[CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT ★★]
OBAMA APPEARS ON “RUNNING WILD” WITH BEAR GRYLLS
(P1) Bloody SALMON cooked over a fire and tea made with GLACIER ice were on the menu for President Obama during his appearance on NBC’s “Running Wild with Bear Grylls.”
(P2) But the president also made time to talk about his CLIMATE CHANGE policy as he and Grylls hiked along the Exit Glacier and through the Alaskan WILDERNESS during the hour-long show. Obama taped the EPISODE during a trip to the state in September.
(P3) The pair discussed WILDLIFE and the wilderness, and they SWAPPED personal stories about their BACKGROUNDS, families, and Obama’s life in the WHITE HOUSE.
(P4) Grylls also instructed Obama on how to handle an ENCOUNTER with a bear.
(P5) Obama and Grylls both RUMINATED on the effects climate change will have on the world. Obama said he’s made climate change a priority because he wants to help preserve the environment for future generations.
(P6) “I’ve got two daughters, and will EVENTUALLY have grandchildren, and I want to make sure the wilderness is there for them in the future, not just for us today,” he said.
(P7) Obama and Grylls filmed the episode when the president visited Alaska on a trip to discuss climate change’s impact on the state.
(P8) The Obama administration heavily PUBLICIZED his trip so as to further spread the word about climate change.
(P9) The “Running Wild” episode was another part of that OUTREACH, and Obama used the show to make his PITCH for climate action.
(P10) Standing on the glacier, Grylls and Obama noted how far it has RECEDED in recent years because of GLOBAL WARMING.
(P11) “When you see this glacier, you are impressed by the MAGNITUDE of it, but it also by how far it’s already receded just since my presidency began,” Obama said.
(P12) “This UNDERSCORES why it’s so important for us to pay attention to climate change and understand that there’s something we can actually do about it.”
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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
If you found the passage difficult to read or had problems understanding specific words or idiomatic expressions, please discuss them with your tutor. The following discussion questions should be answered in your own words and with your own arguments.
- Briefly summarize the content of the article in your own words.
- Have you seen any effects of global climate change in your country?
- Why did Obama decide to bring his message to a popular television program?
- Obama’s appearance was a major COUP for Bear Grylls and his producers. How does the show benefit from the appearance of the U.S. President?
- Bear Grylls is famous for his ability to survive under difficult conditions in the wild. Do you think you would do well or poorly in those situations?
EXPRESSIONS TO PRACTICE:
What do the following expressions mean? Practice using each expression in a sentence; extra points if you can use it in conversation.
- Climate change
- White House
- Global warming
