Daily News

Inspirational UK News 15th October 2020

Queen’s Birthday
Honours for
Covid-19 Heroes
What are The Queen’s Birthday Honours?

• On her official birthday, The Queen awards different

honours to people, depending on the level and type of
achievement made.

• They include becoming a Knight or Dame, CBE, OBE,

MBE or BEM.

The Queen’s birthday honours list for 2020

has been announced. People who have helped
during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic are
being especially paid tribute this year.
The awards are usually announced and
awarded in June but they have been delayed this
year to include people who have helped during
COVID-19.
The awards are decided by a select committee
and the prime minister. The list is then checked
by The Queen.
In total, 1,495 honours make up this
year’s list!
The list includes many famous people who
have helped during the COVID-19.
Marcus Rashford, the 22-year-old Manchester
United footballer, has been awarded an MBE
(Member of the Order of the British Empire). This
is the third-highest award of its kind.
He has been recognised because of his
campaign to get children free school meal
vouchers over the summer in England. He was
pleased to receive his MBE and said, ‘This is a
very special moment for myself and my family’.
Another famous name to receive an MBE
was Joe Wicks. He was awarded the honour
for helping children keep active and fit during
lockdown. His YouTube workouts raised
£580,000 for the NHS.
As well as some famous faces, out of the
Illustration: Marcus Rashford.
1,495 honours awarded, 414 were given to
‘unsung’ heroes who helped during COVID-19.
These included NHS workers, doctors, nurses,
fundraisers and volunteers.
The prime minister, Boris Johnson, said, “We
all have to play our part, but the dedication,
courage and compassion seen from these
recipients, be it responding on the frontline or
out in their communities providing support to
the most vulnerable, is an inspiration to us all.’’
Glossary
tribute An act, gift or statement to say
thanks.
committee A group of people who make
decisions.
campaign To work towards some kind of
action.
NHS The National Health Service. The
organisation in charge of health
in the UK.

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 Queen’s Birthday Honours for Covid-19 Heroes

Questions
1. Name two people who have received MBEs named in the article.


2. They are decided by a select committee and the prime minister. The list is then checked
by The Queen. This suggests that ...

It is easy to win an award.

The awards are carefully selected.
Only one person decides who gets an award.
The awards are not happening this year.

3. Tick each statement to show whether it is true or false.

True False
The awards have been delayed this year.
Only famous people have been honoured.
MBEs are the third highest award of their kind.
The Queen’s birthday is in October.

4. In the sentence : These include NHS workers, doctors, nurses, fundraisers and
volunteers. What is meant by the word ‘volunteers’?



5. Why do you think the author chose to mention that Marcus Rashford is 22-years-old?




6. Summarise the key information in the article in 15 words or fewer.





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 Queen’s Birthday Honours for Covid-19 Heroes

Answers
1. Name two people who have received MBEs named in the article.
Accept Marcus Rashford and Joe Wicks.

2. They are decided by a select committee and the prime minister. The list is then checked
by The Queen. This suggests that ...

It is easy to win an award.

The awards are carefully selected.
Only one person decides who gets an award.
The awards are not happening this year.

3. Tick each statement to show whether it is true or false.

True False
The awards have been delayed this year. ✓
Only famous people have been honoured. ✓
MBEs are the third highest award of their kind. ✓
The Queen’s birthday is in October. ✓

4. In the sentence : These include NHS workers, doctors, nurses, fundraisers and
volunteers. What is meant by the word ‘volunteers’?
Accept any answer which suggests it is someone who offers to help for no money.

5. Why do you think the author chose to mention that Marcus Rashford is 22-years-old?
Accept any answer which suggests that 22 is a young age to receive such a big award,
e.g I think they mentioned he is 22 because it’s a young age to receive an MBE.’

6. Summarise the key information in the article in 15 words or fewer.

Accept any answer which summarises the story in 15 words or fewer, e.g. The Queen has
honoured people, like Marcus Rashford, who have helped during COVID-19.

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