Peru’s former president, Alberto Fujimori, has been let out of jail after being locked up for more than 15 years. The 85-year-old left Lima’s Barbadillo prison with lots of people supporting him. The country’s highest court agreed with a decision made six years ago to let him go. Fujimori is a controversial person because he was put in jail for being corrupt and violating people’s human rights when he was in charge. He was supposed to stay in jail for 25 years, but now he’s free. He left the prison wearing a face mask and was with his children, Kenji and Keiko Fujimori.

Some people think Alberto Fujimori is a hero because they believe he saved Peru from terrorism and a bad economy. But others think he’s a bad leader because he didn’t care about democracy and just wanted to stay in power. Fujimori, whose parents came from Japan, ruled with a lot of power from 1990 to 2000, and his time as president had many big events. His government tried really hard to stop violent groups, but about 69,000 people died because of it.

Years after he stopped being president, Fujimori was found guilty of giving and taking bribes, using his power in a bad way, and hurting people’s human rights. He was given a 25-year prison sentence, including for saying it was okay for death squads to kill people. When he was first sentenced in 2009, people thought he would stay in jail for the rest of his life because he was 70 years old. But in December 2017, he was moved to a hospital because he was really sick, and President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski let him go because he said Fujimori was too sick to stay in jail and might die.

In the end, some people in Peru are happy that Alberto Fujimori is out of jail, but others are upset. Some think he saved the country, while others think he was a bad leader who hurt people. The highest court said it was okay to let him go because he was really sick.

Original news source: Alberto Fujimori: Peru’s ex-president freed after 15 years in jail (BBC)

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Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Have students read the article individually and then summarize the main points in their own words. They can then share their summaries with a partner or in small groups.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups: one group who believes Alberto Fujimori is a hero and another group who believes he is a bad leader. Give each group time to discuss and gather reasons to support their opinion. Then, have each group present their arguments to the class and conduct a poll to see which opinion is more popular among the students.

– Sketch It
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, have students choose a key event mentioned in the article and draw a sketch representing that event. After they finish, they can share their sketches with the class and explain their choices.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write down important vocabulary words from the article on separate cards or pieces of paper. Divide the class into two teams. One student from each team will come to the front of the class and pick a word without showing it to their team. They will then have to draw the word on the board while their team tries to guess what it is. The team that guesses correctly gets a point.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Have students imagine that they are writing a news article about Alberto Fujimori ten years from now. In small groups, they should discuss and make predictions about what might have happened to him by then. They can consider his personal life, political influence, and public perception. After the discussion, each group can share their predictions with the class.

Comprehension Questions:

1. Why was Alberto Fujimori in jail for more than 15 years?
2. What did the country’s highest court decide about Fujimori’s release?
3. Why is Alberto Fujimori a controversial person?
4. Who was with Fujimori when he left the prison?
5. Why do some people think Fujimori is a hero?
6. Why do others think Fujimori is a bad leader?
7. What were some of the big events during Fujimori’s time as president?
8. Why did President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski let Fujimori go from jail?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Peru’s former president, Alberto Fujimori, has been let out of jail after being (1)______ up for more than 15 (2)______. The 85-year-old left Lima’s Barbadillo prison with lots of people supporting him. The country’s highest (3)______ agreed with a decision made six years ago to let him go. Fujimori is a controversial person because he was put in jail for being corrupt and violating people’s human rights when he was in charge. He was (4)______ to stay in jail for 25 years, but now he’s free. He left the (5)______ wearing a face mask and was with his children, Kenji and Keiko Fujimori.

Some people (6)______ Alberto Fujimori is a hero because they believe he saved Peru from terrorism and a bad economy. But others think he’s a bad leader because he didn’t care about (7)______ and just wanted to stay in power. Fujimori, whose (8)______ came from Japan, ruled with a lot of power from 1990 to 2000, and his time as president had many big events. His government tried really hard to stop (9)______ groups, but about 69,000 people died because of it.

Years after he stopped being president, Fujimori was found guilty of giving and taking (10)______, using his power in a bad way, and hurting people’s (11)______ rights. He was given a 25-year prison sentence, including for saying it was okay for death squads to kill people. When he was first (12)______ in 2009, people thought he would stay in jail for the rest of his life because he was 70 years old. But in December 2017, he was moved to a (13)______ because he was really sick, and President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski let him go because he said Fujimori was too sick to stay in jail and might die.

