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Is This The Best Speech in TV History? – HOUSE OF CARDS Clip | Kevin Spacey

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977K views 5 months ago

Warm-up Questions

What makes a TV speech “the best” in your opinion: emotion, logic, or the consequences?
What kind of situation do you expect in a clip titled about “the best speech in TV history”?
What topics do you think a political speech in a TV drama might include?

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Is This The Best Speech in TV History? – HOUSE OF CARDS Clip | Kevin Spacey

Oath and opening: the President speaks (00:00 – 01:36)

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1. What does the witness promise at the beginning?

To keep the testimony secret
To answer only written questions
To tell the truth
To end the hearing quickly

2. Why does the President say he agreed to appear before the committee?

Because he was forced by the Supreme Court
Because he wants to apologize publicly
Because he wants to negotiate a deal
Because he is guilty and wants to admit it

3. What does the President accuse the committee members of doing?

Serving some master
Leaking classified information
Not paying their taxes
Ignoring the Constitution

Is This The Best Speech in TV History? – HOUSE OF CARDS Clip | Kevin Spacey

Hypocrisy, corruption, and the “strong man” (01:36 – 03:43)

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1. How does the President respond when someone tries to interrupt him?

He apologizes and changes the topic
He invites the committee to question him immediately
He stops and asks for a break
He says it is his opening statement and he will finish it

2. What is the President’s main point about the rules?

Only the committee wrote the rules
The rules do not apply to the President
He is playing by the rules that they all agreed on and wrote together
He never agreed to any rules

3. What does he say people are “addicted to”?

Action and slogans
Money and luxury
Debates and research
Order and silence

Is This The Best Speech in TV History? – HOUSE OF CARDS Clip | Kevin Spacey

Rigged system, end of reason, and resignation (03:43 – 04:56)

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1. What does the President say is happening to the “age of reason”?

It is dying
It is being celebrated
It is returning
It is being protected

2. According to the President, what is the new reality?

There is only being in and then being out
There is only peace and then war
There is only law and then punishment
There is only truth and then forgiveness

3. What major announcement does he make?

He will dissolve Congress
He will appoint a new committee
He will run for a third term
He will resign the office of president

Is This The Best Speech in TV History? – HOUSE OF CARDS Clip | Kevin Spacey

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1. Which idea best describes the President’s tone toward the committee?

Confused and uncertain
Defensive but polite
Accusatory and confrontational
Humble and cooperative

2. What theme is repeated throughout the speech?

Technology has ruined democracy
Foreign threats are the main problem
Everyone shares responsibility for corruption
Education is the key to national success

3. What does the President suggest matters most in politics “in the end”?

Being liked by everyone
Winning
Following tradition
Avoiding conflict

Discussion Questions

Discuss the ideas from this video

Is This The Best Speech in TV History? – HOUSE OF CARDS Clip | Kevin Spacey

Do you agree with the idea that politicians and the public can both be responsible for a “corrupt” system? Why or why not?
What does the speaker mean by wanting a “strong man” and being “addicted to action and slogans”? Do you see this in real life?
Is it ever acceptable for a leader to do “whatever it takes” to get results? Where should the limits be?
How does the speaker use accusations and rhetorical questions to persuade the audience?