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Queen Elizabeth II to visit Slovakia

Ideas and Articles by David Robinson

10rd July 2008

Category: Lifestyle / British Royal Family / Visit Slovakia

Level: Intermediate / Upper intermediate

This lesson is the copyright of www.newsflashenglish.com

Queen Elizabeth II to visit Slovakia

Queen Elizabeth II and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh are to visit Slovakia this autumn following an invitation from Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič. The royal couple will also visit Slovenia. It will be the first official visit of the British monarch to Slovakia and Slovenia. The Queen should stay in Slovakia for three nights. The visit will include not only its capital Bratislava but also other parts of Slovakia. "It will be a good opportunity for The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to meet Slovak people," said Andrew Pittam from the British Embassy in Bratislava adding, "We don't know yet if she will choose Ljubljana or Bratislava first." The visit has been prepared for years and is a result of many years of work, which began when former British Prime Minister Tony Blair visited Bratislava. Marian Bednár, Head of Communication at the Presidential Palace said, "The Head of the Commonwealth goes abroad every year on two official visits only. She will meet Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič who invited her and Prime Minister Robert Fico."

The Presidential office was hoping the castle at Rusovce would accommodate the British Queen. However, it has not yet been rebuilt. "It is a small Buckingham Palace and would be a perfect place for the British Queen as it would represent Slovakia," says Bednár. There will be many people coming with The Queen including The Queen's servants, bodyguards and journalists. "If she would travel not only to Bratislava but also other parts of Slovakia she needs good accommodation for all these people. Unfortunately there are not many 5-star hotels in Slovakia." The Queen is interested in horses so could maybe visit Topolcianky. The first President of Czechoslovakia Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk had his summerhouse in a local castle there. Other members of the British royal family have previously visited Slovakia including Prince Andrew who opened British supermarket Tesco. Prince Charles with his former wife Diana also visited Bratislava when Slovakia was a part of Czechoslovakia.

START

1. QUEEN ELIZABETH II: What do you know about Queen Elizabeth II? (Teachers see page 13) Go round the room swapping stories. Change partners often.

2.DICTATION: The teacher will read some of the article slowly and clearly. Students will write down what they hear. The teacher will repeat the passage slowly again. Self correct your work from page 2 - filling in spaces and correcting mistakes. Be honest with yourself on the number of errors. Advise the teacher of your total number of errors. Less than 5 is very good. 10 are acceptable. Any more is room for improvement! More than 20 - we need to do some work!

3. READING: Get students to read the passage aloud. Swap readers every paragraph.

4. VOCABULARY: Students look through the article. Underline/highlight any vocabulary you do not know. Look in dictionaries. Discuss and help each other out. The teacher will go through & explain any words or phrases you do not understand.

5. BRITISH ROYAL FAMILY: Name as many of the British Royal family as you can. Discuss their roles in the world today.

6. WHERE SHOULD THEY STAY? List 2 places The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh could stay in Slovakia. Discuss with your partner. Why here?

1 2

The teacher will choose some pairs to discuss their findings in front of the class.

7. WHAT SHOULD THEY SEE? Think of 4 places The Queen and Prince Phillip should visit whilst in Slovakia. Discuss with your partner. Why here?

1 3
2 4

The teacher will choose some pairs to discuss their findings in front of the class.

8. QUEEN ELIZABETH II: With your partner on the board write as many words to do with 'Queen Elizabeth II' as you can. One-two minutes. Compare with other teams. Using your words compile a short dialogue together.

9. SENTENCES: Choose six/nine of the words from no 8. Write two/three sentences using two/three words in each. Underline your chosen words. The teacher will if necessary correct your work. Students might be asked to read their sentences aloud.

10. QUICK DEBATE: Student A thinks having a monarch in today's world is a good idea. Explain why. Student B thinks Republic's are better. Explain why.

11. ARTICLE QUIZ: With your partner or in small groups: (1 point for each correct answer. Lose ½ point if you look at the article for help!)

