, impulsionar)

underestimated - regarded as less important, skillful etc. than they really are
(subestimado)

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