L6-U2-P3-1 Listening : The murder of Caesa

The murder of Caesar

In this course, we have tried to prepare you to understand and discuss important topics that are often in the news.

Sometimes the news is good news, but all too often we learn of problems and crises.

Once in a while an event is extraordinary and will change the world.

In this lesson, we focus on an event that changed history forever.

This historical event was the assassination of the Roman leader, Julius Caesar.

We will never know how history might have been different had this event not taken place,

but we can speculate what caused it and how it might had been prevented.

(1) In this course, we have tried to prepare you to understand and discuss important topics that are often in the news.
(2) Sometimes the news is good news, but all too often we learn of problems and crises.
(3) Once in a while an event is extraordinary and will change the world.
(4) In this lesson, we focus on an event that changed history forever.

We will never know how history might have been different had this event not taken place,

This kind of language is often used in news reports.

One of the most famous assassinations in history was the assassination of Julius Caesar.

At the time of his death in 44 B.C., he was the leader of the Rome empire.

His title was "Dictator for life" which meant he had absolute authority for as long as he lived.

He had gained this power through his successes as military commander.

In fact, some historians considerhim to be one of the greatest military commanders in history.

- military successes

One of the most famous assassinations in history was the assassination of Julius Caesar.

His title was "Dictator for life" which meant he had absolute authority for as long as he lived.

We will never know how history might have been different had this event not taken place

He had gained this power through his successes as military commander.

Sometimes the news is good news, but all too often we learn of problems and crises.

Once in a while an event is extraordinary and will change the world.

Once gaining power he fought against corruption and began to restructure the government.

For example,he increased the number of senators and changed how they were chosen.

Instead of being elected, they could be appointed, even if they were not from Rome.

These actions reduced the power of individual senators and shifted the power to Caesar himself.

In doing so, he created many enemies, especially among the aristocracy.

However he also had many admirers who supported his efforts to end corruption.

The aristocracy ...is the ruling class of a country.

Why would many aristocracies against to him?  -He was reducing their power.

What’s an example of how he restructure the government? -He changed how senators were chosen.

Caesar was stabbed to death by a group of Rome senators on March 15th, 44 B.C.

He was scheduled to leave Rome three days later to fight another war.

He had appointed members of his army to rule the empire while he was away.

This action anger many in the Rome senate who didn't want to take orders from Caesar’s subordinates.

He should have been aware that many of the senators hated him, but he dismissed his security force, not long before the assassination.

If he hadn't dismissed it, the assassination attempt might not have succeeded.

- a group of army subordinates.

What shouldn't he have done? -He dismissed his security force.

If he hadn't dismissed it, the assassination attempt might not have succeeded.

He increased the number of senators and changed how they were chosen.

He should have been aware that many of the senators hated him.

If he hadn’t acted against the aristocracy, he wouldn’t have created as many enemies.

What should he have been aware of? - Many of the senators hated him.

He appointed members of his army to rule while he was away from Rome.

He should have been aware that many of the senators hated him.

If he hadn’t acted against the aristocracy, he wouldn’t have created as many enemies.

He may have been overconfident and unaware of the magnitude of the danger facing him.

On the day of his assassination, it is reported that Caesar may have been handed a warning note as he entered the senate.

If he did receive such a note, he didn't read it.

It seems that as if he was in a state of denial and refused to recognize the danger that was facing him.

Once he had entered the senate, he was surrounded by senators holding daggers or knives.

The first blow hit Caesar in his neck and drew blood,

Then the other senators joined in and stabbed him repeatedly until he fell to the floor and died.

In total he suffered 23 knife wounds.

If Caesar received a warning note, why didn't he read it?- He may have been overconfident and in a state of denial.

On the day of his assassination, it is reported that Caesar may have been handed a warning note as he entered the senate. If he did receive such a note, he didn't read it. It seems that as if he was in a state of denial and refused to recognize the danger that was facing him. Once he had entered the senate, he was surrounded by senators holding daggers or knives.

How did Caesar contribute to his own death? -He refused to realize how his actions had angered so many powerful men.

If he did receive the warning note and had read it, he might have escaped.

