Never Too Old to Learn

87-year-old Ursula Shepherd is just learning to read. Watch the video to find out more about her story.

Read the following words and phrases and their definitions.

• pensioner - a person who is old or sick and no longer works for his or her money
• carer - a person who takes special care of people who need help and protection
• miss out - lose a chance to do something, be unable to have or enjoy something
• pretend - to behave as if something is true when you know it is not
• poorly - not well, ill
• inspire - make others want to do something

First read the assignment. Next watch the video. Take notes to help you do the assignment.

1. In what year did Ursula Shepherd leave school?


2. How did she trick her school teachers?


3. Why didn’t she have time to learn to read?


4. How does she feel about this?


5. What effect does she hope her story will have on others?