    Student A
  1. Which queen is coming to Slovakia?
  2. When is The Queen coming to Slovakia?
  3. Who invited her?
  4. Name the previous royal visitors?
  5. When did the planning for the visit begin?
  6. Who will come with The Queen on the visit?
  7. Who had a summerhouse?
  8. Where was the summerhouse?
    Student B
  1. Name the place where there is a small Buckingham Palace in Slovakia.
  2. Who is Head of the Commonwealth?
  3. Name the other country The Queen and her husband will visit.
  4. Which British royals visited when Slovakia was a part of Czechoslovakia?
  5. Who will The Queen meet?
  6. What interests The Queen?
  7. Who was the first President of Czechoslovakia?
  8. Name the British supermarket.

12. ORGANISING THE QUEEN'S VISIT TO SLOVAKIA: You work at the Presidential Palace in Bratislava. You have the task of organising The Queen's itinerary. Think of 10 things you might have to do or organise ahead of Queen Elizabeth's visit to Slovakia. (Imagine!) Write them below. Using these words prepare a short story to tell your partner about her visit.

1 6
2 7
3 8
4 9
5 10

The teacher will choose some pairs to discuss their findings in front of the class.

13. SENTENCE STARTERS: With your partner(s), finish these sentence starters. Change partner(s) and talk about the sentences you made.

  1. The Queen _____________________________________________________

  2. Servants and bodyguards _________________________________________

  3. The visit ______________________________________________________

  4. The royal couple ________________________________________________

  5. The British monarch _____________________________________________

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: After reading the article guess whether these sentences are true (T) or false (F): If false, why?

a.

Queen Elizabeth II is visiting Slovakia and Sweden

T / F

b.

It is the second trip to Slovakia by the British monarch

T / F

c.

The Queen will visit Ljubljana first

T / F

d.

The Queen will bring her bodyguards, servants and journalists

T / F

e.

The first President of Czechoslovakia was Ivan Gašparovič

T / F

f.

Prince Charles and his new wife have visited Slovakia last year

T / F

g.

The Queen likes to drink PG Tips tea

T / F

h.

Prince Andrew opened Tesco in Slovakia

T / F


2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article:

a.

Visit

Previous

b.

Result

Chateau

c.

Abroad

Perhaps

d.

Castle

Consequence

e.

Unfortunate

Ideal

f.

Former

Overseas

g.

Perfect

Nevertheless

h.

But

Lots of

i.

Maybe

Trip

j.

Many

Awkward


3. PHRASE MATCH: Match the following phrases from the article:

a.

The royal couple

has been prepared for years

b.

It will be the first official visit of the

Bratislava but also other parts of Slovakia

c.

The Queen should stay

interested in horses

d.

The visit will include not only its capital

goes abroad every year

e.

The visit

5-star hotels in Slovakia

f.

The Head of the Commonwealth

British monarch to Slovakia and Slovenia

g.

The will be many people

have previously visited Slovakia

h.

...there are not many

in Slovakia for three nights

i.

The Queen is

coming with The Queen

j.

Other members of the British royal family

will also visit Slovenia

GAP FILL: READING

Put the words into the gaps in the text.

 

Queen Elizabeth II and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh are to visit Slovakia this ______ following an __________ from Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič. The _____ couple will also visit Slovenia. It will be the first official visit of the British _______ to Slovakia and Slovenia. The Queen should stay in Slovakia for three nights. The visit will include not only its capital Bratislava but also other parts of ________. "It will be a good opportunity for the _____ and the ____ of Edinburgh to meet Slovak people," said Andrew Pittam from the British Embassy in Bratislava adding, "We don't know yet if she will choose Ljubljana or Bratislava first." The visit has been prepared for years and is a result of many years of work, which began when former British Prime Minister Tony Blair visited Bratislava. Marián Bednár, Head of Communication at the Presidential Palace said, "The Head of the Commonwealth goes abroad every year on two ________ visits only. She will meet Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič who invited her and Prime Minister Robert Fico."

