Learning English

Are these two speeches similar?

Donald Trump's wife, Melania, has given a speech supporting her husband. However, she has been accused of copying parts of Michelle Obama's speech eight years ago. Listen to see if you think these speeches are similar and to learn useful phrases for talking about this story.

Language challenge

Which of these expressions do we NOT use to describe two people who look very similar?

a) They are like chalk and cheese
b) They are the spitting image
c) They are like two peas in a pod

Watch the video and complete the activity

The story

There's been a chaotic opening to the Republican National Convention, which is seeking to unite the party behind its candidate for the US presidency, Donald Trump.

The day ended in controversy when passages of the keynotes speech given by the billionaire's wife, Milania, were found to bear a striking similarity to the address delivered by Michelle Obama, when her husband won the democratic party nomination eight years ago.

The speeches - Michelle Obama and Melania Trump

These are Michelle's words followed by Melania's.

Michelle
Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values, like you work hard for what you want in life...

Melania
...the values that you work hard for what you want in life...

Michelle
...that your word is your bond, that you do what you say you’re going to do...

Melania
...that your word is your bond, and you do what you say and keep your promise...

Michelle
...that you treat people with dignity and respect...

Melania
...that you treat people with respect...

Key words and phrases

plagiarise
use the words or ideas of someone else and pretend they are your own

rip off
steal something or copy something

a rip-off
something that is not worth the price OR something which is a copy of something else

bear a striking similarity
to have a very strong similarity

To do

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Downloads

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Language challenge - answer

a) They are like chalk and cheese

End of Session 2

Join us in Session 3 for Lingohack - our video which teaches you words from the news using the latest BBC World News bulletins.