B2 - C1 Reading Comprehension - Human Rights

B2 - C1 Reading Comprehension - Human Rights

by Waine Evans

​Noble Peace Prize

​The Nobel Peace Prize for 2011 was awarded to three influential women from Africa and the Middle East, a decision intended to draw attention to the suppression of women’s rights around the world and spur their fight for greater equality. The winners were Tawakkol Karman, a leading figure in Yemen, who inspired thousands of women to rise up in a region where women are considered second-class citizens; Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first elected female president in post-colonial Africa; and peace activist Leymah Gbowee, from the same country. This year’s award arrives as women in Africa and the Middle East find themselves at a crossroads, trying to break away from a history of restrictions fuelled by culture and traditions. While women have become more visible in government and social activism, deep challenges remain in many areas, including education, employment and access to health care.

Tawakkol Karman called the award “a victory for our revolution, for our methods, for our struggle, for all Yemeni youth, and all the youth in the Arab world. This will give the people more strength. Peace is the only way to make a new Yemen,” she said. Her activism is all the more unusual because it is happening in patriarchal, deeply conservative Yemen, where women face restrictions and are often treated violently.

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​Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has been involved in Liberian politics for more than 30 years. As Liberia’s president, she worked fervently to promote development in her country and the rights of women and girls. “We are now going into our ninth year of peace, and every Liberian has contributed to it,” she said. “We particularly give this credit to Liberian women, who have consistently led the struggle for peace, even under conditions of neglect.

Leymah Gbowee, the other Liberian laureate, organized Muslim and Christian women who, wearing white T-shirts, demonstrated together in large numbers. They were instrumental in bringing an end to Liberia’s civil war in 2003. Gbowee now heads the Women Peace and Security Network Africa. “I’m shocked, I’m numb, I’m still really feeling like it’s all a dream to me,” said Gbowee. “There is no way we can negotiate peace and security if we leave out the women of the world. So there is naturally still a long way to go.”

Multiple Choice

Match the names of the Nobel Peace Prize winners with the corresponding statements. Three do not apply.

thinks that, despite the difficult conditions women have endured, they have never given up on fighting for peace.

• Tawakkol Karman

• Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

• Leymah Gbowee

• does not apply

Multiple Choice

Match the names of the Nobel Peace Prize winners with the corresponding statements. Three do not apply.

considers that peace is the sole solution for her country.

• Tawakkol Karman

• Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

• Leymah Gbowee

• does not apply

Multiple Choice

Match the names of the Nobel Peace Prize winners with the corresponding statements. Three do not apply.

fights for religious freedom in Africa.

• Tawakkol Karman

• Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

• Leymah Gbowee

• does not apply

Multiple Choice

Match the names of the Nobel Peace Prize winners with the corresponding statements. Three do not apply.

thinks equality for all women is still far from being achieved.  

• Tawakkol Karman

• Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

• Leymah Gbowee

• does not apply

Multiple Choice

Match the names of the Nobel Peace Prize winners with the corresponding statements. Three do not apply.

is the head of state of her country.

• Tawakkol Karman

• Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

• Leymah Gbowee

• does not apply

Multiple Choice

Match the names of the Nobel Peace Prize winners with the corresponding statements. Three do not apply.

confesses that her achievements have not transferred into people's everyday lives.

• Tawakkol Karman

• Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

• Leymah Gbowee

• does not apply

Multiple Choice

Match the names of the Nobel Peace Prize winners with the corresponding statements. Three do not apply.

managed to unite women with different religious beliefs.

• Tawakkol Karman

• Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

• Leymah Gbowee

• does not apply

Multiple Choice

Match the names of the Nobel Peace Prize winners with the corresponding statements. Three do not apply.

has taken an active part in politics for some decades now.

• Tawakkol Karman

• Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

• Leymah Gbowee

• does not apply

Multiple Choice

Match the names of the Nobel Peace Prize winners with the corresponding statements. Three do not apply.

enabled women to be part of the decision-making process in her country.

• Tawakkol Karman

• Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

• Leymah Gbowee

• does not apply

Multiple Choice

Match the names of the Nobel Peace Prize winners with the corresponding statements. Three do not apply.

believes the prize will encourage people’s commitment.

• Tawakkol Karman

• Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

• Leymah Gbowee

• does not apply

Multiple Choice

Identify what the underlined words refer to in the text.

“a decision”

• awarding the Nobel Prize to three women (from Africa and the Middle East)

• (going into) the ninth year of peace or nine years of peace

• Liberia

Multiple Choice

Identify what the underlined words refer to in the text.

“the same country”

• awarding the Nobel Prize to three women (from Africa and the Middle East)

• (going into) the ninth year of peace or nine years of peace

• Liberia

Multiple Choice

Identify what the underlined words refer to in the text.

“this credit”

• awarding the Nobel Prize to three women (from Africa and the Middle East)

• (going into) the ninth year of peace or nine years of peace

• Liberia

Open Ended

Briefly explain what Leymah Gbowee’s feelings are when she says:

“I’m shocked, I’m numb, I’m still really feeling like it’s all a dream to me.”

Multiple Choice

Complete the text about the importance of women in the world.

Women are doctors, farmers, engineers, business executives, taxi drivers, architects, authors, journalists. They (1) their countries by being teachers, politicians and soldiers; and, in many cases, they are also (2) for their families. Despite all this, in many places, women are still victimised because some people believe in women’s (3) to men.

• providers

• disobedience

• inferiority

• exist

• serve

Multiple Choice

Complete the text about the importance of women in the world.

Women are doctors, farmers, engineers, business executives, taxi drivers, architects, authors, journalists. They (1) their countries by being teachers, politicians and soldiers; and, in many cases, they are also (2) for their families. Despite all this, in many places, women are still victimised because some people believe in women’s (3) to men.

• providers

• disobedience

• inferiority

• exist

• serve

Multiple Choice

Complete the text about the importance of women in the world.

Women are doctors, farmers, engineers, business executives, taxi drivers, architects, authors, journalists. They (1) their countries by being teachers, politicians and soldiers; and, in many cases, they are also (2) for their families. Despite all this, in many places, women are still victimised because some people believe in women’s (3) to men.

• providers

• disobedience

• inferiority

• exist

• serve

Multiple Choice

Complete the text about the importance of women in the world.

The problems for women in the developing world (4) not just from tradition but also from conflict, poverty and the (5) of basic health and educational facilities.

• helpers

• stem

• unequal

• lack

Multiple Choice

Complete the text about the importance of women in the world.

The problems for women in the developing world (4) not just from tradition but also from conflict, poverty and the (5) of basic health and educational facilities.

• helpers

• stem

• unequal

• lack

Multiple Choice

Complete the text about the importance of women in the world.

Addressing the (6) of women in the developing world and increasing their participation in the management of their societies would make an impact. Gender (7) is essential for the development of any society. Women are important. Without them, no nation can progress.

• unequal

• disobedience

• needs

• balance

Multiple Choice

Complete the text about the importance of women in the world.

Addressing the (6) of women in the developing world and increasing their participation in the management of their societies would make an impact. Gender (7) is essential for the development of any society. Women are important. Without them, no nation can progress.

• unequal

• disobedience

• needs

• balance