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EU angers UK by calling Gibraltar a 'colony' (4th February, 2019)

The Reading / Listening - Gibraltar - Level 6

The United Kingdom has objected to the European Union's use of the word "colony" to describe the island of Gibraltar. The European Council (a body that defines the EU's political direction) produced a document regarding UK nationals travelling to the EU after Brexit. It says in a footnote: "Gibraltar is a colony of the British Crown. There is a controversy between Spain and the UK concerning the sovereignty over Gibraltar, a territory for which a solution has to be reached." A UK government spokesperson said: "Gibraltar is not a colony and it is completely inappropriate to describe it in this way. She added: "Gibraltar is a full part of the UK family....This will not change due to our exit from the EU."

Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory located in the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Morocco. It is home to over 30,000 people. In 1704, Anglo-Dutch forces captured it from Spain during a war. Spain handed Gibraltar to Great Britain in a 1713 treaty. However, Spain still asserts a claim to the territory. It wants Gibraltar excluded from all post-Brexit agreements between the UK and the EU. Gibraltar rejected proposals for shared UK-Spanish sovereignty by 99% to 1% in a 2002 referendum. Gibraltar's Chief Minister has accused Spain of bullying. He said: "No one will be surprised to hear the Spanish government making provocative statements in respect of Gibraltar."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Gibraltar - Level 4 or Gibraltar - Level 5

Sources

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-47087439
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics-eu/eu-states-move-to-recognize-venezuelas-guaido-diplomats-idUSKCN1PQ57R
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibraltar

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 :-)

Warm-ups

1. COLONIES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about colonies. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?
United Kingdom / colony / political / document / controversy / solution / family / exit /
territory / war / treaty / agreements / proposals / sovereignty / referendum / respect
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. INDEPENDENCE: Students A strongly believe all colonies around the world should be given independence; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. SOVEREIGNTY: What do you know about the sovereignty of these places? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Problems	What will change in future
Gibraltar
Golan Heights
Falkland Islands
Spratly Islands
Kashmir
Crimea

MY e-BOOK

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

See a sample

5. ISLAND: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "island". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. ANGER: Rank these with your partner. Put the biggest possibilities for anger between countries at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

pollution
religion
natural resources
business
borders
history
water
sport

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	objected	a.	An extra piece of information printed at the bottom of a page.
2.	colony	b.	Not suitable or proper in the circumstances.
3.	defines	c.	Said something to express one's disapproval of or disagreement with something.
4.	footnote	d.	States or describes exactly the nature, scope, or meaning of.
5.	controversy	e.	A country or area under the full or partial political control of another country, typically a distant one, and occupied by settlers from that country.
6.	sovereignty	f.	Disagreement, typically when prolonged, public, and heated.
7.	inappropriate	g.	The authority of a state to govern itself or another state.

Paragraph 2

8.	territory	h.	Took into one's possession or control by force.
9.	captured	i.	A formally concluded and signed agreement between countries.
10.	treaty	j.	A vote by the people on a single political question, which they must decide on.
11.	claim	k.	An area of land under the control of a ruler or state.
12.	proposal	l.	Causing annoyance, anger, or another strong reaction, especially deliberately.
13.	referendum	m.	A plan or suggestion, especially a formal or written one, put forward for consideration or discussion by others.
14.	provocative	n.	A right or title to something, often land.

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

The European Council is responsible for the EU's political direction. T / F
The word "colony" was written at the top of an EU document. T / F
The EU said the solution for Gibraltar's sovereignty was reached in 1704. T / F
The UK said Gibraltar was part of the EU family. T / F
The UK said Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory. T / F
Spain handed Gibraltar to the UK in 1317. T / F
Ninety-nine per cent of Gibraltarians voted against joint UK-Spanish rule. T / F
A Gibraltarian politician suggested Spain was a bully. T / F

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

objected
body
controversy
solution
inappropriate
located
captured
excluded
referendum
in respect of

unsuitable
dispute
seized
regarding
organization
vote
protested
situated
answer
left out

