THE ARTICLE

The American Presidential Election 2008 The countdown continues in the American Presidential election of 2008. The two leading hopefuls of US Democratic candidate Barack Obama and US Republican candidate John McCain are battling it out in the final stages in the race to be the next American President of the USA. Opinion polls in the lead up to the 4th November poll show the Democratic candidate Mr Obama ahead of his rival Republican Mr McCain by several percentage points. With less than two weeks to go a Reuters poll indicated a 12-point lead for Mr Obama of 52% of the poll. An NBC/Wall Street Journal poll showed a ten point lead for Mr Obama giving him 52%. Another poll by AP/GfK narrowed this lead to just one point ahead for Mr Obama giving him 44%. Both candidates are out on the campaign trail urging their supporters to vote for them. Joining them are their Vice Presidential running mates. US Senator Joe Biden from Delaware is Obama’s choice while John McCain has chosen Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. The contest has been exciting and volatile. McCain has been pounding the Obama tax plan, which proposes a reversal of George W Bush’s tax cuts that mainly benefited the wealthy. Barack Obama has warned rival John McCain would endanger US security. He said the election winner would face security “tests” due in part to President George W Bushes “bad policies”. He accused McCain of wanting to continue “the policies that have put our economy into crisis and endangered our national security”. The McCain camp rejected this accusing him of lacking leadership. US Democratic candidate Obama got an unexpected boost on the foreign policy front ahead of the election when lifelong Republican Colin Powell, former Secretary of State under Bush endorsed him. Powell’s backing helps Obama undercut McCain’s perceived dominance on foreign policy issues. The financial crisis has dominated the final months of the election race.  The American housing market continues to be in meltdown thanks to the sub-prime lending fiasco. Recession looms over everyone. Obama said he did not want it to overshadow the many serious foreign policy problems that continue unchecked, including the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the need to battle terrorism and the rising influence of China. “The world has apparently not decided to take a pause while we campaign,” said Obama recently. Both parties continue to fund raise to the bitter end to pay for the huge election running costs. The financial crisis does not seem to have affected funding donations for the White House race, especially Barack Obama who has been flush from a staggering September donations haul of US$150m. That itself broke his previous August record of US$66m. McCain has accepted public funding so has been limited to spending no more than US$84m. There are ways around this limit. Grand fund raising events include gala dinners at swanky hotels. Independent groups like the National Rifle Association are publically promoting John McCain. We have seen the TV debates, Sarah Palin and her double on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and we now know who Joe the plumber is. In case you don’t he is Joe Wurzelbacher from Toledo, Ohio who found himself to be an unlikely media star in the debate between the two White House rivals.  Both candidates spoke about him in their final third TV debate turning him into a real life version of “Joe Six Pack,” who is the ordinary guy chasing the American dream. At one rally McCain’s accusation was that Obama would raise the taxes for Americans like Joe the plumber. “Let’s be clear about this,” Obama responded adding, “He’s not fighting for Joe the plumber, he’s fighting for Joe the Hedge Fund Manager.” Palin meanwhile has been spending some dollars increasing her wardrobe. The press had a field day discussing it when more pressing issues could have been debated. Funny how we don’t hear about the men’s new suits discussed in the same light! Turn out for this year’s election should be high. American voters this time around are highly motivated. Key states like Florida are important for both parties. The hanging chad issue of the 2000 election in Florida is still not forgotten or forgiven by the democrats. Should John McCain lose this election it could be Sarah Palin who leads the Republicans in the next election? Will that leave Hilary Clinton or her supporters seething? She wanted to be America’s first woman President. If you remember she lost out to Senator Obama in the race for the Democratic candidate and wasn’t picked by him as his Vice Presidential running mate. He could be America’s first non-white President. One thing about this extraordinary campaign is that the US is a nation in crisis determined to vote. Whoever wins will have a tough time ahead. The political parties taking part in this year’s 2008 Presidential election are as follows: Republican, Democrat, Constitution, Libertarian, Green, HeartQuake ’08, Prohibition, Socialist Workers, Boston Tea, American’s Independent, Socialism and Liberation, U.S. Pacifist, Socialist USA, Objectivist. Note:- There are also two unaffiliated parties. One is lead by Frank Edward McEnulty. The other by Ralf Nader.  Voters have the choice of voting for one party/pair of candidates. The voting form is like no other! In some states it is three A3 pages long. Voters may also vote at the same time for people in congress, state, and county elections. Also for officials in the Supreme Court, Courts of appeal and district judges. Amazingly voters can select a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on the ballot form to a host of ‘amendments’ to umpteen proposed laws, referendums and ballot issues. This folks is how America votes. Watch that chad and happy voting!