With his death power shifted to his adopted son, Octavian, who vowed revenge against the assassins.

Eventually, several of the leading of assassins were either killed or committed suicide.

After a power struggle, Octavian strengthened his position as leader and ruled the empire for many years.

In the end, Caesar's attempts to end corruption failed.

With his death power shifted to his adopted son, Octavian, who vowed revenge against the assassins. Eventually, several of the leading of assassins were either killed or committed suicide.

If he did receive the warning note and had read it, he might have escaped.

Once he had entered the senate, he was surrounded by senators holding daggers or knives.

The first blow hit Caesar in his neck and drew blood

After a power struggle, Octavian strengthened his position as leader and ruled the empire for many years.

He contributed to his own death by not realizing how his actions had angered so many powerful men.

Eventually, several of the leading of assassins were either killed or committed suicide.

He may have been overconfident and unaware of the magnitude of the danger facing him.

If he did receive such a note, he didn't read it.

He contributed to his own death by not realizing how his actions had angered so many powerful men.

L6-U2-P3-2 Listening : JFK Assassination

JFK Assassination

One of the most historic events of the 20th century was the assassination of US President, John Kennedy.

Kennedy was the 35th president of the United States, serving as President from January 1961 until November 1963.

During his time in office the US entered the space race with the Soviet Union.

Kennedy pledged that the US would land a man on the moon by the end of the decade.

Unfortunately, he never lived to see this happen.

He never lived to see the landing of a man on the moon.

One of the most historic events of the 20th century was the assassination of US President, John Kennedy.

In October of 1962, the US and the Soviet Union came dangerously close to entering a full-scale nuclear war.

This event was known as the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Kennedy's skillful handlingof the situation,along with that of his Soviet counterpart, Nikita Khrushchev, helped save the world from a nuclear catastrophe.

Following this event, his approval rating in the United States improved from 66% to 77%.

To many, he was considered to be the type of leader who could build a better world.

- It was improved

To many, he was considered to be the type of leader who could build a better world.

Kennedy pledged that the US would land a man on the moon by the end of the decade.

He never lived to see the landing of a man on the moon.

His approval rating improved to 77 percent after the Cuban Missile Crisis.

On November 22, 1963, Kennedy's presidency came to a sudden and tragic end.

He was shot and killed while riding in a motorcade in the city of Dallas, Texas.

Kennedy and his wife were sitting in an open car, waving to a large crowd of people when he was shot.

They were sitting in an open car, with no protection, because the sky was clear.

It had rained until about 10 a.m., but then the sun came out.

If the sky hadn't cleared, there would have been a bubble top, or clear roof, on the car.

This would have prevented the assassination.

Kennedy wanted it down so that he could be closer to the crowds who were there to greet him.

...the car hadn't been used without its bubble top.

If the sky hadn't cleared, there would have been a bubble top, or clear roof, on the car.This would have prevented the assassination.

If the sky hadn’t cleared they couldn’t have been in an open car.

Another factor that contributed to the assassination was the route of the motorcade through the city.

The route was published several days earlier in the local newspapers.

The motorcade was to pass through downtown Dallas and round a sharp corner near the building where the assassin worked.

From that building, there was a clear view of the president's car.

If the route had been different, the assassination probably wouldn't have taken place.

...the assassin would have had to change plans or give up the attempt.

They were sitting in an open car, with no protection, because the sky was clear.

If the sky hadn’t cleared they couldn’t have been in an open car.

From that building, there was a clear view of the president's car.

The motorcade passed close by the building where he worked.

It had rained until about 10 a.m., but then the sun came out.

If the sky hadn’t cleared they couldn’t have been in an open car.

If the route had been different, the assassination probably wouldn't have taken place.

The president was struck by two bullets,but it was the second one that probably killed him.

That was the fatal shot.

It opened a massive wound in his head.

Sitting beside him, his wife's last words to her husband were: "Jack, Jack, can you hear me? I love you Jack."

The assassin's quick shots were incredibly accurate.

If the fatal shot had been off by just a little, Kennedy might have survived.

If the fatal shot had been off by just a little, Kennedy might have survived.

The fatal shot was the one that killed the president.

