Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. humanitarian (adj.) – relating to the promotion of human well-being and human rights
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. humanitarian (adj.) – relating to the promotion of human well-being and human rights
Example: The organization’s humanitarian
services provide people with food and shelter.
2. fortunate (adj.) – lucky
or having good luck
Example: We must try to help those who are less fortunate than us.
3. revolve (v.) – to
center or focus on something
Example: The story he wrote revolves around love for one’s family.
4. impression (n.) – an
image or character of a person that is thought or believed by others, but may
not be true
Example: I had the impression that she would be lazy, but she is actually very
hard-working.
5. hang out (idiom) – to
spend time with other people
Example: He and his colleagues often hang out in karaoke bars after office
hours.
Article
Read the text below.
Brad Pitt is a Hollywood actor
popular not only for his good looks and acting abilities, but also for his humanitarian work with his partner
Angelina Jolie. According to Pitt, he is motivated to do
charity work because he wants to help people without opportunities.
As he travels around the world, Pitt
sees how people struggle to sustain their lives. He says that the place where
a person is born determines the opportunities a person can get. He finds it
hard to accept that some people do not have many chances for a good life just
because of where they live.
He feels fortunate, because he is in a position to lend a helping hand to
others who are facing this saddening reality. Being able to help is one of
the best advantages of his job, he adds.
Current social issues also influence
which roles and projects he chooses. The story of his latest movie,
“Moneyball”, revolves around values,
failures and second chances. Pitt says that in the movie, the characters are
treated as unimportant because of their background and their kinds of jobs,
but they prove to be human beings with worth.
In addition, some people might have
the impression that Pitt is always
hanging out and drinking champagne
with fellow actor and humanitarian George Clooney. But according to Clooney,
it took a year before they met again at the start of the awards season last
month.
Nonetheless, actors like Pitt and
Clooney are serious about their humanitarian efforts. Pitt himself shows that
while he plays roles in movies, he also plays a big role in the real
world--by helping change people’s lives.
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Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
·
What
do you think are the reasons why celebrities engage in charity work?
·
Do
you think all celebrities should do charity work? Why or why not?
Discussion B
·
Can
you think of someone whose personality is different from what you first
expected? How has your impression of that person changed?
·
Is
there any harm when people always try to maintain a good impression? Please
explain your answer further.