START

1. AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL RACE 2008: Briefly, what do you know about the American Presidential race? Go round the room swapping stories. Change partners often.

2. DICTATION: The teacher will read some of the article slowly and clearly. Students will write down what they hear. The teacher will repeat the passage slowly again. Self correct your work from page 2 - filling in spaces and correcting mistakes. Be honest with yourself on the number of errors. Advise the teacher of your total number of errors. Less than 5 is very good. 10 are acceptable. Any more is room for improvement! More than 20 - we need to do some work!

3. READING: Get students to read the passage aloud. Swap readers every paragraph.

4. VOCABULARY: Students look through the article. Underline/highlight any vocabulary you do not know. Look in dictionaries. Discuss and help each other out. The teacher will go through & explain any words or phrases you do not understand.

5. AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2008: Discuss briefly with your partner the latest on / the outcome of the American Presidential Election 2008. 2 minutes.

6. AMERICAN PRESIDENTS: With your partner or in groups name 10 American Presidents. Discuss them together. Answer the following…                              

1         Who was the best President and why?                                        

2         Who was the worst President?                                                         

3 Who served the shortest term? Why?                                              

4         How long can an American President be President?                              

5         Which party were they in? (Extra point for each. Max 10)                                 

6         Where did each President come from (Double point for each! Max 20)            

7         Who was the youngest US President?                                                

8         Who was the oldest US President?   

The teacher will choose some pairs to discuss their findings in front of the class.

7. AMERICAN VICE PRESIDENTS: With your partner, name 4 American Vice Presidents. Discuss them together.  Answer the following…                     

1         Did any of these become President? Who and why?                             

2         Who was the best/worst Vice President? Why?                              

8. AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2008: With your partner on the board write as many words to do with ‘American Presidential Election 2008’ as you can. One-two minutes. Compare with other teams. Using your words compile a short dialogue together.

9. SENTENCES: Choose six/nine of the words from no 8. Write two/three sentences using two/three words in each. Underline your chosen words. The teacher will if necessary correct your work. Students might be asked to read their sentences aloud.                                                                                                  

10. QUICK DEBATE: In groups or in pairs. Students A thinks the Democrats will win the race to the White House. Explain why. Students B thinks the Republicans will win it. Explain why.

11. US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2008 ARTICLE QUIZ: With your partner or in small groups: (1 point for each correct answer. Lose ½ point if you look at the article for help!)                                                                                           

Student A                                                                              

1)         Name the current US President                                                      

2)         Name the two leading parties.                                                             

3)         Name 3 other political parties taking part.                                              

4)         Who is Joe the plumber?                                                                   

5)         Why is Joe the plumber so important for both sides?                          

6)         What is a chad?                                                                           

7)         How many TV debates have there been?                                             

8)         Name the Republican Vice Presidential candidate.                                                         

Student B                                                                           

1)         Who is Colin Powell?                                                                               

2)         What date is the American election?                                                  

3)         What is Saturday Night Live?                                                        

4)         How do the candidates raise their money?                                                   

5)         Name the Democrat Vice Presidential candidate.                                       

6)         Who is Hilary Clinton?                                                                     

7)         How much was Barack Obama’s donation haul in September?         

8)         Name a key state.                  

12. A TYPICAL ‘CAMPAIGN DAY’: You are a supporter of one of the main American political parties. You have been asked to help at a campaign rally that one of the leading hopefuls is attending that day. On your own, think of 10 words to do with your ‘campaign day’. List them below. Create a short story about your experiences that day. Tell it to your partner.         

The teacher will choose some pairs to discuss their findings in front of the class.

13. SENTENCE STARTERS: Finish these sentence starters. Correct your mistakes. Compare what other people have written.

a)   The US election_______________________________________________

b)   Republicans ____________________________________________________

c)    The Democrats _________________________________________________

d)   The contest ____________________________________________________

e)   Joe the plumber ________________________________________________

14. OTHER PARTIES: Discuss briefly with your partner the other parties/individuals taking part in the 2008 US Presidential Election on 4^th November. What chance have they got of winning the election? Why do most of these parties bother to take part?                                                                                                                                                                     

15. THE 2 MAIN CANDIDATES: With your partner think of 5 things you know about the 2 main candidates. Discuss together. What conclusions do you come to? Who is the better candidate? Why?          

