Zohran Mamdani

How amazing and incredible it is that Zohran Mamdani has been elected as the new mayor of New York City
On 4 November 2025, New York City elected Zohran Mamdani as its 111th mayor. At just 34 years old, he becomes the youngest person in more than a century to lead the city — and he also becomes the city’s first Muslim and first person of South Asian descent to hold the office. The Guardian+1
This victory is nothing short of spectacular. His campaign broke through long-standing norms and proved that bold progressive politics can resonate in the heart of one of the world’s greatest cities. Many observers described his rise as “meteoric” and his victory as “seismic”. The Guardian+1
What makes this win so incredible? First, his background: born in Uganda, raised in New York, he emerged from relative obscurity to defeat heavyweight challengers and win widespread grassroots support. Wikipedia+1
Second, his platform struck a chord: he campaigned on affordability, social justice, free public transit pilot programmes, rent-freezes, universal child care and progressive taxation. His message spoke directly to ordinary New Yorkers feeling squeezed by high costs and inequality. The Washington Post
Third, the symbolic meaning: For many, Mamdani’s election signals a transformative moment — a city embracing diversity, generational change, and bold ideas. It inspires hope for a new era in urban politics.
It is truly remarkable and indeed incredible that New Yorkers chose to place their trust in a fresh face, committed to systemic change. The city’s identity itself may be shifting — from a global financial powerhouse to a community-centred metropolis with fairness and hope at its core.
For the students in this class, his election offers many teaching moments: how politics can evolve, how grassroots movements matter, how diversity becomes leadership, and how bold visions can win in unexpected places.

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2. Vocabulary Match (shuffled)

Match each word (1-12) with its meaning (a-l). They are not in the correct order — students must think and match.

1. meteoric — (j) a large departure of people from a place

2. resonate — (e) to waste something (especially money or opportunity) carelessly

3. grassroots — (h) ordinary people or local community level rather than elite

4. symbolic — (k) the path or progression of something over time

5. affordability — (d) the basic set of ideas or policies on which a political campaign is based

6. transformative — (a) inexpensive enough that people on modest incomes can afford it

7. insurgent — (l) to stop something increasing or changing by holding it at the same level

8. ascendancy — (g) to give someone more energy or enthusiasm

9. visionary — (i) a surprising or unexpected victory

10. inertia — (b) gross unfairness or difference in treatment or status

11. galvanise — (c) to call people into action or organise them for a purpose

12. allegiance — (f) make something steady or fixed in position or condition

Teacher’s Answer Key: 1-i, 2-? etc. (not provided to students)

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3. Synonym Match (shuffled)

Match each word (1-10) with its synonym (a-j). Again, they are shuffled.

1. spectacular — (e) claim

2. novice — (h) uncertain

3. embolden — (c) fear

4. resilient — (i) brief-lived

5. platform — (j) substitute

6. galvanise — (b) strengthen

7. ascendancy — (a) dominance

8. tenacious — (d) hopeless

9. awe-inspiring — (f) stunning

10. precedent — (g) promise

Teacher’s Answer Key: 1-f, 2-j, 3-b, 4-a, 5-g, 6-c, 7-e, 8-d, 9-h, 10-i

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4. Communicative / Role-Play Exercises

Activity 1: Role-Play – Celebration vs Skeptic

• Student A: You are a long-time New Yorker who is elated by Mamdani’s win. Explain why you believe it is amazing, how you expect the city to change, what you hope for.

• Student B: You are another New Yorker who is amazed but also cautious. You recognise the historic nature of his win, but you have concerns (about feasibility, business climate, public safety, etc.).
  After 5 minutes, swap roles and repeat from the other perspective.

Activity 2: Group Brainstorm & Presentation

In groups of 3-4:

• Brainstorm: “If you were mayor of New York City starting tomorrow, what three bold measures would you introduce to reflect the ‘incredible’ nature of Mamdani’s victory?”

• Prepare a 2-minute presentation highlighting your three measures and explaining why they are incredible, inspired by Mamdani’s platform.

Activity 3: Debate

Topic: “This house believes that Zohran Mamdani’s election is the most significant political event in New York City’s modern history.”
Divide into two teams: For and Against. Use evidence from the lesson text, vocabulary, and your own ideas to argue your position.

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5. Comparing Barcelona vs New York

New York City (NYC):

• A global metropolis, huge scale (~8+ million residents) with enormous diversity and economic power.

• In recent years, facing major challenges: skyrocketing housing/rent costs, income inequality, ageing infrastructure.

• The election of Mamdani signals a shift: younger leadership, progressive agenda, a city looking for fairness and new vision.

Barcelona:

• Major European city; globally renowned for culture, architecture, tourism; population ~1.6 million in the city proper.

• Also facing affordability issues: gentrification, short-term tourist rentals driving up housing costs, locals struggle with rents.

• Local politics often include progressive/social movements, identity issues (Catalan independence, local vs international pressures).

Comparison Questions for Students:

1. Which city faces a greater challenge in terms of housing affordability — NYC or Barcelona? Why?

2. How could the kind of visionary leadership embodied by Mamdani apply in Barcelona’s context?

3. If Barcelona elected a mayor similar in profile to Mamdani, what policies do you think would translate well — and what might face resistance?

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6. Fill-in-the-Blanks Exercise

Use words from the lesson (vocabulary + synonyms) to complete the sentences. Words are not aligned with their meanings above.

1. Many New Yorkers felt a _____ surge of hope when Mamdani’s win was announced.

2. His campaign truly _____ with younger voters frustrated by high rents and stagnant wages.

3. His victory was nothing short of _____ — unexpected and historic.

4. The notion that a completely new kind of mayor could lead NYC is _____.

5. Grass-roots volunteers helped to _____ his movement across dozens of neighbourhoods.

6. While many praised the result, others pointed to the risk of _____ as businesses weighed their options.

7. His rise to _____ seemed almost vertical — from outsider to mayor-elect.

8. A key part of his message centred on _____: making rents manageable and life more sustainable.

9. For some, his win set a _____ for other progressive candidates across the country.

10. Despite the excitement, he will need to remain _____ in the face of scepticism and practical challenges.

Suggested Answers:

1. galvanised / awe-inspiring

2. resonated

3. spectacular

4. visionary

5. mobilise / galvanise

6. exodus / inertia

7. ascendancy

8. affordability

9. precedent

10. resilient

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7. Homework / Extension

Ask students to write a short essay (250-300 words) with the title:
“Why the election of Zohran Mamdani is not only amazing for New York, but inspiring for cities everywhere.”
Encourage them to use at least five vocabulary/synonym words from today’s lesson and to compare with Barcelona where appropriate.