The Reading / Listening - Level 5

Scotland will stay in the United Kingdom after rejecting independence in a historic vote. Scottish people voted on whether or not to be an independent country. It joined the United Kingdom in 1707. There was a clear victory for those wishing to stay part of the UK. Around 55% voted 'No' to independence, while 45% voted 'Yes'. The referendum was the climax of two years of intense campaigning by the 'Yes' and 'No' teams. Scotland's Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told the BBC that the result was "a deep personal and political disappointment".

The referendum was one of the most historic votes ever in the U.K. The U.K. is England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Pro-independence supporters said Scottish people would have been richer as a separate nation. The "Better Together" campaigners, including the U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron, said Scottish independence would have harmed Scotland. Even though people voted 'no', Scotland will get more powers. Ms Sturgeon said she would work with "anyone in any way" to secure more powers for her country.

Try the same news story at these levels:

    Level 4 or  Level 6

Sources
  • http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-29270441
  • http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/09/19/scotland-referendum-vote/15839719/
  • http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/its-no-go-scotland-rejects-independence.1411101075


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The Activities

MATCHING

PARAGRAPH ONE:

1.

rejecting

a.

victory

2.

in a historic

b.

climax

3.

a clear

c.

vote

4.

wishing to stay

d.

political disappointment

5.

The referendum was the

e.

teams

6.

two years of

f.

independence

7.

the 'Yes' and 'No'

g.

intense campaigning

8.

a deep personal and

h.

part of the UK

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ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

PARAGRAPH TWO:

1.

one of the most

a.

anyone in any way

2.

Pro-independence

b.

nation

3.

people would have

c.

though people voted 'no'

4.

as a separate

d.

for her country

5.

independence would have

e.

been richer

6.

Even

f.

harmed Scotland

7.

she would work with

g.

historic votes

8.

secure more powers

h.

supporters

LISTEN AND FILL IN THE GAPS

Scotland will stay in the United Kingdom (1) ___________________ independence in a historic vote. Scottish people (2) ___________________ not to be an independent country. It joined the United Kingdom in 1707. There (3) ___________________ for those wishing to stay part of the UK.  Around 55% voted 'No' to independence, (4) ___________________ 'Yes'. The referendum (5) ___________________ two years of intense campaigning by the 'Yes' and 'No' teams. Scotland's Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told the BBC that the result (6) ___________________ and political disappointment".

The referendum was one of the (7) ___________________ ever in the U.K. The U.K. is England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. (8) ___________________ supporters said Scottish people would have been richer as (9) ___________________. The "Better Together" campaigners, including the U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron, said Scottish independence (10) ___________________ Scotland. Even though people voted 'no', Scotland will (11) ___________________. Ms Sturgeon said she would work with "(12) ___________________" to secure more powers for her country.

INDEPENDENCE SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about independence 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.

 

STUDENT 1

_____________

STUDENT 2

_____________

STUDENT 3

_____________

Q.1.

 

 

 

 

Q.2.

 

 

 

 

Q.3.

 

 

 

 

Q.4.

 

 

 

 

Q.5.

 

 

 

 

WRITE QUESTIONS & ASK YOUR PARTNER(S)

Student A: Do not show these to your speaking partner(s).

a)

________________________________________________________

b)

________________________________________________________

c)

________________________________________________________

d)

________________________________________________________

e)

________________________________________________________

f)

________________________________________________________

g)

________________________________________________________

h)

________________________________________________________

 

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Student B: Do not show these to your speaking partner(s).

a)

________________________________________________________

b)

________________________________________________________

c)

________________________________________________________

d)

________________________________________________________

e)

________________________________________________________

f)

________________________________________________________

g)

________________________________________________________

h)

________________________________________________________

FREE WRITING

Write about independence for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Answers

(Please check your answers against the article above.

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