So if any of these factors had been different, history would have changed.

Kennedy's death disillusioned many Americans who had been inspired by his vision for the future.

With his death, a whole generation of Americans woke up to a reality where their dreams for a brighter future had been shattered.

- inspired

With his death, a whole generation of Americans woke up to a reality where their dreams for a brighter future had been shattered.

If the fatal shot had been off by just a little, Kennedy might have survived.

The president was struck by two bullets,but it was the second one that probably killed him.

It’s highly unlikely that the assassin would have used that location had the view not been clear.

In 1962, the world came dangerously close to entering a full-scale nuclear war.

The assassination would have been prevented if the car hadn't been used without its bubble top.

So if any of these factors had been different, history would have changed.

The fatal shot was the one that killed the president.

The assassination of Kennedy shattered the dreams of many Americans.

It’s highly unlikely that the assassin would have used that location had the view not been clear.

L6-U2-P3-3 Dialogue : Taking care of elderly

Taking care of elderly

I'm sorry to hear about your father. 

I hope he died peacefully.

Emm, he knewthatit was coming, and he had a good life.

He’d been sick for about a year.

Luckily, there wasn't much pain.

So, how was your mother?

She isn't taking it well.

Even though she knew it was coming, she has a hard time without him.

She says the house seems so empty, and she feels useless.

How did her father die? - He died after a long illness.

Luckily, there wasn't much pain.

He’d been sick for about a year.

She’s having a hard time because she feels useless.

I can imagine.

Does she have many friends?

She has a few, but she's never been very social.

Maybe she'll get out a bit more now, but I don't think that's real likely.

She is also beginning to lose her memory.

Oh, that's too bad.

My mom is losing her memory too.

Sometimes she doesn't know who I am.

She mixes me up with my sister.

Why is unlikely that her mother would begin to make more friends? - She's never been very social.

Does she live by herself?

She did until about a year ago.

Then we had her come and stay with us.

How is that working out?

It was okay at first, but now with her memory problems, it isn't working.

We are thinking about putting her into a senior living community.

It's expensive, but it can provide her with the support she needs.

They are thinking about putting her mother into a senior community because ...her memory problems are getting worse.

(1) Does she live by herself?
(2) She did until about a year ago.
(3) Then we had her come and stay with us.
(4) How is that working out?
(5) It was okay at first, but now with her memory problems, it isn't working.

She did until about a year ago.

It was okay at first, but now with her memory problems, it isn't working.

Senior communities generally provide meals and medical support.

She’s never been very social, so it’s unlikely that she will go out to meet new friends.

Her mother’s memory problems have gotten worse, so it’s more difficult to live with her.

We may have to do that too.

My husband and mother don't get along at all.

He can't relax when she is around.

When I mentioned it to him, he said he would consider it, but only if it were for a very short time.

Well, I'm sorry you have to deal with it.

It doesn't seem like there are any good choices.

Emm, I'm afraid that's right.

We are getting older, too.

There's another reminder of our mortality.

You are no longer children, so now it's our turn to take care of our parents.

Under what condition will her husband agree to have her mother come and live with them? -It has to be for a very short time.

The way I see it, it's a reminder for us to enjoy life what we can.

If you'd like, I can send you information about some senior communities.

Please do, we need some making plans.

There are waiting lists to get inside them, so you shouldn't wait to apply.

Why did they need to start making plans? They shouldn't wait because some options require a waiting period.

It doesn't seem like there are any good choices.

She's never been very social, so it's unlikely that she will go out to meet new friends.

Sometimes she doesn't know who I am.

They need to start making plans because some options require a waiting period.

Her mother's memory problems have gotten worse, so it's more difficult to live with her.

L6-U2-P3-4 Reading : The murder of Caesar

The Murder of Caesar

Should a good leader be loved or feared? This question is as relevant to leaders today as it was to Julius Caesar when he took control of Rome in 44 BC. How Caesar treated his enemies is a valuable lesson on forgiveness, arrogance, and absolute power.

After Caesar seized power, he had to decide how to handle those who opposed him. Roman politics had always been bloody. The previous dictator had murdered 5 ,000 of his rivals and confiscated their property after coming to power. Caesar's enemies expected a similar punishment.

