(TESOL Worksheets--Roman History, Story Time ESL Listening)
Worksheet: docs, pubSlow Speed Video: HERE, Normal Speed Video HERE, Quizlet HERE
(Based on this old Forensics Speech HERE)
The Etruscan War Roman History 508 B.C.
Video slow speed: https://youtu.be/ecelcruwSUM
Video normal speed: https://youtu.be/qQkBkAl18M8
Quizlet: https://quizlet.com/_5dfeuo
Suggested Use:
Step 1: Look at the vocabulary. Check any words that you don’t know in your dictionary.
Step 2: Listen to the video. (Listen only. Don’t look at the reading yet).
Step 3: Practice the vocabulary on Quizlet
Step 4: Watch the video again. This time look at the reading. Read and listen at the same time.
Step 5: Practice the vocabulary on Quizlet again
Step 6: Listen one last time. The last time, don’t look at the reading.
Vocabulary
The Etruscan War Roman History 508 B.C.
In the year 507 B.C., Tarquinius Superbus, the last king of Rome, was expelled, and the Republic of Rome began. This new entity, however, did not have long to wait before it endured its first real test. The idea of people ruling themselves was greatly disturbing to the surrounding monarchs, among them Porsena, king of the Estrucans, who vowed to nip this new republic in the bud and reinstate Tarquinius as king of Rome. Some of the greatest examples of heroism ever seen can be found in this war, as the Romans were determined not to give up their freedom.
As the Estrucan army approached, the Romans set up several garrisons. At many places they relied on the city wall or the Tiber River as a sufficient barrier. The only place this river was crossable was at one point where a wooden bridge was built across it. It was at this point that the Etruscans attacked, taking the garrison station there completely by surprise. The Roman soldiers quickly lost order, throwing down their weapons and fleeing. One man alone stood his ground. His name was Horatius Cocles. With all the power he had, he urged his comrades to destroy the bridge by any means necessary. He offered to hold up the Etruscan army by himself while the task was being completed. Two other soldiers, Spurius Lartius and Titus Herminius, offered to help him, but he forced them to save themselves instead.
As the Etruscan army approached, Horatius faced them with sword and shield held ready for battle: one man against an army. He called out to them, mocking them, and challenging one after another to single combat. For a while the Etruscans just stood there, each waiting for his neighbor to make the first move. Then, finally, they gave a fierce cry and the first line all hurled their spears at Horatius. Horatius blocked the missiles with his shield, and held his ground. The army then advanced, intending to thrust him away with their numbers, but they were stopped by the sudden sound of the collapsing bridge. Before the Etruscans could react, Horatius plunged fully armed into the river, and swam to the other side, narrowly avoiding all the missiles the Etruscans threw at him.
The attempt to take the city by assault had failed, so Porsena laid siege to it. As the siege dragged on, food became scarce. It looked like Porsena might actually starve the city into submission. One Roman, Gaius Mucius, devised a plan. He presented himself to the Roman Senate, and asked permission to cross the river and enter the enemy’s camp, where he would assassinate Porsena. The Senate granted their permission.
Concealing a dagger in his clothing, Mucius arrived at the Etruscan’s camp and stood among the soldiers. There was a large crowd, since it was payday. Porsena and his secretary sat side by side, dispensing the money to the soldiers. Since they were dressed identically, it was impossible to tell which one was which. Mucius had a fifty-fifty chance, and he took it, pushing his way through the crowd and stabbing one of the men. He then tried to make his escape, but he was quickly apprehended. King Porsena now had one less secretary.
Mucius was brought before Porsena. Mucius defiantly told Porsena that he had come into the camp to kill him, and even added that he was only the first from a long list of other young Roman men who had all vowed that they would each try to assassinate Porsena. Porsena demanded to know more about this plot, but Mucius would tell him nothing. In rage, Porsena ordered Mucius to be burned alive. Mucius responded, “See how cheaply men hold their bodies when they care only for honor.” With that he thrust his hand into a nearby fire, kindled for sacrifice, and let it burn there as if he felt no pain. He didn’t even change his expression.
