Warm-up
Answer a few quick questions before today's lesson about history.
Listening
Listen to the recording and answer the questions in each part. You can replay the audio as many times as you need — click anywhere on the progress bar to jump to a specific moment. Read the questions in each part first, then submit when you are ready; your answers will be marked together at the end of each part.
Listening — The League of Nations and Modern Peacemaking
This listening task is split into parts. The audio player stays at the top of the page so you can replay it freely — click anywhere on the progress bar to jump to a specific moment. For each part, read the questions first, then listen and answer. You can change your answers until you click Submit; feedback appears once you submit each part.
Reading
Read the passage on the left, then work through the questions on the right.
Reading — The League of Nations: Why Peace Treaties Often Fail
Read the passage on the left, then answer the questions one by one.
The League of Nations: Why Peace Treaties Often Fail
After World War I ended in 1918, world leaders gathered to prevent future wars. They created the League of Nations in 1920, hoping that if countries talked to each other instead of fighting, wars could be avoided. The League's members promised to solve disagreements peacefully.
However, the League faced serious problems from the start. Several powerful nations, including the United States, refused to join. Without strong members, the League could not enforce its rules. When Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931 and Italy attacked Ethiopia in 1935, the League did nothing. Historians argue that unless the League had possessed real military power, it would never stop determined aggressors. The organization simply lacked the teeth to punish rule-breakers.
Despite its failure, the League taught the world an important lesson. After World War II, countries created the United Nations in 1945 with a stronger design. The UN included a Security Council with permanent members who had military forces. Today, many experts believe that if nations had supported the League with actual resources and commitment, history might have been very different. Peace requires more than good intentions—it demands concrete action and shared sacrifice.
Vocabulary Practice
Practise the 12 key vocabulary items from this lesson through three exercises.
Vocabulary Practice — Unit 3: Can we stop wars?
Work through all three parts. Each part uses the same vocabulary in a different way.
Writing Task
Your history class has been studying peace agreements throughout history—from the Treaty of Versailles to modern UN peacekeeping efforts. In a class discussion, your teacher asks: 'Do you think international agreements and peace treaties are effective at preventing future wars?' Write your opinion on this question.
You should address:
- State your clear opinion in the opening sentence
- Give at least two reasons or historical examples to support your view
- Use opinion phrases such as 'I think', 'In my view', or 'For me'
- Use a conditional structure (if…then or unless) at least once
- Conclude with a brief reflection on the topic
Speaking
Speaking task. Read the instructions, then complete the task.
After the Lesson
Reflect on what you learned and how confident you feel now.
Teacher Guide
Practise with
- civilisationnoun
a society with developed culture, government, technology, and organized systems of living
- colonynoun
a country or area controlled by another more powerful country
- independencenoun
freedom from control by another country or person
- invasionnoun
an armed attack on a country by another country
- monarchnoun
a king or queen who rules a country as its head of state
- rebellionnoun
organised resistance against authority or government
- revolutionnoun
a sudden and complete change in government or society
- treatynoun
a formal agreement between countries