English Lead On Textbook Activity

English Lesson

Reading and Viewing
Lead On:
Articles: Text A and B

Lead On
Activity Three
Page 258

History was made on Monday 23 March 2020 when our hard-pressed President announced to a stunned nation that our beloved country would enter a life-saving 21-day nationwide lockdown. We all listened aghast as he spelled out the terms and conditions of the emergency lockdown that our government is implementing from 26 March to 16 April in order to prevent a disastrous human catastrophe.

In his heart -felt address to the nation, our resourceful President carefully explained why the lockdown is an essential extension of governments timely National State of Disaster which is declared on 15 March. He reassured us that all authorities deployed to implement the lockdown would ensure that peace and order reigned throughout our land. He was adamant that the authorities would also be on hand to offer us support during this time of great uncertainty and hardship.

Our decisive leader reiterated the urgency of this countrywide lockdown. he patiently explained how vital it is for all of us to work together to disrupt the chain of transmission of Covid-19 - a virulent invisible enemy - in our society. In a strongly-worded statement, our president beseeched us all to adhere strictly to the lockdown regulations in order to survive the Covid-19 onslaught.

The address closed with a heart-felt plea from our President. He implored each and every one of us to play our part in fighting this deadly disease. he urged all of us to be courageous, patient, and, above all, compassionate during this time of extreme upheaval.
The details of the lockdown will be made public over the next few days.

​Text B: Lockdown: Catastrophe avoided!

On Monday 23 March 2020, the President announced that the country will be put on a 21- day nationwide lockdown from 26 March to 16 April in order to halt the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In his address to the nation, the president stated that the lockdown is an extension of government's National State of Disaster declared on 15 March. He stated that authorities deployed to implement the lockdown would ensure peace and order, as well as extend support and comfort during this time.

The president emphasized that the nationwide lockdown is necessary to disrupt the chain of transmission across society. In his address, he called on everyone to adhere to the regulations in order to avoid ''a human catastrophe.''

The president closed his address with an appeal for everyone to play their part. ''I call on all of us to be courageous, patient, and show compassion,'' he said.

The details of the lockdown will be made public over the next few days.

​Text A: Country goes in Lockdown

Lead On

Text A and B describe the same event but differ significantly in tone and style.

1. Tone:
Text A - Neutral and formal. It focuses on delivering the facts without much emotional language.
Text B - Emotional and dramatic. It uses more expressive language to convey the gravity of the situation and to highlight the presidents qualities.

2. Word choice:
Text A - uses neutral and factual language, such as ''announced'', ''stated''.
Text B - uses more charged language, such as ''hard-pressed'', ''stunned'', ''beloved'' etc.

3. Purpose:
Text A - Aims to inform reader of the president's announcement and the rationale behind the lockdown.
Text B - Aims to evoke an emotional response, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation and the president's role in managing it.

4. Description of President:
Text A - refers to the president simply as ''the president'' without additional descriptors.
Text B - refers to the president as ''hard-pressed'', ''resourceful'' and ''decisive.''

5. Structure:
Text A - follows a straightforward, fact-based strucutre, presenting the information clearly and concisely.
Text B - uses more narrative structure, with detailed descriptions and a focus on the emotional impact of the event.

Multiple Choice

What tone is depicted in Text A?

• A neutral tone.

• A serious tone.

• An emotional tone.

• A disinterested tone.

Multiple Select

Which text do you react to with a sense of Patriotism?

• Text A

• Text B

Multiple Choice

Which text has Manipulated you to react emotionally?

• Text A

• Text B

Multiple Choice

Which article is biased about the country's leadership?

• Text A

• Text B

Multiple Choice

Is it biased in favor of or against the leadership?

• In favor of

• Against