Porsena was so astonished that he leapt to his feet and ordered a guard to drag Mucius away from the fire. “Go free,” he said. “You have dared to be a worse enemy to yourself than to me. I should bless your courage, if it lay with my country to dispose of it. But as that cannot be, I, as an honorable enemy, grant you pardon, life, and liberty.”
As if he were thanking Porsena for his generosity, Mucius finished off the lie about the plot, saying that there were 300 men determined to kill Porsena, and one would come to the camp each night until they had fulfilled their mission.
Porsena was hardly pleased with this news. He hastened to make peace with the Romans. His demand that Tarquinius be returned to the throne was denied, but he did get the Romans to agree to give hostages over to him. Gaius Mucius was welcomed home a hero, and given the new name Gaius Mucius Scaevola, or “Gaius Mucius, the left handed man”.
One of the hostages given over to Porsena was a young maiden named Cloelia. One day, when the army was camped by the Tiber, she and some other girls who agreed to follow her eluded the guards, dove into the Tiber, swam through a rain of missiles to safety, and then journeyed back to Rome. Porsena was furious, and demanded their return. Later, as his anger subsided, he admitted he had been impressed by their bravery, and agreed to let the girls stay free. In addition, he also released several other hostages. To honor Cloelia’s courage, the Romans erected a statue of her on horseback, the first time in history a woman was honored in this way.
Through the work of these brave individuals, the Republic was saved. Had they not stepped forward, the world we know today would be entirely different. But because of their courage, the idea of a republic was preserved for future generations.
Vocabulary
a rain of - a large number of things falling or moving through the air together:
The archers sent a rain of arrows towards the enemy.
add - say another thing:
She said she liked him but added that he was difficult to work with.
addition - a new or extra thing that is added to something:
Baby Sam is the latest addition to their family.
admit - to agree that you did something bad, or that something bad is true:
I freely admit that I was wrong about him.
advance - to move forward to a new position, especially while fighting:
Rebel soldiers advanced on the capital.
alive - living, not dead:
Are your grandparents still alive?
alone - ONLY ONE [ always after noun ]
used to emphasize that only one person or thing is involved:
Last year alone the company made a million dollars.
among - IN A GROUP
in a particular group:
The decision will not be popular among students.
anger - a strong feeling against someone who has behaved badly, making you want to shout at them or hurt them:
He never once raised his voice in anger.
apprehend - If the police apprehend someone, they catch them and take them away to ask them about a crime that they might have committed.
approach - COME CLOSE
to come close in distance or time:
The train now approaching platform 2 is the 5.35 to London, Kings Cross.
armed - carrying or using weapons:
There are armed guards.
army - MILITARY GROUP
a military force that fights wars on the ground:
The army was forced to retreat.
assassinate - to kill someone important or famous
assault - an attack:
There was an assault on a police officer.
astonished - very surprised:
He was astonished at her behaviour.
attack - VIOLENCE
to use violence to hurt or damage someone or something:
He was attacked and seriously injured by a gang of youths.
attempt - If you make an attempt to do something, you try to do it:
This is his second attempt at the exam.
avoid - STAY AWAY
to stay away from a person, place, situation, etc:
He's been avoiding me all week.
barrier - FENCE
a type of fence that prevents people from going into an area:
Police erected barriers to hold back the crowd.
battle - WAR
a fight between two armies in a war:
Napoleon fought at the battle of Waterloo
bless - to ask God to help or protect someone or something, or to make it holy:
The priest blessed their marriage.
block - CANNOT PASS
to prevent anyone or anything from passing through a place:
A fallen tree blocked the road.
brave - showing no fear of dangerous or difficult situations:
He died after a brave fight against cancer.
