Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
- mourner / ˈmɔr nər / (n.) – a person who expresses his/her sadness after someone died, especially a relative or close friend
Example:Mourners usually wear black or white clothes when attending funerals.
- outpouring / ˈaʊtˌpɔr ɪŋ / (n.) – an act of expressing an emotion in a strong way
Example:The actor’s fans showed an outpouring of support.
- marmalade / ˈmɑr məˌleɪd / (n.) – a sweet jellylike food made from cooked fruits, such as oranges or lemons
Example:She made a jar of marmalade using the oranges she bought.
- patronage / ˈpeɪ trə nɪdʒ / (n.) – the support given to an organization, institution, business, etc., usually in the form of giving money or buying products
Example:The school thanked the businessman’s patronage, which helped in building a new library.
- in (someone’s) memory / ɪn ˈmɛm ə ri / (idiom) – done as a sign of respect and remembrance for someone who has died
Example:He made a sculpture in his father’s memory.
Article
Read the text below.
More than 1,000 Paddington Bears and other teddies left in tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II in London and Windsor will be donated to a children’s charity, Buckingham Palace said.
Mourners left thousands of tributes, including flowers and teddy bears, outside Buckingham Palace and in royal parks in London and outside Windsor Castle in an outpouring of grief after the U.K.’s longest-reigning monarch died on Sept. 8 at age 96.
The queen became linked to Paddington Bear, another British national treasure, after the two appeared together in a short comedy video during Platinum Jubilee celebrations earlier this year to mark the monarch’s 70 years on the throne. The video, which featured the queen taking afternoon tea with a computer-animated Paddington Bear, saw her telling the bear that she shared his love for marmalade sandwiches — and that she liked to hide them in her purse “for later.”
Buckingham Palace and the royal parks said the hundreds of bears left in tribute of the queen will be professionally cleaned before being delivered to Barnardo’s, a children’s charity.
Elizabeth was a patron of the charity for over 30 years, and in 2016 she passed the patronage to Camilla, the wife of King Charles III and now known as the Queen Consort.
“We are honored to be able to give homes to the teddies that people left in her memory,” said Lynn Perry, chief executive of Barnardo’s. “We promise to look after these bears who will be well-loved and bring joy to the children we support.”
This article was provided by The Associated Press.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
- Mourners of the late Queen left thousands of tributes, including flowers and teddy bears. Why do you think people still give gifts to people who have already passed away? Discuss.
- In your country, what things are usually left as tributes to people who have passed away (ex. food, flowers)? Do you usually leave gifts to people who have passed away? Why or why not? Discuss.
Discussion B
- In your opinion, how can the teddy bear donations help the children of Barnardo’s? Discuss.
- If you could donate to a children’s charity, what would you donate? Why? Discuss.