Set the Scene:
Let’s start with some engaging questions to connect your everyday life to the subject of the activity. Please take a moment to reflect on the following questions:
- Have you ever been fascinated by the world of organized crime or the mafia?
- How do you think someone becomes involved in a life of crime, and what factors contribute to their decision?
- What do you think it would be like to be part of a secret society or to have a life of luxury and power, but also danger and uncertainty?
- Have you watched any movies or TV shows that portray the mafia or organized crime, and how do you think they compare to real-life stories like Michael Franzese’s?
- What do you think is the most challenging part of leaving a life of crime, and how do you think someone like Michael Franzese was able to make that transition?
Featured Image Analysis & Prediction:
Take a look at the featured image and answer the following questions:
- What do you see in the image, and what do you think it represents?
- What do you think this activity will be about, based on the image and the title “Highest Paid Mafia Boss Tells the TRUTH About the Life”?
- Do you think the image is related to Michael Franzese’s story, and if so, how?
Introduction:
Please read the introduction to the activity, which provides an overview of Michael Franzese’s life and his experiences as a mafia boss.
Video Engagement:
Watch the video associated with the activity, available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U-yqm9H_Sg. As you watch the video, pause at the following points and reflect on the questions:
- Pause at 2:00 minutes: What do you think motivated Michael Franzese to join the mafia, and how do you think his life would have been different if he hadn’t?
- Pause at 5:00 minutes: How do you think Michael Franzese’s experiences in the mafia have shaped his perspective on life, and what lessons do you think he has learned from his experiences?
- Pause at 10:00 minutes: What do you think is the most surprising or interesting aspect of Michael Franzese’s story, and why do you think it’s important to share his story with others?
For more information about the activity, visit the original post at https://maestrocursos.com.br/quizzed-esl-activities/highest-paid-mafia-boss-tells-the-truth-about-the-life-2/.
Vocabulary Focus:
Review the key vocabulary terms related to the activity, including:
| Term | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Cosa Nostra | A secret society of Italian-American organized crime groups, also known as the Mafia. | Michael Franzese participated in a blood oath ritual to join the Cosa Nostra, swearing loyalty and secrecy. |
| Colombo family | One of the Five Families of the Italian-American Mafia, originating from Palermo, Sicily. | Franzese worked with prominent figures like Carmine Persico and Salvatore Santoro, highlighting his high-level position in the Colombo family. |
| Blood oath | A ritual in which an individual swears loyalty and secrecy, often involving a symbolic act of bloodletting. | Michael Franzese participated in a blood oath ritual to join the Cosa Nostra, swearing loyalty and secrecy, with the warning that betrayal would result in death and damnation. |
| Mafia boss | A high-ranking member of a Mafia organization, often responsible for making key decisions and overseeing operations. | Michael Franzese was ranked 18th in a 1986 Fortune magazine article listing the 50 biggest mafia bosses, close to John Gotti at 13th. |
| Informant | An individual who provides information to law enforcement agencies, often in exchange for protection or leniency. | Franzese discusses the FBI and a notable agent who created informants to take down the Green Reaper and Scarpa. |
| RICO | The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, a federal law aimed at combating organized crime. | Although not explicitly mentioned, RICO is relevant to the context of Michael Franzese’s experiences with the Mafia and law enforcement. |
| Omertà | The code of silence and loyalty observed by members of the Mafia, prohibiting them from cooperating with law enforcement. | Michael Franzese’s decision not to testify against anyone or send them to prison reflects his adherence to the code of omertà. |
| True-crime | A genre of media that focuses on real-life crimes and their investigations, often presented in a documentary or dramatized format. | Franzese is currently working on a true-crime unscripted show called “Mafia Democracy” highlighting cases where the government was complicit in framing individuals. |
| Underworld | The world of organized crime, often involving secret societies, corruption, and illicit activities. | Michael Franzese’s story provides a glimpse into the underworld of the Mafia and its inner workings. |
| Organized crime | A type of crime that involves a structured group of individuals working together to engage in illicit activities, often with a hierarchical leadership. | Michael Franzese’s experiences are a prime example of organized crime, highlighting the complexities and dangers of this world. |
Grammar Focus:
The past perfect tense is used to describe an action that occurred before another action in the past. It is formed using the auxiliary verb “had” + the past participle of the main verb. Review the following examples:
- He had learned a lot from him, including how to carry themselves and earn respect from others.
- He had spent 20 years in a high-level life, Franzese knew he had to make changes.
Complete the following grammar quiz to practice your understanding of the past perfect tense:
- By the time Michael Franzese joined the mafia, his father ____________________ him how to be a “man’s man”.
- A) teaches
- B) had taught
- C) was teaching
- D) is teaching
- Michael Franzese ____________________ his associates, who either went to jail or got killed, by the time he decided to leave the mafia life.
- A) outlasts
- B) had outlasted
- C) was outlasting
- D) outlasted
- Before Michael Franzese became a successful businessman, he ____________________ in a blood oath ritual to join the Cosa Nostra.
- A) participates
- B) had participated
- C) was participating
- D) participate
- By the time Rudy Giuliani claimed his motivation for becoming a US Attorney, Michael Franzese ____________________ his experiences with the mob.