A A BREAKING NEWS

Harry and Meghan

Lesson code: 1ZN4-21LA-3NNZ UPPER INTERMEDIATE+
British English

Photo of Harry and Meghan by Mark Jones, CC BY 2.0

1 Warm-up
How much do you know about the British Royal Family? Look at the family tree and try this quiz
choose the best answer or answers.

1. Which prince married American TV star Meghan Markle in 2018?

a. Prince William b. Prince Edward c. Prince Harry

2. Which prince will become king when Queen Elizabeth dies?

a. Prince Philip b. Prince Charles c. Prince William

3. Prince Charles was first married to Princess Diana. What caused her death in 1997?
a. cancer b. a car crash c. a horse-riding accident

4. What does the British royal family do?

a. They enjoy a luxury lifestyle, partly paid for by British taxpayers.
b. They work as patrons of many charities
c. They work to maintain strong relationships between the 53 member states in the British
Commonwealth.

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 Harry and Meghan
A A A A BREAKING NEWS

2 News report 1 - Watching for the main idea

At the beginning of January 2020, there was a shocking announcement from a member of the British
Royal Family. Watch the news report to understand the main idea. After you watch, work in pairs to
say what the announcement was and who made it. Then say what else you understood from the report.

3 News report 1 - Vocabulary

Match these key words from the report with their meanings.

1. desire a. an official speaker for a person or organisation, who often deals with
journalists
2. environmental footprint b. a public statement made by a person or organisation which can be
used by newspapers, TV and other media
3. falling victim c. a strong feeling of wanting something
4. intense d. a synonym for constant and strong public attention
5. launch e. becoming hurt, physically or emotionally
6. press release f. the effect that a person or organisation has on the planet, through their
use of natural resources and the pollution that results
7. spokesperson g. the start of a new project or business
8. spotlight h. very extreme or strong

4 News report 1 - Listening for detail

Read the sentences below from the report, which include vocabulary from the last exercise in bold.
Can you predict/recall the missing words that complete the sentences?

Now listen again and complete the gaps in these sentences with the missing words.

1. Prince Harry: "I lost my and now I watch my falling victim to the same
powerful forces."
2. By stepping from royal duties, the spotlight will potentially be intense.
3. It's still unclear if they'll now give up their royal titles, and the BBC is reporting the two didn't consult
any other of the royal family before today's press release.
4. A spokesperson the Queen writes, "Discussions with the Duke and Duchess of
Sussex are at an early stage. We understand the desire to take a approach, but these
are complicated issues that will take time to work through."
5. Prince Charles ... has always wanted a senior royal household, resulting in less cost
to British taxpayers and less of an environmental footprint ...
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 Harry and Meghan
A A A A BREAKING NEWS

5 Talking point
Work in pairs to answer these questions in your own words.

1. Why did Harry and Meghan make the decision to leave the royal family?
2. What will they do next?
3. What was the reaction from the royal family?
4. What do you think happened next?

6 News report 2 - Watching for the main idea

Ten days later, there was a development in this news story. Watch the second news report to
understand the main idea. After you watch, work in pairs to say what the Queen decided and what
Harry and Meghan will do next. Then say what else you understood from the report.

7 News report 2 - Vocabulary

Match these key words from the report with their meanings.

1. earn a living a. a special chair used by a king or queen; also the position of being
king or queen
2. monarchy b. close and detailed examination of something
3. public funds c. do something that damages the image of an organisation
4. scrutiny d. money collected as taxes and used by the government to pay for
roads, hospitals, education, etc.
5. sources e. people who provide information to the media
6. tarnish the brand f. the political system of having a royal family in a country
7. the throne g. work at a job to make enough money to support yourself and be
independent
8. uphold the values (of ...) h. work toward goals and support ideas already agreed to be important

8 News report 2 - Listening for detail

On the next page, read the sentences from the report, which include vocabulary from the last exercise
in bold. Can you predict/recall the missing words that complete the sentences? Now listen again and
complete the gaps in these sentences with the missing words.
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 Harry and Meghan
A A A A BREAKING NEWS

1. The Queen ... recognises, quote "...the challenges they have experienced as a result of
scrutiny over the last two years..."
2. the Duke and Duchess of Sussex ... will also no longer public funds and
now earn a living...
3. ... but, quote, "everything they do will to uphold the values of Her Majesty."
4. The Queen is ... saying they can't trade on their royal titles ... um ... she's making it very
they cannot in any way tarnish the brand of monarchy.
5. Palace sources (are) also this evening that Harry and Meghan now plan to spend the
of their time in North America but will keep Frogmore Cottage as their UK residence.
6. Harry is 6th in line to the throne, he will remain a and he is still a part of the royal
family.

9 Talking point
Work in pairs to answer these questions in your own words.

Harry and Meghan

• Do you think Harry and Meghan are satisfied with this result?
• What do you think they are looking forward to the most? What challenges will they face?
• How do you think other members of the British royal family are feeling?

Monarchy
• Does your country have a monarchy?
• In what ways can a royal family make a contribution to society?
• What is the future for royal families?

Family loyalty
• This story raises issues of family loyalty and independence. In your opinion, are Harry and Meghan
doing the right thing by separating from the royal family?
• Is it possible to "quit" a family?
• Have you/Has someone you know ever faced a similar decision?

Useful language for giving personal opinions

• From my point of view ...

• The way I see it ...

• As far as I'm concerned ...
• Personally ...
• If you ask me ...
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You can review this worksheet online at www.linguahouse.com/ex

Review your flashcards at least 3-5 times a week for 20 minutes to keep the material fresh in your memory.
PI

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c
Linguahouse.com OC
P H OT