The Reading / Listening - Level 6

The United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union in what is being seen as a political earthquake. Just over 52 per cent* of Britons expressed their desire to exit the EU in a referendum on Thursday. Currency markets were immediately affected as the British pound fell to its lowest level against the dollar since 1985. Britain's decision to leave has caused political upheaval. Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to stay in the EU and so politicians in both countries are now contemplating breaking from the UK. Right-wing politicians in Europe congratulated the UK for leaving. One said: "It is Great Britain's independence day. The people were asked, and they decided. The European Union as a political union has failed."

The magnitude of the result was summed up by Rob Ford, professor of politics at Manchester University, who said: "This is the biggest shock to European politics since the fall of the Berlin Wall." The vote has already prompted Britain's leader David Cameron to resign. He led the campaign to stay part of the EU and will step down in October. He said the country needed "fresh leadership". Less certain is the plight of the 3.3 million non-British EU citizens living in Britain, and the 1.3 million Britons living in other EU countries. Others may follow the UK's lead in exiting the EU. Representatives from Holland's Dutch Freedom Party and France's National Front Party said: "Now it is our turn."

* Correction: 51.8% of those who voted in the referendum.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 4  or  Level 5

Sources
  • http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-06-24/u-k-votes-for-brexit-in-rupture-with-european-order-bbc-says
  • http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-36615028
  • http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/sinn-fein-brexit-reaction_us_576cbc1ae4b017b379f586f9?k37j8i16oqeabgldi


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. THE UNITED KINGDOM: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about the United Kingdom. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?

       United Kingdom / voted / earthquake / currency / decision / right wing / the EU /
       magnitude / Berlin Wall / leader / campaign / leadership / plight / citizens / our turn

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. OUT: Students A strongly believe it is better for the UK to be out of the EU; Students B strongly disagree.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. THE FUTURE: What might happen to these things / people in the UK in the future? Talk about this with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

  • The pound
  • The Premier League
  • Jobs
  • Overseas investment
  • UK expats in Europe
  • EU citizens in the UK
MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. UNION: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "union". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

6. THE UK: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things about the UK at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • music
  • history
  • fashion
  • weather
  • the people
  • the food
  • the royal family
  • humour

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if a-h below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. Nearly 60% of people in the UK voted to leave the EU.     T / F
  2. The pound fell to levels against the dollar not seen since 1958.     T / F
  3. All four countries in the UK voted to leave the EU.     T / F
  4. Right-wing politicians in Europe congratulated the UK on its decision.     T / F
  5. A professor said the fall of the Berlin Wall was a bigger shock.     T / F
  6. Britain's leader will no longer be his country's leader in November.     T / F
  7. There are 3.3 million Britons living in other EU countries.     T / F
  8. Some Dutch and French politicians want their countries to leave the EU.  T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. earthquake
  2. desire
  3. immediately
  4. contemplating
  5. union
  6. magnitude
  7. prompted
  8. step down
  9. lead
  10. turn
  1. marriage
  2. considering
  3. resign
  4. wish
  5. importance
  6. chance
  7. instantly
  8. example
  9. caused
  10. shock

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

  1. expressed their desire
  2. caused political
  3. contemplating
  4. Right-
  5. The European Union as a political union
  6. The magnitude
  7. the biggest shock to European politics since
  8. step
  9. the plight of
  10. Others may
  1. breaking from the UK
  2. the 3.3 million
  3. has failed
  4. of the result
  5. upheaval
  6. the fall of the Berlin Wall
  7. to exit the EU
  8. wing politicians
  9. follow the UK's lead
  10. down in October

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
decision
desire
independence
contemplating
union
political
markets
wing

