What’s in Today’s Episode?

Learn unequivocal, waver, pursue, raid, venture, privy, ammunition, vital, expedition, and personify in the context of a story about the great Harriet Tubman in a new Word Power episode from English Plus Podcast.

Audio Episode

Reading

Harriet Tubman

Born a slave in Maryland around the year 1815, Harriet Tubman was forced to work as a field hand by her cruel plantation overseer. In 1849, Tubman fled the plantation, leaving behind her husband, her parents, and her brothers and sisters. Tubman was driven by her belief that all African Americans should be free. Her unequivocal dedication to this cause never wavered. Risking her life as well as her freedom, she returned to the South no fewer than 19 times to lead her family and hundreds of other slaves to freedom. Tubman guided the escaping slaves north along the Underground Railroad, a secret organization that aided the escape of slaves to Canada. None of the fugitives Harriet Tubman led to safety was ever captured. All the while, Tubman herself was pursued by bounty hunters who sought the 40 thousand dollars offered for her capture.

Tubman later helped John Brown when he planned his attack on Harper’s Ferry in 1858. She provided valuable information that helped him carry out his raid. She even planned to participate in the raid but was ill at the time. When the Civil War broke out three years later, Tubman assisted the Union Army as a nurse and served as both a scout and a spy. Her knowledge of the land, her experience at secret travel, and her ability to blend easily into groups of people allowed her to carry out her duties without being spotted. She was so important to the Union Army, in fact, that she was a leader of a corps of local blacks who ventured into rebel territory to gather information. Because she was privy to information on the location of warehouses and ammunition depots, she was able to provide vital information to Union commanders. Her information helped Colonel James Montgomery make several expeditions into southern areas to destroy supplies. After the war, Tubman returned to New York, where, while caring for her own family, she helped escaped and newly freed blacks begin their lives. She earned money by giving speeches and selling copies of her biography. In 1896, she was the oldest member present for the organizational meeting of the National Association of Colored Women. Called “the Moses of her people,” Tubman came to personify the strength and determination that eventually led to the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

Wordlist

If you describe someone’s attitude as unequivocal, you mean that it is completely clear and very firm.

clear, absolute, definite, certain

He stated unequivocally that his forces were ready to go to war.

If you waver, you cannot decide about something or you consider changing your mind about something.

hesitate, dither, vacillate, be irresolute

Some military commanders wavered over whether to support the coup.

If you pursue a person, vehicle, or animal, you follow them, usually in order to catch them.

follow, track, hunt, chase

She pursued the man who had stolen a woman’s bag.

When soldiers raid a place, they make a sudden armed attack against it, with the aim of causing damage rather than occupying any of the enemy’s land.

steal from, break into, loot, plunder

The guerrillas raided banks and destroyed a police barracks and an electricity substation.

If you venture somewhere, you go somewhere that might be dangerous.

go, travel, journey, set out

People are afraid to venture out for fear of sniper attacks.

If you are privy to something secret, you have been allowed to know about it.

informed of, aware of, in on, wise to

Only three people, including a police officer, will be privy to the facts.

ammunition is bullets and rockets that are made to be fired from guns.

munitions, rounds, shot, shells

He had only seven rounds of ammunition for the revolver.

If you say that something is vital, you mean that it is necessary or very important.

essential, important, necessary

After her release, she was able to give vital information about her kidnapper.

An expedition is an organized journey that is made for a particular purpose such as exploration.

journey, exploration, mission, voyage

This is not an exploration or a scientific expedition.

If you say that someone personifies a particular thing or quality, you mean that they seem to be a perfect example of that thing, or to have that quality to a very large degree.

embody, represent, express, mirror

She seemed to personify goodness and nobility.

Interactive Activities

Flashcards

Learn

Spelling Practice

Match

Test

More Practice (Downloadable Practice Worksheet-PDF)

Episode 384 | Word Power | Harriet Tubman by English Plus Podcast on Scribd

<a href="https://englishpluspodcast.com/author/dannyballanowner/" target="_self">Danny Ballan</a>

Danny Ballan

Author

Danny is a podcaster, teacher, and writer. He worked in educational technology for over a decade. He creates daily podcasts, online courses, educational videos, educational games, and he also writes poetry, novels and music.

You may also Like

Three Laws That Must Be Obeyed | Word Power

Three Laws That Must Be Obeyed | Word Power

In this episode, we explore the meaning and usage of ten interesting keywords from a text about Sir Isaac Newton’s laws of motion. We discuss words like “apocryphal,” “behemoth,” “brevity,” “dally,” “depreciate,” “paraphrase,” “reinforce,” “relatively,” “respite,” and “svelte,” and share their definitions and common usage. Join us as we deepen our understanding of these words and learn how to use them effectively in our everyday conversations and writing. Don’t forget to follow our podcast on your favorite platform, share it with others, and leave us a rating and review to help us reach more listeners!

read more
Learning the Ropes | Word Power

Learning the Ropes | Word Power

In this Word Power episode – Learning the Ropes, we discuss 10 commonly used English keywords, including Gothic, impregnable, riven, insularity, elite, reverence, mystique, exhort, sundry, and primal. We define each of these words and explore how they can be used in different contexts. Plus, we offer tips for practicing these words to help expand your vocabulary.

read more
Stick Style | Word Power

Stick Style | Word Power

In this episode of Word Power, we explore the unique architectural style of the Great Camps in the Adirondack Mountains, and learn 10 new vocabulary words that will help you describe and appreciate this historic design. From the rustic charm of the buildings, to the prepossessing interiors filled with luxurious accoutrements, to the patina that has developed over time, we delve into the fascinating world of the Adirondack Great Camps. Along the way, we learn the meaning and usage of 10 new vocabulary words, including redolent, romantic, fastidious, and prototype. Plus, we provide exercises and resources to help you practice and retain these words in your own vocabulary. Don’t miss this engaging and informative episode of Word Power!

read more

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Recent Posts

Categories

Follow Us

Get Your Weekly Dose of English Plus Content!

Don't miss out on the latest from English Plus – sign up for our weekly email digest and get all the content we posted last week delivered straight to your inbox. From informative articles and insightful podcasts to engaging videos and more, our weekly digest has everything you need to stay up to date on the world of language learning and culture. Plus, as a subscriber, you'll be the first to know about our upcoming events, special promotions, and more. So what are you waiting for? Sign up today and get your weekly dose of English Plus content!

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Pin It on Pinterest