VOCABULARY
1. Complete the sentences with the correct form of the words.
EMBRACE
a. The world of drawing cartoons and
creating EMBRECEABLE cartoon characters is
no different from any other creative craft.
b. Diversity to me is the EMBRACEMENT of
everyone's unique story and way of life.
c. His EMBRACE was warm and exciting.
SURROUND
a. Talon booked up all the SURROUNDING
hotels.
b. The sheets were cold and the unfamiliar
SURROUNDINGS unsettling.
c. Louis encouraged the cities to SURROUND
themselves with strong walls.
SUPPORT
a. The testimony is not sufficient to
SUPPORT the charges.
b. I was SUPPORTED by my coach during my
career.
c. Children have a great ability and capacity
to deal with truth, when it is gently and
SUPPORTIVELY shared with them.
VISIBLE
a. He stared at her, still VISIBLY shaken.
b. The roads were nearly empty but low
VISIBILITY made driving treacherous.
c. He maintained a shield around it that
made it INVISIBLE to those who didn't know
where it was.
ELOQUENT
a. His speeches in the chamber were always
ELOQUENT and powerful.
b. Many spoke ELOQUENTLY and with
originality.
c. She is a writer known for her
ELOQUENCE.
CHALLENGE
a. I like a CHALLENGE once in a while.
b. "You have never understood the danger in
CHALLENGING me," he stated.
c. “Isn't that what you wanted?” She said it
almost CHALLENGINGLY
DISCUSSION

2. In pairs or small groups, discuss the following questions.

a. How important is it to embrace who you are as a

person?
b. Does surrounding yourself with people make you
feel better or worse? Why?
c. How do you usually support a friend who is or
does things differently than you?
d. Some people say they feel ‘invisible’. Why do you
think that is?
e. Do you know someone who speaks eloquently? Who is that person?
f. How challenging can it be for someone to disrupt society’s pre-established
norms?

READING

3. You will read part of an article about Sam Smith. In pairs, discuss.

a. What do you know about the singer?

4. Complete the extract with the correct word from ex. 1.

Sam Smith changes pronouns to they/them

Sam Smith has asked fans to use the pronouns
"they/them", not "he/him", after coming out as non-
binary.
The pop star wrote on Instagram: "After a lifetime
of being at war with my gender I've decided to
EMBRACE myself for who I am, inside and out."
The singer added: "I've been
very nervous about announcing
this because I care too much
about what people think."
Six months ago, Smith said they did not feel male
or female, but "I flow somewhere in between".
On Friday, the 27-year-old said they had been
“SURROUNDED by people that SUPPORTED me
in this decision".
Sam Smith comes out as non-binary: 'I'm not male
or female'
They wrote: "I understand there
will be many mistakes and mis-
gendering but all I ask is you
please, please try. I hope you
can see me like I see myself now. Thank you."
The singer went on to say: "I am at no stage just
yet to ELOQUENTLY speak at length about what it
means to be non-binary but I can't wait for the day
that I am. So for now I just want to be VISIBLE and
open."
Analysis
By Ben Hunte, LGBT correspondent
Adopting pronouns of they/them may be a new
concept to many people, but those familiar with the
LGBT community will be aware that this often
accompanies non-binary identities.
For a long time, several of those who identify as
non-binary have called for wider awareness of the
issues they face being themselves on a daily basis.
With no specifically non-binary charities in the UK,
some people in the community say they are
suffering in silence.
From street harassment for not matching up to
their assigned gender and the associated
stereotypes, to those in the hospitality industry
referring to them as "sir" or "madam", it can be
CHALLENGING.
Using they/them pronouns can help non-binary
individuals to feel more accepted.
Today, some LGBT people are saying that this
spotlight on non-binary lives is exactly what the
community has needed.
Toryn Glavin, trans engagement manager at LGBT
charity Stonewall, said: "We're delighted that Sam
Smith feels able to speak openly about their
gender identity, and their VISIBILITY will have a
huge impact on many non-binary people.
"Sadly we know that it is still far too hard for people
to be open and accepted for who they are, and we
will keep campaigning until every LGBT person is
accepted without exception."

5. Read the text again and answer the following questions.

a. What are they asking fans to do?

START USING THE PRONOUNS THEY/THEM
WHEN REFERRING TO THEM
b. Was coming out as non-binary an easy
decision? How do you know that?
IT WAS NOT AN EASY DECISION AS THEY
HAD BEEN AT WAR WITH WHO THEY WAS AND ALSO BECAUSE THEY CARED
ABOUT WHAT OTHERS THINK.
c. Why do they say that there will be many mistakes? What do they refer to?
THEY REFER TO PEOPLE USING THE PRONOUNS HE/HIM TO REFER TO THEM.
d. What do you think are the ‘issues’ non-binary people face every day? Why do
you think this happens?
 STREET HARRASSMENT AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY (SIR/MADAM).
e. Why do LGBT people state that “(this) is exactly what the community has
needed”?
BECAUSE IT HAS DRAWN PEOPLE’S ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE, AS SAM SMITH
IS WIDELY KNOWN.
DISCUSSION

6. In pairs or small groups, discuss the following questions.

a. What does ‘LGBT’ stand for?

b. Why is it important for people to be accepted?
c. Why do you think it is difficult for the LGBT
community to find acceptance?
d. To what extent is society in general responsible for
the issues they have to face on a daily basis?
e. Do you believe that non-binary people’s families
find it easy to accept their children’s decisions?
Why?
f. In your opinion, what can society do to help people who are having a difficult
time being accepted?