bravery - brave behaviour
bridge - a structure that is built over a river, road, etc so that people or vehicles can go across it:
Let's go across the bridge.
bud - a part of a plant that develops into a leaf or a flower:
In spring the trees are covered in buds.
burn - to destroy something with fire, or to be destroyed by fire:
I burned all his letters.
by any means necessary - by doing whatever is needed:
He vowed that he would succeed by any means necessary.
camp - an area containing temporary buildings or tents used for soldiers/prisoners/refugees (= people forced to leave their home), etc
camp - to stay in a tent or temporary shelter:
We camped on the beach for two nights.
care - to think that something is important and to feel interested in it or worried about it:
He cares deeply about the environment.
challenge - to invite someone to compete in a game or fight:
He challenged Smith to a fight.
cheaply - for a low price:
You can buy some goods more cheaply in America.
clothing - clothes, especially of a particular type:
He is wearing outdoor clothing..
collapse - to fall down or towards the inside, or to make a structure or object fall down or towards its inside:
The roof collapsed under the weight of snow.
combat - a fight, especially during a war:
The aircraft was shot down in combat.
complete - to finish doing or making something:
The palace took 15 years to complete.
completely - in every way or as much as possible:
I completely forgot that you were coming.
comrade - FRIEND
a friend, especially someone who fights with you in a war
conceal - to hide something:
The listening device was concealed in a pen.
country - an area of land that has its own government, army, etc:
The country was shocked by the President's decision.
crossable - (of a river or road) allowing safe, easy, or unobstructed access from one side to the other:
In places the usually crossable river had become five feet deep.
crowd - LARGE GROUP
a large group of people who are together in one place:
A large crowd had gathered to wait for the princess.
dagger - a short knife, used as a weapon
dare - to be brave enough to do something:
I didn't dare tell Dad that I'd scratched his car.
defiant - refusing to obey someone or something:
He was a defiant child.
defiantly - defiant--adverb
He walked out of the room defiantly.
demand - ASK
to ask for something in a way that shows that you do not expect to be refused:
I demanded an explanation.
deny - NOT ALLOW
to not allow someone to have or do something:
These children are being denied access to education.
destroy - to damage something so badly that it does not exist or cannot be used:
Many works of art were destroyed in the fire.
determined - wanting to do something very much, and not letting anyone stop you:
He's determined to win this match.
devise - to design or invent something such as a system, plan, or piece of equipment
dispense - to give something out:
These machines dispense drinks and snacks.
dispose - to decide how to use something
You may dispose of this money as you wish.
to get rid of something, especially by throwing it away:
How did they dispose of the body?
disturbing - unpleasant in a way that makes people feel anxious or upset:
They saw some very disturbing images.
dive - to jump into water with your head and arms going in first:
He used to dive off the side of the boat into the sea.
drag - to pull something or someone along the ground somewhere, usually with difficulty:
The table was too heavy to lift, so we had to drag it across the room.
drag on - to continue for too much time in a boring way:
The negotiations could drag on for months.
elude - NOT BE CAUGHT
to not be caught by someone:
He eluded the police for years before he was arrested.
endure - to suffer something difficult, unpleasant, or painful:
She's already had to endure three painful operations on her leg.
enemy - a country or army that your country or army is fighting against in a war:
The enemy army is coming.
enter - to come or go into a place:
The police entered by the back door.
entirely - completely:
I'm not entirely convinced that it will work.
entity - something that exists apart from other things:
They want the area recognized as a separate political entity.
erect - to build or put up a structure:
When was this building erected?
escape - GET AWAY
to succeed in getting away from a place where you do not want to be:
The two killers escaped from prison last night.
example - someone or something that is very good and should be copied:
He is a very good example to the rest of the class.
expel - MAKE SOMEONE LEAVE
to make someone leave a school, organization, or country because of their behaviour:
He was expelled from school for hitting another student.
expression - the look on someone's face showing what they feel or think:
He had a sad expression on his face.
face - DIRECTION
to be or turn in a particular direction:
She turned to face him.
fail - NOT SUCCEED
to not be successful:
Dad's business failed after just three years.
feel - EXPERIENCE
to experience an emotion or a physical feeling:
You shouldn't feel embarrassed about making a mistake.