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

objected to the European Union's use
It says in a
a territory for which a solution
it is completely
This will not change due
It is home to
in a 1713
excluded from all post-
accused Spain
making provocative

to our exit from the EU
treaty
statements
over 30,000 people
has to be reached
of bullying
Brexit agreements
inappropriate
of the word "colony"
footnote

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

describe
solution
footnote
completely
objected
exit
sovereignty
document

The United Kingdom has (1) ____________ to the European Union's use of the word "colony" to (2) ____________ the island of Gibraltar. The European Council (a body that defines the EU's political direction) produced a (3) ____________ regarding UK nationals travelling to the EU after Brexit. It says in a (4) ____________: "Gibraltar is a colony of the British Crown. There is a controversy between Spain and the UK concerning the (5) ____________ over Gibraltar, a territory for which a (6) ____________ has to be reached." A UK government spokesperson said: "Gibraltar is not a colony and it is (7) ____________ inappropriate to describe it in this way. She added: "Gibraltar is a full part of the UK family....This will not change due to our (8) ____________ from the EU."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

handed
excluded
respect
located
bullying
claim
forces
proposals

Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory (9) ____________ in the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Morocco. It is home to over 30,000 people. In 1704, Anglo-Dutch (10) ____________ captured it from Spain during a war. Spain (11) ____________ Gibraltar to Great Britain in a 1713 treaty. However, Spain still asserts a (12) ____________ to the territory. It wants Gibraltar (13) ____________ from all post-Brexit agreements between the UK and the EU. Gibraltar rejected (14) ____________ for shared UK-Spanish sovereignty by 99% to 1% in a 2002 referendum. Gibraltar's Chief Minister has accused Spain of (15) ____________. He said: "No one will be surprised to hear the Spanish government making provocative statements in (16) ____________ of Gibraltar."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) objected to the European Union's use of the word "colony" to ______
     a. describe their island
     b. describe the Ireland
     c. describe the island
     d. describe the Iceland
2) The European Council (a body that defines the EU's ______)
     a. politically directions
     b. politic all direction
     c. political directions
     d. political direction
3) It says in a footnote: "Gibraltar is a colony of the British Crown. There ______
     a. is a controversial
     b. is the controversy
     c. is a controversy
     d. is a controversies
4) a controversy between Spain and the UK concerning the ______ Gibraltar
     a. sobbing tea over
     b. sovereignty over
     c. sovereigns tea over
     d. sobering over
5) Gibraltar is not a colony and it is completely inappropriate ______
     a. too describe it
     b. to describe it
     c. two describe it
     d. through describe it

6) It is home to over 30,000 people. In 1704, Anglo-Dutch forces ______ Spain
     a. raptured it from
     b. enraptured it from
     c. ruptured it from
     d. captured it from
7) It wants Gibraltar excluded from ______ agreements
     a. tall post-Brexit
     b. fall post-Brexit
     c. wall post-Brexit
     d. all post-Brexit
8) proposals for shared UK-Spanish sovereignty by 99% to 1% in a ______
     a. 2002 referenda
     b. 2002 refer addendum
     c. 2002 refer addenda
     d. 2002 referendum
9) Gibraltar's Chief Minister has accused ______
     a. Spain off bully in
     b. Spain of bullying
     c. Spain of bullied in
     d. Spain off bullying
10) the Spanish government making provocative statements ______ Gibraltar
     a. in respect of
     b. on respect of
     c. disrespect of
     d. no respect of

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The United Kingdom (1) ___________________ the European Union's use of the word "colony" to describe (2) ___________________ Gibraltar. The European Council (a body (3) ___________________ EU's political direction) produced a document regarding UK nationals travelling to the EU after Brexit. It says (4) ___________________: "Gibraltar is a colony of the British Crown. There is a controversy between Spain and the UK concerning the sovereignty over Gibraltar, a territory for which (5) ___________________ to be reached." A UK government spokesperson said: "Gibraltar is not a colony and it is completely (6) ___________________ it in this way. She added: "Gibraltar is a full part of the UK family....This will not change due to our exit from the EU."

Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory (7) ___________________ Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Morocco. It is home to over 30,000 people. In 1704, Anglo-Dutch forces (8) ___________________ Spain during a war. Spain handed Gibraltar to Great Britain in a 1713 treaty. However, Spain still (9) ___________________ to the territory. It wants Gibraltar excluded from all post-Brexit agreements between the UK and the EU. Gibraltar rejected (10) ___________________ UK-Spanish sovereignty by 99% to 1% in a 2002 referendum. Gibraltar's Chief Minister (11) ___________________ of bullying. He said: "No one will be surprised to hear the Spanish government making provocative statements (12) ___________________ Gibraltar."

Comprehension questions

What is the name of the body that produced a document?
What was the document that caused the UK's anger about?
What did the document say Gibraltar was a colony of?
What did the document say had to be reached?
What did the UK government say Gibraltar was a "full part of"?
How many people live in Gibraltar?
When did Spain hand Gibraltar over to the UK?
What does Spain want Gibraltar excluded from?
When did Gibraltarians vote against joint UK-Spanish sovereignty?
What did Gibraltar's Chief Minister accuse Spain of?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What is the name of the body that produced a document?
a) the Anglo-Spain Council
b) the European Council
c) the European Commission
d) the Gibraltar Commission
2) What was the document that caused the UK's anger about?
a) free movement of labour
b) investments in Gibraltar
c) Gibraltar passports
d) UK nationals travelling to the EU post-Brexit
3) What did the document say Gibraltar was a colony of?
a) the British Crown
b) Great Britain
c) the British Isles
d) the United Kingdom
4) What did the document say had to be reached?
a) Spain
b) a beach in Gibraltar
c) a solution
d) 2020
5) What did the UK government say Gibraltar was a "full part of"?
a) Great Britain
b) the UK family
c) Europe
d) the EU

6) How many people live in Gibraltar?
a) over 30,000
b) just fewer than 30,000
c) exactly 30,000
d) about 30,000
7) When did Spain hand Gibraltar over to the UK?
a) 1704
b) 1731
c) 1713
d) 1730
8) What does Spain want Gibraltar excluded from?
a) post-Brexit agreements between the UK and EU
b) the EU
c) the Council of Europe
d) talks
9) When did Gibraltarians vote against joint UK-Spanish sovereignty?
a) 2002
b) 2012
c) 1999
d) 2000
10) What did Gibraltar's Chief Minister accuse Spain of?
a) jealousy
b) politics
c) wrongdoing
d) bullying

Role play

Role A – Borders
You think borders are the biggest potential source for disputes between countries. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as likely to cause anger. Also, tell the others which is the least likely of these (and why): water, religion or pollution.

Role B – Water
You think water is the biggest potential source for disputes between countries. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as likely to cause anger. Also, tell the others which is the least likely of these (and why): borders, religion or pollution.

Role C – Religion
You think religion is the biggest potential source for disputes between countries. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as likely to cause anger. Also, tell the others which is the least likely of these (and why): water, borders or pollution.

Role D – Pollution
You think pollution is the biggest potential source for disputes between countries. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as likely to cause anger. Also, tell the others which is the least likely of these (and why): water, religion or borders.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'island'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'colony'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• Share your findings with your partners.

• Make questions using the words you found.

• Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

•Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

located

30,000

1713

between

99

respect

objected

body

footnote

solution

completely

due

Student survey

Write five GOOD questions about this topic 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.

(Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

Discussion - EU angers UK by calling Gibraltar a 'colony'

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

What did you think when you read the headline?
What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'colony'?
What do you know about Gibraltar?
Do you think Gibraltar is a colony?
What do you think of the idea of colonies?
Why is the UK leaving the EU?
What will happen in the UK after the UK leaves the EU?
What controversies are there in your country?
What countries does your country have with disputes with?
Should all colonies get their independence?

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

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
What do you think of when you hear the word 'island'?
What do you think about what you read?
What is the difference between an 'overseas territory' and a colony?
Should the UK return Gibraltar to Spain?
What do you think of the 2002 referendum result?
Are you surprised that Spain wants Gibraltar back?
What advice do you have for Spain's government?
What will the EU be like in ten years' time?
What questions would you like to ask the governor of Gibraltar?

