MLS Sociology, Class 1

 By Nate Feldman

Vocabulary Words:

Movement: an organized strategy to change things

Activist: a person involved in a movement for a certain cause or belief

Pivotal: very significant

*Graduating from college is a pivotal moment in your life.

Boycott: refuse to buy or participate in something because you are against it

Assassination: killing a famous person, usually for political reasons

Political climate: the mood of the politics in the country

*The political climate in Washington is very tense right now. 

Literal: I’m going to kill you.  Literally. 

Figurative: you say the words, but you don’t mean them in that exact way.

I’m going to kill you = I’m going to be angry at you

I’m burning = I’m hot

I’m freezing = I’m cold

Plight = people in a weak or bad position  

The plight of homeless people concerns me

Persistent = never stop; keep going

Promised land = a place that is good/ideal for your life

*Many people moved to the USA thinking it was the promised land

*flee= to run away or escape something

*Why isn’t your teacher here?

>>He fled. 

 Discussion Questions:

 *What was a pivotal moment in your life?

*Is there anything you have boycotted?

*What are you persistent about?

*When did you have to flee something?

*Is there a plight of anyone/anything that bothers you?

Vocabulary Practice:

assassination    boycotted    figurative    flee   

movement   persistent   pivotal    plight 

1. There was a fire, so we had to ___________________the building immediately.

2. To improve your English, you must be ____________________in your study habits.

3.  The ______________________of homeless people is a concern for many.

4. I ____________________the company because of their bad business habits.

5. My friend said he was freezing to death outside, but of course this is __________________.  He wasn't dying really.

6. Graduation is a ___________________moment in people's lives.

7. The ______________________of a President or Prime Minister is a terrible moment for a country. 

8. A social _____________________tries to change things in a country or area.