In the end, some (14)______ in Peru are happy that Alberto Fujimori is out of jail, but others are upset. Some think he saved the country, while others think he was a bad (15)______ who hurt people. The (16)______ court said it was okay to let him go because he was really sick.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is corruption and why is it considered bad?
2. How would you feel if a leader of your country was found guilty of violating human rights?
3. Do you think it’s fair for someone to be released from jail because they are sick? Why or why not?
4. What is democracy and why is it important?
5. How would you feel if a leader of your country had a lot of power and didn’t care about democracy?
6. Do you think it’s possible for a leader to both save a country and be a bad leader at the same time? Why or why not?
7. What is terrorism and why is it dangerous?
8. How would you feel if a leader of your country tried really hard to stop violent groups but many people still died as a result?
9. Do you think it’s ever okay for death squads to kill people? Why or why not?
10. What is a bribe and why is it considered wrong?
11. How would you feel if a leader of your country was found guilty of giving and taking bribes?
12. Do you think it’s fair for a leader to be sentenced to prison for the rest of their life? Why or why not?
13. What is your opinion on President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski’s decision to let Fujimori go? Do you agree or disagree? Why?
14. How would you feel if a leader of your country was released from jail and some people were happy about it while others were upset?
15. Do you think the highest court made the right decision to let Fujimori go? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. controversial
2. corrupt
3. violating
4. democracy
5. terrorism
6. economy
7. power
8. violent
9. bribes
10. squads
11. sentenced
12. hospital
13. upset
14. court
15. sick

Meanings:
(A) The ability or capacity to do something or act in a particular way
(B) Money or gifts given or offered to someone to influence their behavior or decisions in a dishonest way
(C) Officially given a punishment, usually involving time in prison
(D) The state of a country or region in terms of the production and consumption of goods and services
(E) Breaking or not following a law or rule
(F) The use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, especially for political purposes
(G) Affected by illness or disease
(H) Small groups of people organized for a particular purpose, especially for carrying out illegal or violent activities
(I) A tribunal presided over by a judge, judges, or a magistrate in civil and criminal cases
(J) A place where people receive medical treatment and care
(K) Causing disagreement or argument
(L) Dishonest and willing to do illegal things for personal gain
(M) Involving or characterized by physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something
(N) A system of government in which people vote to choose their leaders
(O) Feeling unhappy, disappointed, or angry about something
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Why was Alberto Fujimori in jail?
(a) For saving Peru from terrorism and a bad economy
(b) For ruling with a lot of power from 1990 to 2000
(c) For being corrupt and violating people’s human rights
(d) For being sick and needing medical attention

2. How long was Fujimori supposed to stay in jail?
(a) 15 years
(b) 25 years
(c) 10 years
(d) 5 years

3. Who supported Fujimori when he left jail?
(a) Nobody
(b) His children
(c) The highest court
(d) Lots of people

4. Why do some people think Fujimori is a hero?
(a) They believe he saved Peru from terrorism and a bad economy
(b) They think he was a bad leader who hurt people
(c) They believe he ruled with a lot of power from 1990 to 2000
(d) They think he was corrupt and violated people’s human rights

5. How many people died because of Fujimori’s government’s actions?
(a) About 50,000 people
(b) About 100,000 people
(c) About 69,000 people
(d) About 20,000 people

6. What was Fujimori found guilty of?
(a) Saving Peru from terrorism and a bad economy
(b) Giving and taking bribes, using his power in a bad way, and hurting people’s human rights
(c) Ruling with a lot of power from 1990 to 2000
(d) Being sick and needing medical attention

7. Why was Fujimori moved to a hospital in December 2017?
(a) Because he was really sick
(b) Because he wanted to escape from jail
(c) Because he was too old to stay in jail
(d) Because President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski wanted to release him

8. Why did the highest court agree to let Fujimori go?
(a) Because he saved Peru from terrorism and a bad economy
(b) Because he was a bad leader who hurt people
(c) Because he was corrupt and violated people’s human rights
(d) Because he was really sick

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Alberto Fujimori, the former president of Peru, has been released from jail after being imprisoned for over 15 years.
2. Fujimori was initially imprisoned for philanthropy and human rights violations during his time in power.
3. Despite being sentenced to 25 years in prison, Fujimori is still incarcerated.
4. He left the prison without wearing a face mask and was accompanied by his children, Kenji and Keiko Fujimori.
5. However, others consider him a bad leader who disregarded democracy and sought to maintain his own power.
6. Some people view Fujimori as a hero for his efforts to combat terrorism and improve the country’s economy.
7. The decision to release Fujimori was made by Peru’s lowest court, which disagreed with a previous ruling made six years ago.
8. Fujimori’s presidency, which lasted from 1990 to 2000, was marked by significant events and a strong governing style.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. Who is Alberto Fujimori and why was he in jail?
2. Why do some people consider Fujimori a hero?
3. What were some of the big events that happened during Fujimori’s time as president?
4. Why was Fujimori given a 25-year prison sentence?
5. Why did President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski let Fujimori go from jail?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Why was Alberto Fujimori in jail for more than 15 years?
Alberto Fujimori was in jail for more than 15 years because he was found guilty of being corrupt and violating people’s human rights when he was in charge.

