Communicative Objective: Describing the Mafia
Context: The Mafia in the American
Experience
Part 1, Speaking: The words listed below are all synonyms of the noun “mobster.” Each varies slightly from the others in meaning and use. Discuss the definition and application of each word.
1. enforcer: (count noun) a
formal, neutral synonym of “mid-level mobster”
Example: The don needs to get a new enforcer.
2. mafioso: (count noun) a formal,
general, neutral synonym of “Italian mobster”
Example: The mafiosos ran some New York neighborhoods for
decades.
3. racketeer: (count noun)
a formal, negative synonym of “high-level mobster”
Example: The cops got some racketeers at a poker game last
night.
4. soldier: (count noun) a
formal / informal, urban synonym of “low-level mobster”
Example: Where my soldier at?
5. wise guy: (count noun) an
informal, general, positive synonym of “Italian mobster”
Example: Wise Guys was a 1986 box office hit about Jersey
mobsters.
Part 2, Reading Exercise: Complete the reading passage with the most
appropriate vocabulary.
Organized crime came to the New World from
the Old, accompanying a variety of immigrant communities and taking root in
urban ethnic enclaves, such as the Italian neighborhoods of New York and the
Irish areas of Boston, in the 19th and early 20th
centuries.
These mafias have tended to victimize
their own communities, first and foremost. It was common for small business
owners to be shaken down by __________ for “protection” if they failed to pay
off the __________. The actual __________ were rarely seen in public, out of
concern for their safety and to avoid getting their hands dirty.
Other immigrant groups and their
associated mafias have followed since, most notably the Russians, Ukrainians and
Chinese. Despite this, it is the __________ who are still most often glorified
in American media.
Hollywood has begun in recent years to more
accurately portray these mobsters for the cruel thugs that they are.
Historically, however, they have usually been glorified as the neighborhood
__________.
© James Doyle, 2013
Vocabulary Class:
Are you interested in learning more vocabulary? Take this great class!
http://www.mylanguagesolutions.com/#!intermediate-reading-and-vocabulary/ccve
Answers:
The answers to this exercise are available at the following link:
Are you interested in learning more vocabulary? Take this great class!
http://www.mylanguagesolutions.com/#!intermediate-reading-and-vocabulary/ccve
Answers:
The answers to this exercise are available at the following link:
No comments:
Post a Comment