Michelle Obama's book best-selling of 2018

 Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-JOCuNI4yY:

The new autobiography penned by the former First Lady of the USA Michelle Obama has stormed to the top of the bestseller lists. The in-depth memoir of her life and times at the White House is now the fastest-selling book of 2018 and holds the top spot on Amazon's bestseller list. The 448-page book is called 'Becoming'. Amazon calls it: "An intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States." The book's publisher, Penguin Random House, said: "We are thrilled by the extraordinary response to Ms Obama's beautifully rendered and deeply personal memoir, and we are confident that 'Becoming' will inspire millions of readers."

Michelle Obama summed up the idea behind her book. She said: "Becoming is never giving up on the idea that there's more growing to be done." An Amazon reviewer wrote: "Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her - from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world's most famous address." The autobiography and Ms Obama's accompanying nationwide tour to promote it have ignited talk of the former First Lady running for President in 2020. One of her aides quickly dismissed any speculation, saying: "Let me be very clear, it will never happen."


3. GIVING UP: Students A strongly believe we should never give up; Students B strongly believe giving up is OK.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. FIRST LADIES: Who is the First Lady of these things? Complete this table .

 

Who?

Why?

Niceness

 

 

Business

 

 

Acting

 

 

Politics

 

 

Education

 

 

Power

 

 

5. WHITE HOUSE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "White House". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. MEMOIRS: Rank these with your partner. Put the best memoirs to read at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Oprah Winfrey
  • Queen Elizabeth II
  • Aung San Suu Kyi
  • Queen Noor of Jordan
  • Michelle Obama
  • Melania Trump
  • Beyonce
  • Melinda Gates

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1.

autobiography

a.

Written or composed.

      2.

penned

b.

A historical account or biography written from personal knowledge or special sources.

      3.

stormed

c.

A reaction to something.

      4.

memoir

d.

Moved very quickly to a position in a game, contest or other thing.

      5.

intimate

e.

Filling someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.

      6.

inspiring

f.

An account / story of a person's life written by that person.

      7.

response

g.

Private and personal.

    Paragraph 2

      8.

summed up

h.

A person who writes critical reports of books, plays, movies, etc., for publication.

      9.

reviewer

i.

Recording a related series of events in a factual and detailed way.

      10.

chronicling

j.

The forming of a theory or opinion without strong evidence.

      11.

demands

k.

Be present or occur at the same time as something else.

      12.

accompanying

l.

Jobs and tasks people are requiring you to do (quickly).

      13.

ignited

m.

Gave a brief account of the main points of something.

      14.

speculation

n.

Started or further stimulated an emotion or situation.

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. The article says Ms Obama wrote her book with a fountain pen.     T / F
  2. The article says Ms Obama's was very stormy.     T / F
  3. The book is slightly under 450 pages long.     T / F
  4. The publisher said the book was thrilled.     T / F
  5. Ms Obama said 'Becoming' means giving up when you need to.     T / F
  6. An Amazon reviewer says Ms Obama talks about growing up.     T / F
  7. A book tour has sparked rumors Ms Obama will run for President.     T / F
  8. A close associate says Ms Obama won't run for President.     T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. autobiography
  2. in-depth
  3. intimate
  4. thrilled
  5. inspire
  6. summed up
  7. chronicling
  8. demands
  9. ignited
  10. speculation
  1. private
  2. recording
  3. motivate
  4. thorough
  5. conjecture
  6. life story
  7. needs
  8. started
  9. excited
  10. outlined

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

  1. The new autobiography penned
  2. The in-depth memoir of
  3. holds the top spot on
  4. Ms Obama's beautifully rendered and
  5. 'Becoming' will inspire
  6. Michelle Obama summed up the
  7. chronicling the experiences that
  8. balancing the demands of
  9. running
  10. her aides quickly dismissed
  1. Amazon's bestseller list
  2. have shaped her
  3. millions of readers
  4. any speculation
  5. for President
  6. deeply personal memoir
  7. motherhood and work
  8. by the former First Lady
  9. idea behind her book
  10. her life and times

