At Harvard Law School Library, a special document was found. People thought it was a copy of the Magna Carta, but it is actually an original. The library bought it in 1946 for just $27.50. It was first thought to be from 1327, but it’s really from 1300.

Two researchers helped discover this. One of them, David Carpenter, noticed something special while looking at online copies. He thought Harvard’s document might be an original. After checking carefully, they confirmed it was real and worth a lot of money.

The Magna Carta is important because it first gave people rights under the law in 1215. Even though it’s now very valuable, Harvard Law School won’t sell it. They want to keep it safe and part of their collection.

Original news source: Magna Carta ‘copy’ miscatalogued in 1940s found to be original (Sky News)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– CHARADES
Instructions: Students will take turns acting out key terms from the article without speaking, such as “Magna Carta,” “original,” or “researcher.” The rest of the class will guess what they are acting out.

– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Ask students if they think historical documents like the Magna Carta should be kept in libraries or sold to collectors. Students will walk around the classroom, asking their classmates for their opinions and tallying the results.

– MIND MAP
Instructions: In small groups, students will create a mind map on a large piece of paper, centered around the Magna Carta. They will add branches for its historical significance, the library’s role, and important facts from the article.

– SKETCH IT
Instructions: Students will draw a quick sketch of what they imagine the Magna Carta looks like, or how the Harvard Law School Library looks. Afterward, they will share their drawings with the class and explain their choices.

– TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE
Instructions: Each student will write down two true statements and one false statement about the article. They will then share their statements with a partner, who will try to guess which one is the lie.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What special document was found at Harvard Law School Library?
2. How much did Harvard Law School pay for the document in 1946?
3. Who were the two researchers that helped discover the truth about the document?
4. What year did people originally think the document was from?
5. Why is the Magna Carta an important document?
6. What does Harvard Law School want to do with the Magna Carta now?
7. What did David Carpenter notice that made him think the document might be an original?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

At Harvard Law School Library, a special document was (1)______. (2)______ thought it was a copy of the Magna Carta, but it is actually an (3)______. The library bought it in 1946 for just $27.50. It was first (4)______ to be from 1327, but it’s really from 1300.

Two researchers (5)______ discover this. One of them, (6)______ Carpenter, noticed something special while looking at (7)______ copies. He thought Harvard’s document might be an original. After (8)______ carefully, they (9)______ it was real and worth a lot of money.

The Magna Carta is important because it first gave (10)______ rights under the law in 1215. Even though it’s now very (11)______, Harvard Law (12)______ won’t sell it. They want to keep it safe and part of their collection.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is a document that you think is very important?
2. How would you feel if you found something very old and special?
3. Do you like learning about history? Why or why not?
4. What do you think makes a document valuable?
5. How would you feel if someone wanted to sell something special to you?
6. Do you think it is important to keep old documents safe? Why?
7. What is a right that you think everyone should have?
8. How would you feel if you were one of the researchers who discovered the document?
9. Do you like visiting libraries? Why or why not?
10. What do you think would happen if Harvard sold the Magna Carta?
11. How would you feel if you could see the Magna Carta in person?
12. Do you think people care enough about history? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. document
2. original
3. researchers
4. discover
5. noticed
6. confirmed
7. valuable
8. collection
9. library
10. rights
11. carefully
12. special

Meanings:
(A) To find something new or unknown
(B) Saw or became aware of something
(C) Worth a lot of money or importance
(D) Things that people are allowed to do or have
(E) A group of things kept together, like books or art
(F) A piece of paper with important information written on it
(G) Different from the usual, in a good way
(H) A place where books and other materials are kept for reading or borrowing
(I) Doing something with a lot of attention and thought
(J) People who study and find out new things
(K) Made sure something is true or correct
(L) The first of its kind, not a copy
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What was found at Harvard Law School Library?
(a) A new book
(b) An original Magna Carta
(c) A famous painting
(d) A historical map

2. How much did Harvard Law School pay for the document in 1946?
(a) $100
(b) $50
(c) $10
(d) $27.50

3. What year was the document originally thought to be from?
(a) 1400
(b) 1500
(c) 1200
(d) 1327

4. Who helped discover that the document was an original?
(a) David Carpenter
(b) A librarian
(c) A student
(d) A teacher

