English · Première générale · LVA · B1 towards B1+ · adapted version

Session 6: Beyond the borders: the midterms and the Americas

Read one step, do it, then move on. Answers are hidden: click to check.
Step one

Recap check

  1. Who controls the House after the vote, according to your table? Give your source.
  2. Who controls the Senate? Give your source.
  3. Is the government divided? Explain with your own results.
Answer key
  1. Method: compare your figure with 218, and give the website and the date.
  2. Method: compare with 51 (or 50 + the Vice President, JD Vance).
  3. Method: President Trump is a Republican; if the Democrats control at least one chamber, it is divided government.
Step two

Words to know

WordMeaning
a trade agreementa treaty on trade between countries
a tariff, a dutya tax on imported goods
a trading partnera country you buy from and sell to
to renegotiateto discuss a deal again to change it
a ripple effectconsequences that spread further and further
Step three

Read, one sentence per line

  1. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) entered into force on 1 July 2020.
  2. On 1 July 2026, the three countries held the joint review planned by the agreement. The United States did not agree to renew it in its current form.
  3. The agreement remains in force while the United States negotiates with Mexico and Canada.
  4. Under the Constitution, Congress has the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and to lay taxes and duties.
  5. This is one reason why neighbouring countries watch the composition of Congress closely.

Source: USTR, statement on the USMCA joint review, 1 July 2026

Step four

Answer

  1. What is the USMCA, and since when has it been in force?
  2. What happened on 1 July 2026?
  3. Is the agreement over? Explain.
Answer key
  1. A trade agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada, in force since 1 July 2020.
  2. The joint review: the United States did not agree to renew it in its current form.
  3. No: it remains in force while negotiations go on.
Step five

Grammar

Real or likely hypothesis: If + present, will / might / may + base verb: If Congress changes its majority, trade talks might change too. Unreal hypothesis: If + preterite, would / could + base verb: If Puerto Rico were a state, it would have two senators. Past regret or hypothesis (B1+): Had the party won more seats, it would have controlled the House.

  1. If the new majority (oppose) tariffs, it (vote) against them. (likely)
  2. If the agreement (end), prices (rise). (possible: might)
  3. If I (be) a Canadian journalist, I (write) about trade. (unreal)
Answer key
  1. opposes, will vote
  2. ends, might rise
  3. were, would write
Step six

Your turn

Research in groups: each group reads how one news organisation of the region reported the midterm results (cards below). Note the headline, the date and two pieces of information, then report to the class in English.

Key points

Check: a source and a date; a faithful summary, without adding opinions; the class compares the angles: what does each country focus on (trade, migration, security, tourism)?

Step seven

Homework

Prepare your role for the final task: choose your point of view and note five facts with their sources.
Key points

Check: five facts, each with a source and a date; no invented figures.