The Reading / Listening - Magna Carta - Level 6

Two climate activists have tried to damage one of the world's oldest and most famous documents – the Magna Carta. The women are both in their 80s. They went to the British Library in London and attacked the glass case that contained the Magna Carta. The women used a hammer and a chisel to try to break the glass. Police have charged the women with criminal damage. The British Library said its security staff, "intervened, to prevent further damage to the case". It added that the "Magna Carta itself remains undamaged". The women are from the Just Stop Oil protest group. They held up a sign that read: "The government is breaking the law." The women also glued themselves to the case.

The Magna Carta is a royal charter that was agreed to by King John of England on the 15th of June 1215. It stated that everyone was equal under the law. It also guaranteed that everyone should have a fair trial, with a jury. Historians say the Magna Carta was the foundation for the development of Western democracy. In particular, it influenced the U.S. Constitution. The two protestors said: "The Magna Carta is…of great importance to our history, to our freedoms and to our laws. But, there will be no freedom, no lawfulness, no rights, if we allow climate breakdown to become the catastrophe that is now threatened." They added: "Our government is breaking its own laws against climate change."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Magna Carta - Level 4  or  Magna Carta - Level 5

Sources
  • https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/may/11/two-women-charged-magna-carta-protest-in-london
  • https://www.foxnews.com/world/climate-activists-attack-case-holding-original-magna-carta-london
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magna_Carta


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. OIL: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about oil. 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?
       climate activists / documents / libraries / hammers / chisels / criminal damage / oil /
       royal / kings / England / a fair trial / jury / democracy / constitution / freedom / laws
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. OIL PROTESTS: Students A strongly believe we should all protest against oil; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. CLIMATE CHANGE: How do these things affect our climate? What can we do about it? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

How It Affects Our Climate

What We Can Do

Oil

 

 

Meat production

 

 

Air conditioning

 

 

Flying

 

 

Deforestation

 

 

Green energy

 

 
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. DOCUMENT: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "document". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. PROTESTS: Rank these with your partner. Put the most important things to protest about at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Oil
  • Food prices
  • Your nation going to war
  • Taxes
  • Corrupt government
  • Equality
  • The environment
  • Freedom of speech

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. activist a. Stuck together firmly with a sticky substance.
      2. case b. A person who works hard to make changes in society or government.
      3. chisel (noun) c. To become involved in a situation to change or stop it.
      4. charge (verb) d. A container designed to hold or protect something understood.
      5. intervened e. Formally accuse someone of something, especially an offence under law.
      6. protest f. A tool with a sharp edge used for cutting or shaping wood, stone, or metal.
      7. glued g. To show disagreement or disapproval, often by gathering together with others and speaking or marching.

    Paragraph 2

      8. charter h. A document that explains the rights and responsibilities of a group or organization.
      9. trial (noun) i. A terrible event that causes a lot of damage or suffering.
      10. jury j. A formal examination of evidence in a court of law to decide if someone is guilty or innocent of a crime.
      11. foundation k. A set of basic laws or principles that a country or organization follows.
      12. influenced l. A group of people who listen to the evidence in a trial and decide if someone is guilty or innocent.
      13. constitution m. The base or support of something.
      14. catastrophe n. To have an effect on someone or something, often causing them to change.

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. Twelve climate activists attempted to damage the Magna Carta.     T / F
  2. The protestors were aged between 80 and 89 years old.     T / F
  3. The protestors used chainsaws to try to damage the Magna Carta.     T / F
  4. The protestors stuck themselves to the Magna Carta case with glue.     T / F
  5. The Magna Carta is from the year 1215.     T / F
  6. The Magna Carta says all humans are equal under the law.     T / F
  7. The U.S. Constitution was influenced by the Magna Carta.     T / F
  8. The protestors said they were not breaking any laws.     T / F

