Listening

Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. a bookstand
    • ex. The bookstand at the train station sells secondhand books.
  2. a bank
    • ex. The family had their picnic by the river bank.
  3. relocate
    • ex. They relocated the store because its sales were low in the old location.
  4. relieved
    • ex. John was relieved to find his little brother in the crowded shopping mall.
  5. abandoned
    • ex. During the pandemic, many people felt abandoned by the government.

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

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French President Emmanuel Macron has canceled his plan to remove booksellers’ bookstands from the banks of the Seine River before July 26. The plan was to relocate booksellers in preparation for the Olympics’ opening ceremony. Michael Bouetart, a bookseller for 40 years, told AP how happy and relieved he was by the news. He said it was a success for people experiencing difficulties in today’s world.

Last summer, the police told the booksellers that their bookstands would have to be relocated for a while for security reasons. However, the booksellers have requested to keep their businesses in place, even if closed, during the preparations. The booksellers have had low sales since the pandemic. And they feel abandoned by Parisians. They were worried that relocating would make most of them lose even more money.

In a statement, Macron said that he asked the Interior Minister and Paris police to make sure all booksellers stay and none of them should be ordered to move. Macron also asked for changes to the security plans. Macron said that booksellers are living treasures of the capital.

This material was based on an article by The Associated Press.

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Olympics Preparation and Local Businesses

  • Do you agree or disagree with Macron’s decision to cancel the plan to relocate booksellers in preparation for the Olympics’ opening ceremony? Why? Discuss.
  • At first, there was a plan to relocate booksellers along the Seine River for the Olympics’ opening ceremony. Why do you think Macron canceled the plan? Discuss.
  • Why do you think it’s important for the government to consider the impact on local businesses when planning major events like the Olympics (ex. local small businesses also affect the country’s economy)? Discuss.

Living Treasure

  • Macron said that booksellers are living treasures of the capital. Why do you think Macron said this (ex. to avoid problems with the booksellers)? Discuss.
  • What do you think the booksellers felt when Macron said they are living treasures (ex. happy, emotional)? Why? Discuss.
  • In your opinion, what is your country’s living treasure (ex. children, the elderly)? Discuss.