First Presidential Debate: What to Watch For
The first presidential debate is coming up, and people are asking what is at stake and what to watch. It is an important early moment in the election season.
Two well-known figures, Lula and Flávio, are expected to be absent. Because of this likely absence, the debate may mostly involve smaller candidates, who are sometimes called 'nanicos' — a term meaning minor or less popular contenders.
One candidate, Caiado, has strongly criticized the situation. He called the candidates who are expected to skip the debate 'fujões', a word suggesting they are running away from a challenge.
Caiado's criticism suggests he believes these bigger names are avoiding public scrutiny by not attending debates where they would need to answer difficult questions from rivals and journalists.
Debates like this one are usually seen as a chance for voters to compare candidates directly. When major contenders are missing, it can change the tone and importance of the event.
It is still unclear exactly why Lula and Flávio might not attend, based on current information. However, their likely absence has already become part of the political conversation around the debate.
Observers will be watching not only what the smaller candidates say, but also how their opponents' absence is discussed and whether it affects public opinion.
As the debate approaches, attention is focused both on what will be said inside the debate hall and on who chooses not to show up at all.
Vocabulary10 words
- presidential debate
- a public discussion between people running for president
- election
- a time when people vote to choose a leader
- absence
- the fact of not being present somewhere
- candidates
- people trying to win an election
- criticism
- strong words saying someone did something wrong
- scrutiny
- careful and close attention
- opponents
- people competing against you
- minor
- small or less important
- contenders
- people competing for something big
- public opinion
- what most people in a country think
Quiz
Answer key
1. The first presidential debate 2. Because Lula and Flávio are likely to be absent 3. Fujões, meaning people who run away
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The first _____ debate is coming up, and people are asking what is at stake and what to watch.
Two well-known figures, Lula and Flávio, are expected to be _____ from the debate.
Because of this likely absence, the debate may mostly involve smaller _____, sometimes called 'nanicos'.
One candidate, Caiado, has strongly _____ the situation.
He called the candidates who are expected to skip the debate '_____', a word suggesting they are running away.
Caiado's criticism suggests he believes these bigger names are avoiding public _____ by not attending.
Debates like this one are usually seen as a chance for voters to compare candidates _____.
Observers will be watching how their _____' absence is discussed and whether it affects opinion.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think major candidates might choose to skip a presidential debate?
- Do you think debates without leading candidates are still useful for voters? Why or why not?
- What do you think of Caiado's criticism calling the absent candidates 'fujões'?
- How important are presidential debates in helping people decide who to vote for?