Discussion — Write your own questions

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

(a) ________________

(b) ________________

(c) ________________

(d) ________________

(e) ________________

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

(f) ________________

(g) ________________

(h) ________________

(i) ________________

(j) ________________

Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

The United Kingdom has (1) ______ to the European Union's use of the word "colony" to describe the island (2) ______ Gibraltar. The European Council (a body that defines the EU's political direction) produced a document (3) ______ UK nationals travelling to the EU after Brexit. It says in a footnote: "Gibraltar is a colony of the British Crown. There is a controversy between Spain and the UK (4) ______ the sovereignty over Gibraltar, a territory for which a (5) ______ has to be reached." A UK government spokesperson said: "Gibraltar is not a colony and it is completely inappropriate to describe it in this way. She added: "Gibraltar is a full part of the UK family....This will not change (6) ______ to our exit from the EU."

Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory located (7) ______ the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Morocco. It is (8) ______ to over 30,000 people. In 1704, Anglo-Dutch forces captured it from Spain during a war. Spain handed Gibraltar to Great Britain in a 1713 treaty. However, Spain still asserts a (9) ______ to the territory. It wants Gibraltar excluded from all post-Brexit agreements between the UK and the EU. Gibraltar rejected (10) ______ for shared UK-Spanish sovereignty by 99% to 1% in a 2002 referendum. Gibraltar's Chief Minister has accused Spain (11) ______ bullying. He said: "No one will be surprised to hear the Spanish government making provocative statements (12) ______ respect of Gibraltar."

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a)     object     (b)     objected     (c)     objection     (d)     objectify
(a)     to     (b)     at     (c)     by     (d)     of
(a)     regaling     (b)     regarding     (c)     regimenting     (d)     regulating
(a)     concern     (b)     concerns     (c)     concerning     (d)     concerned
(a)     solution     (b)     answer     (c)     liquid     (d)     blend
(a)     due     (b)     because     (c)     for     (d)     of
(a)    of     (b)     at     (c)     on     (d)     in
(a)     home     (b)     mansion     (c)     residence     (d)     house
(a)     clam     (b)     claim     (c)     calm     (d)     clamp
(a)     project     (b)     assets     (c)     proposals     (d)     asserts
(a)     by     (b)     on     (c)     of     (d)     at
(a)     on     (b)     in     (c)     at     (d)     of

Spelling

Paragraph 1

The United Kingdom has jtbdeeoc
a body that ndfesei the EU's political direction
There is a ntoerscorvy
the ieyvetrogsn over Gibraltar
a lnousoti has to be reached
it is completely ptanrreoppaii

Paragraph 2

toacdle in the Mediterranean
Anglo-Dutch forces pretuadc it from Spain
asserts a claim to the yitretorr
Gibraltar rejected lpoasospr
making vtrvpoacoei statements
in ersetcp of Gibraltar

Put the text back together

(...) territory. It wants Gibraltar excluded from all post-Brexit agreements between the UK and the EU. Gibraltar rejected
(...) spokesperson said: "Gibraltar is not a colony and it is completely inappropriate to describe it in this
(...) way. She added: "Gibraltar is a full part of the UK family....This will not change due to our exit from the EU."
(...) of Gibraltar. The European Council (a body that defines the EU's political direction) produced a
(...) the sovereignty over Gibraltar, a territory for which a solution has to be reached." A UK government
(...) Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory located in the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and
(...) document regarding UK nationals travelling to the EU after Brexit. It says in a
( 1 ) The United Kingdom has objected to the European Union's use of the word "colony" to describe the island
(...) footnote: "Gibraltar is a colony of the British Crown. There is a controversy between Spain and the UK concerning
(...) surprised to hear the Spanish government making provocative statements in respect of Gibraltar."
(...) proposals for shared UK-Spanish sovereignty by 99% to 1% in a 2002
(...) Morocco. It is home to over 30,000 people. In 1704, Anglo-Dutch forces captured it from Spain during
(...) a war. Spain handed Gibraltar to Great Britain in a 1713 treaty. However, Spain still asserts a claim to the
(...) referendum. Gibraltar's Chief Minister has accused Spain of bullying. He said: "No one will be

Put the words in the right order

to use Objected the EU's word . the of
EU's direction . the political that A body defines
of a Crown . colony the Gibraltar is British
inappropriate Completely it describe way . this in to
our change not This exit . due to will
people . is home more 30,000 than to It
asserts the territory . to still a Spain claim
from all Gibraltar agreements . wants It post-Brexit excluded
be to hear No one will surprised that .
respect of provocative Making statements in Gibraltar .