invitation

Slovakia

Duke

queen

autumn

monarch

official

royal

The Presidential office was hoping the castle at Rusovce would accommodate the British Queen. However, it has not yet been rebuilt. "It is a small Buckingham Palace and would be a _______ place for the British Queen as it would represent Slovakia," says Bednár. There will be many people coming with The Queen including The Queen's ________, ___________ and journalists. "If she would travel not only to Bratislava but also other parts of Slovakia she needs good accommodation for all these people. _____________ there are not many 5-star hotels in Slovakia." The Queen is interested in ______ so could maybe visit Topolcianky. The first President of Czechoslovakia Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk had his summerhouse in a local ______ there. Other members of the British royal family have ___________ visited Slovakia including Prince Andrew who opened British ___________ Tesco. Prince Charles with his former wife Diana also visited Bratislava when Slovakia was a part of Czechoslovakia.

castle

previously

bodyguards

supermarket

unfortunately

servants

perfect

horses

GAP FILL: LISTENING:

Listen and fill in the spaces.

Queen Elizabeth II to visit Slovakia
Queen Elizabeth II ___________________ Duke of Edinburgh are to visit Slovakia this autumn following an invitation from Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič. The __________________ also visit Slovenia. It will be the first official visit of the British monarch to _____________________. The Queen should stay in Slovakia for three nights. The visit will include not only its capital Bratislava but also other parts of Slovakia. "It will be a good opportunity for The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to meet Slovak people," said Andrew Pittam from the British Embassy in Bratislava adding, "We don't ____________________ choose Ljubljana or Bratislava first." The visit has been prepared for years and is a result of many years of work, which began when former ______________________ Tony Blair visited Bratislava. Marián Bednár, Head of Communication at the Presidential Palace said, "The ________________________ goes abroad every year on two official visits only. She will meet Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič who invited her and Prime Minister Robert Fico."

The Presidential office was hoping the castle at Rusovce would accommodate the British Queen. However, ___________________ rebuilt. "It is a small _________________ and would be a perfect place for the British Queen as it would represent Slovakia," says Bednár. __________________ people coming with The Queen including The Queen's servants, bodyguards and journalists. "If she would travel not only to Bratislava but also other parts of Slovakia she needs __________________ for all these people. Unfortunately there are not many 5-star hotels in Slovakia." The Queen is interested in horses so could maybe visit Topolcianky. The first President of Czechoslovakia Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk had ____________________ local castle there. Other members of the British royal family have previously visited Slovakia including Prince Andrew who opened British supermarket Tesco. Prince Charles ____________________ Diana also visited Bratislava when Slovakia was a part of Czechoslovakia.

DISCUSSION

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS(Do not show these to student B)

  1. Did the headline make you want to read the article?
  2. Have you ever been to a royal garden party?
  3. What would you wear if you met The Queen?
  4. Can you name any royal traditions?
  5. What is The Queen 'Head of...'?
  6. Who were The Queen's father and mother?
  7. What was the name of her younger sister?
  8. Do you think The Queen ever gets bored being The Queen?
  9. Do you think The Queen has a difficult job?
  10. Would you like to live in a castle?

---------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS(Do not show these to student B)

  1. What do you think about what you read?
  2. Have you ever met The Queen?
  3. What would you say to The Queen if you had the opportunity to meet her?
  4. What do you think The Queen does in her spare time?
  5. What animals does she have?
  6. Have you ever visited The Queen's webpage?
  7. Have you ever been to Buckingham Palace?
  8. Have you ever been to Windsor Castle?
  9. What other homes does The Queen have?
  10. Did you like this discussion?

SPEAKING

ROLE PLAY: THE BEACH:

In pairs or small groups: Together find out what you can about some previous members of the British monarchy i.e. other Kings and Queens. (You may need to use the internet to help you)

King or Queen

Findings

1)


2)


3)


4)


5)


6)


7)


The teacher will choose some pairs to discuss their findings in front of the class.

LANGUAGE:

CORRECT WORD:
Choose the correct words from a-d below and write them in the article.

Queen Elizabeth II and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh are to visit Slovakia this (1)__ following an invitation from Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič. The royal couple will also visit Slovenia. It will be the first (2)__ visit of the British monarch to Slovakia and Slovenia. The Queen (3)__ stay in Slovakia for three nights. The visit will include not only its capital Bratislava but also other parts of Slovakia. "It will be a good opportunity for The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to meet Slovak people," said Andrew Pittam from the British Embassy in Bratislava adding, "We don't know yet if she will choose Ljubljana or Bratislava first." The visit has been prepared for years and is a result of many years of work, which (4)__ when former British Prime Minister Tony Blair visited Bratislava. Marián Bednár, Head of Communication at the Presidential Palace said, "The Head of the Commonwealth goes abroad every year on two official visits only. She will meet Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič who (5)__ her and Prime Minister Robert Fico." The Presidential office was hoping the castle at Rusovce would accommodate the British Queen. However, it has not yet been rebuilt. "It is a small Buckingham Palace and would be a (6)__ place for the British Queen as it would (7)__ Slovakia," says Bednár. There will be many people coming with The Queen including The Queen's servants, bodyguards and journalists. "If she would travel not only to Bratislava but also other parts of Slovakia she needs good accommodation for all these people. Unfortunately there are not (8)__ 5-star hotels in Slovakia." The Queen is interested in horses so could maybe visit Topolcianky. The first President of Czechoslovakia Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk had his summerhouse in a local (9)__ there. (10)__ members of the British royal family have previously visited Slovakia including Prince Andrew who opened British supermarket Tesco. Prince Charles (11)__ his former wife Diana also visited Bratislava (12)__ Slovakia was a part of Czechoslovakia.

1. (a) summer (b) autumn (c) winter (d) fall
2. (a) office (b) officials (c) officially (d) official
3. (a) should (b) could (c) would (d) might
4. (a) begun (b) become (c) before (d) began
5. (a) invited (b) invite (c) inviting (d) invites
6. (a) prefect (b) perfect (c) perfected (d) perfecting
7. (a) represented (b) repossess (c) represent (d) present
8. (a) any (b) many (c) few (d) lots
9. (a) manor (b) castles (c) castle (d) chateaux
10. (a) another (b) others (c) many (d) other
11. (a) who (b) whom (c) with (d) whose
12. (a) why (b) when (c) who (d) where

GRAMMAR 1: MIDWAY

Put the words into the gaps in the text.

Queen Elizabeth II to visit Slovakia
Queen Elizabeth II and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh are to visit Slovakia (1)__ autumn following an invitation from Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič. The royal couple will (2)__ visit Slovenia. It will be the first official visit of the British monarch to Slovakia and Slovenia. The Queen (3)__ stay in Slovakia for three nights. The visit will include not (4)__ its capital Bratislava but also (5) parts of Slovakia. "It will be a good opportunity for The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to meet Slovak people," said Andrew Pittam from the British Embassy in Bratislava adding, "We don't know yet if she will choose Ljubljana or Bratislava first." The visit has been prepared for years and is a result of many years of work, (6)__ began (7)__ former British Prime Minister Tony Blair visited Bratislava. Marián Bednár, Head of Communication at the Presidential Palace said, "The Head of the Commonwealth goes abroad (8)__ year on two official visits only. She will meet Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič who invited her and Prime Minister Robert Fico."


other

this

should

when

only

which

also

every

The Presidential office was hoping the castle at Rusovce (1)__ accommodate the British Queen. (2)__, it has not yet been rebuilt. "It is a small Buckingham Palace and would be a perfect place for the British Queen as it would represent Slovakia," says Bednár. There will be (3)__ people coming with The Queen including The Queen's servants, bodyguards and journalists. "If she would travel not only to Bratislava but also other parts of Slovakia she needs good accommodation for all (4)__ people. Unfortunately there are not many 5-star hotels in Slovakia." The Queen is interested in horses so could maybe visit Topolcianky. The first President of Czechoslovakia Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk had his summerhouse in a local castle (5)__. (6)__ members of the British royal family have previously visited Slovakia including Prince Andrew who opened British supermarket Tesco. Prince Charles (7)__ his former wife Diana also visited Bratislava (8)__ Slovakia was a part of Czechoslovakia.

many

would

other

with

these

there

when

however

GRAMMAR 2: EASY

Put the words into the gaps in the text.