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

  1. activists
  2. contained
  3. intervened
  4. further
  5. glued
  6. equal
  7. trial
  8. foundation
  9. influenced
  10. catastrophe
  1. hearing
  2. additional
  3. stuck
  4. shaped
  5. held
  6. basis
  7. identical
  8. campaigners
  9. calamity
  10. got involved

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

  1. climate
  2. the glass case that
  3. The women used a hammer
  4. Police have charged the women
  5. the Magna Carta itself
  6. The Magna Carta is a royal
  7. everyone should have a fair trial,
  8. the foundation for the development
  9. if we allow climate
  10. the catastrophe that is
  1. charter
  2. and a chisel
  3. remains undamaged
  4. now threatened
  5. with a jury
  6. activists
  7. breakdown
  8. contained the Magna Carta
  9. of Western democracy
  10. with criminal damage

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
chisel
both
remains
activists
glued
staff
group
case

Two climate (1) _____________________have tried to damage one of the world's oldest and most famous documents – the Magna Carta. The women are (2) _____________________in their 80s. They went to the British Library in London and attacked the glass (3) _____________________that contained the Magna Carta. The women used a hammer and a (4) _____________________to try to break the glass. Police have charged the women with criminal damage. The British Library said its security (5) _____________________, "intervened, to prevent further damage to the case". It added that the "Magna Carta itself (6) _____________________undamaged". The women are from the Just Stop Oil protest (7) _____________________. They held up a sign that read: "The government is breaking the law." The women also (8) _____________________themselves to the case.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
jury
catastrophe
charter
influenced
against
equal
democracy
freedoms

The Magna Carta is a royal (9) _____________________that was agreed to by King John of England on the 15th of June 1215. It stated that everyone was (10) _____________________under the law. It also guaranteed that everyone should have a fair trial, with a (11) _____________________. Historians say the Magna Carta was the foundation for the development of Western (12) _____________________. In particular, it (13) _____________________the U.S. Constitution. The two protestors said: "The Magna Carta is…of great importance to our history, to our (14) _____________________and to our laws. But, there will be no freedom, no lawfulness, no rights, if we allow climate breakdown to become the (15) _____________________that is now threatened." They added: "Our government is breaking its own laws (16) _____________________climate change."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  damage one of the world's oldest and ______
     a.  most famously documents
     b.  most infamous documents
     c.  most famous documents
     d.  mostly famous documents
2)  The women used a hammer ______
     a.  and a chisel
     b.  and a chattel
     c.  and a chat
     d.  and a drivel
3)  Police have charged the women ______
     a.  with criminal damagers
     b.  with criminal damaged
     c.  with criminal damaging
     d.  with criminal damage
4)  The British Library said its ______
     a.  security staff intervened
     b.  security staff interviewed
     c.  security staff invertebrate
     d.  security staff intervention
5)  It added that the Magna Carta ______
     a.  itself remnants undamaged
     b.  itself bemoans undamaged
     c.  itself retrains undamaged
     d.  itself remains undamaged

6)  The Magna Carta is a royal charter that ______
     a.  was staggered to
     b.  was agreed to
     c.  was aggrieved to
     d.  was argued to
7)  It also guaranteed that everyone should have a fair trial, ______
     a.  with a jewellery
     b.  with a dowry
     c.  with a jury
     d.  with a dewy
8)  the Magna Carta was the foundation for the development ______
     a.  of Western autocracy
     b.  of Western democracy
     c.  of Western kleptocracy
     d.  of Western mediocracy
9)  The Magna Carta is…of great importance to our history, ______
     a.  tour freedoms
     b.  two-hour freedoms
     c.  to wow freedoms
     d.  to our freedoms
10)  But, there will be no freedom, no lawfulness, no rights, if we ______
     a.  allow climate breakup
     b.  allow climate touchdown
     c.  allow climate breakdown
     d.  allow climate brake down

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Two climate activists have (1) ____________________ one of the world's oldest and most famous documents – the Magna Carta. The women are both in their 80s. They went to the British Library in London and attacked the glass (2) ____________________ the Magna Carta. The women used a hammer and a (3) ____________________ to break the glass. Police have charged the women (4) ____________________. The British Library said its security staff, "intervened, to prevent further damage to the case". It added that the "Magna Carta (5) ____________________". The women are from the Just Stop Oil protest group. They held up a sign that read: "The government is breaking the law." The women also (6) ____________________ the case.

