War Literature: Mastery

Which two factors explain why Great Britain's economy experienced a period of stagnation after World War I?

1. The war had created a large national debt, which in turn led to rising costs and a lack of jobs. 2. Violent conflicts between workers and employers about low wages led to a loss of productivity.

What two factors led to the beginning of World War II in Europe?

1. the rise of aggressive nationalism among some of the nations defeated in World War I 2. NOT rising competition among European powers for colonies and trading posts in Africa and Asia

Which sentence best interprets this excerpt from Joseph Stalin's speech, Order of the Day, No. 55? COMRADES, men of the Red Army and Red Navy, commanders and political workers, men and women guerillas!The peoples of our country meet the twenty-fourth anniversary of the Red Army in the stern days of a patriotic war against fascist Germany, which is brazenly and despicably encroaching upon the life and freedom of our Motherland. Along the whole length of the huge front, which stretches from the Arctic Ocean to the Black Sea, the men of the Red Army and Navy are waging a bitter fight to drive the German-fascist invaders from our country and safeguard the honour and independence of our Motherland.This is not the first time that the Red Army has had to defend our native land against enemy attack. The Red Army was created twenty-four years ago to combat the troops of the foreign interventionist invaders who were endeavouring to dismember our country and destroy her independence. Young detachments of the Red Army, which entered war for the first time, routed the German invaders at Pskov and Narva on February 23, 1918. For this very reason February 23, 1918, was proclaimed the day of the birth of the Red Army. Since then the Red Army grew and gained strength in the struggle with the foreign interventionist invaders. It successfully defended our country in the battles with the German invaders in 1918 and drove them beyond the confines of the Ukraine and Byelorussia. It successfully defended our country in the battles with the foreign troops of the Entente in 1919-1921 and drove them too beyond the confines of our country.

It is important for the Soviet Union to fight against the Germans to keep their independence.

Which two parts of these excerpts indicate that soldiers are completely unprepared to fight in a war? Gas! Gas! Quick, boys!-An ecstasy of fumbling, Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time; But someone still was yelling out and stumbling,And flound'ring like a man in fire or lime... Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light,As under a green sea, I saw him drowning. (Wilfred Owen, "Dulce Et Decorum Est") You are aware that once I sought the Grail,Riding in armour bright, serene and strong;And it was told that through my infant wailThere rose immortal semblances of song. (Siegfried Sassoon, "Poet as Hero")

Part 1) But someone still was yelling out and stumbling, Part 2) ?

Which sentence best interprets this excerpt from "Dulce Et Decorum Est" by Wilfred Owen? If you could hear, at every jolt, the bloodCome gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cudOf vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,My friend, you would not tell with such high zestTo children ardent for some desperate glory,The old Lie; Dulce et Decorum estPro patria mori.

The poet rebukes readers for their mistaken belief that war is glorious.