39   I can talk about war and peace

A    Conflict

...The bomb exploded in the city centre killing at least a dozen people ...

... Soldiers fought a two-hour gun battle and captured a number of enemy fighters...

...The army have captured the airport and are now in control of the situation. Most enemy soldiers have now surrendered.

...If the current crisis gets worse, civil war could break out at any time...

 

 

Glossary

conflict  an angry argument or state of fighting between people or countries. (War is fighting between countries or groups using guns, etc.)

bomb  a container packed with materials that can burst out with force.

explode  burst with force and a loud noise. SYN go off. explosion N.

dozen  twelve or a group of twelve (half a dozen = 6).

soldier  a person who is a member of an army.

fight  PT fought When people fight, they try to hurt or kill each other (sb who fights is a fighter). fight N.

battle  a fight between armies in a war.

capture sb/sth  1 catch and keep sb so they can’t leave.  2 take control of sth.

enemy  the people your army or country is fighting against.

be in control of sth  have the power or ability to deal with sth.

surrender  stop fighting and admit you have lost. SYN give up.

crisis  a time of great danger or difficulty. critical ADJ.

civil war  a war between groups of people who live in the same country.

break out  (used about lighting, wars, fires. etc.) start suddenly. 

B    Compromise

Example 

Word and meaning

The US and its European allies are both determined to find a solution.

ally  a country that agrees to support another country, determined having a strong desire to do sth and be successful.

 

The two countries involved are hoping they can reach an agreement.

involved  taking part in sth or connected to sth.

reach an agreement  arrive at a decision that both sides agree on.

 

Leaders from the two main parties are now negotiating, and there is some hope of a peace settlement.

leader  a person who is in charge or control of sth.

negotiate  talk to sb in order to decide or agree on sth.

peace settlement  an official agreement that ends a war (peace is a time when there is no war).

 

The two sides have finally agreed a ceasefire.    

side  either of two or more groups who are arguing or fighting with each other.

ceasefire  an agreement between two sides to stop fighting.

 

If both sides are willing to compromise, there could be a settlement fairly soon.

willing to do sth happy and prepared to do sth. OPP unwilling.

compromise accept less than you want in order to reach an agreement. compromise N.

5     Complete the texts.

The civil war has now lasted almost ten years. ► Allies of the two (1) ____ in the conflict have managed to get them to agree to a temporary (2) ____ on several occasions, but they have never been able to get the two (3) ____ of the sides to negotiate a peace (4) ____. It seems they are both (5) ____ to carry on fighting to the bitter end and are completely (6) ____ to compromise. The two countries (7) ____ in the conflict have finally agreed to come to the negotiating table. Neither will be willing to (8) ____ very much, but there is now at least the possibility that the two leaders could (9) ____ an agreement that will lead to a more lasting (10) ____ settlement. 

1     sides

2     ceasefire

3     leaders   

4     settlement

5     determined

6     unwilling

7     involved

8     compromise

9     reach; negotiate

10     peace

6     Test yourself. Look at the examples in the table and cover the meanings. Can you remember the meanings?