The United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union in what is being seen as a (1) ___________ earthquake. Just over 52 per cent of Britons expressed their (2) ___________ to exit the EU in a referendum on Thursday. Currency (3) ___________ were immediately affected as the British pound fell to its lowest level against the dollar since 1985. Britain's (4) ___________ to leave has caused political upheaval. Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to stay in the EU and so politicians in both countries are now (5) ___________ breaking from the UK. Right-(6) ___________ politicians in Europe congratulated the UK for leaving. One said: "It is Great Britain's (7) ___________ day. The people were asked, and they decided. The European Union as a political (8) ___________ has failed."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
citizens
magnitude
prompted
turn
shock
lead
fresh
step

The (9) ___________ of the result was summed up by Rob Ford, professor of politics at Manchester University, who said: "This is the biggest (10) ___________ to European politics since the fall of the Berlin Wall." The vote has already (11) ___________ Britain's leader David Cameron to resign. He led the campaign to stay part of the EU and will (12) ___________ down in October. He said the country needed "(13) ___________ leadership". Less certain is the plight of the 3.3 million non-British EU (14) ___________ living in Britain, and the 1.3 million Britons living in other EU countries. Others may follow the UK's (15) ___________ in exiting the EU. Representatives from Holland's Dutch Freedom Party and France's National Front Party said: "Now it is our (16) ___________."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  Just over 52 per cent of Britons expressed their desire to exit the EU ______
     a.  inner referendum
     b.  in a referenda
     c.  inner referenda
     d.  in a referendum

2)  Britain's decision to leave has caused ______
     a.  political up heave all
     b.  political up he vole
     c.  political upheaval
     d.  political up heavy awl

3)  so politicians in both countries are now ______
     a.  contemplating breaking in
     b.  contemplating breaking
     c.  contemplating break in
     d.  contemplating breaks in

4)  It is Great Britain's independence day. The people were asked, and ______
     a.  they decided
     b.  they decisive
     c.  they deciding
     d.  they decision

5)  The European Union as a political ______
     a.  union has fail
     b.  unions has failed
     c.  union has failed
     d.  union have fails

6)  This is the biggest shock to European politics since the fall ______
     a.  of the Burning Wall
     b.  of the Bergen Wall
     c.  of the Berlin Wall
     d.  of the Building Wall

7)  The vote has already prompted Britain's leader David Cameron ______
     a.  to re-sign
     b.  to resign
     c.  to design
     d.  to resigns

8)  He led the campaign to stay part of the EU and ______
     a.  will step down
     b.  will step up
     c.  will step in
     d.  will step on

9)  Less certain is the plight of the 3.3 million non-______
     a.  British EU citizenry
     b.  British EU citizenship
     c.  British EU citizens
     d.  British EU citizen

10)  Holland's Dutch Freedom Party and France's National Front Party said: "______."
     a.  Now it is our tern
     b.  Now it is our torn
     c.  Now it is our turn
     d.  Now it is our tarn

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union (1) ___________________ seen as a political earthquake. Just over 52 per cent of Britons expressed their desire to exit the EU (2) ___________________ on Thursday. Currency markets were immediately affected as the British pound (3) ___________________ level against the dollar since 1985. Britain's decision to leave has caused (4) ___________________. Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to stay in the EU and so politicians in both countries are (5) ___________________ breaking from the UK. Right-wing politicians in Europe congratulated the UK for leaving. One said: "It is Great Britain's independence day. The people were asked, and they decided. The European Union as a political (6) ___________________."

The magnitude of the result was (7) ___________________ Rob Ford, professor of politics at Manchester University, who said: "This is the biggest shock to European politics (8) ___________________ the Berlin Wall." The vote has already prompted Britain's leader David Cameron to resign. He led the campaign to (9) ___________________ EU and will step down in October. He said the country needed "(10) ___________________". Less certain is the plight of the 3.3 million non-British EU citizens living in Britain, and the 1.3 million Britons living in other EU countries. Others may follow (11) ___________________ exiting the EU. Representatives from Holland's Dutch Freedom Party and France's National Front Party said: "(12) ___________________."

Comprehension questions

  1. What did the article say the UK's decision to leave the EU was seen as?
  2. What percentage of Britons voted to exit the UK?
  3. When was the last time the UK pound was as low against the dollar?
  4. What are Scotland and Northern Ireland thinking about doing?
  5. What did a right-wing European politician say had failed?
  6. Who is Bob Ford?
  7. What did Bob Ford liken the UK exit to?
  8. When will David Cameron step down as Britain's leader?
  9. How many non-British UK citizens live in the UK?
  10. How many UK citizens live outside the UK in EU countries?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What did the article say the UK's decision to leave the EU was seen as?
a) a referendum
b) a political earthquake
c) desire
d) the European Union

2) What percentage of Britons voted to exit the UK?
a) just under 52%
b) exactly 52%
c) around 52%
d) just over 52%

3) When was the last time the UK pound was as low against the dollar?
a) 2005
b) 1927
c) 1985
d) 1958

4) What are Scotland and Northern Ireland thinking about doing?
a) leaving the UK
b) joining together as one country
c) applying to join the USA
d) having another referendum

5) What did a right-wing European politician say had failed?
a) the UK
b) the EU
c) democracy
d) the left wing

6) Who is Bob Ford?
a) a professor
b) a campaign leader
c) head of the EU
d) a Manchester United footballer

7) What did Bob Ford liken the UK exit to?
a) European politics
b) Manchester University
c) the fall of the Berlin Wall
d) failure

8) When will David Cameron step down as Britain's leader?
a) October
b) tomorrow
c) next month
d) with immediate effect

9) How many non-British UK citizens live in the UK?
a) 2.3 million
b) 1.3 million
c) 2.3 million
d) 3.3 million

10) How many UK citizens live outside the UK in EU countries?
a) 1.2 million
b) 1.1 million
c) 1.3 million
d) 1.4 million

Role play

Role A — The people

You think the people are the best thing about the UK. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as good. Also, tell the others which of these really needs to be improved (and why): the food, music or the weather.

Role B — The food

You think the food is the best thing about the UK. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as good. Also, tell the others which of these really needs to be improved (and why): the people, music or the weather.

Role C — The music

You think music is the best thing about the UK. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as good. Also, tell the others which of these really needs to be improved (and why): the food, the people or the weather.

Role D — The weather

You think the weather is the best thing about the UK. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as good. Also, tell the others which of these really needs to be improved (and why):  the food, music or the people.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'united'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'kingdom'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • Share your findings with your partners.

    • Make questions using the words you found.

    • Ask your partner / group your questions.

    2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

    •Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

    3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

    4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

    5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

    • summed
    • shock
    • part
    • plight
    • lead
    • turn
    • seen
    • desire
    • immediately
    • caused
    • right
    • day
    •  

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - U.K. votes to leave European Union

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What springs to mind when you hear the word ' independence'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. How do you feel about Britain leaving the EU?
    5. Why did many Britons want to stay in the EU?
    6. What are the good things about being a member of the EU?
    7. What do you think of the idea of the UK breaking up?
    8. What do you think of the European Union?
    9. Is the politician who said the EU has failed right?
    10. What will happen to the UK from now?

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What is the magnitude of the UK exiting the EU?
    3. Is it the biggest shock in Europe since the fall of the Berlin Wall?
    4. Why did many Britons want to leave the EU?
    5. What will happen to Britons living in Europe?
    6. How 'great' is Britain?
    7. What are the biggest reasons the Leave campaign in the UK won?
    8. What good and bad things might be ahead for the UK?
    9. What will happen if other countries leave the EU?
    10. What questions would you like to ask Britain's pro-leave leaders?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    The United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union in what is (1) ____ seen as a political earthquake. Just over 52 per cent of Britons expressed their (2) ____ to exit the EU in a referendum on Thursday. Currency markets were (3) ____ affected as the British pound fell to its lowest level against the dollar since 1985. Britain's decision to leave has caused political (4) ____. Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to stay in the EU and so politicians in both countries are now (5) ____ breaking from the UK. Right-wing politicians in Europe congratulated the UK for leaving. One said: "It is Great Britain's independence day. The people were asked, and they decided. The European Union as a political union has (6) ____."