The teacher will choose some pairs to discuss their findings in front of the class.

16. VOTE FOR WHO? Choose your party or candidate. (Imagine!*) List 3 reasons why you would vote for the political party or candidate of your choice. Compare and discuss your list with your partner.          

*Note: You don’t have to tell the world who you actually might vote for. Just imagine for this speaking exercise!  The teacher will choose some pairs to discuss their findings in front of the class.

17. THE PROCESS OF A TYPICAL US ELECTION’: In pairs discuss how the US Presidential election process takes place. What exactly is involved? Include ‘The Primaries’. What are primaries? 5 minutes.                        

The teacher will choose some pairs to discuss their findings in front of the class.

18. ELECTION TV HIGHLIGHTS: Think of 3 TV highlights from the US Presidential election campaign. Discuss with your partner. From what TV channel were they? Which TV channel provides the best election coverage? Why?          

19. POLICIES: List 3 policies from the Democrat and Republican manifestos. Discuss with your partner. Which party has the better policies?     

The teacher will choose some pairs to discuss their findings in front of the class.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: After reading the article guess whether these sentences are true (T) or false (F):

a.	The US Presidential election is on the 4th November	T / F
b.	Barack Obama is leading John McCain in the polls	T / F
c.	The financial crisis has dominated the final months of the campaign	T / F
d.	Sarah Palin was on Saturday Night Live	T / F
e.	Hanging chad’s are an election issue in Florida	T / F
f.	The Boston Tea Party is likely to come third in the election	T / F
g.	Joe the plumber will be a candidate in the next election	T / F
h.	The National Rifle association is supporting Barack Obama	T / F

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

a.	Countdown	In front
b.	Campaign	Contest
c.	Battling it out	Many
d.	Funny	Form
e.	Race	Erratic
f.	Version	Ballot
g.	Several	Offensive
h.	Ahead	Amusing
i.	Election	Launch procedure
j.	Volatile	Fighting

3. PHRASE MATCH: Match the following phrases from the article:

a.	The countdown continues	are out on the campaign trail
b.	Us Democratic candidate Barack Obama	less than two weeks to go
c.	Opinion polls in the lead up to the	narrowed this lead
d.	With	Alaska Governor Sarah Palin
e.	A Reuters poll	in the American Presidential election
f.	Another poll by AP/GfK	are their Vice Presidential running mates
g.	Both candidates	and US Republican candidate John McCain
h.	Joining them	is Obama’s choice
i.	Senator Joe Biden from Delaware	4th November poll
j.	John McCain has chosen	indicated a 12-point lead for Mr Obama

GAP FILL: READING

Put the words into the gaps in the text.

The American Presidential Election 2008 The _________ continues in the American Presidential ________ of 2008. The two leading ________ of US Democratic _________ Barack Obama and US Republican candidate John McCain are battling it out in the final stages in the race to be the next American _________ of the USA. Opinion _____ in the lead up to the 4th November poll show the Democratic candidate Mr Obama ahead of his _____ Republican Mr McCain by several percentage points. With less than two weeks to go a Reuters poll indicated a 12-point lead for Mr Obama of 52% of the poll. An NBC/Wall Street Journal poll showed a ten point ____ for Mr Obama giving him 52%. Another poll by AP/GfK narrowed this lead to just one point ahead for Mr Obama giving him 44%. Both candidates are out on the campaign trail urging their supporters to vote for them. Joining them are their Vice Presidential running mates. US Senator Joe Biden from Delaware is Obama’s choice while John McCain has chosen Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.		election hopefuls rival lead candidate President polls countdown
The _______ has been exciting and volatile. McCain has been pounding the Obama tax plan, which proposes a ________ of George W Bush’s tax cuts that mainly benefited the ________. Barack Obama has warned rival John McCain would endanger US security. He said the election winner would face security “tests” due in part to President George W Bushes “bad policies”. He accused McCain of wanting to continue “the policies that have put our economy into ______ and endangered our national ________”. The McCain ____ rejected this accusing him of lacking leadership. US Democratic candidate Obama got an unexpected boost on the foreign policy front ahead of the election when ________ Republican Colin Powell, former Secretary of State under Bush endorsed him. Powell’s backing helps Obama undercut McCain’s perceived _________ on foreign policy issues.		crisis lifelong security reversal wealthy contest dominance camp

GAP FILL: LISTENING:

Listen and fill in the spaces.

