David Attenborough turns 100 years old

David Attenborough, the famous biologist and documentary maker, celebrated his 100th birthday with a party, a performance, and a letter from the King.

Words:

• Showcasing something means showing or presenting it proudly to attract attention.
• Something that is grand is impressive, large, or amazing.
• A birthday bash is another word for a birthday party.
• A legacy is an achievement that is left behind by a person has a big impact.
• Decades are periods of ten years.
• To pay tribute to someone means to honour or show respect for them, often through words, actions, or ceremonies.
• Someone’s commitment to something describes how hard they work for it.
• Conservation is protecting and preserving nature and wildlife.
• The fragility of something describes how easily broken, harmed or damaged it can be.
• A centenarian is a person who has lived for 100 years or more.

Video:

Warming up

1. This video is about David Attenborough. What do you already know about David Attenborough? If you don’t know him, look him up online and write down the two facts you find most interesting.

2. David Attenborough makes nature documentaries. What kind of documentaries do you like to watch, or would you like to watch? Name a topic that interests you.

Questions about the video

Watch the video from 0:00-1:15.

3. Read the statements. Which one is false?

A: David Attenborough celebrated his birthday in the Royal Albert Hall.

B: Famous people sent Attenborough birthday wishes in video messages.

C: There were live animals performing at his birthday party.

D: His birthday featured a performance by an orchestra.

4. David Attenborough is called ‘the man of the hour’. What do you think this phrase means?

5. Fill in the missing words in this summary.

celebrities – documentary – birthday – celebrated – conservation – decades

Sir David Attenborough had his 100th ___ recently. He ___ with a party that included an exciting performance and messages from royals and ___. Attenborough was thanked his ___ of work and for his devotion to ___. But he is not retiring yet, he is still working on his next ___.

Now watch the video from 1:15 to the end of the video.

6. Two members of the British Royal Family wish Attenborough a happy birthday in this video. Which ones? Write down their titles and first names.

7. One royal says in his speech that Attenborough opened people’s eyes to the earth’s beauty, and its ‘fragility’. What does he mean by this?

Task

Option 1: Kate Winslet says in her video that Attenborough leaves behind ‘an enormous legacy’. What do you think Attenborough’s legacy will be? Write a short paragraph about the impact Sir David Attenborough has made on television, nature, and/or the world.

Option 2: Write a birthday message to Sir David Attenborough. Write at least five sentences.

Van de makers van All Right!, Of Course! en Taalblokken Engels