Listen&Learn: The Art of War

Posted by: Jaksyn Peacock
Learn about the ancient book on military strategy.

Pre-listening vocabulary

  • attribute: to give someone credit for creating something
  • general: a high-ranking military commander
  • strategy: a way of achieving a goal
  • warfare: the process of fighting against an enemy
  • influence: to have an effect on something or someone
  • advise: to give someone suggestions about what to do

Listening activity

Gapfill exercise

The Art of War is an text attributed to a Chinese general named Sun Tzu. It is made up of 13 that provide strategies for success in warfare. The book was most likely written between 500 and 200 B.C. However, know very little about Sun Tzuā€™s life. Some historians donā€™t think he existed at all, believing that the bookā€™s advice may have been gathered from many generations of Chinese military strategists. Throughout history, many have been influenced by Sun Tzuā€™s ideas. Although the book was originally meant to advise leaders in warfare, people use its strategies even today to succeed in business and .

Comprehension questions

1. Sun Tzu was

Correct! Wrong!

Sun Tzu was a general.

2. Historians know very little about

Correct! Wrong!

Historians know very little about Sun Tzu himself.

3. Today, The Art of War is

Correct! Wrong!

Today, The Art of War is applied to many situations including business and politics.

Discussion/essay questions

  1. Why do you think that military strategies can be applied to so many different situations?

Transcript

The Art of War is an ancient text attributed to a Chinese general named Sun Tzu. It is made up of 13 chapters that provide strategies for success in warfare. The book was most likely written between 500 and 200 B.C. However, historians know very little about Sun Tzuā€™s life. Some historians donā€™t think he existed at all, believing that the bookā€™s advice may have been gathered from many generations of Chinese military strategists. Throughout history, many leaders have been influenced by Sun Tzuā€™s ideas. Although the book was originally meant to advise leaders in warfare, people use its strategies even today to succeed in business and politics.

Written and recorded by Jaksyn Peacock for EnglishClub
© EnglishClub.com

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