– The Trojan Horse – lessons for today

The story of the Trojan Horse is an old story about a war between the Greeks and the people of Troy. The Greeks could not get into the city, so they built a large wooden horse and hid soldiers inside it. The people of Troy thought the horse was a gift. They took it into the city. At night, the soldiers came out and opened the city gates.

There are several important lessons in this story.

First, things are not always what they seem. The horse looked like a gift, but there were soldiers inside it. In everyday life, we can also see things that look good or safe but may have a problem. We should not believe something just because it looks good. We should find out more before we make a decision.

Second, we should think before we act. The people of Troy were happy because they thought the war was over. They did not stop and think about the large wooden horse. They should have asked why the Greeks had left it. When we have an important choice to make, it is better to take some time and think about it.

Third, we should listen when people warn us about something. Some people in Troy did not trust the horse. They told the others to be careful, but nobody listened to them. In our lives, other people may see a problem that we do not see. Good advice can help us make better choices.

The story also teaches us that a new idea can help when the first idea does not work. The Greeks could not get into Troy by fighting. Instead, they thought of a different plan. This shows us that we should not give up when we have a problem. We can stop, think again, and try another way.

Finally, we should not trust too quickly. We should be friendly and open, but we should also be careful.

The Trojan Horse is a very old story, but its lessons are still useful today.

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Vocabulary:

• to hide – to put yourself or something where other people cannot see it

• a soldier – a person who works in the army

• a gift – something you give to someone

• at night – during the time when it is dark

• a city gate – a large door or opening into a city

• several – more than two, but not many

• to be safe – to be away from danger

• to believe – to think that something is true

• to make a decision – to choose what you will do

• think before you act – think first, and then do something

• a choice to make – something you must choose

• to trust somebody – to believe that someone is good and will not hurt you

• to listen to somebody – to pay attention when someone speaks

• advice – ideas that someone gives you to help you

• to make a choice – to choose one thing

• instead – in place of something else

• to be careful – to think about danger and try not to have problems

• to be useful – to help you or be good for something

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Match the words with the definitions

Words

1. to trust somebody
2. several
3. a gift
4. to hide
5. advice
6. to be useful
7. at night
8. to make a decision
9. a city gate
10. to listen to somebody
11. instead
12. a soldier
13. to be careful
14. to believe
15. a choice to make
16. to be safe
17. to make a choice
18. think before you act

Definitions

A. Something you give to someone.
B. To think that something is true.
C. More than two, but not many.
D. To put yourself or something where other people cannot see it.
E. A person who works in the army.
F. During the time when it is dark.
G. A large door or opening into a city.
H. To be away from danger.
I. To choose what you will do.
J. Something you must choose.
K. To believe that someone is good and will not hurt you.
L. To pay attention when someone speaks.
M. Ideas that someone gives you to help you.
N. In place of something else.
O. To think about danger and try not to have problems.
P. To help you or be good for something.
Q. To choose one thing.
R. Think first, and then do something.

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Answer key:
1-K, 2-C, 3-A, 4-D, 5-M, 6-P, 7-F,
8-I, 9-G, 10-L, 11-N, 12-E, 13-O,
14-B, 15-J, 16-H, 17-Q, 18-R

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Match the definitions with the words

Definitions

1. To believe that someone is good and will not hurt you.
2. More than two, but not many.
3. Something you give to someone.
4. To put yourself or something where other people cannot see it.
5. Ideas that someone gives you to help you.
6. To help you or be good for something.
7. During the time when it is dark.
8. To choose what you will do.
9. A large door or opening into a city.
10. To pay attention when someone speaks.
11. In place of something else.
12. A person who works in the army.
13. To think about danger and try not to have problems.
14. To think that something is true.
15. Something you must choose.
16. To be away from danger.
17. To choose one thing.
18. Think first, and then do something.

Words

A. a soldier
B. instead
C. to be safe
D. to hide
E. a choice to make
F. to trust somebody
G. advice
H. several
I. to be useful
J. to listen to somebody
K. a city gate
L. to believe
M. a gift
N. to make a choice
O. at night
P. to be careful
Q. to make a decision
R. think before you act

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Answer key:
1-F, 2-H, 3-M, 4-D, 5-G, 6-I, 7-O, 8-Q,
9-K, 10-J, 11-B, 12-A, 13-P, 14-L,
15-E, 16-C, 17-N, 18-R

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True or false

1. The people of Troy thought the horse was a gift.
2. The Greeks got into Troy by fighting through the city gates.
3. Some people in Troy did not trust the horse.
4. The Greeks could not get into the city of Troy.
5. The soldiers came out of the horse at night.
6. The people of Troy carefully checked the horse before taking it into the city.
7. We should think before we act.
8. The Greeks used the same plan when their first idea did not work.
9. Good advice can help us make better choices.
10. The horse looked dangerous to the people of Troy.
11. The Greeks hid soldiers inside the wooden horse.
12. The story teaches us to trust people very quickly.
13. Other people may see a problem that we do not see.
14. The people of Troy listened to the warnings about the horse.
15. We should find out more before we make an important decision.
16. The Greeks gave up when they could not get into Troy.
17. The lessons of the Trojan Horse are still useful today.
18. We should always believe something just because it looks good.
19. A new idea can help when the first idea does not work.
20. We should be friendly and open, but we should also be careful.

