1 Read the quotation. Then discuss the questions below in pairs or small groups.
‘That’s all past history. Let’s forget it and look towards the future.’
The phrase ‘(all) past history’ usually suggests something that is finished and not related to the present. Why do you think the title of this unit has a question mark? What does it say about the past and history?
Practice
2 Read the two texts about similar events. Then complete the tasks below.
Text A As it turned out, the cease-fire didn’t last, and before long the bombing and shooting began again, worse than before. Our position was becoming very difficult. It was dangerous to go out to the shops or visit friends and family, and at night we couldn’t sleep. During the daytime, though, I remember I would go out with other boys collecting used bullets and pretending to be soldiers. We were making the best of a bad situation, as children often do.
Text B In April 1948, the year after the fall of Haifa, Zionist gangs attacked and occupied the western areas of Jerusalem. Some families had already escaped, and those that remained did not have the weapons or leadership to offer organised resistance and defend their homes. In theory, British Mandate forces were there to protect them, but unfortunately they didn’t intervene. Many Palestinian families were forced into exile as a result.
1
Discuss the main difference(s) between the two texts.
2
Which phrasal verb at the beginning of Text A suggests that things didn’t happen as expected?
3
‘… the cease-fire didn’t last, and before long the bombing and shooting began again …’
1
A
cease-fire is
A
the final end to a war or battle.
B
an agreement to stop fighting for a time.
2
The phrase before long means
A
soon afterwards.
B
much later.
4
‘I remember I would go out with other boys …’
In this sentence, the modal verb would means the same as
A
used to.
B
wanted to.
5
1 Which phrase in Text B suggests an intended idea that didn’t actually happen? _____
2
Do you know a similar phrase that means the opposite of this one? _____
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