The island that changes nationality twice a year

ESL Lessons: True Stories

A printable worksheet for story-based English conversation classes.

Difficulty: Intermediate B1

PDF: The island that changes nationality twice a year

Warm-up

Do you know any islands that are shared by two countries?

Vocabulary Match

arrangement •• country
cooperation •• plan
migrants •• agreement
nationality •• teamwork
diplomacy •• people relocating
Treaty •• negotiations

Vocabulary Answers

arrangementplan
cooperationteamwork
migrantspeople relocating
nationalitycountry
diplomacynegotiations
Treatyagreement

True Story

Listen and fill in the blanks with words from above.

Pheasant Island, also called Isla de los Faisanes, is a small island in the Bidasoa River between France and Spain. This island is special because it changes ________ twice a year. It belongs to France for six months and then to Spain for the next six months. This unique ________ started in 1659 when the ________ of the Pyrenees was signed there, ending a war between the two countries.

The island is a symbol of peace and ________ between France and Spain. It is not well-known and is usually closed to the public, except on special days. Despite some modern problems, like ________ trying to cross the river, Pheasant Island shows how two nations can share land peacefully. As one local said, "Pheasant Island is a powerful reminder of ________ and respect."

Pheasant Island, also called Isla de los Faisanes, is a small island in the Bidasoa River between France and Spain. This island is special because it changes nationality twice a year. It belongs to France for six months and then to Spain for the next six months. This unique arrangement started in 1659 when the Treaty of the Pyrenees was signed there, ending a war between the two countries.

The island is a symbol of peace and cooperation between France and Spain. It is not well-known and is usually closed to the public, except on special days. Despite some modern problems, like migrants trying to cross the river, Pheasant Island shows how two nations can share land peacefully. As one local said, "Pheasant Island is a powerful reminder of diplomacy and respect."

Quiz

  1. Where is Pheasant Island located?
  2. How often does Pheasant Island change nationality?
  3. What is Pheasant Island a symbol of?

Quiz Answers (examples)

  1. In the Bidasoa River between France and Spain.
  2. It changes nationality twice a year.
  3. Peace and cooperation between France and Spain.

True or False

  1. Pheasant Island is always open to the public. T F
  2. The Treaty of the Pyrenees ended a war between Spain and France. T F
  3. Pheasant Island belongs to Spain for six minutes each year. T F

True or False Answers

  1. False
  2. False
  3. False

Conversation

A:Did you know Pheasant Island changes nationality?
B:Really? What do you mean?
A:Well, it swaps between France and Spain every six months.
B:Wow, that's amazing. Why do they do that?
A:It started in 1659 when the war ended.
B:Interesting... I know some other countries that could try that.

Discussion

  1. What are some islands that different countries claim to own?
  2. Do you think it's a good idea for countries to share land?
  3. What other ways can countries show cooperation? (E.g. China sends pandas.)
  4. If you owned a small, empty island, what would you do with it?

Further Reading

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20220706-europes-island-that-swaps-nationalities

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