Assignment 1
For this assignment you may use a dictionary or English-language Internet sources to help you.
a A “hashtag” is the name of the symbol #. Hashtags are used on social media to help people find posts about the same topic. Name at least 5 other typical social media terms.
b Name three or more social media platforms. Which channels or networks do you use? And which ones are most popular in your class?
| The Black Square Thing
Many people woke up on Tuesday 2 June 2020 to a timeline of black photos with the hashtag #BlackoutTuesday. They probably wondered what was going on. What did it mean? Read about it here. |
Assignment 2
For each definition, find the word or expression it describes in the text and write it down.
- a lot of disagreement about something, usually because it is important to many people
- useful, serious or important
- a series of posts
- things that have happened earlier and that that help to explain why something happens
- thought of the idea
- to stop for a moment to pause and think about what you are doing
- not hiding the truth, open and direct
- thoughtful
- did something that they were asked to do
- posts without any writing, marks, or pictures
- decided to take part
- could be heard and read everywhere on social media
- sources of useful information or expertise
- filling up in an untidy way
- to take actions in order to interrupt things from going on as usual
Assignment 3
a What is #BlackOutTuesday?
1 A protest in the music industry, with musicians staying silent every Tuesday to fight racism.
2 An action on social media on 2 June 2020, to protest racism and police brutality.
3 Athletes and sports organizations wearing black suits to protest racism and police brutality.
4 Companies and organizations everywhere turning off the lights to protest racism.
b What was the controversy behind #BlackOutTuesday?
1 Actors were supporting the hashtag. Athletes were not impressed.
2 Nobody used the hashtag on Twitter. The hashtag went viral on Instagram.
3 Some people celebrated the hashtag. Others said it was getting in the way.
4 Some people posted a black square. Other people posted a blank square.
c Lizzo posted a video on Instagram on Tuesday to spread the word to her 8.7 million followers that they shouldn’t use the #BLM hashtag on their #BlackOutTuesday posts.
“It is flooding the hashtag search with just black pictures instead of information,” the singer said.
What is Lizzo saying?
1 Don’t use both the #BLM hashtag and #BlackOutTuesday. It is confusing for people, because they both mean the same.
2 Don’t use both the #BLM hashtag and #BlackOutTuesday. It makes it more difficult for people to find important information.
3 Start using the hashtag #flooding. And delete all posts with the #BLM hashtag and black square posts.
4 Stop cluttering my feed with #BlackOutTuesday and #BLM posts. I cannot find any important information any more.
Extra Listening Assignment
With your class, watch and discuss these videos about the protests taking place at the moment:
1 In this video, Etienne and Kamryn speak about the racism they’ve faced. They also discuss how they want things to change in the future. [A2/B1]
2 And in this video, four 17-year-olds talk about the protests and what to do about it. [B1/B2]
Downloads
WK 25 2019-2020 Lezen B2 The Black Square Thing
WK 25 2019-2020 Lezen B2 The Black Square Thing – uitwerking
