Women and Power
Exploring gender equality, famous female figures, and the movement for women's rights.
1. Vocabulary: Gender & Status
Understanding the terminology related to women's rights and society.
👩 Key Concepts
- Feminism: The movement advocating for women's rights.
- Gender: Socially constructed roles (Male/Female).
- Stereotype: A fixed, oversimplified image or idea (e.g., "Women can't drive").
- Empowerment: Giving power and confidence to someone.
- Emancipation: Process of being set free from restrictions.
- Polygamy: The practice of having more than one wife.
🔤 Suffixes & Prefixes (Exam Focus)
| Word Part | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Pre- | Before | Prehistoric |
| Post- | After | Post-war |
| Mis- | Wrongly | Misunderstand |
| Re- | Again | Rewrite |
| -ism | Belief/System | Feminism |
| -ist | Person (doer) | Activist |
Glossary of Inequality
- Glass Ceiling: An invisible barrier preventing women from rising to the top.
- Violence: Physical force intended to hurt.
- Discrimination: Unjust treatment based on category (gender/race).
- Patriarchy: A system where men hold the power.
2. Functions: Addition & Concession
Linking words are the glue of your writing. Master these two categories.
➕ Expressing Addition
Used to add more information.
- Moreover / Furthermore / In addition: "She is smart. Moreover, she is kind." (Start new sentence).
- Also: "He is also a writer."
- As well as: "She speaks French as well as English."
- Not only... but also: "She is not only a doctor but also an artist."
⚡ Expressing Concession
Used to show contrast or unexpected results.
- Although / Even though: "Although she was tired, she kept working." (+ Subject/Verb)
- Despite / In spite of: "Despite being tired, she worked." (+ Verb-ing or Noun).
- However / Yet: "It was raining. However, we went out."
⚠️ Common Trap
Do NOT say "Despite she was..." (Incorrect).
Say: "Despite being..." OR "Despite the fact that she was..."
3. Grammar: The Passive Voice
Use: When the action is more important than the doer, or we don't know the doer.
The Formula
Object + TO BE (in tense of main verb) + Past Participle
Subject becomes "by Agent" (optional)| Tense | Active Voice | Passive Voice |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | She writes the report. | The report is written (by her). |
| Simple Past | Bell invented the phone. | The phone was invented by Bell. |
| Present Perfect | Reviewers have written many articles. | Many articles have been written. |
| Modals (Can/Will...) | We can solve the problem. | The problem can be solved. |
4. Writing: Book Review
Task: Give your opinion about a book you have read.
🏗️ Review Structure
- Introduction: Title, Author, Type of book (Novel/Biography).
- Summary: What is it about? (Plot/Theme) - Don't spoil the ending!
- Opinion: What did you like/dislike? (Characters, Style).
- Recommendation: Who should read it? Rating (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐).
📄 Sample Review: "I Am Malala"
Book Review: A Voice for Education
Title: I Am Malala
Author: Malala Yousafzai
One of the most inspiring books I have ever read is "I Am Malala", an autobiography by the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner. It tells the true story of a young girl from Pakistan who stood up for education and was shot by the Taliban.
The book describes her life under simple but oppressive conditions and her fight for girls' right to go to school. Although she faced death, she refused to be silenced.
I really loved this book because it is honest and powerful. Malala's courage is motivated by her belief in equality. The style is simple but emotional.
In conclusion, I highly recommend this book to everyone, especially students. It teaches us the value of education. I give it 5 out of 5 stars.