Gerrymandering
I will send out some handy tips and useful exercises for adults learning to navigate and use the English language each week. Please feel free to share this newsletter with friends and colleagues.
The U.S. Presidential elections are getting close and the results could impact people all over the world, so for the next few weeks, we will explore some unique qualities of the American election process. Today, we will look at gerrymandering. Gerrymandering is the practice of drawing electoral districts to give one party or group an unfair advantage or to dilute their voting power.
Reading Tip
Language Level – B2
Any healthy, functioning democracy operates on two core principles: that each person’s vote counts equally, and that the law applies to everyone the same, regardless of wealth, race, gender or political party. Gerrymandering, the practice of drawing district boundaries to advantage a specific party or community, poses a grave threat to both of these foundational principles.
Finish reading the article here: https://msmagazine.com/2024/05/01/gerrymandering-voters/
(NOTE: This is a long and detailed article, but very informative and easy to follow)
Listening Tip
Language Level – B2
Watch this brief video that explains gerrymandering, how it began and why it can influence the outcomes of U.S. congressional elections.
Grammar Tip
Language Level – A2
Last week, we looked at phrasal verbs – multi-word verbs (or compound verb) made up of a main verb and at least one preposition or a particle that changes the meaning of the verb from the original verb.
This week, we will build on that by exploring transitive and intransitive verbs.
Phrasal verbs that are transitive take a direct object.
Phrasal Verbs that are intransitive do not take a direct object.
A Direct Object is the noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb.
Here are some examples of transitive phrasal verbs. (The direct objects are in bold and the transitive phrasal verbs are underlined.)
- Fill in the form as quickly as possible.
- Did you go over those reports last night?
- I will look into it immediately.
Here are some examples of intransitive phrasal verbs.
- If you’re unhappy, please stand up .
- The lorry is starting to drop back.
- The tree could fall down.
Some phrasal verbs can be transitive or intransitive depending on their meaning. For example:
(This is intransitive. It means “She will appear soon.”)
- She will show up the opposition.
(This is transitive. It means “She will embarrass the opposition.”)
The key is being able to determine if the phrasal verb has a direct object or not.
Some transitive phrasal verbs are separable. This means the direct object appears between the verb and the preposition. For example:
- I will make you up to look like a princess.
- She talked her father into letting her attend the party.
Some transitive phrasal verbs are inseparable. This means the direct object appears after the preposition. For example:
- She looks up to her sister.
- You must stick to the plan at all costs.
When the direct object is a pronoun (like it), you can only use the separable way. For example:
- He looked up it on the National Voter Register. ❌
- He looked it up on the National Voter Register. ✅
Let’s Practice!
Paying attention to the definition of each of the phrasal verbs below, choose whether it is an intransitive phrasal verb (no direct object required) or a transitive phrasal verb that requires a direct object.
1. To look up (to search for)
Is “He looked up.” correct?
Yes, this is fine without a direct object.
No, the sentence needs a direct object.
2. To show up (to appear)
Is “I showed up.” correct?
Yes, this is fine without a direct object.
No, the sentence needs a direct object.
3. To act on (to take action because of some information, etc.)
Is “She acted on.” correct?
Yes, this is fine without a direct object.
No, the sentence needs a direct object.
4. To give up (to stop making an effort; to admit defeat)
Is “We gave up.” correct?
No, the sentence needs a direct object.
Yes, this is fine without a direct object.
5. To kick off (to start)
Is “He kicked off.” correct?
No, the sentence needs a direct object.
Yes, this is fine without a direct object.
6. To back off (to not follow up on a threat)
Is “They backed off.” correct?
No, the sentence needs a direct object.
Yes, this is fine without a direct object.
7. To bail out (to save; to help)
Is “The government bailed out.” correct?
No, the sentence needs a direct object.
Yes, this is fine without a direct object.
8. To pass out (to faint)
Is “She passed out.” correct?
Yes, this is fine without a direct object.
No, the sentence needs a direct object.
9. To pass out (to distribute)
Is “She passed out.” correct?
Yes, this is fine without a direct object.
No, the sentence needs a direct object.
10. To pass away (to die)
Is “His great-grandmother passed away.” correct?
No, the sentence needs a direct object.
Yes, this is fine without a direct object.
11. To make out (to decipher; to understand)
Is “He couldn’t make out.” correct?
No, the sentence needs a direct object.
Yes, this is fine without a direct object.
12. To set up (to arrange)
Is “My brother set up.” correct?
Yes, this is fine without a direct object.
No, the sentence needs a direct object.
Vocabulary Tip
Language Level – B2
We continue to add to our vocabulary words from the Oxford 3000.
A list of 3000 words someone should know if they are taking the CEFR (Common European Framework Reference) language tests.
- Current (n)
- Curve (n, v)
- Curved (adj)
- Date (v)
- Debate (n, v)
- Debt (n)
- Decent (adj)
- Declare (v)
- Decline (v, n)
- Decoration (n)
Study these words with this quizlet.
Each week new words are added to the same quizlet, so all of the B2 level words will be in one list for practice.
Weekly Challenge
There are eight spelling and punctuation errors in the paragraphs below. Can you spot them and correct them?
Language Level – B2
The physical impact of Gerrymandering can be seen on any map of congressional districts. Many boundaries zig and zag east and west, north and south across city, township and county lines as if for no reason at all
But the political impactfulness is much more significant. Gerrymandering reduces the number of competitive congressional races across the United States by segregating like-minded voters from each other.
Gerrymandering has become common in american politics and are often blamed for the gridlock in Congress, polarization of the electorate and disenfranchisement among voters.
President Barack Obama speaking in his final State of the Union address in 2016 called on both the Republican and Democratic parties to end the practice.
“If we want a better politics, it’s not enough just to change a congressman or change a senator or even change a president. We have to change the system to reflect our better selfs. I think we’ve got to end the practice of drawing our congressional districts so that politicians can pick their voters, and not the other way around. Let a bipartisan group do it.”
In the end, though, most cases of gerrymandering are legal.
Questions?
