Unit 7 - Supplementary The Christmas Truce- -Aaron Shepard
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Warm Up
Name one festival which you like the most.
One festival that I like the most is Diwali.
How do you celebrate that festival?
How I Celebrate Diwali:
Diwali, the festival of lights, is a grand celebration in
my family. We start by cleaning and decorating our home with rangoli and diyas.
On the evening of Diwali, we perform Lakshmi Puja and light up the house with
candles and fairy lights. The night is filled with sweets, firecrackers, and
spending time with family and friends.
Narrate a memorable incident which happened during that celebration.
A Memorable Incident:
One of the most memorable Diwalis was when my little
cousin, who was scared of firecrackers, finally gathered the courage to light a
sparkler. He was so happy and excited that he ran around showing it to
everyone. His joy and laughter made that Diwali extra special for all of us.
A. Choose the correct answer.
- The story is
set during the _____________.
a. World War I
b. World War II
c. Kargil War
d. Indo-China War - The story is
about the celebration of _____________ festival.
a. Deepavali
b. Pongal
c. Ramzan
d. Christmas - Tom called the
incidents happened there as a ____________.
a. fairy tale
b. poetry
c. tragedy
d. comedy - The Germans had
placed Christmas trees in front of their __________.
a. houses
b. trench
c. tanks
d. cars - One of the
German soldiers worked as a _________ at Victoria Station.
a. tea-seller
b. ticket-checker
c. porter
d. shopkeeper
B. Identify the character, speaker, or both of the
following lines.
- "Our first complete silence in months!"
Speaker: Tom - "Come and see! See what the Germans are doing!"
Speaker: John - "Hold your fire."
Speaker: Captain - "You no shoot, we no shoot."
Speaker: A German soldier - "My God, why cannot we have peace and all go home?"
Speaker: An older German soldier
C. Answer the following questions in about 100 – 120 words.
1. Narrate the Christmas celebration as happened in the war field.
On Christmas Eve in 1914, British and German soldiers
experienced an extraordinary moment of peace during World War I. The German
soldiers placed Christmas trees in front of their trenches and began singing
carols, such as "Stille Nacht" (Silent Night). The British soldiers
responded by singing their own carols, and soon both sides were harmonizing.
Then, a German soldier called out, proposing a temporary truce. Soldiers from
both sides stepped out into No Man’s Land, exchanged gifts, shook hands, and
shared food. Some even talked about playing a football match. This event was a remarkable
display of humanity, proving that even in war, the spirit of peace and
friendship can shine through.
D. Think and answer.
1. Do you envision a similar truce taking place in any wars or fighting
today? Explain.
While modern warfare is different from World War I, a temporary
truce is still possible in some situations. For example, in conflicts between
countries or civil wars, humanitarian organizations often help negotiate
ceasefires to allow aid, medical care, or evacuation of civilians. However,
with advanced technology and modern warfare tactics, spontaneous truces like
the Christmas Truce of 1914 are rare. But if soldiers and leaders prioritized
humanity over violence, peace could be achieved in many conflicts today.
2. Today, much of what we know about the truce comes from soldiers’
postcards home. In the postcard given below, write a short message home,
imagine that you took part in the 1914 Christmas Truce.
📜 Postcard
Message
December 25, 1914
Dear Family,
Something truly unbelievable happened today. The war paused
for Christmas! Last night, we heard German soldiers singing carols, and we sang
along. Then, we met them in No Man’s Land, shook hands, exchanged food, and
even planned a football match! I never imagined sharing laughter with those we
were fighting just yesterday. It felt like a dream, a glimpse of peace in this
war. I wish this moment could last forever. Please keep us in your prayers.
With love,
Tom