    The (7) ____ of the result was summed (8) ____ by Rob Ford, professor of politics at Manchester University, who said: "This is the biggest shock to European politics since the fall of the Berlin Wall." The vote has already (9) ____ Britain's leader David Cameron to resign. He led the campaign to stay part of the EU and will (10) ____ down in October. He said the country needed "fresh leadership". Less certain is the (11) ____ of the 3.3 million non-British EU citizens living in Britain, and the 1.3 million Britons living in other EU countries. Others may follow the UK's lead in exiting the EU. Representatives from Holland's Dutch Freedom Party and France's National Front Party said: "Now it is our (12) ____."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)      been      (b)      being      (c)      begin      (d)      beginning     
    2. (a)      destiny      (b)      desire      (c)      desist      (d)      design     
    3. (a)      mediated      (b)      immediate      (c)      immediacy      (d)      immediately     
    4. (a)      retrieval      (b)      upheaval      (c)      medieval      (d)      convivial     
    5. (a)      commiserating      (b)      cementing      (c)      commenting      (d)      contemplating     
    6. (a)      failure      (b)      epic fail      (c)      failed      (d)      failing     
    7. (a)      magnitude      (b)      magnum      (c)      magma      (d)      magenta     
    8. (a)      down      (b)      over      (c)      up      (d)      on     
    9. (a)      proctored      (b)      promoted      (c)      preempted      (d)      prompted     
    10. (a)      step      (b)      walk      (c)      hop      (d)      stair     
    11. (a)      plight      (b)      flight      (c)      blight      (d)      slight     
    12. (a)      turn      (b)      twist      (c)      curve      (d)      spin

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. a political uerhqktaae
    2. Britons epdsxesre their desire to exit
    3. in a refenuermd
    4. yrcnucer markets were immediately affected
    5. caused political upaelahv
    6. ndencneeedpi day

    Paragraph 2

    1. The gteadmniu of the result
    2. ppmrdtoe Britain's leader
    3. He led the pcgmaani to stay
    4. the tpgilh of the 3.3 million
    5. EU etinzsic living in Britain
    6. teesisetvarnper from Holland's Dutch Freedom Party

    Put the text back together

    (    )      voted to stay in the EU and so politicians in both countries are now contemplating breaking from the UK. Right-

    (  1  )     The United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union in what is being seen as a political earthquake. Just

    (    )      of the 3.3 million non-British EU citizens living in Britain, and the 1.3 million Britons

    (    )      "This is the biggest shock to European politics since the fall of the Berlin Wall." The vote has already prompted Britain's

    (    )      wing politicians in Europe congratulated the UK for leaving. One said: "It is Great Britain's

    (    )      down in October. He said the country needed "fresh leadership". Less certain is the plight

    (    )      over 52 per cent of Britons expressed their desire to exit the EU in a referendum on Thursday. Currency

    (    )      independence day. The people were asked, and they decided. The European Union as a political union has failed."

    (    )      against the dollar since 1985. Britain's decision to leave has caused political upheaval. Scotland and Northern Ireland

    (    )      The magnitude of the result was summed up by Rob Ford, professor of politics at Manchester University, who said:

    (    )      markets were immediately affected as the British pound fell to its lowest level

    (    )      from Holland's Dutch Freedom Party and France's National Front Party said: "Now it is our turn."

