EnglishClub : Listen to News : Ireland Votes ‘Yes’ to Same-Sex Marriage
photo Tara Benwell 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: 26 May 2015

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Ireland Votes ‘Yes’ to Same-Sex Marriage

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

  • referendum: a vote where the public can share an opinion about a specific issue or question
  • constitution: the agreed upon laws and principles of a specific nation or state
  • eligible: allowed
  • campaign: an organized effort to achieve a political or social goal
  • bill: a proposed law
  • civil ceremony: a marriage ceremony performed by a government or civic official rather than a religious leader

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Ireland Votes ‘Yes’ to Same-Sex Marriage

A referendum was held in the Republic of Ireland on the subject of same-sex marriage. Over 62% voted in favour of changing the constitution and same-sex marriage. Ireland will be the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage by vote. Over 60% of eligible voters turned out to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to same-sex marriage. While no in Ireland will be required to a same-sex marriage ceremony, parliament expects to pass the same-sex marriage bill for civil ceremonies by next fall.

Comprehension Questions

  1. What was Ireland’s referendum about?
  2. What does the report say about voter turnout?
  3. When will same-sex couples in Ireland be able to get legally married?

Discussion Questions: Does it surprise you that so many voters turned out and voted ‘yes’ in a predominantly Catholic nation? Why or why not?

show Answers

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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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