Supreme Court - vocabulary
Brazil's Supreme Court is currently facing a serious internal crisis during an important election period.
Different Supreme Court justices have disagreed over decisions involving the Federal Police. Chief Justice Edson Fachin has intervened and suspended conflicting decisions in order to reduce institutional tensions.
At the same time, controversies involving Justice Alexandre de Moraes and the Banco Master investigation have increased public and political pressure on the Supreme Court.
The situation is closely connected to the presidential election because political candidates are using the crisis to discuss important issues such as democracy, the independence of institutions, police investigations and the power of the Supreme Court.
The election may also influence the future of the Court because the next president could have the opportunity to appoint new Supreme Court justices.
Useful Vocabulary
Supreme Court → Supremo Tribunal
Justice → Ministro(a) do Supremo / juiz de uma Suprema Corte
Chief Justice → Presidente da Suprema Corte
election → eleição
presidential election → eleição presidencial
candidate → candidato
political campaign → campanha política
Federal Police → Polícia Federal
investigation → investigação
conflicting decisions → decisões conflitantes
institutional crisis → crise institucional
public trust → confiança pública
judicial independence → independência do Judiciário
political influence → influência política
appoint a justice → indicar/nomear um ministro
Discussion Questions
Do you think the Supreme Court should influence political decisions? Why or why not?
Can a political crisis inside the Supreme Court affect an election?
Should Supreme Court justices be appointed by the president?
How important is judicial independence in a democracy?
Do you think politicians should use Supreme Court controversies during
“Politics Is So Polarized Nowadays”
Mike: Have you noticed how polarized politics has become nowadays?
Daniel: Absolutely. It feels like people are either completely on the left or completely on the right.
Mike: Yeah. Sometimes it seems impossible to have a normal political discussion without people getting angry.
Daniel: Exactly. People often identify strongly with a political party or ideology. If you disagree with them, they sometimes take it personally.
Mike: I think social media has made the situation even worse.
Daniel: Definitely. Algorithms often show people content that confirms what they already believe. People end up living in a political bubble.
Mike: Right. They follow politicians, influencers, and news channels that support their own views.
Daniel: And then they start believing that anyone with a different opinion is an enemy.
Mike: That's what worries me. In a democracy, people should be able to disagree without hating each other.
Daniel: I agree. Political opponents are not necessarily bad people. They simply may have different ideas about the economy, taxes, public safety, or social policies.
Mike: Exactly. But during an election campaign, everything becomes even more intense.
Daniel: Candidates often use strong rhetoric to mobilize their supporters and criticize the opposition.
Mike: And sometimes misinformation spreads faster than real information.
Daniel: That's why I think voters need to check different sources before making political decisions.
Mike: I agree. We shouldn't blindly support a candidate or political party.
Daniel: Exactly. We should be able to criticize the politicians we support as well.
Mike: That's a good point. Supporting democracy doesn't mean agreeing with everything your political side does.
Daniel: Right. I think society needs more dialogue and less political extremism.
Mike: Hopefully. Otherwise, political polarization will continue to divide people even more.
Daniel: Yeah. We need to learn how to disagree respectfully.
Mike: I couldn't agree more.
Giving an opinion
In my opinion... → Na minha opinião...
I think that... → Eu acho que...
I believe that... → Eu acredito que...
From my point of view... → Do meu ponto de vista...
The way I see it... → Da forma como eu vejo...
Agreeing
I agree.
Exactly.
That's a good point.
Absolutely.
I couldn't agree more. → Não poderia concordar mais.
Disagreeing respectfully
I see your point, but... → Eu entendo seu ponto, mas...
I respectfully disagree.
I'm not sure I agree with that.
That's an interesting perspective, but...
Discussion Questions
Why do you think politics is so polarized nowadays?
Do social media platforms increase political polarization? Why?
Can people with different political opinions still be friends?
Do politicians sometimes intentionally create division?
How can voters avoid misinformation?
Should people discuss politics at work or with friends? Why or why not?
What is more important: supporting a political party or critically analyzing its decisions?
Can democracy work well when society is extremely polarized? Why or why not?
1. Complete with the correct word
Vocabulary: polarized – election – government – voters – candidate – democracy – opposition – debate
Politics has become very __________ nowadays.
The presidential __________ will take place next year.
Many __________ are still undecided.
The two main __________ participated in a television debate.
The __________ is responsible for governing the country.
The political __________ criticized the new policy.
Freedom of speech is important in a __________.
The candidates had a heated __________ about the economy.
2. Choose the correct alternative
People (is / are) becoming more politically divided.
The candidate (promise / promised) lower taxes during the campaign.
Many people (don't trust / doesn't trust) politicians.
The government (has introduced / introduced) several new policies recently.
Last week, the politicians (have debated / debated) the new law.
Social media (can / cans) influence political opinions.
If people only read opinions they agree with, society (becomes / will became) more polarized.
3. Simple Past × Present Perfect
Complete with the correct form of the verb.
The government __________ (change) the law last year.
Political polarization __________ (become) a major problem in recent years.
The candidate __________ (give) a speech yesterday.
People __________ (already / vote) in some regions.
The president __________ (meet) international leaders last month.
Many voters __________ (never / trust) that political party.
When __________ the election __________ (take) place?
__________ you ever __________ (change) your political opinion?
4. Connect the sentences
Use: however – because – therefore – although – while
The country is economically strong. Many people are unhappy.
→ _______________________________________
Many people support the candidate. Others strongly disagree.
→ _______________________________________
He voted for the candidate. He agreed with her economic policies.
→ _______________________________________
The debate was controversial. Millions of people watched it.
→ _______________________________________
One group supports the government. Another group supports the opposition.
→ _______________________________________
5. Modal verbs – Complete
Use: should – shouldn't – might – could – must
Politicians __________ listen to different opinions.
People __________ believe everything they see on social media.
The election results __________ change people's political opinions.
Political debates __________ become aggressive online.
Citizens __________ respect democratic institutions.
6. Conditional – Politics
Zero Conditional
Complete:
If people __________ (only / follow) one source of information, they __________ (receive) limited perspectives.
If politicians __________ (attack) each other personally, political debates often __________ (become) more aggressive.
First Conditional
If people __________ (not / listen) to different opinions, society __________ (become) more polarized.
If the government __________ (introduce) a new policy, the opposition __________ probably __________ (criticize) it.
7. Correct the mistakes
Politics are becoming more polarized nowadays.
→ _______________________________________
The government have changed the law yesterday.
→ _______________________________________
Did you ever voted for a different candidate?
→ _______________________________________
If people will not respect different opinions, society will become divided.
→ _______________________________________
Many voter doesn't trust politicians.
→ _______________________________________
8. Speaking – Discussion Questions 🗣️
Do you think politics is more polarized today than in the past? Why?
Has social media made political discussions better or worse?
Do people listen to opinions they disagree with?
What happens if a society becomes extremely polarized?
Should politicians be more careful with their language?
Have you ever changed your opinion about a political topic?
What makes a good political leader?
Can two people with completely different political opinions be friends? Why or why not?
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