Listen to News with Tara Benwell - Instructions:
1. Preview the vocabulary and read the gapfill text.
2. Play the news report and try to fill in the blanks.
3. Answer the comprehension questions by writing full sentences.
4. Use the discussion question to write an essay or discuss the story with other students.
5. Click "show Answers" to see the full text.
6. Pretend to be a news anchor by reading each story out loud.
dateline: 05 June 2012
NB! For WEEKLY audio stories check out LISTEN & LEARN 🔈
River Pageant Celebrates Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
Pre-Listening Vocabulary
- Diamond Jubilee: a celebration of 60 years reign in Britain (previously 75)
- vessel:Â a vehicle that travels on water
- pageant:Â an event featuring a procession of decorated people
- reign:Â the period of being in a position of power
- barge: a long, flat boat
- flotilla: a group of vessels traveling together
Comprehension Questions
- Why was there a large celebration on the River Thames this weekend?
- How was the weather on the day of the river pageant?
- Why does the report mention Monday and Tuesday?
Discussion Question: What does the expression “rain on one’s parade” mean? How can this expression be used to talk about this event? Did anyone try to rain on the queen’s parade?
show Answershide Answers
River Pageant Celebrates Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
The official celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee took place this weekend in London. Approximately 20,000 people boarded about 1000 vessels on the Thames for a special river pageant to celebrate the queen’s 60-year reign. Vessels included dragon boats, kayaks, pleasure cruisers and tug boats. Queen Elizabeth and other members of the Royal family joined the parade via the royal barge. Despite heavy rain and cool temperatures, up to a million people gathered on the banks of the river to watch the flotilla, which has already been named the largest river parade of modern times. The UK will enjoy an extended weekend as celebrations continue Monday and Tuesday.
- People gathered at the riverbanks of the River Thames to watch a flotilla in honour of Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee.
- The weather was cold and rainy on the day of the river pageant.
- The report mentions Monday and Tuesday because the weekend was extended for two extra days in order for Diamond Jubilee celebrations to continue.
Written and recorded by Tara Benwell for EnglishClub
Tara Benwell is a Canadian freelance writer and editor who specializes in materials and articles for the ELT industry.
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