EnglishClub

Pre-listening vocabulary

• global: relating to the entire world
• promote: to encourage something
• conflict: a disagreement or fight
• pledge: to officially declare that you will do something
• unite: to come together for a common cause
• Axis powers: the countries that sided with Nazi Germany during World War II
• establish: to create something new, especially an organization or company

Listening activity

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:17 — 1.2MB)

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Gapfill exercise

The United Nations, or UN, is a global that is meant to promote peace and good relations between . Before the UN, many countries were members of an organization called the League of Nations, which was created after the end of World War I for the purpose of preventing global conflicts. However, World War II began less than 20 years after the creation of the League of Nations. The term “United Nations” was first used to refer to 26 countries that pledged to unite against the Axis powers in 1942. The UN was established on October 24, 1945, after the war had ended. By then, 51 countries were members. Today, 193 countries are members of the United Nations.

Comprehension questions

See answers below

1. The UN’s main purpose is to
   a. prevent climate change
   b. deal with public health emergencies
   c. promote peace and good relations between countries
   
2. The League of Nations failed to prevent
   a. World War I
   b. World War II
   c. the Cold War
   
3. When the UN was officially established,
   a. 26 countries were members
   b. 51 countries were members
   c. 193 countries were members

Discussion/essay questions

1. Although the United Nations has been successful in many ways, it has also received a lot of criticism. What opinions have you heard about the United Nations? What do you agree with? What do you disagree with?

Transcript

The United Nations, or UN, is a global organization that is meant to promote peace and good relations between countries. Before the UN, many countries were members of an organization called the League of Nations, which was created after the end of World War I for the purpose of preventing future global conflicts. However, World War II began less than 20 years after the creation of the League of Nations. The term “United Nations” was first used to refer to 26 countries that pledged to unite against the Axis powers in 1942. The UN was officially established on October 24, 1945, after the war had ended. By then, 51 countries were members. Today, 193 countries are members of the United Nations.

Answers to comprehension questions

1c 2b 3b

Pre-listening vocabulary

• assassinate: to kill an important person, especially for political reasons
• nationalist: someone with an extreme sense of loyalty to their country
• escalate: to grow, to increase
• alliance: a group of countries who have agreed to help and protect each other
• armistice: an agreement between opposing groups to stop fighting

Listening activity

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:16 — 1.2MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | More

Gapfill exercise

World War I began in 1914 when Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated by a Serbian nationalist. After this, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. This began to escalate because of the many alliances in Europe at the time. Germany Austria-Hungary in the conflict, and Russia sided with Serbia. Russia was also part of a alliance known as the Triple Entente, which included France and Britain. Eventually, more countries began to join the war. This war was from previous wars because of new technology such as machine guns, tanks, and airplanes. World War I lasted until November 1918, when both sides an armistice.

Comprehension questions

[wp_quiz id=”19264″]

Discussion/essay questions

1. Do you know anyone who has fought in a war? What were their experiences?

Transcript

World War I began in 1914 when Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated by a Serbian nationalist. After this, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. This conflict began to escalate because of the many alliances in Europe at the time. Germany supported Austria-Hungary in the conflict, and Russia sided with Serbia. Russia was also part of a larger alliance known as the Triple Entente, which included France and Britain. Eventually, more countries began to join the war. This war was different from previous wars because of new technology such as machine guns, tanks, and airplanes. World War I lasted until November 1918, when both sides signed an armistice.