In 2024, people in the U.S. are talking a lot about “polarization.” This word means people are very divided and have strong, different opinions. The election made people feel very split, like they can’t agree. Some people think the other side is really bad. This is why “polarization” is the word of the year.

The word “polarization” is used in many parts of life, not just politics. It shows how people are having a hard time agreeing on things. The dictionary helps people understand words better. Other words like “demure” and “fortnight” are also important this year. These words help us talk about what’s happening in the world.

Original news source: ‘Polarization’ is Merriam-Webster’s 2024 word of the year (AP News)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– CHARADES
Instructions: Have students act out the word “polarization” without speaking, using gestures and expressions. The rest of the class will guess the word. Afterward, discuss what “polarization” means.

– VOCABULARY PICTIONARY
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Each group will choose a word from the article (e.g., “polarization,” “demure,” “fortnight”) and draw it on the board while the other groups guess the word.

– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Ask students to walk around the classroom and ask their classmates if they agree or disagree with the statement: “Polarization is a problem in our society.” They will tally the results and share them with the class.

– TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE
Instructions: Each student will write down two true statements and one false statement about polarization (based on what they learned from the article). They will share their statements, and the class will guess which one is the lie.

– MIND MAP
Instructions: On the board, write the word “polarization” in the center. Have students come up one by one to add words or phrases that relate to “polarization” (e.g., “opinions,” “division,” “election”) to create a mind map.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What does the word “polarization” mean?
2. Why are people in the U.S. talking about “polarization” in 2024?
3. How do people feel about each other because of “polarization”?
4. Can “polarization” happen in things other than politics?
5. What does the dictionary do for people?
6. What are two other words mentioned in the article?
7. Why are these words important this year?
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🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In 2024, people in the U.S. are (1)______ a lot about “polarization.” This word means people are very divided and have strong, different opinions. The (2)______ made people feel very split, like they can’t (3)______. Some people (4)______ the other side is really bad. This is why “polarization” is the word of the year.

The word “polarization” is used in many parts of life, not just (5)______. It shows how people are having a hard time agreeing on things. The (6)______ helps people understand (7)______ better. Other words like “demure” and “fortnight” are also (8)______ this year. These words help us talk about what’s happening in the world.
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💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is a strong opinion?
2. How would you feel if your friend disagrees with you?
3. Do you like talking about different opinions? Why or why not?
4. What is a word you like?
5. How would you feel if everyone agreed with you?
6. Do you think it is good to have different opinions? Why?
7. What is a time you disagreed with someone?
8. How do you feel when people argue?
9. Do you like learning new words? Why or why not?
10. What is a happy opinion you have?
11. How would you feel if you could not agree with your family?
12. Do you think it is okay to have different ideas? Why?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. polarization
2. divided
3. opinions
4. election
5. split
6. agree
7. politics
8. dictionary
9. demure
10. fortnight

Meanings:
(A) When people think the same way
(B) Being quiet and not showing off
(C) Two weeks time
(D) The way people run a country
(E) When something is in parts, not together
(F) A book that tells you what words mean
(G) When something is broken into parts
(H) A time when people choose leaders
(I) When people think very differently and can’t get along
(J) What people think or believe about something
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What does “polarization” mean?
(a) People are happy
(b) People are very divided
(c) People are sleeping
(d) People are eating

2. What year is mentioned in the article?
(a) 2023
(b) 2025
(c) 2022
(d) 2024

3. What do people in the U.S. feel about each other?
(a) They feel united
(b) They feel split
(c) They feel sleepy
(d) They feel hungry

4. What is one reason people use the word “polarization”?
(a) To show strong opinions
(b) To tell jokes
(c) To sing songs
(d) To play games

5. What helps people understand words better?
(a) The dictionary
(b) A toy
(c) A book
(d) A movie

6. Which word is mentioned in the article besides “polarization”?
(a) Happy
(b) Fast
(c) Big
(d) Demure

7. What does the article say about agreeing?
(a) It is easy for people
(b) It is funny for people
(c) It is hard for people
(d) It is boring for people

8. What is the main topic of the article?
(a) Animals
(b) Food
(c) Polarization
(d) Travel

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Other words like “assertive” and “decade” are also important this year.
2. 5. “Polarization” is the word of the year in 2024.
3. The word “alignment” is used in many parts of life, not just politics.
4. The election made people feel very united.
5. 2. “Polarization” means people have weak and similar opinions.
6. People in the U.S. are talking about a word called “polarization.”
7. Some people think the other side is really bad.
8. These words help us understand what is happening in the world.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Check your writing now with the best free AI for English writing!

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.
Check your answers with our free English writing assistant!

1. What does the word “polarization” mean?
2. Why are people in the U.S. talking about “polarization”?
3. How do people feel about each other during the election?
4. Can “polarization” happen in places other than politics?
5. What can the dictionary help us do?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What does the word “polarization” mean?
“Polarization” means people are very divided and have strong, different opinions.

2. Why are people in the U.S. talking about “polarization” in 2024?
People are talking about “polarization” because the election made them feel very split and unable to agree.

3. How do people feel about each other because of “polarization”?
People feel like the other side is really bad and they can’t agree.

4. Can “polarization” happen in things other than politics?
Yes, “polarization” can happen in many parts of life, not just politics.

5. What does the dictionary do for people?
The dictionary helps people understand words better.

6. What are two other words mentioned in the article?
The two other words are “demure” and “fortnight.”

7. Why are these words important this year?
These words are important because they help us talk about what’s happening in the world.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) talking
(2) election
(3) agree
(4) think
(5) politics
(6) dictionary
(7) words
(8) important
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. polarization
Answer: (I) When people think very differently and can’t get along

2. divided
Answer: (E) When something is in parts, not together

3. opinions
Answer: (J) What people think or believe about something

4. election
Answer: (H) A time when people choose leaders

5. split
Answer: (G) When something is broken into parts

6. agree
Answer: (A) When people think the same way

7. politics
Answer: (D) The way people run a country

8. dictionary
Answer: (F) A book that tells you what words mean

9. demure
Answer: (B) Being quiet and not showing off

10. fortnight
Answer: (C) Two weeks time
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What does “polarization” mean?
Answer: (b) People are very divided

2. What year is mentioned in the article?
Answer: (d) 2024

3. What do people in the U.S. feel about each other?
Answer: (b) They feel split

4. What is one reason people use the word “polarization”?
Answer: (a) To show strong opinions

5. What helps people understand words better?
Answer: (a) The dictionary

6. Which word is mentioned in the article besides “polarization”?
Answer: (d) Demure

7. What does the article say about agreeing?
Answer: (c) It is hard for people

8. What is the main topic of the article?
Answer: (c) Polarization
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Other words like “assertive” and “decade” are also important this year. (Answer: False)
2. 5. “Polarization” is the word of the year in 2024. (Answer: True)
3. The word “alignment” is used in many parts of life, not just politics. (Answer: False)
4. The election made people feel very united. (Answer: False)
5. 2. “Polarization” means people have weak and similar opinions. (Answer: False)
6. People in the U.S. are talking about a word called “polarization.” (Answer: True)
7. Some people think the other side is really bad. (Answer: True)
8. These words help us understand what is happening in the world. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