2. What did the country’s highest court decide about Fujimori’s release?
The country’s highest court agreed with a decision made six years ago to release Fujimori from jail.

3. Why is Alberto Fujimori a controversial person?
Alberto Fujimori is a controversial person because he was put in jail for being corrupt and violating people’s human rights when he was in charge. Some people think he is a hero for saving Peru from terrorism and a bad economy, while others think he is a bad leader who didn’t care about democracy and just wanted to stay in power.

4. Who was with Fujimori when he left the prison?
Fujimori was with his children, Kenji and Keiko Fujimori, when he left the prison.

5. Why do some people think Fujimori is a hero?
Some people think Fujimori is a hero because they believe he saved Peru from terrorism and a bad economy.

6. Why do others think Fujimori is a bad leader?
Others think Fujimori is a bad leader because they believe he didn’t care about democracy and only wanted to stay in power. Additionally, his government’s efforts to stop violent groups resulted in the death of about 69,000 people.

7. What were some of the big events during Fujimori’s time as president?
During Fujimori’s time as president, his government tried to stop violent groups, but about 69,000 people died because of it. He also faced accusations of giving and taking bribes, using his power in a bad way, and violating people’s human rights.

8. Why did President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski let Fujimori go from jail?
President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski let Fujimori go from jail because Fujimori was really sick and was moved to a hospital in December 2017. Kuczynski believed that Fujimori was too sick to stay in jail and might die.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) locked
(2) years
(3) court
(4) supposed
(5) prison
(6) think
(7) democracy
(8) parents
(9) violent
(10) bribes
(11) human
(12) sentenced
(13) hospital
(14) people
(15) leader
(16) highest
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. controversial
Answer: (K) Causing disagreement or argument

2. corrupt
Answer: (L) Dishonest and willing to do illegal things for personal gain

3. violating
Answer: (E) Breaking or not following a law or rule

4. democracy
Answer: (N) A system of government in which people vote to choose their leaders

5. terrorism
Answer: (F) The use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, especially for political purposes

6. economy
Answer: (D) The state of a country or region in terms of the production and consumption of goods and services

7. power
Answer: (A) The ability or capacity to do something or act in a particular way

8. violent
Answer: (M) Involving or characterized by physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something

9. bribes
Answer: (B) Money or gifts given or offered to someone to influence their behavior or decisions in a dishonest way

10. squads
Answer: (H) Small groups of people organized for a particular purpose, especially for carrying out illegal or violent activities

11. sentenced
Answer: (C) Officially given a punishment, usually involving time in prison

12. hospital
Answer: (J) A place where people receive medical treatment and care

13. upset
Answer: (O) Feeling unhappy, disappointed, or angry about something

14. court
Answer: (I) A tribunal presided over by a judge, judges, or a magistrate in civil and criminal cases

15. sick
Answer: (G) Affected by illness or disease
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Why was Alberto Fujimori in jail?
Answer: (c) For being corrupt and violating people’s human rights

2. How long was Fujimori supposed to stay in jail?
Answer: (b) 25 years

3. Who supported Fujimori when he left jail?
Answer: (d) Lots of people

4. Why do some people think Fujimori is a hero?
Answer: (a) They believe he saved Peru from terrorism and a bad economy

5. How many people died because of Fujimori’s government’s actions?
Answer: (c) About 69,000 people

6. What was Fujimori found guilty of?
Answer: (b) Giving and taking bribes, using his power in a bad way, and hurting people’s human rights

7. Why was Fujimori moved to a hospital in December 2017?
Answer: (a) Because he was really sick

8. Why did the highest court agree to let Fujimori go?
Answer: (d) Because he was really sick
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Alberto Fujimori, the former president of Peru, has been released from jail after being imprisoned for over 15 years. (Answer: True)
2. Fujimori was initially imprisoned for philanthropy and human rights violations during his time in power. (Answer: False)
3. Despite being sentenced to 25 years in prison, Fujimori is still incarcerated. (Answer: False)
4. He left the prison without wearing a face mask and was accompanied by his children, Kenji and Keiko Fujimori. (Answer: False)
5. However, others consider him a bad leader who disregarded democracy and sought to maintain his own power. (Answer: True)
6. Some people view Fujimori as a hero for his efforts to combat terrorism and improve the country’s economy. (Answer: True)
7. The decision to release Fujimori was made by Peru’s lowest court, which disagreed with a previous ruling made six years ago. (Answer: False)
8. Fujimori’s presidency, which lasted from 1990 to 2000, was marked by significant events and a strong governing style. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