I used to feel a sharp pain in my side in the mornings.
feet - plural of foot
fierce - POWERFUL
very strong or powerful:
There were fierce winds.
fifty-fifty - equal halves:
They divided the prize fifty-fifty.
fifty-fifty chance - If something has a fifty-fifty chance, it is equally likely to happen or not to happen:
We have a fifty-fifty chance of winning the game.
finally - AFTER A LONG TIME
after a long time or some difficulty:
We finally got home just after midnight.
finish - COMPLETE
to complete something, or come to the end of an activity:
When I finish my homework, can I watch TV?
finish off - USE COMPLETELY
to eat, drink, or use something completely:
They finished off their drinks and left the bar.
flee - to leave a place quickly because you are in danger or are afraid:
Police think the suspect will flee the country.
follow - to move behind someone or something and go where they go, sometimes secretly:
She followed me into the kitchen.
force - to make someone do something that they do not want to do:
The hijacker forced the pilot to fly to New York.
forward - towards the direction that is in front of you:
She leaned forward to make sure I could hear her.
freedom - the right to live in the way you want, say what you think, and make your own decisions without being controlled by anyone else:
You have the freedom to do what you want to do.
fulfill - to do something that you have promised to do or that you are expected to do:
He has failed to fulfill his duties as a father.
fully - completely:
The restaurant was fully booked.
furious - extremely angry:
He's furious at the way he's been treated.
garrison - a group of soldiers living in a particular area or building to defend it
generation - all the people in a society or family who are approximately the same age:
This is the story of three generations of women.
generosity - the quality of being generous:
I really appreciate all of your help and generosity.
grant - GIVE
to give or allow someone something, usually in an official way:
The government can grant someone a visa.
great - EXCELLENT
very good:
We had a great time.
greatly - very much:
I greatly admire your paintings.
ground - the surface of the Earth:
I sat down on the ground.
guard - a group of soldiers or police officers who are protecting a person or place
hardly - used to emphasize that you think something is not likely, true, possible, etc:
I hardly think she'll want to talk to me now that I have a new girlfriend.
hasten - to make something happen faster than usual
hero - BRAVE PERSON
someone who does something brave or good that people respect or admire them for:
He became a national hero for his part in the revolution.
heroism - very brave behaviour:
It was an act of heroism.
history - PAST
the whole series of events in the past that relate to the development of a country, subject, or person:
The Civil War was a terrible time in American history.
hold up - to cause a delay for someone or something, or to make them late
She got held up at work.
hold your ground - to not move when someone attacks you or is going to attack you
honor - respect that people have for you because you have done what you believe is honest and right, or the quality of doing this:
The soldiers fought for the honor of their country.
honor - to show great respect for someone or something, usually in public:
He was honored for his bravery.
honorable - honest and fair, or deserving praise and respect:
He is a decent, honorable man.
horseback - riding a horse:
The area will be patrolled by police on horseback.
hostage - someone who is kept as a prisoner and may be hurt or killed in order to force other people to do something
however - used when you are about to say something that is surprising compared with what you have just said:
He had always been a successful businessman. Recently, however, things have not been going well for him.
hurl - to throw something with a lot of force, usually in an angry or violent way:
The demonstrators hurled stones at police.
impossible - CANNOT HAPPEN
If an action or event is impossible, it cannot happen or be done:
He finds walking almost impossible.
impress - to make someone admire or respect you:
I was impressed by her professionalism.