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

The United Kingdom has objected / objecting to the European Union's use of the word "colony" to proscribe / describe the island of Gibraltar. The European Council (a body / torso that defines the EU's political direction) produced a document regarding / regards UK nationals travelling to the EU after Brexit. It says in a notebook / footnote: "Gibraltar is a colony of the British Crown. There is a controversy between Spain and the UK concerning the sovereign / sovereignty over Gibraltar, a territory for which a solve / solution has to be reached." A UK government spokesperson said: "Gibraltar is not a colony / crown and it is completely inappropriate to describe it in this way. She added: "Gibraltar is a full part of the UK relatives / family....This will not change due to our exit / escape from the EU."

Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory situates / located in the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Morocco. It is house / home to over 30,000 people. In 1704, Anglo-Dutch forces captured it / place from Spain during a war. Spain palmed / handed Gibraltar to Great Britain in a 1713 treaty. However, Spain still asserts / assets a claim to the territory. It wants Gibraltar exclusive / excluded from all post-Brexit agreements between the UK and the EU. Gibraltar rejected supposes / proposals for shared UK-Spanish sovereignty by 99% to 1% in a 2002 referendum / referenda. Gibraltar's Chief Minister has accused / accustomed Spain of bullying. He said: "No one will be surprised to hear the Spanish government making provocative statements in / on respect of Gibraltar."

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

T h_ U n_t_d K_n g d_m h_s _b j_c t_d t_ t h_ E_r_p__ n U n__ n ' s _s_ _f t h_ w_r d " c_l_n y " t_ d_s c r_b_ t h_ _s l_n d _f G_b r_l t_r . T h_ E_r_p__ n C__ n c_l (_ b_d y t h_t d_f_n_s t h_ E U ' s p_l_t_c_l d_r_c t__ n ) p r_d_c_d _ d_c_m_n t r_g_r d_n g U K n_t__ n_l s t r_v_l l_n g t_ t h_ E U _f t_r B r_x_t . I t s_y s _n _ f__ t n_t_: " G_b r_l t_r _s _ c_l_n y _f t h_ B r_t_s h C r_w n . T h_r_ _s _ c_n t r_v_r s y b_t w__ n S p__ n _n d t h_ U K c_n c_r n_n g t h_ s_v_r__ g n t y _v_r G_b r_l t_r , _ t_r r_t_r y f_r w h_c h _ s_l_t__ n h_s t_ b_ r__ c h_d . " A U K g_v_r n m_n t s p_k_s p_r s_n s__ d : " G_b r_l t_r _s n_t _ c_l_n y _n d _t _s c_m p l_t_l y _n_p p r_p r__ t_ t_ d_s c r_b_ _t _n t h_s w_y . S h_ _d d_d : " G_b r_l t_r _s _ f_l l p_r t _f t h_ U K f_m_l y . . . . T h_s w_l l n_t c h_n g_ d__ t_ __ r _x_t f r_m t h_ E U . "

G_b r_l t_r _s _ B r_t_s h O v_r s__ s T_r r_t_r y l_c_t_d _n t h_ M_d_t_r r_n__ n S__ b_t w__ n S p__ n _n d M_r_c c_. I t _s h_m_ t_ _v_r 3 0 , 0 0 0 p__ p l_. I n 1 7 0 4 , A n g l_- D_t c h f_r c_s c_p t_r_d _t f r_m S p__ n d_r_n g _ w_r . S p__ n h_n d_d G_b r_l t_r t_ G r__ t B r_t__ n _n _ 1 7 1 3 t r__ t y . H_w_v_r , S p__ n s t_l l _s s_r t s _ c l__ m t_ t h_ t_r r_t_r y . I t w_n t s G_b r_l t_r _x c l_d_d f r_m _l l p_s t - B r_x_t _g r__ m_n t s b_t w__ n t h_ U K _n d t h_ E U . G_b r_l t_r r_j_c t_d p r_p_s_l s f_r s h_r_d U K - S p_n_s h s_v_r__ g n t y b y 99% t_ 1% _n _ 2 0 0 2 r_f_r_n d_m . G_b r_l t_r ' s C h__ f M_n_s t_r h_s _c c_s_d S p__ n _f b_l l y_n g . H_ s__ d : " N_ _n_ w_l l b_ s_r p r_s_d t_ h__ r t h_ S p_n_s h g_v_r n m_n t m_k_n g p r_v_c_t_v_ s t_t_m_n t s _n r_s p_c t _f G_b r_l t_r . "

