Russia had fallen very low after the war with Japan, but was rapidly recovering both in wealth and armed strength. France was making strenuous efforts to increase her army, so that she should not be at a disadvantage as compared with the far greater population of Germany. Britain had no ambitions of conquest; her aim was the peaceful development of her Empire. But that was an oversea Empire, and she required a large navy; and the size of this navy seemed to Germany to be a menace to her future.
The result was that in the summer of 1914 the rulers of Germany had decided that some great effort must soon be made; they must put their land in such a position that for the future it would have no cause to dread the aggression, or even the rivalry, of other Powers. If they delayed too long they feared that the growing wealth of Russia and the increased military strength of France would make such an effort for ever impossible.
From ‘Days to Remember’ (1922) by John Buchan (1875-1940).
Précis
Buchan felt that Germany had little reason to be afraid. Russia was arming, but recovering from a very low level; France too was bolstering her military, but only to achieve parity; Britain was already strong, but had no plans for expansion. Nonetheless, the ambition and anxiety of Germany’s policymakers blinded them, and they resolved to strike first. (57 / 60 words)
Buchan felt that Germany had little reason to be afraid. Russia was arming, but recovering from a very low level; France too was bolstering her military, but only to achieve parity; Britain was already strong, but had no plans for expansion. Nonetheless, the ambition and anxiety of Germany’s policymakers blinded them, and they resolved to strike first.
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Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
According to Buchan, what was Germany nervous of?
Suggestion
A military recovery in France and Russia. (7 words)
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
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For each group of words, compose a sentence that uses all three. You can use any form of the word: for example, cat → cats, go → went, or quick → quickly, though neigh → neighbour is stretching it a bit.
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1 Commerce. Even. Rich.
2 Army. Ever. Serious.
3 Strenuous. Stroke. Twenty.
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1. World. 2. Outcome. 3. Spread. 4. Population. 5. Low. 6. Development. 7. Empire. 8. Fix. 9. Nation.
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dd (10+3)
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add. aided. dad. dead. deed. did. died. diode. dude. odd.
dado. dodo. dud.