lay - to put something into its correct position:
to lay a carpet
lay siege - If police, soldiers, or journalists lay siege to a place, they surround it in order to force the people there to come out or give up control of the place:
The rebels laid siege to the governor's residence.
leap - to jump somewhere:
She leaped over the wall and disappeared down the alley.
leap to feet - To quickly or abruptly assume a standing position:
The kids leaped to their feet the moment I walked in the room, so I knew they were up to something bad.
liberty - the freedom to live, work, and travel as you want to:
Many would willingly fight to preserve their liberty.
lie - something that you say or write which you know is not true:
I told a lie when I said I liked her haircut.
line - a row of people or things:
We formed two lines, men on one side and women on the other.
list - a series of names, numbers, or items that are written one below the other:
Is your name on the list?
lose - to stop having someone or something that you had before:
She lost a leg in a car accident.
maiden - a young woman who is not married
make peace - to stop fighting or disagreeing with someone and start living and working happily together:
Will they make peace, or fight each other?
missile - an object that is thrown through the air to hit someone or something
mission - an important job, usually travelling somewhere:
I'll be going on a fact-finding mission to Paris next week.
mock - to laugh at someone or something in an unkind way:
The older kids mocked him whenever he made a mistake.
monarch - a king or queen
narrowly - only by a small amount:
A tile fell off the roof, narrowly missing my head.
nearby - not far away:
An old friend of mine has just moved nearby.
necessary - needed in order to achieve something:
Is it really necessary to give so much detail?
neighbor - someone or something that is near or next to someone or something else:
The French make more films than their European neighbors.
nip - If something nips you, it gives you a small, sharp bite:
His parrot nipped him on the nose.
nip in the bud - to stop a small problem from getting worse by stopping it soon after it starts
offer - to say that you are willing to do something:
He offered to get me a cab.
pain - an unpleasant physical feeling caused by an illness or injury:
I felt a sharp pain in my foot.
pardon - to officially forgive someone who has committed a crime and allow them to be free
payday - the day on which a worker is paid
peace - a situation in which there is no war, violence, or arguing:
There seems little hope for world peace.
permission - If you give someone permission to do something, you allow them to do it:
She gave him permission without asking any questions.
place - a position, building, town, area, etc:
Is there a place where we can talk privately?
plan - an arrangement for what you intend to do or how you intend to do something:
The plan is that we'll buy a car once we're there.
pleased - happy or satisfied:
I wasn't very pleased about having to pay.
plot - a plan to do something bad:
There is a plot to blow up the embassy.
plunge - to fall or move down very quickly and with force:
He plunged into the water.
point - a particular place:
This is a stopping point.
present - to introduce someone formally:
May I present my daughters?
preserve - to keep something the same or prevent it from being damaged or destroyed:
They want to preserve peace.
quickly - fast or in a short time:
I quickly shut the door.
rage - strong anger that you cannot control:
He flew into a rage (= suddenly became angry) over the smallest mistake.
rain - water that falls from the sky in small drops:
There was a heavy rain.
react - to say, do, or feel something because of something else that has been said or done:
He reacted angrily to her comments.
ready - prepared for doing something:
Give me a call when you're ready.
reinstate - to give someone the job or position that they had before:
He was unfairly dismissed and reinstated two months later.
release - to allow a prisoner to be free:
Six hostages were released shortly before midday.
rely - to trust someone or something:
I know I can rely on you to help me.
republic - a country with no king or queen but with an elected government:
France is a republic.
respond - to say or do something as an answer or reaction to something that has been said or done:
The government has responded by sending food and medical supplies to the region.
return - the act of giving, putting, or sending something back:
He demanded the return of the stolen goods.
return - to give, send, or put something back where it came from:
He immediately returned the records to the files.
rule - to be in control of somewhere, usually a country:
They were ruled for many years by a dictator.
sacrifice - something offered to a god in a religious ceremony, especially an animal that is killed, or the act of offering it
save - to stop someone or something from being killed or destroyed:
He was badly injured, but the doctors saved his life.
