EnglishClub

• dispute: to fight for control or ownership of something
• colony: a place that another country takes control of
• merchant: someone who sells products
• income: the money that someone earns
• piracy: the act of robbing ships
• trope: a common theme in similar stories
• Jolly Roger: a flag with a skull and crossbones on it, commonly associated with pirates

Listening activity

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:38 — 2.3MB)

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Gapfill exercise

In the early 18th century, several European , including Spain, Portugal, France, and Britain, fought in the War of the Spanish Succession. Many of these countries disputed each other’s over colonies in the Americas and the Caribbean. During the war, militaries often hired independent sailors, or “privateers,” to attack merchant from other countries. When the war ended, privateers lost their source of income. Piracy allowed them to use their skills to riches for themselves. During the Golden Age, a group of pirates even formed their own on the island of Nassau. Many tropes of pirate legends, such as the Jolly Roger flag, come from the Golden Age. Piracy became much less common in the 19th century, but pirates still operate around the world today.

Comprehension questions

See answers below

1. The War of the Spanish Succession was fought mostly between countries in
   a. Europe
   b. Asia
   c. Africa
   
2. A “privateer” was someone who
   a. used military funds to hire pirates
   b. enlisted in the military to hunt down pirates
   c. attacked foreign merchant ships to help their country’s military
   
3. The island of Nassau was important during the Golden Age because
   a. there was often buried treasure there
   b. there was a military outpost there
   c. a group of pirates formed a government there

Discussion/essay questions

1. In 1883, Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson published Treasure Island, a pirate adventure novel. Many common pirate tropes are inspired by his work. Why do you think people like to read about pirates? Can you think of some other popular pirate stories?

Transcript

In the early 18th century, several European countries, including Spain, Portugal, France, and Britain, fought in the War of the Spanish Succession. Many of these countries disputed each other’s control over colonies in the Americas and the Caribbean. During the war, militaries often hired independent sailors, or “privateers,” to attack merchant ships from other countries. When the war ended, privateers lost their source of income. Piracy allowed them to use their skills to steal riches for themselves. During the Golden Age, a group of pirates even formed their own government on the island of Nassau. Many tropes of pirate legends, such as the Jolly Roger flag, come from the Golden Age. Piracy became much less common in the 19th century, but pirates still operate around the world today.

Answers to comprehension questions

1a 2c 3c

Pre-listening vocabulary

• adapt: to change a text for use as a film, book, or play
• mythical: fictional; imaginary
• adventure: an exciting, risky experience
• encounter: to meet someone unexpectedly
• antagonist: a main character’s enemy or opponent

Listening activity

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:11 — 1.1MB)

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Gapfill exercise

Peter Pan is a classic children’s story written by Scottish J.M. Barrie. The story was originally published as a play in 1906, before Barrie adapted it into a novel in 1911. The main of the story are Peter Pan himself, and the Darling children: Wendy, John, and Michael. Peter Pan is a magical child who can’t grow up. When he first meets the Darlings, he teaches them how to fly and brings them to a mythical place called Neverland, where children stay children . During their adventures in Neverland, Peter and the Darlings encounter fairies, mermaids, and a named Captain Hook – the main antagonist of the story. Although Peter Pan that the Darling children, especially Wendy, would stay in Neverland forever, they all eventually decide to return home and grow up.

Comprehension questions

[wp_quiz id=”19514″]

Discussion/essay questions

1. Although the story of Peter Pan was originally seen as a fun children’s novel, many people began to speculate that there was a darker meaning to the classic. Some people believe that Neverland is meant to represent death, and that the children who live there don’t age because they died when they were young. Do you think that Barrie implied this on purpose? Why or why not?

Transcript

Peter Pan is a classic children’s story written by Scottish author J.M. Barrie. The story was originally published as a play in 1906, before Barrie adapted it into a novel in 1911. The main characters of the story are Peter Pan himself, and the Darling children: Wendy, John, and Michael. Peter Pan is a magical child who can’t grow up. When he first meets the Darlings, he teaches them how to fly and brings them to a mythical place called Neverland, where children stay children forever. During their adventures in Neverland, Peter and the Darlings encounter fairies, mermaids, and a pirate named Captain Hook – the main antagonist of the story.  Although Peter Pan wishes that the Darling children, especially Wendy, would stay in Neverland forever, they all eventually decide to return home and grow up.