The American Presidential Election 2008

The countdown continues in the American ______________________ 2008. The two leading hopefuls of US Democratic candidate Barack Obama and US Republican candidate John McCain are battling it out in the final stages in the race to be the next __________________ of the USA. Opinion polls in the lead up to the 4^th November poll show the Democratic candidate Mr Obama ahead of his rival Republican Mr McCain by several percentage points. With less than _________________ Reuters poll indicated a 12-point lead for Mr Obama of 52% of the poll. An NBC/Wall Street Journal poll showed a ten point lead for Mr Obama giving him 52%. Another poll by AP/GfK narrowed this lead to just one point ahead for Mr Obama giving him 44%. Both candidates are out on the ______________ urging their supporters to vote for them. Joining them are their _________________ running mates. US Senator Joe Biden from Delaware is Obama’s choice while John McCain has chosen _______________ Sarah Palin.

The contest has been exciting and volatile. McCain ____________________ Obama tax plan, which proposes a reversal of George W Bush’s tax cuts that mainly benefited the wealthy. Barack Obama has warned rival John McCain would endanger US security. He said the _______________ would face security “tests” due in part to President George W Bushes “____________”. He accused McCain of wanting to continue “the policies _________________ economy into crisis and endangered our national security”. The McCain camp rejected this accusing him of lacking leadership. US Democratic candidate Obama got an ___________________ the foreign policy front ahead of the election when lifelong Republican Colin Powell, former Secretary of State under _________________. Powell’s backing helps Obama undercut McCain’s perceived dominance on foreign policy issues.

DISCUSSION

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

a.   Did the headline make you want to read the article?

b.   What do you think of Joe the plumber?

c.    Is it right the candidates should waste so much money electioneering when the economy is in crisis?

d.   What should Hilary Clinton do next?

e.   Who will win the election?

f.     Will you be voting for one of the other parties? Why? Why not?

g.   What is the American dream?

h.   Was Collin Powell right to switch sides?

i.      Is John McCain too old for the job of President?

j.     Have you been to an election rally? If yes, how was it?

k.    Is Barack Obama too inexperienced for the job of President?

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STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

a.   What do you think about what you read?

b.   What do you think of this election?

c.    Who do your many of your friends support? Why?

d.   Who will you vote for at the election (Imagine!)

e.   What advise would you give John McCain?

f.     What advise would you give Barack Obama?

g.   What do you think of George W Bush?

h.   What do you think of Sarah Palin’s new wardrobe?

i.      Is it right the National Rifle Association should support John McCain?

j.     What’s the funniest thing you saw regarding the current US election?

k.    Did you like this discussion?

SPEAKING

AMERICAN ELECTION DEBATE 2008:                    

Allow 15/20 minutes

You are at a live election TV debate in America. John McCain and Barack Obama are each about to give a short election speech. Afterwards they will take questions from reporters.

In groups: Two people are Barack Obama and John McCain. The others in the group are TV, radio and newspaper reporters asking the questions.

The reporters prepare 3 good questions to ask the candidates.

Questions	Findings
1)
2)
3)

The teacher may select some groups to present their debate / findings to the rest of the class.

LANGUAGE: CORRECT WORD: Choose the correct words from a–d below and write them in the article.

The (1)__ continues in the American Presidential election of 2008. The (2)__ leading hopefuls of US Democratic candidate Barack Obama and US Republican candidate John McCain are battling it out in the final (3)__ in the race to be the next American President of the USA. Opinion polls in the lead up to the 4^th November poll show the Democratic candidate Mr Obama ahead of his rival Republican Mr McCain by several percentage points. With less than two weeks to go a Reuters poll indicated a 12-point lead for Mr Obama of 52% of the poll. An NBC/Wall Street Journal poll showed a ten point lead for Mr Obama giving him 52%. Another poll by AP/GfK narrowed this lead to just one point ahead for Mr Obama giving him 44%. Both candidates are out on the campaign (4)__ urging their supporters to vote for them. Joining them are (5)__ Vice Presidential running mates. US Senator Joe Biden from Delaware is Obama’s choice (6)__ John McCain has chosen Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

