A Speech of Historic Importance
You are going to read an extract from a speech of historic importance. Analyse the language and facts presented in it.
Prove that the person this text is hypothetically attributed to was NOT the speaker delivering this speech in reality.
Guess and write who WAS the person delivering this speech. Make sure you spell the name correctly. Write 70-80 words using 3-4 facts or language peculiarities from the text showing that it is not possible that this speech was delivered by the said person.
Was this speech made by Barack Obama (born 1961, 44th president of the US)?
I have, myself, full confidence that if all do their duty, if nothing is neglected, and if the best arrangements are made, as they are being made, we shall prove ourselves once again able to defend our Island home, to ride out the storm of war, and to outlive the menace of tyranny, if necessary for years, if necessary alone. At any rate, that is what we are going to try to do. That is the resolve of His Majesty’s Government-every man of them. That is the will of Parliament and the nation. [...]
Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous States have fallen or may fall [...] we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end [...] we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas [...] would carry on the struggle, until, in God’s good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.
автор — Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
The speech is "We Shall Fight on the Beaches", delivered to the House of Commons on 4 June 1940.
The speech clearly refers to the United Kingdom, as the speaker mentions His Majesty’s Government and Parliament. Furthermore, the phrase “our Island” unmistakably points to Great Britain. The references to fighting on the seas, in the air, on the beaches, and on the landing grounds place the speech in the context of the early stages of the Second World War and the Battle of Britain. In addition, the mention of “our Empire beyond the seas” identifies the British Empire, while “the New World” refers to the United States, which had not yet entered the war but was expected to come to Britain's aid.The speech clearly refers to the United Kingdom, as the speaker mentions His Majesty’s Government and Parliament. Furthermore, the phrase “our Island” unmistakably points to Great Britain. The references to fighting on the seas, in the air, on the beaches, and on the landing grounds place the speech in the context of the early stages of the Second World War and the Battle of Britain. In addition, the mention of “our Empire beyond the seas” identifies the British Empire, while “the New World” refers to the United States, which had not yet entered the war but was expected to come to Britain's aid.
Автор примера — Дарья Кукшинова, победитель олимпиады «Ломоносов» 2024/25. Этот ответ получил максимальный балл (10):
This speech was given by Winston Churchill, not Obama. First, the speaker calls his country an island. The United States are not located on an island, unlike the UK. Also, the Parliament and the king (His Majesty) are mentioned, but the USA is governed by Congress and the president. Then, the speaker says "our Empire" while the USA was never an empire. Finally, the speaker describes a major war in Europe, but there were no such wars during Obama's lifetime.
Как готовиться к такому?
Для того чтобы успешно решать подобные задания, недостаточно просто помнить исторические даты или имена премьер-министров. Здесь важно понимать историю, культуру, государственное устройство и ключевые события в их взаимосвязи. Такое системное понимание за пару дней не сформируешь: тут необходимо последовательное изучение шаг за шагом. Именно этим мы и занимаемся в страноведческом курсе Upwego.
Что такое «Ломоносов»?
«Ломоносов» — перечневая олимпиада, обычно I уровня, которую проводит МГУ. Почитать об особенностях этой олимпиады и посмотреть на примеры заданий, которые в ней появлялись, можно на странице олимпиады «Ломоносов» сайта Upwego. Также можно посетить официальную страницу олимпиады.
Чтобы получить диплом «Ломоносова», нужно уметь хорошо писать, разбираться в общих страноведческих вопросах, а также иметь широкий кругозор. В Олимпиадном марафоне Upwego есть много заданий, помогающих подготовиться к этой олимпиаде :)