Juneteenth · Worksheet C1
Read the passage and answer the questions. (CEFR B1–B2)
1Juneteenth raises an uncomfortable question: when does a law actually change people's lives? The Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1863, yet in Texas it had almost no effect until federal troops arrived two and a half years later. Some enslavers even moved there because they saw Texas as a safe place to keep slavery going.
2Even the order that announced freedom had limits. General Order No. 3 promised equal rights, but it also told freed people to stay where they were and work for wages, and it warned them not to gather at army posts. From the start, celebrations were often pushed out of town centers, so Black communities raised money and bought their own land. Within a few decades, new laws in the South took away Black citizens' votes and enforced segregation.
3When Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, some people welcomed it as long-overdue recognition. Others argued that a day off is only symbolic unless it is matched by real progress in areas such as voting rights, education and wealth. In a sense, the holiday itself repeats the lesson of 1865: words on paper matter, but they need action to become real.
What is the main point of the passage?
Why did some enslavers move to Texas?
According to the passage, what did General Order No. 3 tell freed people to do?
What can we guess from the fact that Black communities bought their own land?
In paragraph 3, what does long-overdue mean in long-overdue recognition?
Why does the writer end the passage by mentioning the lesson of 1865?
Juneteenth · Worksheet C2
Match the words with the definitions. Then rewrite and summarize.
1. “The Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1863, yet in Texas it had almost no effect until federal troops arrived two and a half years later.”
Hint: Use but instead of yet, and change almost no effect to hardly changed anything.2. “From the start, celebrations were often pushed out of town centers, so Black communities raised money and bought their own land.”
Hint: Start with Because, and use were not allowed or were not welcome.3. “Others argued that a day off is only symbolic unless it is matched by real progress in areas such as voting rights, education and wealth.”
Hint: Use if there is no instead of unless, and change symbolic to just a sign.Summarize the passage in about 50 words.
Juneteenth · Worksheet C3
Prepare for a debate. Then write your opinion (100–150 words).
Add your own reason:
Add your own reason:
| Opinion | I believe / I think that … |
|---|---|
| Reason 1 | First, … For example, … |
| Reason 2 | Second, … In fact, … |
| Counter | Some people say … However, … |
| Conclusion | In conclusion, … |