Queen Elizabeth II to visit Slovakia
Queen Elizabeth II and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh are to visit Slovakia this autumn following (1)__ invitation from Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič. The royal couple will also visit Slovenia. It will be the first official visit of the British monarch to Slovakia and Slovenia. The Queen should stay in Slovakia for three nights. The visit will include not only its capital Bratislava but also other parts of Slovakia. "It will be a good opportunity for The Queen and the Duke (2)__ Edinburgh to meet Slovak people," said Andrew Pittam from the British Embassy in Bratislava adding, "(3)__ don't know yet (4)__ she will choose Ljubljana or Bratislava first." The visit has been prepared for years and is a result of many years of work, which began when former British Prime Minister Tony Blair visited Bratislava. Marián Bednár, Head of Communication (5)__ the Presidential Palace said, "The Head of the Commonwealth goes abroad every year (6)__ two official visits only. (7)__ will meet Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič (8)__ invited her and Prime Minister Robert Fico."


who

an

at

of

if

on

she

we

The Presidential office was hoping the castle (1)__ Rusovce would accommodate (2)__ British Queen. However, it has not yet been rebuilt. "It is a small Buckingham Palace and would be a perfect place for the British Queen as (3)__ would represent Slovakia," says Bednár. There will be many people coming with The Queen including The Queen's servants, bodyguards and journalists. "If she would travel not only (4)__ Bratislava (5)__ also other parts of Slovakia she needs good accommodation for all these people. Unfortunately there are not many 5-star hotels (6)__ Slovakia." The Queen is interested in horses (7)__ could maybe visit Topolcianky. The first President of Czechoslovakia Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk had his summerhouse in a local castle there. Other members of the British royal family have previously visited Slovakia including Prince Andrew who opened British supermarket Tesco. Prince Charles with his former wife Diana also visited Bratislava when Slovakia was (8)__ part of Czechoslovakia.

it

at

in

the

so

to

a

but

HOMEWORK

1. NEWSPAPER ARTICLE: Write an article on "Queen Elizabeth II" (Minimum 200 words)

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Which article was best and why?

WRITING: IN CLASS:

1. FIVE MINUTE ARTICLE: Write an article on "Queen Elizabeth II" (Minimum 200 words) You have five minutes. Afterwards swap articles with your partner. Read through their article and correct any mistakes. The teacher will select some students to read out their work.

Countdown: Every minute the teacher may say, "You have xx minutes."

 

Teachers note: Queen Elizabeth II is the longest reigning monarch in the world. She became The Queen in February 1952 after the death of her father George VI. She was born in London on 21st April 1926. She is the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York. With her husband Prince Phillip she has 4 children.

 

PUZZLE: There are 15 words & phrases: 7 across, 8 down.

B R I T I S H E M B A S S Y C
X O Q H W E W V T O Q Q T Y R
C Y Q E R R S C Y D Q H H U O
B A Q Q E V Q X U Y Q O O I Y
N L X U R A Q Z I G Y R T M A
M F Y E T N Z W O U Y S E M L
P A B E U T D T R A V E L N C
P M B N I S A U K R O S T B O
Q I X T E S C O K D O W R V U
T L Z P O N A C A S T L E C P
T Y C M O N A R C H O Z E X L
B T C P M M A U K K P C W Z E
S T C O M M O N W E A L T H Z
D U K E O F E D I N B U R G H
J O U R N A L I S T S V V N N

SPELLING TEST

The teacher will ask the class individually to spell the following words that are in the article:

1 former

11 accommodate

2 Commonwealth

12 journalists

3 perfect

13 bodyguards

4 summerhouse

14 servants

5 previously

15 people

6 abroad

16 represent

7 opportunity

17 rebuilt

8 husband

18 communication

9 official

19 autumn

10 supermarket

20 unfortunately

 

ANSWERS: 1

TRUE / FALSE:

a. F b. F c. F d. T e. F f. F g. F h. T

SYNONYM MATCH:

a.