scarce - rare or not available in large amounts:
These are scarce resources.
secretary - someone who works in an office, typing letters, answering the telephone, and arranging meetings, etc
Do you want to speak to Dr Randall himself or his secretary?
senate - a part of a government in some countries
several - some, but not a lot:
Several people have complained about the scheme.
shield - a large, flat object that police officers and soldiers hold in front of their bodies to protect themselves
should - used to say or ask what is the correct or best thing to do:
He should have gone to the doctor.
side by side - If two things or people are side by side, they are next to each other:
They are sitting side by side on the sofa
siege - a period when an army or the police stand around a building or city to stop supplies from entering it, in order to force the people inside to stop fighting:
The city is under siege from rebel forces.
single - only one:
There was a single light in the corner of the room.
single combat - fighting between two people, usually with weapons:
The two soldiers met (= fought each other) in single combat.
soldier - a member of an army
The soldiers fought for the honour of their country.
spear - a long weapon with a sharp point at one end used for hunting
stab - to push a knife into someone:
He was stabbed several times in the chest.
stand your ground - to refuse to be pushed backwards, or to continue in your beliefs in an argument:
The battalion stood its ground in the face of repeated attacks.
starve - to become sick or die because you do not have enough food, or to make someone sick or die because they do not have enough food:
Many people have starved to death in parts of Africa.
statue - a model that looks like a person or animal, usually made from stone or metal
stay - to continue to be in a particular state:
The supermarket stays open late.
step - one of the movements you make with your feet when you walk:
She took a few steps forward and then started to speak.
step forward - to offer to provide or do something, or to help with something:
No one has yet stepped forward to claim responsibility for the attack.
submission - the act of accepting that someone has complete control over you:
They tried to starve her into submission.
subside - to become less strong or extreme:
The violence seems to be subsiding at last.
sudden - done or happening quickly and unexpectedly:
His sudden death was a great shock to us all.
sufficient - as much as is necessary:
She didn't have sufficient time to answer all the questions.
surprise - an event that you did not expect to happen:
I didn't know that my parents were coming - it was a lovely surprise.
surround - to be or go everywhere around something or someone:
The house is surrounded by a large garden.
swim - to move through water by moving your body:
I learnt to swim when I was about 5 years old.
sword - a weapon with a long, metal blade and a handle, used especially in the past
take by surprise - to be unexpected and make someone feel surprise:
I wasn't expecting her to be so angry - it took me by surprise.
task - a piece of work, especially something unpleasant or difficult:
I was given the task of sorting out all the stuff in the garage.
test - a situation that shows how good something is:
This will be a real test of his ability.
the throne - the position of being king or queen:
He came to the throne in 1936.
themselves - the reflexive form of the pronoun 'they':
They're both 16 - they're old enough to look after themselves.
throne - the special chair that a king or queen sits on
throw - to make something move through the air by pushing it out of your hand:
Amy threw the ball to the dog.
throw down - to move something quickly down with a lack of attention:
Suddenly, she grabbed the snake and threw it down to the ground.
thrust - to push suddenly and strongly:
She thrust the money into his hand.
urge - to try to persuade someone to do something:
His parents urged him to go to university.
vow - to make a serious promise or decision:
She vowed that she would never leave the children again.
war - fighting, using soldiers and weapons, between two or more countries, or two or more groups inside a country:
They've been at war for the past five years.
weapon - a gun, knife, or other object used to kill or hurt someone:
Police have found the murder weapon.
welcome - used to greet someone who has just arrived somewhere:
Welcome to the UK.
which is which - used in expressions that relate to being able to see the difference between two very similar things or people:
For the first few months the babies looked so alike I couldn't tell which was which.
wooden - made of wood:
This is a wooden chair.
worse - more unpleasant or difficult than something else that is also bad:
The exam was worse than I expected.
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