C2 level Speaking – Evolution of CEOs

 

 

 

• C2-level speaking activity centered on Steve Jobs (pair work, 5–7 minutes).
  Title: The Duality of Genius
  Target vocabulary (C2/advanced – use at least 6–7 naturally):

 

• Adjectives: mercurial, visionary, abrasive, relentless, insatiable
• Nouns: hubris, charisma, legacy, maverick, audacity

 

• Task 
  You are advisors to a film studio making a biopic about Steve Jobs.
  Decide together which one sentence best captures the core paradox of his personality and leadership style for the movie tagline. Choose only one:

 

• A. “A visionary maverick whose insatiable curiosity changed the world—but at a brutal human cost.”
  B. “Relentless genius fuelled by audacity and charisma, undone by his own hubris.”
  C. “He was mercurial and often abrasive, yet his legacy proves that true innovation demands discomfort.”

 

•  Justify your choice using the target words.

 

• Challenge your partner’s pick politely with counter-arguments (e.g. “While I see the appeal of X, isn’t that rather reductive given his…”).
  Try to agree on one final tagline (you can slightly rephrase it if needed). 

 

• Quick follow-up (1 min): Which of his traits do you think was most indispensable to Apple’s success—and most detrimental to the people around him?
  Short, high-density, forces precise lexis + nuance + interaction. Perfect for C2 fluency & vocabulary stretch.

 

• Mercurial Subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind; volatile, fickle, or lively and quick-witted (like the element mercury or the god Mercury).
• Visionary Having or showing original ideas and imagination about the future; characterized by great foresight, creativity, or idealism.
• Abrasive Showing little concern for the feelings of others; harsh, rough, or irritating in manner or tone (also literally “causing wear by rubbing”).
• Relentless Unyieldingly harsh, strict, or persistent; continuing without pause or weakening.
• Insatiable Impossible to satisfy; having an unquenchable appetite or desire for something.

 

• Hubris Excessive pride, arrogance, or overconfidence, especially when it leads to a person’s downfall (classic term from Greek tragedy).
• Charisma Compelling attractiveness or charm that inspires devotion, loyalty, or enthusiasm in others.
• Legacy Something handed down from the past (especially from an ancestor or predecessor); the long-term impact or reputation a person leaves behind.
• Maverick An independent-minded person who refuses to follow the crowd, rules, or conventions; a nonconformist or unorthodox individual.
• Audacity Boldness or daring, especially when it borders on recklessness or impudence; nerve, cheek, or fearless courage.