Punctuate the text and add capitals

the united kingdom has objected to the european unions use of the word colony to describe the island of gibraltar the european council a body that defines the eus political direction produced a document regarding uk nationals travelling to the eu after brexit it says in a footnote gibraltar is a colony of the british crown there is a controversy between spain and the uk concerning the sovereignty over gibraltar a territory for which a solution has to be reached a uk government spokesperson said gibraltar is not a colony and it is completely inappropriate to describe it in this way she added gibraltar is a full part of the uk familythis will not change due to our exit from the eu

gibraltar is a british overseas territory located in the mediterranean sea between spain and morocco it is home to over 30000 people in 1704 anglodutch forces captured it from spain during a war spain handed gibraltar to great britain in a 1713 treaty however spain still asserts a claim to the territory it wants gibraltar excluded from all postbrexit agreements between the uk and the eu gibraltar rejected proposals for shared ukspanish sovereignty by 99 to 1 in a 2002 referendum gibraltars chief minister has accused spain of bullying he said no one will be surprised to hear the spanish government making provocative statements in respect of gibraltar"

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

TheUnitedKingdomhasobjectedtotheEuropeanUnion'suseofthewor
d"colony"todescribetheislandofGibraltar.TheEuropeanCouncil(abod
ythatdefinestheEU'spoliticaldirection)producedadocumentregardin
gUKnationalstravellingtotheEUafterBrexit.Itsaysinafootnote:"Gibra
ltarisacolonyoftheBritishCrown.ThereisacontroversybetweenSpain
andtheUKconcerningthesovereigntyoverGibraltar,aterritoryforwhic
hasolutionhastobereached."AUKgovernmentspokespersonsaid:"Gi
braltarisnotacolonyanditiscompletelyinappropriatetodescribeitinthi
sway.Sheadded:"GibraltarisafullpartoftheUKfamily....Thiswillnotch
angeduetoourexitfromtheEU."GibraltarisaBritishOverseasTerritoryl
ocatedintheMediterraneanSeabetweenSpainandMorocco.Itishomet
oover30,000people.In1704,Anglo-DutchforcescaptureditfromSpa
induringawar.SpainhandedGibraltartoGreatBritainina1713treaty.H
owever,Spainstillassertsaclaimtotheterritory.ItwantsGibraltarexclu
dedfromallpost-BrexitagreementsbetweentheUKandtheEU.Gibralta
rrejectedproposalsforsharedUK-Spanishsovereigntyby99%to1%i
na2002referendum.Gibraltar'sChiefMinisterhasaccusedSpainofbull
ying.Hesaid:"NoonewillbesurprisedtoheartheSpanishgovernmentm
akingprovocativestatementsinrespectofGibraltar."

Free writing

Write about Gibraltar for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

All colonies should be given independence or returned to historical owners. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Homework

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. COLONIES: Make a poster about colonies. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. INDEPENDENCE: Write a magazine article about giving all colonies their independence. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on colonies. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on them. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

News
Warm ups
Pre-reading / Post-reading
Using headlines
Working with words
While-reading / While-listening
Moving from text to speech
Post-reading / Post-listening
Discussions
Using opinions
Plans
Language
Using lists
Using quotes
Task-based activities
Role plays
Using the central characters in the article
Using themes from the news
Homework

Buy my book

$US 9.99

Answers

(Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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Breaking News English Lesson on Gibraltar

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