Improve your English listening skills with this free B2–C1 video listening exercise about Gen Z protests around the world.
In this BBC World Service report, young people in countries including India, France, Italy, Albania, Bangladesh and Nepal take to the streets over issues ranging from education and public spending to corruption and government decisions.
The lesson explores what these protests have in common, how social media helps young people organise across borders, and why governments are paying increasing attention to Gen Z.
This lesson includes listening comprehension questions, useful phrases, vocabulary exercises and discussion activities, as well as a free downloadable PDF worksheet with a full answer key.
28 October 2026
Level: B2–C1 (Upper-intermediate to Advanced)
Focus: Listening comprehension, vocabulary, useful phrases and discussion
Video: BBC World Service — Gen Z protests: What unites them? (5:01)
Format: Free online listening exercises and downloadable PDF worksheet with answers
Watch the Video
Watch the BBC World Service report before completing the exercises.
Listen for the different reasons young people are protesting, how demonstrations have developed in different countries and the role social media plays in connecting Gen Z movements around the world.
You can watch the video more than once and use the English captions if necessary.
Listening Comprehension
Answer each question using information from the report. Write short answers in your own words.
- What triggered the first wave of student protests in India, and how did the Cockroach Janta Party begin?
- Why did Indian protesters demand the Chief Election Commissioner’s resignation, and how did the government explain the voter-list removals?
- Name two problems at French schools that students protested about. Who later joined them?
- What three improvements did students in Italy demand during the protests?
- Why did protesters in Albania carry pink flamingos, and which wider grievances developed?
- What happened to the leadership of Bangladesh and Nepal following the student protests mentioned?
- Despite their different circumstances, what broad concern does the contributor say many young protesters share?
- How does social media help young protesters organise and connect with others across countries?
- According to the report, how do the main demands in France and Italy differ from those in Albania and India?
- What different government responses are described, and how does the final contributor say leaders should regard Gen Z?
Phrase Match
Match each exact expression heard in the video (1–10) to its meaning (A–J).
| Expressions | Meanings |
|---|---|
| 1. rocked by protests | A. spread from one country into another |
| 2. taking to the streets | B. caused the whole government to lose power |
| 3. party in power | C. demonstrate mutual support for one another |
| 4. turned violent | D. gathering publicly to demonstrate or demand change |
| 5. crossed the border | E. strict action to limit people’s freedom to express opinions |
| 6. walked out of classes | F. the political party that currently controls the government |
| 7. brought down the entire government | G. deteriorated into theft and widespread disorder |
| 8. a crackdown on free speech | H. seriously disrupted or shaken by public demonstrations |
| 9. show solidarity with each other | I. left lessons deliberately as a form of protest |
| 10. descended into looting and chaos | J. changed from non-violent action to physical aggression |
Synonym Match
Match each word heard in the video (1–10) to its closest contextual synonym (A–J).
| Words | Synonyms |
|---|---|
| 1. resigned | A. dissimilar |
| 2. rally | B. political wrongdoing |
| 3. clashes | C. appeased |
| 4. corruption | D. turmoil |
| 5. unrest | E. demonstration |
| 6. disparate | F. never-before-seen |
| 7. unprecedented | G. confrontations |
| 8. repressed | H. stepped down |
| 9. placated | I. enormous |
| 10. massive | J. suppressed |
Use the New Language
Choose 5 new words or expressions from this lesson and write an original sentence using each one.
Try to use each word or expression naturally in a sentence connected to your own experiences, opinions or knowledge.
Discussion Questions
Use the questions below to develop your speaking skills, explain your opinions and practise the vocabulary from the lesson.
Student A — Personal Experience
- Have you ever seen a demonstration in person? What was happening?
- What issue would make you consider taking to the streets?
- What was the biggest frustration at your school or university?
- Have you ever helped organise an event or campaign through social media?
- Which public service has the greatest impact on your everyday life?
- Where do you usually hear about major events in other countries?
- Have you ever changed your opinion after seeing people speak out online?
- What differences do you notice between young people today and your own generation?
