Name :

Date :

THE ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE READING CHALLENGE

Your READING TASK : You are going to take an animated Road to the
White House and see what it takes to reach the highest office in the US
nation.

On the way, you will make several stops . Scroll down for some details to
help you make sense of the journey to the White House and collect the

information requested in your Note taking form . Just follow the steps !
Good luck and have a safe trip!

http://election.scholastic.com/election-central/road-to-the-white-house/

TASK N 1 : Read the information on the GREEN SIGN and complete :

18 : What does the date November 8 th refer to ? It refers to Election Day

What

Who does the expression next commander in chief refer to ?

W

How often does the US hold presidential elections?

It refers to the President of the United States

The US holds presidential elections every 4 years.

TASK N 2 : CAMPAIGNS KICKOFF Answer the comprehension questions:

How long does it take to become President ?

What
Name the 2 major political parties

It

takes a year and a half.

The Republicans

W
Where do the first election contests take place ? They take
Wh How do candidates connect with voters ? Pick out 3 examples :

The Democrats
place in Iowa and new Hampshire.

(They give) speeches / (they give) interviews / they interact with voters on social networks.

How do candidates pay for their campaigns ?

candidates.

They raise money / people donate to help their favorite

Why is money so important in an election campaign ?

The more money they raise, the more

money they can spend on travels and ads.

TASK N 3 : DEBATES
Explain in your own words, the purpose (but ) of debates in an election.
Candidates from the same political party face one another in order explain how they stand on the
important issues. A debate is a good way for viewers to compare all the candidates and get to know
them.
Say if the statements are Right or Wrong. Justify with elements.

a-

Debates are show on TV . Right

televised debates

b- Thanks to debates, American people can decide where the candidates stand on important issues . Right
viewers compare the candidates views on important issues.
c-

Debates can be risky and dangerous for candidates. Right

Doing poorly can end a candidates

campaign / Candidates sometimes leave the race after poor debate performances.

TASK N 4 : PRIMARIES & CAUCUSES Tick , complete or answer the questions :

Where do Primaries and Caucuses take place ?
People cast their votes in a

state elections / They take place in the US States.

primary election , while party members choose their candidate in a caucus .

When and where does the first Caucus take place ?

When are primaries held?

- during the first

The first Caucus takes place in Iowa on February 1.

half of the election year

What name is given to the day when most primaries and caucuses are organized?
What must a person do to become a presidential nominee ?

Super Tuesday

- win a primary election

What is the role of delegates?

Delegates are members of a political party who choose, the partys

official candidate at their convention.

TASK N 5 : CONVENTIONS Tick , complete or answer the questions :
Where is the party nominee chosen ?

- at the party Convention

How many conventions are there ?

When are national conventions held ?

What is the party Platform ?

in the summer/ the summer before Election day

- the general belief and policies of the party

TASK N 6 : THE CAMPAIGNS CONTINUE Answer the questions :

What happens from August to November ?

Both candidates campaign / hit the campaign trail

How do both candidates spread the message and connect with voters? Pick out 4 elements

travel from state to state / give speeches/ appear in TV/radio/internet ADS/ in TV News Shows/

newspapers/ magazines/ social media (Facebook/ Twitter)

/ Official websites

TASK N 7 : PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES Answer the questions :

 How many debates are there ?

Name at least 3 important issues the candidates may discuss ?

key issues.
Why are debates important ?

economy, health care, education, and other

They give voters the opportunity to see how a candidate can cope with

stress for example . If a candidate doesnt do well in a debate, he may not be elected President.
TASK N 8 : ELECTION DAY Answer the questions :
polling places / schools /libraries

Where can American people cast their votes on D-Day ? Pick out 3 elements

/government buildings
When was Election Day this year ?

November 8th

Why is the winner often not known until the next morning ?

Because of the time zones/ the country is huge

/ the polls in the East close several hours before those in the West.

TASK N 9 : ITS NOT OVER YET ! Answer the questions :

The Electoral College refers to

- a group of electors or delegates

- American voters elect their president indirectly

Which statement is true ?

When does the Electoral College meet to cast their votes for the President ?

The Electoral College really elects

the U.S. president about six weeks after Election Day. On December 19
Who officially announces the results The

current U.S. vice president officially announces the results and

declares which candidates have been elected president and vice president.
When is the winner officially inaugurated ? The

A group called t.

What happens on January 20 ?

th

takes the oath of office

winner is sworn in on January 20 .

TASK N 10 : INAUGURATION Answer the questions :

The winner is sworn in on January 20 /The new commander-in-chief

Where is the President elect sworn in as the next President of the United States ?

Capitol.
What is the name of the speech that the president gives on that day ?
What is the official document mentioned ?

the inaugural address

the U.S. Constitution

List 3 Places of Power mentioned in this part ?

Washington D.C /

on the steps of the U.S.

Pennsylvania Avenue

the U.S Capitol / the White House / the US Congress /