(51/100) Understanding World War I

B1
World War I
248 words

World War I, also known as the Great War, began in 1914 and lasted until 1918. It involved many countries around the world but was mainly fought in Europe. The war started after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. This event caused a series of political alliances to activate, leading to widespread conflict.

The main countries involved were divided into two groups: the Allies and the Central Powers. The Allies included the United Kingdom, France, Russia, Italy, and later the United States. The Central Powers included Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria.

The war was characterized by trench warfare, where soldiers fought from deep trenches dug into the ground. These trenches often had terrible living conditions, with little food and constant danger from enemy fire. Millions of soldiers and civilians lost their lives during the conflict.

New weapons and technology were introduced during the war, such as tanks, airplanes, and chemical weapons. This made the fighting more deadly and changed the way wars were fought in the future.

World War I ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. This treaty imposed heavy penalties on Germany and redrew the map of Europe, leading to the creation of new countries. The consequences of World War I were significant, influencing politics and society for many years to come. Recently, many countries have been reflecting on the lessons from World War I as they remember those who fought in the war and consider its impact on the modern world.

Comprehension Questions
Answer all questions based on the reading text
1.

What started World War I?

2.

Which countries were part of the Allies?

3.

What was a common feature of the World War I battlefields?

4.

Which weapon was NOT used during World War I?

5.

What year did World War I end?

6.

What was the main outcome of the Treaty of Versailles?

7.

The author mentions reflecting on World War I because:

8.

Overall, the passage emphasizes that World War I: