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EAL Nexus resource
Sassoon’s letter
DARTs
Subject:
English
Age groups:
12–14, 15–16
Topic:
World War I
Licence information | This resource is free to use for educational purposes. ©British Council 2014
Source | This resource was originally developed by Nerissa Lea and has been adapted by EAL Nexus.
Activities on Sassoon’s ‘wilful defiance’ letter
1. Use a bilingual dictionary (if you need one) to translate the
words in the first column, and write the translation in the
second column. Then choose a synonym (a word that means the
same) from the box below and write it in the third column.
Vocabulary
Translation
Synonym
defiance
wilful
Synonyms to match to vocabulary
boldness
determined
2. Use the words in the box to fill the gaps in the passage below.
The passage explains the purpose of Sassoon’s letter.
end
fellow
letter
prevent
purpose
Translation
Sassoon is saying in his ________ that the _____________ of the
war has changed. The war needs to _________ to __________
further suffering of his ___________ soldiers.
©British Council 2014
I am a soldier, convinced that I
am acting on behalf of soldiers.
3. Use a bilingual dictionary (if you need one) to translate the
words in the first column, and write the translation in the
second column. Then choose a synonym (a word that means the
same) from the box below and write it in the third column.
Vocabulary
Translation
Synonym
convinced
acting
on behalf of
Synonyms to match to vocabulary
speaking for
certain
representing
©British Council 2014
4. Make six sentences from the model below
I am a soldier,
convinced
certain
acting on behalf of
that I am
speaking for
the soldiers.
representing
I am ____ ___________________________________________
I am ____ ___________________________________________
I am ____ ___________________________________________
I am ____ ___________________________________________
I am ____ ___________________________________________
I am ____ ___________________________________________
©British Council 2014
... political errors and insincerities for which the fighting men
are being sacrificed
5. Translate the meanings of the words in the first column, using a
bilingual dictionary if you need to, and then match them with
the definitions in the box below.
Vocabulary
Translation
Definitions
political errors
insincerities
sacrificed
Definitions to match to vocabulary
die unnecessarily
mistakes made by those in power
things people say that they do not mean
©British Council 2014
... the callous complacence with which the majority of those at
home regard the continuance of agonies which they do not share ...
6. Translate the meanings of the words in the first column, using a
bilingual dictionary if you need to, and then match them with
the definitions in the box below.
Vocabulary
Translation
Definitions
agonies
callous
complacence
Definitions to match to vocabulary
self-satisfaction
pain and suffering
uncaring
©British Council 2014