The Magna Carta is a (7) ____________________ was agreed to by King John of England on the 15th of June 1215. It stated that everyone (8) ____________________ the law. It also guaranteed that everyone should have a fair trial, with a jury. Historians say the Magna Carta was the (9) ____________________ development of Western democracy. In particular, it influenced the U.S. Constitution. The (10) ____________________: "The Magna Carta is…of great importance to our history, to our freedoms and to our laws. But, there will be no freedom, no lawfulness, no rights, if we allow (11) ____________________ become the catastrophe that is now threatened." They added: "Our government is breaking (12) ____________________ against climate change."

Comprehension questions

  1. How old are the two climate activists?
  2. In which city did the protest take place?
  3. What tools did the protestors use in their attack on the Magna Carta?
  4. Who intervened to stop the attack?
  5. Which protest group are the protestors from?
  6. In what year was the Magna Carta agreed to?
  7. Who does the Magna Carta say is equal under the law?
  8. What did the Magna Carta influence?
  9. What did the protestors say the Magna Carta was important to?
  10. What did the protestors say the government was breaking?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How old are the two climate activists?
a) They're teenagers.
b) They're middle-aged.
c) They're in their 80s.
d) They're in their early 60s.
2) In which city did the protest take place?
a) London
b) Oxford
c) Cambridge
d) Edinburgh
3) What tools did the protestors use in their attack on the Magna Carta?
a) a chisel and an axe
b) a hammer and a chisel
c) a hammer and a chainsaw
d) a screwdriver and an axe
4) Who intervened to stop the attack?
a) the police
b) two 80-year-old women
c) tourists
d) security staff
5) Which protest group are the protestors from?
a) Greenpeace
b) Democracy Now
c) Just Stop Oil
d) PETA

6) In what year was the Magna Carta agreed to?
a) 1512
b) 1215
c) 1125
d) 1251
7) Who does the Magna Carta say is equal under the law?
a) children and adults
b) men and women
c) kings and queens
d) everyone
8) What did the Magna Carta influence?
a) international law
b) the U.S. Constitution
c) the United Nations
d) Latin
9) What did the protestors say the Magna Carta was important to?
a) European history
b) the UK's history
c) American history
d) world history
10) What did the protestors say the government was breaking?
a) laws against climate change
b) people's morale
c) the bank
d) the code in the Magna Carta

Role play

Role  A – Oil
You think oil is the best reason for street protests. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their reasons. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): food prices, the environment or war.

Role  B – Food Prices
You think food prices is the best reason for street protests. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their reasons. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): oil, the environment or war.

Role  C – The Environment
You think the environment is the best reason for street protests. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their reasons. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): food prices, oil or war.

Role  D – War
You think war is the best reason for street protests. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their reasons. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): food prices, the environment or oil.

After reading / listening

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

'oil'

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

    • and 'protestor'.

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

    • • 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:

    • famous
    • both
    • chisel
    • security
    • group
    • themselves
    • agreed
    • equal
    • fair
    • particular
    • great
    • allow

    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 - Magna Carta

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

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'oil'?
    3. What do you know about the Magna Carta?
    4. What do you think of climate activists?
    5. How much of a climate activist are you?
    6. What are the world's most famous documents?
    7. What do you think of the attempted attack on the Magna Carta?
    8. What should happen to the women?
    9. What things would you protest against?
    10. What advice do you have for anti-oil protestors?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'protestor'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. In practice, is everyone equal under the law?
    5. What are trials and juries like in your country?
    6. What do you know about the U.S. Constitution?
    7. What catastrophes will happen because of climate change?
    8. Should governments be put on trial for climate change?
    9. How can we reduce our dependence on oil?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the two women?