    (    )      leader David Cameron to resign. He led the campaign to stay part of the EU and will step

    (    )      living in other EU countries. Others may follow the UK's lead in exiting the EU. Representatives

    Put the words in the right order

    1. its   the   The   lowest  against   fell   pound  level   British   dollar   to  .
    2. to   decision   Britain's   upheaval   political   caused   has   leave   .
    3. the   breaking   now   countries  UK   from  contemplating   are   Both  .
    4. people   The   decided   they   and   ,   asked   were   .
    5. union   Union   has   as   failed   a   The   political   European   .
    6. the   summed   Rob   of   was   by   magnitude   result   up   The   .
    7. shock   biggest   the   is   This   politics   European   to   .
    8. led   to   of   He   campaign   part   EU   the   stay   the   .
    9. plight   EU   non   of   citizens   -   3.3   the   The   British   million   .
    10. may   UK's   exiting   Others   the   in   EU   follow   lead   the   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    The United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union in what is been / being seen as a political / politically earthquake. Just over 52 per cent of Britons expressed their desire / distaste to exit the EU in a referendum on Thursday. Currency markets were immediately affected / effected as the British pound fell to its lowest level against the dollar since 1985. Britain's decision to leave has caused politician / political upheaval. Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to stay in the EU and such / so politicians in both countries are now contemptuously / contemplating breaking from the UK. Right-wing / Right-wings politicians in Europe congratulated / congregated the UK for leaving. One said: "It is Great Britain's independence day. The people were asked, and they decided. The European Union as / is a political union has failed."

    The magnitude of the result was summed down / up by Rob Ford, professor of politics at Manchester University, who said: "This is the biggest shocking / shock to European politics since the fall / drop of the Berlin Wall." The vote has already promoted / prompted Britain's leader David Cameron to resign. He led / lid the campaign to stay part of the EU and will step / walk down in October. He said the country needed "fresh leadership". Less / Few certain is the plight / blight of the 3.3 million non-British EU citizens living in Britain, and the 1.3 million Britons living in other EU countries. Others may follow the UK's lead in exciting / exiting the EU. Representatives from Holland's Dutch Freedom Party and France's National Front Party said: "Now it is our twist / turn."

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    Th_ _n_t_d K_ngd_m h_s v_t_d t_ l__v_ th_ __r_p__n _n__n _n wh_t _s b__ng s__n _s _ p_l_t_c_l __rthq__k_. J_st _v_r 52 p_r c_nt _f Br_t_ns _xpr_ss_d th__r d_s_r_ t_ _x_t th_ __ _n _ r_f_r_nd_m _n Th_rsd_y. C_rr_ncy m_rk_ts w_r_ _mm_d__t_ly _ff_ct_d _s th_ Br_t_sh p__nd f_ll t_ _ts l_w_st l_v_l _g__nst th_ d_ll_r s_nc_ 1985. Br_t__n's d_c_s__n t_ l__v_ h_s c__s_d p_l_t_c_l _ph__v_l. Sc_tl_nd _nd N_rth_rn _r_l_nd v_t_d t_ st_y _n th_ __ _nd s_ p_l_t_c__ns _n b_th c__ntr__s _r_ n_w c_nt_mpl_t_ng br__k_ng fr_m th_ _K. R_ght-w_ng p_l_t_c__ns _n __r_p_ c_ngr_t_l_t_d th_ _K f_r l__v_ng. _n_ s__d: "_t _s Gr__t Br_t__n's _nd_p_nd_nc_ d_y. Th_ p__pl_ w_r_ _sk_d, _nd th_y d_c_d_d. Th_ __r_p__n _n__n _s _ p_l_t_c_l _n__n h_s f__l_d."

