EnglishClub

Pre-listening vocabulary

• conflict: a fight between people or groups
• dictator: a ruler with unlimited political power
• invasion: a forced entry into a country with the goal of gaining power over it
• regime: the government of a country
• concentration camp: a place where Jews were imprisoned and killed during World War II

Listening activity

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:22 — 1.3MB)

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Gapfill exercise

World War II was a conflict that began in 1939. The war began when German dictator Adolf Hitler an invasion of Poland. Hitler’s goal was to take over Europe entirely. He also believed that the German race was , and began to order the deaths of anyone who he didn’t think was “pure”. The main victims of Hitler’s regime were Jews. Immediately after the invasion of Poland, Britain and France declared war on Germany. Later, the United States and the Soviet Union declared war as well. They became known as the Allied Powers. Germany’s allies were Italy and Japan, and they became known as the Axis Powers. For six years, Allied soldiers tried to regain land and concentration camps. The war’s end came in 1945, after Allied overpowered the German army and Hitler died by suicide. Over 60 million people died in World War II, making it the worst conflict in history.

Comprehension questions

[wp_quiz id=”20184″]

Discussion/essay questions

1. World War I ended in 1918, only 21 years before World War II began. Why do you think conflict was so common in Europe at the time?
2. Do you think another world war could happen in the future? Why or why not?
3. One of the most tragic events of World War II was the Holocaust, or the genocide of European Jews. Why is it so important to remember and learn from this tragedy?

Transcript

World War II was a global conflict that began in 1939. The war began when German dictator Adolf Hitler ordered an invasion of Poland. Hitler’s goal was to take over Europe entirely. He also believed that the German race was superior, and began to order the deaths of anyone who he didn’t think was “pure”. The main victims of Hitler’s regime were Jews. Immediately after the invasion of Poland, Britain and France declared war on Germany. Later, the United States and the Soviet Union declared war as well. They became known as the Allied Powers. Germany’s allies were Italy and Japan, and they became known as the Axis Powers. For six years, Allied soldiers tried to regain land and liberate concentration camps. The war’s end came in 1945, after Allied forces overpowered the German army and Hitler died by suicide. Over 60 million people died in World War II, making it the worst conflict in history.

Pre-listening vocabulary

• diary: a book where someone writes about the events of their life
• annex: a small building connected to a main building
• informant: a person who provides information to law enforcement
• concentration camp: a place where Jews and other minorities were held prisoner during World War II
• The Holocaust: the genocide of European Jews during World War II

Listening activity

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:20 — 1.8MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | More

Gapfill exercise

The Diary of a Young Girl is a book made up of real diary entries from a girl named Anne Frank. The entries tell the story of Anne’s life as a Jewish during World War II. Anne first started in this diary when she was thirteen. Her writings told about her family, her thoughts on the war, and her hopes and dreams. For over two years, Anne and her family hid in an annex attached to a shop, in order to avoid being found by the Nazis. Part of her diary was written while her family was in . An informant reported the location of the Frank family to the German in 1944, and Anne, her mother, and her sister died in concentration camps in 1945. Anne’s father, Otto Frank, found and her diary after World War II was over. Today, Anne’s story is one that students often read in schools to learn about the horrors of the Holocaust.

Comprehension questions

[wp_quiz id=”19913″]

Discussion/essay questions

1. The Diary of a Young Girl is often read in schools to help students understand what European Jews went through under Nazi rule. Why is it important to teach this history in schools? What could happen if stories like Anne’s were forgotten?

Transcript

The Diary of a Young Girl is a book made up of real diary entries from a girl named Anne Frank. The entries tell the story of Anne’s life as a Jewish teenager during World War II. Anne first started writing in this diary when she was thirteen. Her writings told about her family, her thoughts on the war, and her hopes and dreams. For over two years, Anne and her family hid in an annex attached to a shop, in order to avoid being found by the Nazis. Part of her diary was written while her family was in hiding. An informant reported the location of the Frank family to the German police in 1944, and Anne, her mother, and her sister died in concentration camps in 1945. Anne’s father, Otto Frank, found and published her diary after World War II was over. Today, Anne’s story is one that students often read in schools to learn about the horrors of the Holocaust.