    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)

    Two climate (1) ____ have tried to damage one of the world's oldest and most famous documents – the Magna Carta. The women are both (2) ____ their 80s. They went to the British Library in London and attacked the glass case that (3) ____ the Magna Carta. The women used a hammer and a chisel to try to break the glass. Police have (4) ____ the women with criminal damage. The British Library said its security staff, "intervened, to prevent (5) ____ damage to the case". It added that the "Magna Carta itself remains undamaged". The women are from the Just Stop Oil protest group. They held up a sign that read: "The government is breaking the (6) ____." The women also glued themselves to the case.

    The Magna Carta is a royal charter that was agreed (7) ____ by King John of England on the 15th of June 1215. It stated that everyone was equal (8) ____ the law. It also guaranteed that everyone should have a fair trial, with a jury. Historians say the Magna Carta was the foundation for the development of Western democracy. In (9) ____, it influenced the U.S. Constitution. The two protestors said: "The Magna Carta is…(10) ____ great importance to our history, to our freedoms and to our laws. But, there will be no freedom, no lawfulness, no rights, if we allow climate (11) ____ to become the catastrophe that is now threatened." They added: "Our government is breaking its own laws (12) ____ climate change."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    (a)     activists     (b)     activities     (c)     activism     (d)     actives    
    (a)     at     (b)     of     (c)     in     (d)     by    
    (a)     concerted     (b)     cemented     (c)     contented     (d)     contained    
    (a)     chained     (b)     charged     (c)     chattered     (d)     charred    
    (a)     future     (b)     farther     (c)     fatter     (d)     further    
    (a)     charter     (b)     constitution     (c)     law     (d)     case    
    (a)     at     (b)     to     (c)     in     (d)     by    
    (a)     under     (b)     over     (c)     below     (d)     above    
    (a)     particular     (b)     peculiar     (c)     particularly     (d)     particulars    
    (a)     to     (b)     at     (c)     of     (d)     on    
    (a)     lockdown     (b)     touchdown     (c)     countdown     (d)     breakdown    
    (a)     under     (b)     against     (c)     for     (d)     heating

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. climate svaicistt
    2. The women used a hammer and a helsci
    3. aicmnilr damage
    4. its security staff neentiedvr
    5. Magna Carta itself remains edamndaug
    6. eldug themselves to the case

    Paragraph 2

    1. The Magna Carta is a royal atrcreh
    2. It also egnraudtea
    3. the tfuanodoni for the development
    4. Western eracdomcy
    5. it influenced the U.S. ociitttuosnn
    6. the harstecotap that is now threatened

    Put the text back together

    (...)   laws. But, there will be no freedom, no lawfulness, no rights, if we allow climate breakdown to become the catastrophe
    (...)   protestors said: "The Magna Carta is…of great importance to our history, to our freedoms and to our
    (...)   undamaged". The women are from the Just Stop Oil protest group. They held up a sign
    (...)   Western democracy. In particular, it influenced the U.S. Constitution. The two
    (...)   that read: "The government is breaking the law." The women also glued themselves to the case.
    (  1  )   Two climate activists have tried to damage one of the world's oldest and most famous
    (...)   The Magna Carta is a royal charter that was agreed to by King John of England on the 15th of June 1215. It stated
    (...)   that everyone was equal under the law. It also guaranteed that everyone should have a fair
    (...)   staff, "intervened, to prevent further damage to the case". It added that the "Magna Carta itself remains
    (...)   the glass case that contained the Magna Carta. The women used a hammer and a chisel to try to
    (...)   trial, with a jury. Historians say the Magna Carta was the foundation for the development of
    (...)   break the glass. Police have charged the women with criminal damage. The British Library said its security
    (...)   documents – the Magna Carta. The women are both in their 80s. They went to the British Library in London and attacked
    (...)   that is now threatened." They added: "Our government is breaking its own laws against climate change."