Student B — Opinions and Analysis
- Why might youth-led protests spread between countries with very different problems?
- Are leaderless movements organised online more effective or less effective than traditional campaigns?
- When, if ever, is disrupting schools or public life justified as a form of protest?
- How should authorities respond when a mostly peaceful demonstration turns violent?
- Does social media build lasting solidarity, or mostly encourage short-lived outrage?
- Why might poor education and limited job opportunities fuel wider political unrest?
- Should young people have a greater say in how governments spend public money?
- What might persuade a government to negotiate with protesters instead of ignoring them?
60-Second Summary Challenge
Without looking at your notes, summarise the main concerns behind the protests and explain how social media connects young people.
Mention at least one important difference between countries and use two expressions from the worksheet.
Access the Video Transcript
The video contains natural BBC news English with several speakers and examples from different countries.
To read the transcript, open the video on YouTube and select Show transcript from the video description or available controls.
Use the transcript after completing the listening activities to check difficult sections, vocabulary or expressions you may have missed.
Download the Free PDF Worksheet
Prefer working on paper or using the lesson with a student?
Download the complete B2–C1 English Listening Worksheet PDF, including the listening questions, vocabulary activities, discussion questions, summary challenge and full answer key.
Answer Key
Show Answers
Listening Comprehension
- [0:21–0:32] Questions leaked from the national medical entrance exam. The Cockroach Janta Party began online as satire, then became a real movement.
- [0:35–0:54] They wanted the Chief Election Commissioner to resign after 130 million names were removed from voter lists. The government said it was removing duplicate voters or people who had died or moved; protesters alleged it was to help the BJP.
- [1:01–1:20] Complaints included a lack of teachers, rats and school buildings that were too hot, too cold or falling apart. Teachers and unions later joined. Any two problems.
- [1:36–1:53] More teachers, more funding and better school buildings.
- [1:54–2:15] Protesters said a proposed luxury resort would endanger flamingos. Anger broadened to corruption, while students protested about fees and university conditions.
- [2:32–2:50] Students in Bangladesh forced out the prime minister in 2024. In Nepal, protests over corruption and a crackdown on free speech on social media brought down the entire government in 2025.
- [2:57–3:26] Despite their disparate concerns, many protest against a lack of government investment in services and policies affecting young people, including education and healthcare.
- [3:26–4:03] They organise online, often with no clear leader, and can follow events elsewhere in real time. Social media lets young people see one another as peers and show solidarity.
- [4:04–4:24] In France and Italy, demands centre on schools and spending, with unions joining students; in Albania and India, protesters also focus on corruption.
- [4:30–5:01] Some have been brutally repressed, some placated and others simply ignored. The speaker says governments should treat Gen Z as a viable voting bloc and the politicians of tomorrow, not as children.
Phrase Match
1 = H
2 = D
3 = F
4 = J
5 = A
6 = I
7 = B
8 = E
9 = C
10 = G
Synonym Match
1 = H
2 = E
3 = G
4 = B
5 = D
6 = A
7 = F
8 = J
9 = C
10 = I
Example Sentences with the Vocabulary
- The education minister resigned after weeks of public pressure.
- A large rally took place outside the university.
- Clashes broke out after the demonstration moved into the city centre.
- The investigation uncovered allegations of corruption in public office.
- Long-running unrest affected public transport and local businesses.
- The two groups had disparate aims but agreed on one important demand.
- The campaign attracted unprecedented attention online.
- Critics said that peaceful demonstrations had been repressed.
- The authorities placated some students by agreeing to discuss fees.
- Organising a demonstration in such a massive country can be difficult.
Note: Model answers follow the video. Accurate paraphrases supported by the report are also acceptable. Timestamps are approximate. Sentence-writing and discussion responses are open-ended.
More Free English Practice
Continue practising with more free resources from Britfluency:
English Listening Exercises – Video-based listening lessons with online activities and free PDF worksheets.
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B2–C2 English Worksheets – Reading, vocabulary, useful phrases and discussion activities for upper-intermediate and advanced learners.
English Grammar Worksheets – Free grammar practice for different English levels.
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