Visit

Trip

b.

Result

Consequence

c.

Abroad

Overseas

d.

Castle

Chateau

e.

Unfortunate

Awkward

f.

Former

Previous

g.

Perfect

Ideal

h.

But

Nevertheless

i.

Maybe

Perhaps

j.

Many

Lots of


PHRASE MATCH:

a.

The royal couple

will also visit Slovenia

b.

It will be the first official visit of the

British monarch to Slovakia and Slovenia

c.

The Queen should stay

in Slovakia for three nights

d.

The visit will include not only its capital

Bratislava but also other parts of Slovakia

e.

The visit

has been prepared for years

f.

The Head of the Commonwealth

goes abroad every year

g.

The will be many people

coming with The Queen

h.

...there are not many

5-star hotels in Slovakia

i.

The Queen is

interested in horses

j.

Other members of the British royal family

have previously visited Slovakia

ANSWERS: 2

GAP FILL: Queen Elizabeth II to visit Slovakia: Queen Elizabeth II and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh are to visit Slovakia this autumn following an invitation from Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič. The royal couple will also visit Slovenia. It will be the first official visit of the British monarch to Slovakia and Slovenia. The Queen should stay in Slovakia for three nights. The visit will include not only its capital Bratislava but also other parts of Slovakia. "It will be a good opportunity for The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to meet Slovak people," said Andrew Pittam from the British Embassy in Bratislava adding, "We don't know yet if she will choose Ljubljana or Bratislava first." The visit has been prepared for years and is a result of many years of work, which began when former British Prime Minister Tony Blair visited Bratislava. Marián Bednár, Head of Communication at the Presidential Palace said, "The Head of the Commonwealth goes abroad every year on two official visits only. She will meet Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič who invited her and Prime Minister Robert Fico." The Presidential office was hoping the castle at Rusovce would accommodate the British Queen. However, it has not yet been rebuilt. "It is a small Buckingham Palace and would be a perfect place for the British Queen as it would represent Slovakia," says Bednár. There will be many people coming with The Queen including The Queen's servants, bodyguards and journalists. "If she would travel not only to Bratislava but also other parts of Slovakia she needs good accommodation for all these people. Unfortunately there are not many 5-star hotels in Slovakia." The Queen is interested in horses so could maybe visit Topolcianky. The first President of Czechoslovakia Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk had his summerhouse in a local castle there. Other members of the British royal family have previously visited Slovakia including Prince Andrew who opened British supermarket Tesco. Prince Charles with his former wife Diana also visited Bratislava when Slovakia was a part of Czechoslovakia.

LANGUAGE WORK

1 - b 2 - d 3 - a 4 - d 5 - a 6 - b 7 - c 8 - b 9 - c 10 - d 11 - c 12 - b

 

PUZZLE:

B R I T I S H E M B A S S Y C
X O Q H W E W V T O Q Q T Y R
C Y Q E R R S C Y D Q H H U O
B A Q Q E V Q X U Y Q O O I Y
N L X U R A Q Z I G Y R T M A
M F Y E T N Z W O U Y S E M L
P A B E U T D T R A V E L N C
P M B N I S A U K R O S T B O
Q I X T E S C O K D O W R V U
T L Z P O N A C A S T L E C P
T Y C M O N A R C H O Z E X L
B T C P M M A U K K P C W Z E
S T C O M M O N W E A L T H Z
D U K E O F E D I N B U R G H
J O U R N A L I S T S V V N N