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

publisher
stormed
holds
confident
penned
response
memoir
intimate

The new autobiography (1) ____________ by the former First Lady of the USA Michelle Obama has (2) ____________ to the top of the bestseller lists. The in-depth (3) ____________ of her life and times at the White House is now the fastest-selling book of 2018 and (4) ____________ the top spot on Amazon's bestseller list. The 448-page book is called 'Becoming'. Amazon calls it: "An (5) ____________, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States." The book's (6) ____________, Penguin Random House, said: "We are thrilled by the extraordinary (7) ____________ to Ms Obama's beautifully rendered and deeply personal memoir, and we are (8) ____________ that 'Becoming' will inspire millions of readers."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

executive
giving
tour
summed
clear
former
chronicling
address

Michelle Obama (9) ____________ up the idea behind her book. She said: "Becoming is never (10) ____________ up on the idea that there's more growing to be done." An Amazon reviewer wrote: "Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, (11) ____________ the experiences that have shaped her - from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an (12) ____________ balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world's most famous (13) ____________." The autobiography and Ms Obama's accompanying nationwide (14) ____________ to promote it have ignited talk of the (15) ____________ First Lady running for President in 2020. One of her aides quickly dismissed any speculation, saying: "Let me be very (16) ____________, it will never happen."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) penned by the former First Lady of the USA Michelle Obama has ______ top
     a.  stormed at the
     b.  stormed into the
     c.  stormed to the
     d.  stormed unto the
2)  the fastest-selling book of 2018 and holds the top spot on Amazon's ______
     a.  bestseller wrist
     b.  bestseller list
     c.  bestseller Liszt
     d.  bestseller writs
3)  The book's publisher, Penguin Random House, said: "______."
     a.  We are thriller
     b.  We are frilled
     c.  We are frilly
     d.  We are thrilled
4) extraordinary response to Ms Obama's beautifully rendered and deeply ______
     a.  personal memory
     b.  personal memoir
     c.  personal meme were
     d.  personal meme war
5)  and we are confident that 'Becoming' will ______ readers
     a.  inspired millions of
     b.  inspires millions of
     c.  respire millions of
     d.  conspire millions of

6)  Becoming is never giving up on the idea that there's more growing ______
     a.  to be done
     b.  to be doing
     c.  to be gone
     d.  to bygone
7) Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that ______
     a.  have sharpened her
     b.  have shaved her
     c.  have chafed her
     d.  have shaped her
8)  from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years ______
     a.  as an executive
     b.  is an executive
     c.  as and executive
     d.  is and executive
9) autobiography and Ms Obama's accompanying nationwide tour to promote ______ talk
     a.  it have ignite it
     b.  it have ignite
     c.  it have ignited
     d.  it have ignites
10)  One of her aides quickly dismissed ______
     a.  many speculation
     b.  many speck undulation
     c.  any speck undulation
     d.  any speculation

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The new autobiography (1) ___________________ former First Lady of the USA Michelle Obama (2) ___________________ the top of the bestseller lists. The in-depth memoir of her life and times at the White House is now the fastest-selling book of 2018 and (3) ___________________ spot on Amazon's bestseller list. The 448-page book is called 'Becoming'. Amazon calls it: "An intimate, powerful, and (4) ___________________ the former First Lady of the United States." The book's publisher, Penguin Random House, said: "We (5) ___________________ the extraordinary response to Ms Obama's beautifully rendered and deeply personal memoir, and we are confident that 'Becoming' will inspire (6) ___________________."

Michelle Obama (7) ___________________ idea behind her book. She said: "Becoming is never giving up (8) ___________________ that there's more growing to be done." An Amazon reviewer wrote: "Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that (9) ___________________ - from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing (10) ___________________ motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world's most famous address." The autobiography and Ms Obama's accompanying nationwide tour to promote it have (11) ___________________ the former First Lady running for President in 2020. One (12) ___________________ quickly dismissed any speculation, saying: "Let me be very clear, it will never happen."

Comprehension questions

  1. What list is the book top of?
  2. What three adjectives did an Amazon reviewer use to describe the book?
  3. What is the name of the book's publisher?
  4. What was the publisher's reaction to the book?
  5. Who did the publisher say the book would inspire?
  6. What did Michelle Obama saw there was more of to be done?
  7. Where did Michelle Obama grow up?
  8. What did Amazon suggest the White House was?
  9. What has started rumors of Ms Obama's possible run for President?
  10. Who said Ms Obama will not run for President?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What list is the book top of?
a) Donald Trump's reading list
b) a Christmas tree
c) Amazon's bestseller list
d) the bestselling First Lady books
2) What three adjectives did an Amazon reviewer use to describe the book?
a) intimate, powerful and inspiring
b) fun, jolly and interesting
c) intense, heavy and serious
d) mind-blowing, extraordinary and amazing
3) What is the name of the book's publisher?
a) Penguin Random House
b) Random Penguin House
c) Penguin House Random
d) Random House Penguin
4) What was the publisher's reaction to the book?
a) it was disappointed
b) it was thrilled
c) it was stunned
d) it was heartened
5) Who did the publisher say the book would inspire?
a) all Americans
b) Donald Trump
c) former First Ladies
d) millions of readers

