2. POLITICSPOLITICS
What’s the difference between …?
• A general election / A referendum / An opinion poll
• Bipartisanship / Partisanship
• Left-wing parties / Right- wing parties / Centrism
• Upstart parties / Traditional parties
• Election turn-out / Election results
• Ruling party / Opposition
• Polling station / Polling (voting) booth
• Cast your vote / Abstain from voting / Spoil the ballot
• Boycott the election / Rig the election
• Call for an early election / Postpone the election / Stand for election
In pairs. Think of the present political scenario in Spain. Use some of
the expressions above to talk about it.
Is it similar to the one in other countries?
3. 2. VIDEO-ACTIVITY: “Rajoy wins confidence vote to become PM”
1.After ten months, Rajoy has finally secured his ……………………………
2.Rajoy is known for ………………………………………
3.Rajoy’s victory comes as a result of a ……………………………………..
4.In the streets of Madrid ……………………… were heard.
5.La Puerta del Sol is described as the site of …………………………………
6.The first speaker talks about …………………………………because he thinks
politicians have cheated him.
7.The second speakers complains the government believes we are
…………………………………but corruption is really pervasive.
8.Despite his victory, Rajoy’s government is in a ……………………………
9.To cut the country’s deficit, they will need to face some…………………………...
with the rest of the Parliament.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRqAVu03coM
4. Match the people below with what they doMatch the people below with what they do
1. A presidential candidate
2. A president-elect
3. A campaign manager
4. A spin doctor
5. An election clerk
6. A front runner
7. A supporter
a. A PR specialist who tries to maintain
the candidate’s positive image in the
media.
b. A person who assists voters during
elections.
c. A person who has wan a presidential
election but is not yet the official
president.
d. Someone who competes in an
election to become president.
e. Someone who favours a certain
candidate.
f. The candidate who is leading during
an election.
g. The person responsible for planning
a candidate’s campaign
5. The ideal politicianThe ideal politician
What would the ideal politician be like?
Profile of the ideal politicianProfile of the ideal politician
“My ideal politician would have a ....personality to
charm the opposition. They’d have the ....to really care
about the communities they work for and excellent .....skills
to argue for their cause. They would be humble and ......,
rather than .....and full of their own self-importance. But
they need to be ....too, so that they’d be able to make the most of
opportunities when they arose. They’d have the ......to stand up for their
beliefs in the face of opposition, but be prepared to back down and ....in
order to reach a solution that suits everyone. Unfortunately, I don’t think
this kind of politician exists!”
arrogant bravery charismatic communication compassion
compromise down-to-earth shrewd
6. Make collocations using the right wordMake collocations using the right word
Election – Victory – Figure – MP – Consensus – Scandal - Poll – Vote
• She’s a prominent … / a hate …/a divisive …
• The … takes place in June/ call an …/ trigger an early …/ fix the …/ what’ll decide the
…?/ the run-up to the …
• Go to the …s/ carry out a …/ conduct a … among students/ in the latest …/ have a
low standing in the …s
• Reach a …/ establish a …/ an emerging …/ a broad …
• A bribery …/ a sex …/ expose a …/ the … erupted/ he’s mixed up in a …/ be hit by a
series of …s/ cover up a …
• Stand as an …/ a long standing …/ a prominent …/ a right-wing …
• A unanimous …/ cast your …/ an overwhelming … in favour/ alleged … rigging
• A narrow …/ a landslide …/ a stunning …/claim …/ pull off a surprise …
7. IDIOMSIDIOMS
What do you think the phrases in bold mean?
1. What the chancellor said about trickle-down economics is a load of hot air, I don’t
believe it for a second!
2. The problem with most politicians is that they live in their ivory tower and have
no idea how their policies affect people.
3. I reckon half the politicians in this country are crooked / bent, you just have to
follow the money.
4. The opposition have decided to throw in the towel and accept that they lost the
election.
5. Normally, if a cabinet minister doesn’t toe the party line, they’ll soon be out of a
job.
6. Early polls suggest the result will be a hung parliament with no clear winner.
7. It looks like the election will be a two-horse race between Labour and the
Conservatives.
8. The subject of MPs’ expenses is a political hot potato, nobody wants to touch it
but I’m sure it’s going to blow up soon.
9. Prison reform has been a political football for years because prisoners don’t vote!
10. The new leader of the Liberals has the common touch, you can see it in the way
he talks to his constituents.
8. Policies and social consequencesPolicies and social consequences
Trigger –Bankrupt – Lead – Discourage – Curb –
Boost – Benefit – Undermine - Compound
1. It might ……………………. people from working.
2. It might ……………………. the rich, but it’ll harm the poor.
3. It’s a bad idea. If anything, it’ll create division and ……………………. to tension.
4. It might ……………………. an election earlier than they expect.
5. It’ll ……………………. the economy and create jobs.
6. It’s bad. It’ll ……………………. relations between the two countries.
7. This new law might aim to .......................petty crime and reduce arrest.
8. It’d put an enormous strain on finances. It could ……………………. the country.
9. The rise in prices will only serve to ...........................the problem of unemployment
among the poor.
9. Discuss these questions in groupsDiscuss these questions in groups
1. When was the last time the government was
mixed up in a scandal?
2. What politicians have had a low standing in the
polls and why?
3. When was the last time you cast your vote?
What was the outcome of the last general
election in your country?
4. What events might trigger an early election?
5. Under what circumstances could a government
postpone an election?
