Study Buddy (Explorer): Europe’s first Universal theme park to open in the United Kingdom
Each week, this page presents a light article with questions to test your comprehension
Harry Potter is coming home – Universal is opening a theme park in the United Kingdom, its first in Europe. Photo: AFPContent provided by British Council
Read the following text, and answer questions 1-9 below:
[1] United Kingdom (UK) prime minister Keir Starmer has announced Universal will build its first European theme park in Britain, unveiling an agreement which could create thousands of jobs and attract millions of tourists. “We closed the deal on a multibillion-pound investment that will see Bedford home to one of the biggest entertainment parks in Europe,” Starmer said, referring to the English market town north of London.
[2] No precise figures were given for the deal struck with United States (US) communications giant Comcast – which owns Universal – after years of discussions with UK leaders. The first opened in Hollywood, California, in 1964 and is based around the original film studios. A second US park opened in Orlando, Florida, in 1990. There are three in Asia: Beijing, China; Osaka, Japan; and Singapore.
[3] Rides and shows could be based on film series such as Shrek, Minions, Jurassic Park and Harry Potter. The new park could create some 28,000 jobs – including 20,000 during construction – and represent a £50 billion (HK$497 billion) boost to the UK economy by 2055, Starmer’s office said.
[4] The statement added that 80 per cent of employees would come from local areas. An estimated 8.5 million people are expected to visit in its first year, planned for 2031, making it Britain’s largest attraction. “We could not be more excited to take this very important step in our plan to create and deliver an incredible Universal theme park and resort in the heart of the United Kingdom,” said Comcast president Mike Cavanagh.
[5] In 2023, Comcast bought the 2 sq km site of a former brick factory south of Bedford, 80km north of London. Universal has said it will work with local universities to train the next generation of hospitality workers through apprenticeships and internships.
[6] The area is about an hour by train from St Pancras station in London, also the terminus for Eurostar trains that run to and from Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam. Among the plans for the new park are a 500-room hotel, rides, shows and a large dining complex. The proposals will be subject to a planning decision.
[7] Universal has not yet revealed details of the rides, but media reports have already indicated a possible attraction themed around Paddington Bear, a character that now has a major film franchise. The whole attraction is intended to rival Disneyland Paris, which drew in 10.4 million visitors in 2023.
[8] “From Wicked to Minions, Universal is behind some of the biggest blockbusters of recent years,” said UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sports Lisa Nandy. “The landmark investment is fantastic news for our economy, UK tourism and the British public, who will be able to enjoy the biggest and best theme park in Europe”.
Source: Agence France-Presse, April 9
Questions
1. What is the planned theme park’s significance, according to paragraph 1?
A. It will be the first theme park Universal has in Europe.
B. It will be the biggest theme park in Europe.
C. It will be the first theme park that cost more than a billion pounds to build.
D. all of the above
2. Decide whether the following statements about paragraphs 2 and 3 are True, False or the information is Not Given. Fill in ONE circle only for each. (4 marks)
(i) Universal has five theme park locations across the world.
(ii) The Universal theme park in Japan was the first to be built in Asia.
(iii) The latest Universal theme park opened in 2023.
(iv) The rides and shows in the new park will only feature characters from Harry Potter.
3. How many jobs are expected to be created while the park is being built, according to paragraph 3?
4. Where does the “heart of the United Kingdom” in paragraph 4 refer to?
5. What training opportunities will Universal offer, according to paragraph 5?
6. How far will the new park be from St Pancras station by car?
A. less than 30 minutes
B. about one hour
C. more than two hours
D. information not given
7. Find a word in paragraph 7 that means “compete with”
8. The phrase “major film franchise” in paragraph 7 suggests that Paddington Bear …
A. is only known by a small group of people.
B. is not well-liked by most people.
C. is very popular among the public.
D. used to be a favourite with young children.
9. In paragraph 8, what are Wicked and Minions examples of?
Answers
1. A
2. (i) NG; (ii) NG; (iii) T; (iv) F
3. 20,000
4. Bedford, England, United Kingdom
5. apprenticeships and internships for hospitality workers at local universities in the UK
6. D
7. rival
8. C
9. They are examples of big, successful films produced by Universal. (accept all similar answers)