    Put the words in the right order

    1. activists   one   .   damage   have   Two   climate   tried   to
    2. their   are   The   both   two   women   in   80s   .
    3. criminal   the   charged   women   damage   .   Police   have   with
    4. damage   .   intervened   further   to   staff   security   Its   prevent
    5. glued   women   The   the   case   .   themselves   to   also
    6. everyone   under   was   It   law   .   said   the   equal
    7. fair   jury   .   a   Everyone   trial   with   has   a
    8. for   of   Western   the   development   foundation   democracy   .   The
    9. become   allow   breakdown   to   the   climate   catastrophe   .   We
    10. climate   breaking   It's   against   laws   change   .   own   its

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Two climate activities / activists have tried to damage one of the world's oldest and most famous documentaries / documents – the Magna Carta. The women are both in / on their 80s. They went to the British Library in London and attacked the glass / glassy case that contained the Magna Carta. The women used the / a hammer and a chisel to try to break the glass. Police have changed / charged the women with criminal damage / damaged. The British Library said its secure / security staff, "intervened, to prevent further damage to the case". It added that the "Magna Carta itself remains / remain undamaged". The women are from the Just Stop Oil protest group. They held down / up a sign that read: "The government is breaking the law." The women also glued themselves / itself to the case.

    The Magna Carta is a royal chat / charter that was agreed to by King John of England on the 15th of June 1215. It stated that everyone was equally / equal under the law. It also guaranteed / guaranteeing that everyone should have a fair trial /trail, with a jury / juror. Historians say the Magna Carta was the foundation for the development of Western democracy. In particularly / particular, it influenced the U.S. Constitution. The two protestors said: "The Magna Carta is…of / on great importance to our history, to our freedoms and to our in-laws / laws. But, there will be no freedom, no lawlessness / lawfulness, no rights, if we allow climate breakdown to become the catastrophe / catastrophic that is now threatened." They added: "Our government is breaking its own laws against / for climate change."

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

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

    Tw_  cl_m_t_  _ct_v_sts  h_v_  tr__d  t_  d_m_g_  _n_  _f  th_  w_rld's  _ld_st  _nd  m_st  f_m__s  d_c_m_nts  –  th_  M_gn_  C_rt_.  Th_  w_m_n  _r_  b_th  _n  th__r  80s.  Th_y  w_nt  t_  th_  Br_t_sh  L_br_ry  _n  L_nd_n  _nd  _tt_ck_d  th_  gl_ss  c_s_  th_t  c_nt__n_d  th_  M_gn_  C_rt_.  Th_  w_m_n  _s_d  _  h_mm_r  _nd  _  ch_s_l  t_  try  t_  br__k  th_  gl_ss.  P_l_c_  h_v_  ch_rg_d  th_  w_m_n  w_th  cr_m_n_l  d_m_g_.  Th_  Br_t_sh  L_br_ry  s__d  _ts  s_c_r_ty  st_ff,  "_nt_rv_n_d,  t_  pr_v_nt  f_rth_r  d_m_g_  t_  th_  c_s_".  _t  _dd_d  th_t  th_  "M_gn_  C_rt_  _ts_lf  r_m__ns  _nd_m_g_d".  Th_  w_m_n  _r_  fr_m  th_  J_st  St_p  __l  pr_t_st  gr__p.  Th_y  h_ld  _p  _  s_gn  th_t  r__d:  "Th_  g_v_rnm_nt  _s  br__k_ng  th_  l_w."  Th_  w_m_n  _ls_  gl__d  th_ms_lv_s  t_  th_  c_s_.

