Westminster Abbey – a reading comprehension

Name: ......................................... Date: ............................................

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey is a large

church. It can be found in the
City of Westminster in London. It
is a very important building for
lots of reasons and many special
events happen there.

When was it built?

The church that we see today

started to be built in the year
1245. King Henry III asked for it
to be built. However, there has
always been a church in the
same spot as Westminster Abbey
since around 960.

Fun fact
Did you know that the UK’s oldest door can be found in Westminster Abbey? The
wooden door is thought to be almost 1000 years old!

Bells

Westminster Abbey has 10 bells. One of the

bells that is still there today is the same one
that was there 500 years ago!

Windows
Westminster Abbey has lots of colourful
windows that are made from stained glass.
The windows show lots of different Christian
pictures, such as angels, saints and bible
stories.

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 Westminster Abbey – a reading comprehension

Coronations

A coronation is a special event where a crown is put onto a king or queen’s head. Every
coronation that has happened in England since 1066 has been at Westminster Abbey. The
first coronation to happen at Westminster Abbey was that of William the Conqueror.

Royal Weddings

There have been 16 royal weddings held at Westminster Abbey since the year 1100. The
most recent royal wedding to be held at Westminster Abbey was when Prince William
married Princess Catherine in 2011.

World War Two

Westminster Abbey was

badly damaged during the
Second World War.
Windows were smashed
and even parts of the roof
fell down. This was all
fixed once the war ended.

Interesting fact
Lots of kings, queens and important people from history have been buried inside
Westminster Abbey. You can visit the tombs of King George II and an important
scientist called Sir Isaac Newton.

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 Westminster Abbey – a reading comprehension
Westminster Abbey comprehension questions

1. Where can Westminster Abbey be found?

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2. Which king asked for the Westminster Abbey that we see today to be built?

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3. How many bells does Westminster Abbey have?

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4. How old is the UK’s oldest door thought to be?

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5. List two important kinds of event that happen at Westminster Abbey.

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6. Why do you think that there are lots of Christian pictures on Westminster Abbey’s
windows?

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7. Why do you think that it was important to fix Westminster Abbey after the Second
World War?

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8. How do you think you would feel if you visited Westminster Abbey? Explain your
answer.

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 Westminster Abbey – a reading comprehension
Westminster Abbey comprehension answers

1. Where can Westminster Abbey be found?

Westminster Abbey can be found in the City of Westminster in London.

2. Which king asked for the Westminster Abbey that we see today to be built?

King Henry III asked for the Westminster Abbey that we see today to be built.

3. How many bells does Westminster Abbey have?

Westminster Abbey has 10 bells.

4. How old is the UK’s oldest door thought to be?

The UK’s oldest door is thought to be almost 1000 years old.

5. List two important kinds of event that happen at Westminster Abbey.

Accept ‘coronations’ and ‘royal weddings’ or ‘weddings’.

6. Why do you think that there are lots of Christian pictures on Westminster Abbey’s
windows?

Children’s own answers, such as: there are lots of Christian pictures on the
windows in Westminster Abbey because it is a church, and a church is a special
place that Christians go to for worship.

7. Why do you think that it was important to fix Westminster Abbey after the Second
World War?

Children’s own answers, such as: it was important to fix Westminster Abbey after
the Second World War because it is a special place that important events happen
at and there would have been nowhere to hold these events if Westminster
Abbey was damaged.

8. How do you think you would feel if you visited Westminster Abbey? Explain your
answer.

Children’s own answers, such as: I think that I would feel very shocked if I visited
Westminster Abbey because I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a big building
before.

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