The contest has been (7)__ and volatile. McCain has been (8)__ the Obama tax plan, which proposes a reversal of George W Bush’s tax cuts that mainly benefited the wealthy. Barack Obama has warned rival John McCain would endanger US security. He said the election winner would face security “tests” due in part to President George W Bushes “bad policies”. He accused McCain of wanting to continue “the policies that have put our economy into crisis and endangered our national security”. The McCain camp rejected this accusing him of lacking leadership. US Democratic candidate Obama got an unexpected (9)__ on the foreign policy front ahead of the election (10)__ lifelong Republican Colin Powell, former Secretary of State under Bush endorsed him. Powell’s backing helps Obama (11)__ McCain’s perceived dominance on foreign policy (12)__.

1.	(a)	count up	(b)	count	(c)	countdown	(d)	counting
2.	(a)	one	(b)	two	(c)	three	(d)	four
3.	(a)	stages	(b)	phases	(c)	staged	(d)	stage
4.	(a)	rail	(b)	pail	(c)	mail	(d)	trail
5.	(a)	the	(b)	there	(c)	their	(d)	them
6.	(a)	why	(b)	whilst	(c)	which	(d)	while
7.	(a)	exciting	(b)	excites	(c)	excite	(d)	excited
8.	(a)	founding	(b)	pounding	(c)	rounding	(d)	sounding
9.	(a)	boosted	(b)	roost	(c)	boo	(d)	boost
10.	(a)	when	(b)	why	(c)	while	(d)	which
11.	(a)	cut	(b)	undercut	(c)	under	(d)	underbid
12.	(a)	issue	(b)	issued	(c)	issues	(d)	issues

GRAMMAR 1: MIDWAY

Put the words into the gaps in the text.

The American Presidential Election 2008 The countdown continues in the American Presidential election of 2008. The two leading hopefuls of US Democratic candidate Barack Obama and US Republican candidate John McCain are battling it out in the final stages in the race to be the next American President of the USA. Opinion polls in the lead up to the 4th November poll show the Democratic candidate Mr Obama ahead of his rival Republican Mr McCain by several percentage points. (1)__ less (2)__ two weeks to go a Reuters poll indicated a 12-point lead for Mr Obama of 52% of the poll. An NBC/Wall Street Journal poll showed a ten point lead for Mr Obama giving him 52%. (3)__ poll by AP/GfK narrowed (4)__ lead to just one point ahead for Mr Obama giving him 44%. Both candidates are out on the campaign trail urging their supporters to vote for (5)__. Joining them are (6)__ Vice Presidential running mates. US Senator Joe Biden (7)__ Delaware is Obama’s choice (8)__ John McCain has chosen Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.		than with while another this their from them
The contest has been exciting and volatile. McCain has been pounding the Obama tax plan, (1)__ proposes a reversal of George W Bush’s tax cuts that mainly benefited the wealthy. Barack Obama has warned rival John McCain (2)__ endanger US security. He said the election winner would face security “tests” (3)__ in part to President George W Bushes “bad policies”. He accused McCain of wanting to continue “the policies (4)__ have put our economy (5)__ crisis and endangered our national security”. The McCain camp rejected (6)__ accusing him of lacking leadership. US Democratic candidate Obama got an unexpected boost on the foreign policy front ahead of the election (7)__ lifelong Republican Colin Powell, former Secretary of State under Bush endorsed (8)__. Powell’s backing helps Obama undercut McCain’s perceived dominance on foreign policy issues.		him this due would into which when that

GRAMMAR 2: EASY

Put the words into the gaps in the text.

