Summary with vocab in bold
Today I’m summarising an article in the Guardian aboutthe monarchy. It’s called, 'The good, the bad and the monarchy: why we’re stillsuckersfor the royal fairytale’. The mainpremiseis that support for the Royal Family is very divided in Britain but it’s the stories surrounding the Royals thatdraw people in.
Prince Philip, the Queen’s late husband, died recently. Millions watched hisfuneralon TV and thousands of others wrote in to complain that there was too muchcoverage.Some people were‘empathetic and emotional’ while others'scrutinised the younger royals for drama’ and were‘dismissive', making'flippantcomments and jokes.' He was, as is the case with every member of the Royal Family, both loved and hated…despised and worshiped. We are even told that there’s a small community of islanders in the South Pacific who thought he wasdivine!
The public seem to enjoy making the royals intogoodiesandbaddies.Some people currently think Harry and Megan have beenwrongedand there are those who believe they have beenfeckless.Thesedeep divisionsin public opinion are not new but have always existed. Many of thenarrativesare‘fantastical’and 'comparisons to fairy tales, soap operas orfan fiction are frequently made'.
Ultimatelythe opinion that Brits have of the monarchy reflects our beliefs, who we are and how werelateto our country. Who knows if the Royal Family will stay or go but thescandals,sagasand romantic taleswon’t quickly be erased from ourcollectivememory.
Summary without vocab in bold
Today I’m summarising an article in the Guardian about the monarchy. It’s called, 'The good, the bad and the monarchy: why we’re still suckers for the royal fairytale’. The main premise is that support for the Royal Family is very divided in Britain but it’s the stories surrounding the Royals that draw people in.
Prince Philip, the Queen’s late husband, died recently. Millions watched his funeral on TV and thousands of others wrote in to complain that there was too much coverage. Some people were ‘empathetic and emotional’ while others 'scrutinised the younger royals for drama’ and were ‘dismissive', making 'flippant comments and jokes.' He was, as is the case with every member of the Royal Family, both loved and hated…despised and worshiped. We are even told that there’s a small community of islanders in the South Pacific who thought he was divine!
The public seem to enjoy making the royals into goodies and baddies. Some people currently think Harry and Megan have been wronged and there are those who believe they have been feckless. These deep divisions in public opinion are not new but have always existed. Many of the narratives are ‘fantastical’ and 'comparisons to fairy tales, soap operas or fan fiction are frequently made'.
Ultimately the opinion that Brits have of the monarchy reflects our beliefs, who we are and how we relate to our country. Who knows if the Royal Family will stay or go but the scandals, sagas and romantic tales won’t quickly be erased from our collective memory.
Glossary
the monarchy
The King, Queen and their family in a particular country.
A sucker
Someone who is easily persuaded or tricked to do something
fairy tale
An story that is created to explain something that is not true.
premise
An idea or theory that is used as a basis for developing an argument
draw in
To get people interested and curious about something
funeral
A ceremony that happens after someone has died.
coverage
When news is reported in the media
empathetic
When someone understands how someone else feels because they can imagine what it’s like to be them.
scrutinised
To examine something carefully
dismissive
When someone shows that they do not consider something /someone important
flippant
When someone annoys others by treating a serious subject in a way that is not serious
despised
Hated
divine
Connected with God
goodies
Good characters in films, books etc
baddies
Bad characters in films, books, etc
wronged
To be treated in an unfair way
feckless
When someone has a weak character and doesn’t behave responsibly
deep divisions
Serious differences in in opinion between people
narratives
Stories
fantastical
Imaginary or strange
fairy tales
A story about magic and fairies that is usually for children.
soap operas
A TV or radio programme about the lives of a group of people. Soap operas are broadcast every day or a few times a week.
fan fiction
Stories, usually on the internet, about characters in novels, films etc written by fans
Ultimately
Finally
relate
The relationship someone has with someone or something
scandals
A situation in which well-known people behave in a way that causes shock or anger.
sagas
A story that happens to people over a long period of time.
tales
An imaginary story
collective
Involving all the members of a group
Questions
Are you interested in the British monarchy? Why/why not?
Do you have a monarchy in your country?
Do you think the British monarchy should stay or go? Why?
Can you remember any particular stories/scandals?
What arguments do people have for keeping the monarchy?
What arguments do people have for getting rid of the monarchy?