But Caesar was determined not to rule through fear. If he were to reform the government, he would need the support of the people.So he made a fateful decision: rather than punish or kill his enemies, he offered them mercy and incentives. He didn't seize their property, and he even rewarded some of them with high-ranking government positions.

However, not all of his enemies wanted to be forgiven. Caesar's rivals came from the aristocracy. Many had held power in the Senate for centuries. By expanding and reforming the Senate, Caesar had shifted power away from the aristocracy and taken it for himself. The high-ranking positions he had given as rewards had no real authority. For the aristocracy, to live without power was not forgiveness, but humiliation.

Caesar should have known that many senators hated him, but his arrogance seems to have blinded him. After he made himself dictator for life, he proclaimed himself a god and consolidated more power. These actions infuriated his enemies and even his allies. However, he still considered many senators to be his loyal friends.He even dismissed his personal security force. Ironically, when he was assassinated, it was his good friend, Brutus, who led the plot.

Perhaps it is better for a leader to be feared. If Caesar hadn't let his rivals live, he might not have been murdered.But was forgiveness the problem? Caesar's reforms took power from the aristocracy, and his arrogance angered both friends and enemies. Perhaps if he hadn't been so arrogant, or acted like a god, he would have survived.

- Arrogance can be a dangerous quality in a leader.

- They feel angry and humiliate

To humiliate someone means ...to make them feel foolish and ashamed.

To reform something means ...to make changes to it to improve it.

By expanding and reforming the Senate, Caesar had shifted power away from the aristocracy and taken it for himself. 

Caesarshould have known that many senators hated him, but his arroganceseems to have blinded him.

By expanding and reforming the Senate, Caesar had shifted power away from the aristocracy and taken it for himself.

After Caesar seized power, he had to decide how to handle those who opposed him. Roman politics had always been bloody. The previous dictator had murdered 5 ,000 of his rivals and confiscated their property after coming to power. Caesar's enemies expected a similar punishment.

(1) Caesar should have known that many senators hated him, but his arrogance seems to have blinded him.
(2) After he made himself dictator for life, he proclaimed himself a god and consolidated more power.
(3) These actions infuriated his enemies and even his allies. 
(4) However, he still considered many senators to be his loyal friends.

If he were to reform the government, he would need the support of the people.

If Caesar hadn't let his rivals live, he might not have been murdered.

However, he still considered many senators to be his loyal friends.

The previous dictator had murdered 5 ,000 of his rivals and confiscated their property after coming to power.

This question is as relevant to leaders today as it was to Julius Caesar when he took control of Rome in 44 BC.

How did Ceasar treat his enemies after he seized power? He offered them mercy and incentives.

What does the author believe about Ceasar's arrogance? It blinded him to the dangers around him and led to his death.

To infuriate someone means ...to make them feel extremely angry.

To confiscate something means ...to take possession of it.

How had the previous dictator handled those who opposit him? The previous dictator had murdered 5 ,000 of his rivals and confiscated their property after coming to power.

How did Ceasar handle his opposition? So he made a fateful decision: rather than punish or kill his enemies, he offered them mercy and incentives.

L6-U2-P3-5 Reading : Urban Elderly Care in India

Urban Elderly Care in India

Lack of adequate care for senior citizens is a real issue in India that cuts across economic and social strata. Many of us have personally lived through and experienced it with our parents and elders. Most senior citizens, especially those who live independently, are unable to get the care and trusted support they need. As a result, they compromise on their needs and lifestyle. Their children or caregivers are forced to spend disproportionate time, and/or resources to support them. so much so that many women are forced to stay away from the workforce to take care of elders at home.

The imminent demographic,economic,and social changes that accompany the growing population of senior citizens,together with the rising aspirations of the young, leading to more women in the workforce,are rapidly driving up the magnitude of this problem. If we look at numbers,India is home to 115 million elderly,which is more than 8% of the population. Many of us don't realize it,but that puts India into the category of "aging' countries. While India's overall population will growby about 40% from 2006 to 2050,the population of the oldest elderly,80 plus, will grow 500 % over the same period. This should be enough to make one take notice. Engaging with the elderly will become one of the biggest areas of work in the country. Some may see this as a challenge and some as a huge opportunity.

