EOI de Oviedo. Departamento de Inglés.

Nivel Avanzado 2008/2009 Reyes Ferreras

OBAMA’S INAUGURAL SPEECH (20TH, JANUARY, 2009)

Read Obama’s inaugural speech. It has been divided in sections marked 1 to 6.
For each section find the word or words which match the meanings given below. Work in pairs.

SECTION 1

1 – (Noun) Ancestors. People of an earlier period and common heritage.

2 – (Noun): A solemn, formal calling upon God to witness to the truth of
what one says or that one sincerely intends to do what one says.
3 – (Adj.) Persistently recurring.
4 – (Prep.) Among; Amid.
5 – (Noun) Excessive desire to acquire or possess more than one needs.
6 – (adj. + noun) the high point of anything conceived of as growing or
developing.
7 – (Gerund) Undermining, weakening gradually or destroying.
8 – (Participle) That have disappeared or have been reduced.
9 - (Participle) That have closed down or ceased to operate.
10 – (Partic.) Given as a gift or an honour. Given officially and formally.

SECTION 2

1 – (Past tense) Worked strenuously and continuously.

2 – (Adj. used as noun) Those who lack conviction, courage, resolution.
3 – (Past tense) Broke and turned over the earth.
4 – (Adj.) Very irritated and painful.
5 – (Noun) A route more direct than the one ordinarily taken. A means of
doing something more directly and quickly than and often not so
thoroughly as by ordinary procedure.
6 – (Noun) An extent, stretch, reach, or spread between two limits.
7 – (Expression) Suffered patiently the beating and blows with a striking
instrument.
8 – (Adj. + noun) Complaints of little or no importance about a (real or
imaginary) wrong that causes resentment.
9 – (Adj. + noun) Patient, long-suffering attitude.
10 – (Adj. + noun) A course of conduct full of hardship and trouble.

SECTION 3

1 – (Adj. + adj.) Quick, fast, without delay.

2 – (Verb) Use effectively.
3 – (Adj.) No longer new, uninteresting, lacking spontaneity and originality.
4 – (Expression) Will be considered responsible for and will have to explain
their actions.
5 – (Adj. + noun) A system of electrical distribution serving a large area, esp.
by means of high-tension lines.
6 – (Idiom. Adj. + noun). Refusing to make any changes. Cling or holding
firm to one's decision, policy, or beliefs.
7 – (Verb) Bring under conditions for effective use; gain control over for a
particular end.
SECTION 4

1 – (Adj.) Moderating by been less extreme or more self-restrained

2 – (Past tense + noun) Created or composed a document by thinking and
writing, issued by a sovereign or state, outlining the organisation, and
defining rights and privileges for the citizens.
3 – (Verb) Hesitate, be unsure or weak, falter.
4 – (Gerund) Killing in a violent and brutal manner; massacring.
5 – (Adj.) Without equal or rival; incomparable.
6 – (Adj. + noun) Previous, prior or preceding enemies or adversaries
7 – (Expression) In order to take advantage of opportunities without regard
for the consequences for others. On the account of opportunism or self-
interest.
8 – (Noun) Discipline and control.
9 – (Adj. + noun) Strong and firm coalitions or formal agreements.
10 – (Adj. + noun) Lasting or permanent beliefs and opinions.

SECTION 5

1 – (Verb) Promise solemnly.

2 – (Adj. + noun) Disagreeable acrid taste like that of garbage or waste.
3 – (Verb) Plant, disseminate or grow.
4 – (Noun functioning as adj. + noun) Inheritance, patrimony or legacy
characterised by its variety.
5 – (Gerund + prep.) Introducing or leading.
6 – (Expression) Open your tightly-closed hand.
7 – (Noun) The act or practice of deceiving; concealment or distortion of the
truth for the purpose of misleading; duplicity; fraud; cheating.
8 – (Noun) Difference of sentiment or opinion; disagreement.

SECTION 6

1 – (Noun) A long ridge of sand and clay built up by a river along its banks,
especially during floods. An artificial embankment along a river course
or an arm of the sea, built to protect adjoining land from inundation.
2 – (Verb) Take hold of suddenly or forcibly; grasp.
3 – (Participle) Gathered together and curled up or crouched.
4 – (Adj. + noun) Outdoor fires which are vanishing.
5 – (Verb) Be unsure or weak; move unsteadily or stumble.
6 – (Expression) Meet or face courageously, challenge or defy the difficult
course of events.
7 – (Adv.) Reluctantly or unwillingly.
8 – (Verb) Express, personify, incarnate.
9 – (Verb) Spreads out or lays open to view; expands; stretches.
10 – (Verb) Rush violently.