    Th_ m_gn_t_d_ _f th_ r_s_lt w_s s_mm_d _p by R_b F_rd, pr_f_ss_r _f p_l_t_cs _t M_nch_st_r _n_v_rs_ty, wh_ s__d: "Th_s _s th_ b_gg_st sh_ck t_ __r_p__n p_l_t_cs s_nc_ th_ f_ll _f th_ B_rl_n W_ll." Th_ v_t_ h_s _lr__dy pr_mpt_d Br_t__n's l__d_r D_v_d C_m_r_n t_ r_s_gn. H_ l_d th_ c_mp__gn t_ st_y p_rt _f th_ __ _nd w_ll st_p d_wn _n _ct_b_r. H_ s__d th_ c__ntry n__d_d "fr_sh l__d_rsh_p". L_ss c_rt__n _s th_ pl_ght _f th_ 3.3 m_ll__n n_n-Br_t_sh __ c_t_z_ns l_v_ng _n Br_t__n, _nd th_ 1.3 m_ll__n Br_t_ns l_v_ng _n _th_r __ c__ntr__s. _th_rs m_y f_ll_w th_ _K's l__d _n _x_t_ng th_ __. R_pr_s_nt_t_v_s fr_m H_ll_nd's D_tch Fr__d_m P_rty _nd Fr_nc_'s N_t__n_l Fr_nt P_rty s__d: "N_w _t _s __r t_rn."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    the united kingdom has voted to leave the european union in what is being seen as a political earthquake just over 52 per cent of britons expressed their desire to exit the eu in a referendum on thursday currency markets were immediately affected as the british pound fell to its lowest level against the dollar since 1985 britain's decision to leave has caused political upheaval scotland and northern ireland voted to stay in the eu and so politicians in both countries are now contemplating breaking from the uk right-wing politicians in europe congratulated the uk for leaving one said "it is great britain's independence day the people were asked and they decided the european union as a political union has failed"

    the magnitude of the result was summed up by rob ford professor of politics at manchester university who said "this is the biggest shock to european politics since the fall of the berlin wall" the vote has already prompted britain's leader david cameron to resign he led the campaign to stay part of the eu and will step down in october he said the country needed "fresh leadership" less certain is the plight of the 33 million non-british eu citizens living in britain and the 13 million britons living in other eu countries others may follow the uk's lead in exiting the eu representatives from holland's dutch freedom party and france's national front party said "now it is our turn"

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    TheUnitedKingdomhasvotedtoleavetheEuropeanUnioninwhatisbein
    gseenasapoliticalearthquake.Justover52percentofBritonsexpresse
    dtheirdesiretoexittheEUinareferendumonThursday.Currencymarke
    tswereimmediatelyaffectedastheBritishpoundfelltoitslowestlevelag
    ainstthedollarsince1985.Britain'sdecisiontoleavehascausedpolitical
    upheaval.ScotlandandNorthernIrelandvotedtostayintheEUandsopo
    liticiansinbothcountriesarenowcontemplatingbreakingfromtheUK.R
    ight-wingpoliticiansinEuropecongratulatedtheUKforleaving.Ones
    aid:"ItisGreatBritain'sindependenceday.Thepeoplewereasked,andt
    heydecided.TheEuropeanUnionasapoliticalunionhasfailed."Themag
    nitudeoftheresultwassummedupbyRobFord,professorofpoliticsatMa
    nchesterUniversity,whosaid:"ThisisthebiggestshocktoEuropeanpoli
    ticssincethefalloftheBerlinWall."ThevotehasalreadypromptedBritai
    n'sleaderDavidCamerontoresign.Heledthecampaigntostaypartofthe
    EUandwillstepdowninOctober.Hesaidthecountryneeded"freshleade
    rship".Lesscertainistheplightofthe3.3millionnon-BritishEUcit
    izenslivinginBritain,andthe1.3millionBritonslivinginotherEUcountri
    es.OthersmayfollowtheUK'sleadinexitingtheEU.Representativesfro
    mHolland'sDutchFreedomPartyandFrance'sNationalFrontPartysaid:
    "Nowitisourturn."

    Free writing

    Write about United Kingdom for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

     

    Academic writing

    It is good that the UK is leaving the EU? Discuss.

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

     

    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about the United Kingdom leaving the European Union. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

    3. THE EUROPEAN UNION: Make a poster about the European Union. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

    4. BREXIT: Write a magazine article about the United Kingdom and its 'Brexit' from the EU. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against it.

    Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

    5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on the United Kingdom. Ask him/her three questions about its future. Give him/her three of your ideas on what that future will be like. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

    $US 9.99

    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Back to the top

    Help Support This Web Site

    • Please consider helping Breaking News English.com

    Sean Banville's Book

    Thank You