The American Presidential Election 2008 The countdown continues in the American Presidential election of 2008. The two leading hopefuls of US Democratic candidate Barack Obama (1)__ US Republican candidate John McCain are battling it out in the final stages in the race to be the next American President (2)__ the USA. Opinion polls (3)__ the lead up to the 4th November poll show (4)__ Democratic candidate Mr Obama ahead of his rival Republican Mr McCain by several percentage points. With less than two weeks to go (5)__ Reuters poll indicated a 12-point lead (6)__ Mr Obama of 52% of the poll. An NBC/Wall Street Journal poll showed a ten point lead for Mr Obama giving him 52%. Another poll (7)__ AP/GfK narrowed this lead to just one point ahead for Mr Obama giving him 44%. Both candidates are out on the campaign trail urging their supporters (8)__ vote for them. Joining them are their Vice Presidential running mates. US Senator Joe Biden from Delaware is Obama’s choice while John McCain has chosen Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.		the and to of by for a in
The contest has been exciting (1)__ volatile. McCain has been pounding the Obama tax plan, which proposes (2)__ reversal (3)__ George W Bush’s tax cuts that mainly benefited the wealthy. Barack Obama has warned rival John McCain would endanger US security. He said the election winner would face security “tests” due in part (4)__ President George W Bushes “bad policies”. (5)__ accused McCain of wanting to continue “(6)__ policies that have put our economy into crisis and endangered our national security”. The McCain camp rejected this accusing him of lacking leadership. US Democratic candidate Obama got an unexpected boost on the foreign policy front ahead of the election when lifelong Republican Colin Powell, former Secretary of State under Bush endorsed (7)__. Powell’s backing helps Obama undercut McCain’s perceived dominance (8)__ foreign policy issues.		and of he a him on the to

SPELLING TEST

The teacher will ask the class individually to spell the following words that are in the article:

1. candidate	11. wardrobe
2. wealthy	12. extraordinary
3. meltdown	13. campaign
4. dominance	14. umpteen
5. fiasco	15. association
6. endanger	16. influence
7. swanky	17. undercut
8. plumber	18. opinion
9. chad	19. financial
10. previous	20. looms

 

WRITING: IN CLASS:                                                                                                                                                                        

FIVE-MINUTE ARTICLE: Write an article on “The American Presidential Election 2008”. You have five minutes. The teacher will select some students to read out their work.                                                      

Countdown: Every minute the teacher may say, “You have xx

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE:

a. T

b. T

c. T

d. T

e. T

f. F

g. F

h. F

SYNONYM MATCH:

a.	Countdown	Launch procedure
b.	Campaign	Offensive
c.	Battling it out	Fighting
d.	Funny	Amusing
e.	Race	Contest
f.	Version	Form
g.	Several	Many
h.	Ahead	In front
i.	Election	Ballot
j.	Volatile	Erratic

PHRASE MATCH:

a.	The countdown continues	in the American Presidential election
b.	Us Democratic candidate Barack Obama	and US Republican candidate John McCain
c.	Opinion polls in the lead up to the	4th November poll
d.	With	less than two weeks to go
e.	A Reuters poll	indicated a 12-point lead for Mr Obama
f.	Another poll by AP/GfK	narrowed this lead
g.	Both candidates	are out on the campaign trail
h.	Joining them	are their Vice Presidential running mates
i.	Senator Joe Biden from Delaware	is Obama’s choice
j.	John McCain has chosen	Alaska Governor Sarah Palin

GAP FILL: The American Presidential Election 2008: The countdown continues in the American Presidential election of 2008. The two leading hopefuls of US Democratic candidate Barack Obama and US Republican candidate John McCain are battling it out in the final stages in the race to be the next American President of the USA. Opinion polls in the lead up to the 4^th November poll show the Democratic candidate Mr Obama ahead of his rival Republican Mr McCain by several percentage points. With less than two weeks to go a Reuters poll indicated a 12-point lead for Mr Obama of 52% of the poll. An NBC/Wall Street Journal poll showed a ten point lead for Mr Obama giving him 52%. Another poll by AP/GfK narrowed this lead to just one point ahead for Mr Obama giving him 44%. Both candidates are out on the campaign trail urging their supporters to vote for them. Joining them are their Vice Presidential running mates. US Senator Joe Biden from Delaware is Obama’s choice while John McCain has chosen Alaska Governor Sarah Palin.

The contest has been exciting and volatile. McCain has been pounding the Obama tax plan, which proposes a reversal of George W Bush’s tax cuts that mainly benefited the wealthy. Barack Obama has warned rival John McCain would endanger US security. He said the election winner would face security “tests” due in part to President George W Bushes “bad policies”. He accused McCain of wanting to continue “the policies that have put our economy into crisis and endangered our national security”. The McCain camp rejected this accusing him of lacking leadership. US Democratic candidate Obama got an unexpected boost on the foreign policy front ahead of the election when lifelong Republican Colin Powell, former Secretary of State under Bush endorsed him. Powell’s backing helps Obama undercut McCain’s perceived dominance on foreign policy issues.

LANGUAGE WORK         

1 - c

2 - b

3 - a

4 - d

5 - c

6 - d

7 – a

8 - b

9 - d

10 - a

11 - b

12 – c