World
Buckingham Palace Opens Balcony Room to the Public for the First Time
13 Jul 2026
NEW
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a Level
Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
WARM UP
Think Ahead: Which detail do you think appears in this story?
a) A secret swimming pool inside a castle
b) A famous royal room behind a balcony
c) A magical dragon living under the palace
Ask:
(1) Have you ever seen a real palace or castle?
(2) What do you think it looks like inside a king's house?
VOCABULARY
palace
(noun)
tourist
(noun)
balcony
(noun)
famous
(adjective)
royal
(adjective)
special
(adjective)
A large, beautiful house where a king or queen lives.
Example: The King lives in a grand palace in London.
A person who travels to a place for holiday.
Example: Many tourists take photos of the big castle.
A platform on the outside wall of a building where you can stand.
Example: The family stood on the balcony to wave goodbye.
Known or recognized by many people.
Example: London is a famous city with many old buildings.
Belonging to or connected with a king or queen.
Example: The royal family had a big dinner last night.
Not ordinary or usual; different and important.
Example: Today is a special day because it is my birthday.
Buckingham Palace is a very famous building in London. It is the official home of the British King. Every summer, many tourists from all over the world visit this beautiful place. Now, people can see a special new area for the first time. This area is called the East Wing. Inside the East Wing, visitors can walk into a grand room. This room is right behind the famous balcony. The royal family stands on this balcony during big celebrations to wave at the crowds. Visitors cannot step outside onto the balcony, but they can look through the lovely net curtains. They can see the long road called The Mall. Visitors can also look at beautiful old things inside the rooms. There are colourful Chinese pots and a large lamp shaped like a lotus flower. It is very exciting for people to see this secret part of the palace.
Listen
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
(1) Would you like to visit Buckingham Palace one day?
(2) Why do you think many tourists like to see where the King lives?
(3) If you had a big balcony on your house, what would you do?
(4) What is the most famous building in your country?
(5) Do you prefer looking at old historic paintings or modern art?
(6) If you could design a special room in a palace, what would you put inside it?
FILL IN THE GAPS
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
Word Bank: palace, tourists, balcony, royal
Buckingham _______(1) is a very famous building in London. It is the official home of the British King. Every summer, many _______(2) from all over the world visit this beautiful place. Now, people can see a special new area for the first time. This area is called the East Wing. Inside the East Wing, visitors can walk into a grand room. This room is right behind the famous _______(3). The _______(4) family stands on this balcony during big celebrations to wave at the crowds. Visitors cannot step outside onto the balcony, but they can look through the lovely net curtains. They can see the long road called The Mall. Visitors can also look at beautiful old things inside the rooms. There are colourful Chinese pots and a large lamp shaped like a lotus flower. It is very exciting for people to see this secret part of the palace.
Section 2: Main Idea
What is the main idea of this news story?
a) The British King is moving to a new house outside London.
b) Visitors can now tour a special room behind the palace balcony for the first time.
c) Tourists can now step outside onto the palace balcony to wave at people.
UNDERSTANDING
Section 3: True or False
(1) Buckingham Palace is located in Paris. T/F
(2) Visitors are allowed to step outside onto the central balcony. T/F
(3) Inside the rooms, visitors can see a large lamp shaped like a lotus flower. T/F
Section 4: Put Events in Order
Put the following events in the correct order from 1 to 3:
( ) The East Wing area opens to public visitors for the first time.
( ) The palace was built and became the official home of the British King.
( ) Tourists visit the palace rooms and look through the net curtains of the balcony.
LANGUAGE
Section 5: Vocab Match
(1) palace
(2) tourist
(3) balcony
(4) royal
a) A platform on the outside of a building
b) Connected to a king or queen
c) A person visiting a place on holiday
d) A large building where a monarch lives
USE IT
Section 6: Discussion Builder
Choose the best word to complete the sentence.
(1) The King waved to the crowds from the palace ______.
a) balcony
b) garden
c) kitchen
(2) Many ______ visit London every summer to see the famous buildings.
a) kings
b) tourists
c) rooms
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
Unscramble the words to make correct sentences.
(1) A) famous B) is C) building D) a E) the palace
(2) A) look B) through C) they D) the curtains E) can
ANSWER KEY
Section: Warm Up Answer: b
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps: (1) palace, (2) tourists, (3) balcony, (4) royal
Section 2: Main Idea: b
Section 3: True or False: (1) False, (2) False, (3) True
Section 4: Put Events in Order: 2, 1, 3
Section 5: Vocab Match: (1) d, (2) c, (3) a, (4) b
Section 6: Discussion Builder: (1) a, (2) b
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble:
(1) The palace is a famous building. / E-B-D-A-C
(2) They can look through the curtains. / C-E-A-B-D
Section 8: Discussion Questions: Student answers will vary.