Businesses have attempted to address this only sporadically, with emotional advertising that features a poignant conversation involving an elderly grandparent. But there has been very little effort to provide products and services. The reasons for such apathy, especially among entrepreneurs, are not difficult to guess. Many feel that the elderly are cynical,not open to experiment and not willing to spend. Investors see bigger opportunities for exponential growth in addressing young, upwardly mobile consumers. Still, I'm left with the question of why aren't more products and services designed for the elderly? I sense a problem looking for a solution.

The author's purpose in writing this article is probably ...to show that there is a huge business opportunity.

- They see bigger opportunities in other sectors.

An adequate amount of something is ...just enough.

To be apathetic means ...to show little or no interest.

Businesses have attempted to address this only sporadically, with emotional advertising that features a poignant conversation involving an elderly grandparent.

Engaging with the elderly will become one of the biggest areas of work in the country.

The imminent demographic,economic,and social changes that accompany the growing population of senior citizens,together with the rising aspirations of the young, leading to more women in the workforce,are rapidly driving up the magnitude of this problem.

Businesses have attempted to address this only sporadically, with emotional advertising that features a poignant conversation involving an elderly grandparent. But there has been very little effort to provide products and services. The reasons for such apathy, especially among entrepreneurs, are not difficult to guess. Many feel that the elderly are cynical,not open to experiment and not willing to spend. Investors see bigger opportunities for exponential growth in addressing young, upwardly mobile consumers.

(1) Lack of adequate care for senior citizens is a real issue in India that cuts across economic and social strata.
(2) Most senior citizens, especially those who live independently, are unable to get the care and trusted support they need.
(3) As a result, they compromise on their needs and lifestyle.
(4) Their children or caregivers are forced to spend disproportionate time, and/or resources to support them.
(5) So much so that many women are forced to stay away from the workforce to take care of elders at home.

As a result, they compromise on their needs and lifestyle.

Still, I'm left with the question of why aren't more products and services designed for the elderly?

Engaging with the elderly will become one of the biggest areas of work in the country.

Lack of adequate care for senior citizens is a real issue in India that cuts across economic and social strata.

The reasons for such apathy, especially among entrepreneurs, are not difficult to guess.

The author seems puzzled because he sees an opportunity that isn't being addressed？

What sector of India's population will grow the fastest between 2006 and 2050? those who are 80 or older

Social strata refers to layers of status within a society, such as upper an lower class.

A person with aspiration has hopes and dreams of reaching goals.

What happens businesses done to address this demographic? But there has been very little effort to provide products and services. 

Why do many elderly compromise on their needs or lifestyle? Most senior citizens, especially those who live independently, are unable to get the care and trusted support they need. 

There is a growing opportunity to provide products and services to the elderly.

Some may see this as a challenge and some as a huge opportunity.

This should be enough to make one take notice.

The author thinks there is a significant business opportunity.

L6-U2-P3 SPEAKING

An American historian discovered the city after he heard rumors of its existence.

Being too direct with criticism can hurt your partner's self-esteem.

l feel hurt and undervalued when I don't get a response from you.

One of the most famous assassinations in history was the assassination of Julius Caesar.

He had gain this power through his successes as a military commander.

We will never know how history might have been different had this event not taken place.

Perhaps if he hadn’t been so arrogant, or acted like a god, he would have survived.

The high-ranking positions he had given as rewards had no real authority.

If Caesar hadn’t let his rivals live, he might not have been murdered.

How we communicate with our romantic partners can have a strong impact on the quality of our relationships.

Even today, the mystery remains as to the purpose of these temples, how the city was used and what its citizens did.

They concluded that criticism, defensiveness, contempt and stonewalling are all factors that negatively affect the quality of a relationship.

With his death, a whole generation of Americans woke up to a reality where their dreams for a brighter future had been shattered.

Kennedy and his wife was sitting in an open car, waving to a large crowd of people when he was shot.

If the route had been changed, the assassin would have had to change plans or give up  the attempt.