6) What did Michelle Obama saw there was more of to be done?
a) writing
b) growing
c) reading
d) fighting
7) Where did Michelle Obama grow up?
a) the South Side of Chicago
b) Detroit
c) New York
d) Houston
8) What did Amazon suggest the White House was?
a) a hive of activity
b) big
c) the world's most famous address
d) a great place to write
9) What has started rumors of Ms Obama's possible run for President?
a) her aide
b) newspapers
c) gossip
d) a nationwide book tour
10) Who said Ms Obama will not run for President?
a) her aide
b) Barack Obama
c) Donald Trump
d) her best friend

Role play

Role  A – Michelle Obama
You think Michelle Obama's memoirs would be most interesting. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with the other memoirs. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): Beyonce, Queen Elizabeth II or Melania Trump.

Role  B – Beyonce
You think Beyonce's memoirs would be most interesting. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with the other memoirs. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): Michelle Obama, Queen Elizabeth II or Melania Trump.

Role  C – Queen Elizabeth II
You think Queen Elizabeth II's memoirs would be most interesting. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with the other memoirs. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): Beyonce, Michelle Obama or Melania Trump.

Role  D – Melania Trump
You think Melania Trump's memoirs would be most interesting. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with the other memoirs. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): Beyonce, Queen Elizabeth II or Michelle Obama.

Discussion - Michelle Obama's book best-selling of 2018

  1. What do you know about Michelle Obama?
  2. Would you like to read Michelle Obama's book?
  3. How interesting would your memoirs be?
  4. What's the best book you've read this year?
  5. What is the best biography you've ever read?
  6. Why do you think the book might be "powerful and inspiring"?
  7. What do you think of the book's title, "Becoming"?
  8. What advice do you have for Michelle Obama?
  1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
  2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'biography'?
  3. What do you think about what you read?
  4. What do you think about Michelle Obama?
  5. What do you think will be in Michelle Obama's book?
  6. What's the most inspiring book you've ever read?
  7. What do you think life was like as First Lady?
  8. What can we learn from Michelle Obama?
  9. Should Michelle Obama run for President in 2020?
  10. What questions would you like to ask Michelle Obama?

 

Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

The new autobiography () ____ by the former First Lady of the USA Michelle Obama has (2) ____ to the top of the bestseller lists. The in-depth memoir of her life and times at the White House is now the fastest-selling book of 2018 and (3) ____ the top spot on Amazon's bestseller list. The 448-page book is called 'Becoming'. Amazon calls it: "An (4) ____, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States." The book's publisher, Penguin Random House, said: "We are thrilled by the extraordinary response (5) ____ Ms Obama's beautifully rendered and (6) ____ personal memoir, and we are confident that 'Becoming' will inspire millions of readers."

Michelle Obama (7) ____ up the idea behind her book. She said: "Becoming is never giving up (8) ____ the idea that there's more growing to be done." An Amazon reviewer wrote: "Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have (9) ____ her - from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the (10) ____ of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world's most famous address." The autobiography and Ms Obama's accompanying nationwide tour to promote it have (11) ____ talk of the former First Lady running for President in 2020. One of her aides quickly dismissed any speculation, saying: "Let me be very (12) ____, it will never happen."

Which of these words go in the above text?

  1. (a)     stenciled     (b)     penciled     (c)     inked     (d)     penned    
  2. (a)     hailed     (b)     snowed     (c)     rained     (d)     stormed    
  3. (a)     grasps     (b)     holds     (c)     clasps     (d)     clenches    
  4. (a)     imitation     (b)     integrity     (c)     intimate     (d)     intimidate    
  5. (a)     in     (b)     by     (c)     to     (d)     as    
  6. (a)     deeply     (b)     deepen     (c)     depth     (d)     deeps    
  7. (a)     rammed     (b)     summed     (c)     hemmed     (d)     brimmed    
  8. (a)     on     (b)     at     (c)     under     (d)     through    
  9. (a)     demanded     (b)     shaped     (c)     published     (d)     written    
  10. (a)     supplies     (b)     surges     (c)     demands     (d)     provides    
  11. (a)     exploded     (b)     charred     (c)     ignited     (d)     incendiary    
  12. (a)     clarity     (b)     clearly     (c)     clearness     (d)     clear

Spelling

Paragraph 1

  1. The in-depth eommir of her life
  2. Amazon's setsellber list
  3. The book's iblpshuer
  4. We are hitllred
  5. the extraordinary eopsnrse
  6. 'Becoming' will nspiire millions of readers

Paragraph 2

  1. Obama usmmed up the idea
  2. An Amazon vreiewer
  3. her years as an eucxtevie
  4. balancing the demands of trheohomod
  5. gnitied talk
  6. quickly dismissed any peustalicon

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