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ESL Worksheets
INAUGURAL ADDRESS - JOHN F. KENNEDY
1. As you read, re-order the following ideas so that they follow the same sequence as the speech itself.
2. Scan through the speech and make a note of any images you can find. (An image is a simile, metaphor or personification which compares one thing to another.) Try to explain each image.
- a) We will remain loyal to the countries of western Europe.
- b) The new generation of Americans will stand up for human rights.
- c) We will support the U.N.
- d) Let the USA and the USSR cooperate to halt the arms race.
- e) We will help poorer countries to find their own solutions to poverty.
- f) We will promote democracy in South America and step in to oppose Marxism (?).
- g) Let all the countries of the world join together to combat tyranny, poverty, disease and war.
- h) We will help to protect newly independent countries from new "tyranny" (Marxism?).
3. Underline or highlight any rhetorical patterns you can find in the speech.e.g. "the torch has been passed to a new generation ..."
[torch = the responsibility to defend human rights; it is passed from generation to generation like an Olympic relay torch]e.g. "We shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe ..."4. Give the meaning of the following words/phrases, as used in the speech:
- prescribed (Par.1)
- forebears (Par.2)
- pledge (Par.5)
- subversion (Par.9)
- invective (Par.10)
- adversary (Par.11)
- eradicate (Par.17)
- shrink from responsibility (Par.24)
- sacrifice (Par.27)