(vocab list, definitions, sample sentences, and review worksheet)
politics (n.) – the process of debating, making laws, and running a government
political (adj.) – relating to politics or the process of running a government
election (n.) – in a democracy/republic, when everyone votes for their representatives
elect (v.) – to vote for and choose a representative
candidate – a person who tries to get people’s votes for a government position
campaign (n., v.) – when candidates try to convince people to vote for them (through advertisements, speeches, etc.)
run (v.) – to campaign for political office
party (n.) – a group of people with similar political ideas (examples of political parties include the Republican and Democrat Parties (US) and the Conservative Party and Liberal Democrats (UK)
debate (n., v.) – when people (or candidates) with different opinions answer questions and argue with each other (usually before an election)
conservative – a political philosophy based on keeping traditional views and spending less money
liberal/progressive – a political philosophy based on progress, breaking with tradition, and spending more money to help poor people
independent – a person who does not belong to a particular political party
patriot (n.) – a person who deeply loves his/her country
patriotic (adj.) – feeling or showing love for one’s country
opposition – the political party that is not in power; people who disagree with a certain view
Fill in the blanks with the words below:
political / party / independent / election / elect / debate
candidate / conservative / liberal / campaign / patriotic / patriot
1. The Republican __________ has a majority of members in the state legislature.
2. Many people think the Republicans won because they called themselves __________ and tried to show how much they love the country.
3. The Republicans are usually more _____________ — they are more traditional and support lower taxes.
4. People in the Democratic party are usually more ____________ — they are more progressive and support higher taxes and more social programs.
5. The Republican ____________ for President spent a lot of money on advertising.
6. I watched the __________ last night with my family so we could decide who to vote for.
7. I consider myself a ____________ because I love my country and I served in the army.
8. Although Mr. Jones spent a lot of money on advertising, the people of the city did not __________ him as their mayor.
9. My uncle said that he is tired of the Republican and Democratic parties, so he always votes for the ____________ candidate.
10. I rarely pay attention to ____________ news because it’s always so depressing.
11. This year’s ___________ was very close; the Democratic candidate got 51% of the vote, and the Republican candidate got 49%.
12. If you want to ___________ for an office like governor or President, you need to be able to raise a lot of money and make a lot of important friends.
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