Britain’s biggest family. Interactive Reading Comprehension Activities with Video to Enhance Vocabulary, Context, and Understanding for English Students. Free Printable PDF
Britain’s biggest family
Improving reading comprehension is a vital skill for English learners at all levels. It goes beyond just understanding the words on the page, but also involves grasping meaning, context, and intent behind a text. In this blog post, we’ll explore a fun and interactive reading comprehension activity that combines written passages to deepen understanding and make learning more enjoyable.
Britain’s biggest family – Reading Comprehension
Britain’s biggest family: The Radfords welcome the arrival of their 19th baby
(above) Sue Radford with 14 of her children on holiday in Lanzarote during the filming for the Channel 4 documentary which propelled the family to fame
Britain’s biggest family has grown again as they welcome their 19th baby and refuse to rule out another.
Sue Radford, 41, gave birth to Phoebe Willow in just 40 minutes earlier this month, despite vowing to not have any more children after the arrival of daughter, Hallie Alphia Beau, in June 2015.
The new baby girl weighs 7lb 15oz and is born into a family of nine brothers, nine sisters and father Noel.
They are believed to be Britain’s biggest family, living in a former care home in Morecombe, Lancashire, and using a minibus to get around.
The couple have raised their family without benefits and own a bakery.
Mrs Radford first fell pregnant aged 14, deciding to keep baby Chris after they were both adopted as children.
The mother told the Sun newspaper: “Our friends and family keep saying I should have one to get an even number – so round it off to an even 20. I can’t rule it out. At the moment I am happy to have Phoebe with us, she is healthy and a little stunner.”
But the family consider themselves parents of 19 children after Mrs Radford lost baby Alfie at 21 weeks in July 2014.
Writing shortly after, Mrs Radford, said: “I think losing a child changes you as a person, I’m not the same person I was before I lost Alfie.
“I will never be that person again but I’m learning to live life as an angel mummy and put a smile on my face when there’s times I really don’t feel like smiling.”
According to the Sun, the family spend £30,000 a year bringing up their children, including £100 per child on birthdays and £100-£250 at Christmas.
They also buy £250 worth of food each week, consuming three loaves of bread, two boxes of cereal and 18 pints of milk per day.
The average woman in Britain, on reaching 45, has had 1.9 children. That compares with 2.35 for a 45-year old woman living in 1985.
The world’s largest family is said to be from Baktwang, India, where father Ziona Chana has 94 children by 39 different wives.
Mr Chana, who has said he is a “lucky man”, lives in a 100-room, four-story home with another 14 daughters-in-law and 33 grandchildren.
Reading Comprehension: Britain’s Biggest Family: The Radfords Welcome the Arrival of Their 19th Baby
Questions:
Who is Sue Radford?
a) The first child of the Radford family
b) The mother of the Radford family
c) A famous celebrity
d) A documentary filmmaker
How long did it take for Sue Radford to give birth to Phoebe Willow?
a) 60 minutes
b) 40 minutes
c) 20 minutes
d) 2 hours
Why did the Radfords gain media attention?
a) They live in a mansion
b) They have Britain’s biggest family
c) They are famous actors
d) They travel a lot around the world
How many children do the Radfords have, including Phoebe Willow?
a) 18
b) 19
c) 20
d) 10
How much money does the Radford family spend per year on raising their children?
a) £20,000
b) £30,000
c) £50,000
d) £10,000
True or False:
- The Radford family lives in Morecombe, Lancashire.
- Sue Radford first became pregnant when she was 18 years old.
- The Radfords buy £250 worth of food every week to feed their children.
- Sue Radford lost a child, Alfie, at 21 weeks of pregnancy.
- The average woman in Britain has had more children than a woman in 1985.
Short Answer:
- What does Sue Radford say about the possibility of having another child after Phoebe Willow?
- What is significant about the size of the Radford family in comparison to the average British family?
- Why does Sue Radford say she has changed as a person after losing baby Alfie?
This reading comprehension activity highlights the unique story of Britain’s largest family and gives students practice analyzing real-life news stories.
Using video in reading comprehension activities not only enhances students’ engagement but also aids in building critical language skills such as listening, vocabulary development, and contextual understanding. By incorporating multimedia into traditional reading lessons, teachers can cater to various learning styles and keep students motivated. We encourage you to try out this method and observe how it transforms reading into a more dynamic, interactive experience for your English learners.
DOWNLOAD THE PDF FOR FREE
