Thomas More's Utopia
In Our Time

Thomas More's Utopia

B2Upper-intermediateOctober 15, 202654 min

In 1516, the publication of one small book would coin a new word and give rise to centuries of literature, theory, and thought. In his most influential work, the lawyer and Tudor politician Thomas More (1478-1535) described a seemingly perfect – but entirely fictional – island called Utopia. In 1535, less than two decades after writing the book, More was executed for refusing to accept King Henry VIII as supreme head of the church of England. Misha Glenny and his guests discuss why More’s exploration of service and the ideal state has been read as a blueprint for society, a scathing satire, and as...

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B2 · Upper-intermediate

Comfortable if you already follow TV news

A1 29%A2 33%B1 20%B2 14%C1 4%
  • 82% of the words are B1 or easier.
  • 174 words a minute: natural, fairly fast speech.
  • 275 harder words (B2 and up) in the whole episode.

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0:00

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK. Hey, Urita, tell me a bit about that. I'm not sure if you've heard of it before, but I'm sure you've heard of it before. I'm sure you've heard of it before.

0:37

I'm sure you've heard of it before. I'm sure you've heard of it before. Tell me a bit about it. Tell me a bit about it.

0:45

Tell me a bit about Urita. I'm sure you've heard of it before. Thank you. Hello, I'm an admiter.

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