    Th_  M_gn_  C_rt_  _s  _  r_y_l  ch_rt_r  th_t  w_s  _gr__d  t_  by  K_ng  J_hn  _f  _ngl_nd  _n  th_  15th  _f  J_n_  1215.  _t  st_t_d  th_t  _v_ry_n_  w_s  _q__l  _nd_r  th_  l_w.  _t  _ls_  g__r_nt__d  th_t  _v_ry_n_  sh__ld  h_v_  _  f__r  tr__l,  w_th  _  j_ry.  H_st_r__ns  s_y  th_  M_gn_  C_rt_  w_s  th_  f__nd_t__n  f_r  th_  d_v_l_pm_nt  _f  W_st_rn  d_m_cr_cy.  _n  p_rt_c_l_r,  _t  _nfl__nc_d  th_  _.S.  C_nst_t_t__n.  Th_  tw_  pr_t_st_rs  s__d:  "Th_  M_gn_  C_rt_  _s…_f  gr__t  _mp_rt_nc_  t_  __r  h_st_ry,  t_  __r  fr__d_ms  _nd  t_  __r  l_ws.  B_t,  th_r_  w_ll  b_  n_  fr__d_m,  n_  l_wf_ln_ss,  n_  r_ghts,  _f  w_  _ll_w  cl_m_t_  br__kd_wn  t_  b_c_m_  th_  c_t_str_ph_  th_t  _s  n_w  thr__t_n_d."  Th_y  _dd_d:  "__r  g_v_rnm_nt  _s  br__k_ng  _ts  _wn  l_ws  _g__nst  cl_m_t_  ch_ng_."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    two climate activists have tried to damage one of the worlds oldest and most famous documents  the magna carta the women are both in their 80s they went to the british library in london and attacked the glass case that contained the magna carta the women used a hammer and a chisel to try to break the glass police have charged the women with criminal damage the british library said its security staff intervened to prevent further damage to the case it added that the magna carta itself remains undamaged the women are from the just stop oil protest group they held up a sign that read the government is breaking the law the women also glued themselves to the case

    the magna carta is a royal charter that was agreed to by king john of england on the 15th of june 1215 it stated that everyone was equal under the law it also guaranteed that everyone should have a fair trial with a jury historians say the magna carta was the foundation for the development of western democracy in particular it influenced the us constitution the two protestors said the magna carta isof great importance to our history to our freedoms and to our laws but there will be no freedom no lawfulness no rights if we allow climate breakdown to become the catastrophe that is now threatened they added our government is breaking its own laws against climate change

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Twoclimateactivistshavetriedtodamageoneoftheworld'soldestandm
    ostfamousdocuments–theMagnaCarta.Thewomenarebothintheir80
    s.TheywenttotheBritishLibraryinLondonandattackedtheglasscaseth
    atcontainedtheMagnaCarta.Thewomenusedahammerandachiseltot
    rytobreaktheglass.Policehavechargedthewomenwithcriminaldama
    ge.TheBritishLibrarysaiditssecuritystaff,"intervened,topreventfurth
    erdamagetothecase".Itaddedthatthe"MagnaCartaitselfremainsund
    amaged".ThewomenarefromtheJustStopOilprotestgroup.Theyheld
    upasignthatread:"Thegovernmentisbreakingthelaw."Thewomenals
    ogluedthemselvestothecase.TheMagnaCartaisaroyalcharterthatwa
    sagreedtobyKingJohnofEnglandonthe15thofJune1215.Itstatedthat
    everyonewasequalunderthelaw.Italsoguaranteedthateveryonesho
    uldhaveafairtrial,withajury.HistorianssaytheMagnaCartawasthefou
    ndationforthedevelopmentofWesterndemocracy.Inparticular,itinflu
    encedtheU.S.Constitution.Thetwoprotestorssaid:"TheMagnaCartai
    s…ofgreatimportancetoourhistory,toourfreedomsandtoourlaws.But
    ,therewillbenofreedom,nolawfulness,norights,ifweallowclimatebre
    akdowntobecomethecatastrophethatisnowthreatened."Theyadded
    :"Ourgovernmentisbreakingitsownlawsagainstclimatechange."

    Free writing

    Write about Magna Carta for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    We should all protest against oil. Discuss.

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    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 this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. OIL: Make a poster about oil. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. OIL PROTESTS: Write a magazine article about protesting against oil. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
    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 oil. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on oil. 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

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    Answers

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

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