5. Why is the Magna Carta important?
(a) It is a famous story
(b) It is a type of food
(c) It gave people rights under the law
(d) It is a song

6. What does Harvard Law School want to do with the Magna Carta?
(a) Keep it safe
(b) Sell it for money
(c) Give it away
(d) Throw it away

7. In what year was the Magna Carta first created?
(a) 1300
(b) 1215
(c) 1400
(d) 1500

8. What did David Carpenter notice about the document?
(a) It was very old
(b) It was not important
(c) It might be an original
(d) It was a copy

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The document is really from the year 1300.
2. Harvard acquired the document in 1946 for $28.50.
3. People believed the document was an authentic Magna Carta.
4. The document was first thought to be from the year 1327.
5. Harvard Law School Library found a special document.
6. The document is just a replica of the Magna Carta.
7. Two researchers helped discover the truth about the document.
8. Harvard Law School plans to sell the document and will not ensure its safety.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Check your writing now with the best free AI for English writing!

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.
Check your answers with our free English writing assistant!

1. What special document was found at Harvard Law School Library?
2. How much did Harvard pay for the document in 1946?
3. Who helped discover that the document was an original?
4. Why is the Magna Carta important?
5. What does Harvard Law School want to do with the document now?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What special document was found at Harvard Law School Library?
It was an original Magna Carta.

2. How much did Harvard Law School pay for the document in 1946?
They paid $27.50.

3. Who were the two researchers that helped discover the truth about the document?
One of the researchers was David Carpenter.

4. What year did people originally think the document was from?
People thought it was from 1327.

5. Why is the Magna Carta an important document?
It gave people rights under the law in 1215.

6. What does Harvard Law School want to do with the Magna Carta now?
They want to keep it safe and part of their collection.

7. What did David Carpenter notice that made him think the document might be an original?
He noticed something special while looking at online copies.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) found
(2) People
(3) original
(4) thought
(5) helped
(6) David
(7) online
(8) checking
(9) confirmed
(10) people
(11) valuable
(12) School
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. document
Answer: (F) A piece of paper with important information written on it

2. original
Answer: (L) The first of its kind, not a copy

3. researchers
Answer: (J) People who study and find out new things

4. discover
Answer: (A) To find something new or unknown

5. noticed
Answer: (B) Saw or became aware of something

6. confirmed
Answer: (K) Made sure something is true or correct

7. valuable
Answer: (C) Worth a lot of money or importance

8. collection
Answer: (E) A group of things kept together, like books or art

9. library
Answer: (H) A place where books and other materials are kept for reading or borrowing

10. rights
Answer: (D) Things that people are allowed to do or have

11. carefully
Answer: (I) Doing something with a lot of attention and thought

12. special
Answer: (G) Different from the usual, in a good way
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What was found at Harvard Law School Library?
Answer: (b) An original Magna Carta

2. How much did Harvard Law School pay for the document in 1946?
Answer: (d) $27.50

3. What year was the document originally thought to be from?
Answer: (d) 1327

4. Who helped discover that the document was an original?
Answer: (a) David Carpenter

5. Why is the Magna Carta important?
Answer: (c) It gave people rights under the law

6. What does Harvard Law School want to do with the Magna Carta?
Answer: (a) Keep it safe

7. In what year was the Magna Carta first created?
Answer: (b) 1215

8. What did David Carpenter notice about the document?
Answer: (c) It might be an original
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The document is really from the year 1300. (Answer: True)
2. Harvard acquired the document in 1946 for $28.50. (Answer: False)
3. People believed the document was an authentic Magna Carta. (Answer: False)
4. The document was first thought to be from the year 1327. (Answer: True)
5. Harvard Law School Library found a special document. (Answer: True)
6. The document is just a replica of the Magna Carta. (Answer: False)
7. Two researchers helped discover the truth about the document. (Answer: True)
8. Harvard Law School plans to sell the document and will not ensure its safety. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