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Answer key:
1-T, 2-F, 3-T, 4-T, 5-T, 6-F, 7-T, 8-F,
9-T, 10-F, 11-T, 12-F, 13-T, 14-F, 15-T,
16-F, 17-T, 18-F, 19-T, 20-T
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Correct version:

1. The people of Troy thought the horse was a gift.
2. The Greeks got into Troy by fighting through the city gates.
   True is: The Greeks got into Troy by opening the city gates.
3. Some people in Troy did not trust the horse.
4. The Greeks could not get into the city of Troy.
5. The soldiers came out of the horse at night.
6. The people of Troy carefully checked the horse before taking it into the city.
   True is: The people of Troy did not stop and think carefully about the horse.
7. We should think before we act.
8. The Greeks used the same plan when their first idea did not work.
   True is: The Greeks thought of a different plan when their first idea did not work.
9. Good advice can help us make better choices.
10. The horse looked dangerous to the people of Troy.
    True is: The horse looked like a gift to the people of Troy.
11. The Greeks hid soldiers inside the wooden horse.
12. The story teaches us to trust people very quickly.
    True is: The story teaches us not to trust too quickly.
13. Other people may see a problem that we do not see.
14. The people of Troy listened to the warnings about the horse.
    True is: Some people in Troy warned others about the horse, but nobody listened to them.
15. We should find out more before we make an important decision.
16. The Greeks gave up when they could not get into Troy.
    True is: The Greeks did not give up when they could not get into Troy.
17. The lessons of the Trojan Horse are still useful today.
18. We should always believe something just because it looks good.
    True is: We should not believe something just because it looks good.
19. A new idea can help when the first idea does not work.
20. We should be friendly and open, but we should also be careful.
22. #######################

Match the halves:

First half

1. The Greeks could not get into the city
2. They built a large wooden horse
3. The people of Troy thought
4. The soldiers came out of the horse
5. Things are not always
6. We should find out more
7. The people of Troy did not stop and
8. Some people in Troy did not trust
9. Good advice can help us
10. The Greeks could not get into Troy by fighting,
11. We should not give up
12. We should not trust people
13. The Trojan Horse is a very old story,
14. We should be friendly and open,

Second half

A. before we make a decision.
B. but its lessons are still useful today.
C. the horse.
D. so they tried another way.
E. at night.
F. make better choices.
G. when we have a problem.
H. what they seem.
I. but we should also be careful.
J. the horse was a gift.
K. so they thought of a different plan.
L. and hid soldiers inside it.
M. too quickly.
N. think about the large wooden horse.
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Full version:

1. The Greeks were unable to enter the city. — K. So they thought of a different plan.
2. The Greeks made a large wooden horse. — L. And hid soldiers inside it.
3. The people of Troy believed — J. That the horse was a gift.
4. The soldiers left the horse — E. At night.
5. Things are not always — H. What they seem.
6. We should learn more — A. Before we make a decision.
7. The people of Troy did not stop to — N. Think about the large wooden horse.
8. Some people in Troy did not believe in — C. The horse.
9. Good advice can help us — F. Make better choices.
10. The Greeks could not enter Troy by fighting, — D. So they tried another way.
11. We should not stop trying — G. When we have a problem.
12. We should not believe people — M. Too quickly.
13. The Trojan Horse is a very old story, — B. But its lessons are still useful today.
14. We should be friendly and open, — I. But we should also be careful.

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Find the evidence – find the sentence or part of the text that supports each statement.

1. The Greeks needed a new way to get into Troy.
2. The people of Troy did not know the real reason for the horse.
3. The Greek soldiers waited until the city was quiet.
4. We should not decide that something is good just because it looks good.
5. The people of Troy should have asked questions about the horse.
6. Some people tried to warn the people of Troy.
7. Problems can sometimes need a new idea.
8. We can learn from other people’s advice.
9. We should take time before making an important choice.
10. The story is not only about an old war.
11. We should not stop trying when something does not work.
12. We can still learn from the Trojan Horse today.

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Answers:

1. The Greeks needed a new way to get into Troy. — Evidence: “The Greeks could not get into the city, so they built a large wooden horse and hid soldiers inside it.”
2. The people of Troy did not know the real reason for the horse. — Evidence: “The people of Troy thought the horse was a gift.”
3. The Greek soldiers waited until the city was quiet. — Evidence: “At night, the soldiers came out and opened the city gates.”
4. We should not decide that something is good just because it looks good. — Evidence: “We should not believe something just because it looks good.”
5. The people of Troy should have asked questions about the horse. — Evidence: “They should have asked why the Greeks had left it.”
6. Some people tried to warn the people of Troy. — Evidence: “Some people in Troy did not trust the horse. They told the others to be careful, but nobody listened to them.”
7. Problems can sometimes need a new idea. — Evidence: “This shows us that we should not give up when we have a problem. We can stop, think again, and try another way.”
8. We can learn from other people’s advice. — Evidence: “Good advice can help us make better choices.”
9. We should take time before making an important choice. — Evidence: “When we have an important choice to make, it is better to take some time and think about it.”
10. The story is not only about an old war. — Evidence: “The Trojan Horse is a very old story, but its lessons are still useful today.”
11. We should not stop trying when something does not work. — Evidence: “This shows us that we should not give up when we have a problem.”
12. We can still learn from the Trojan Horse today. — Evidence: “The Trojan Horse is a very old story, but its lessons are still useful today.”

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Who / What / Why / How questions – short answers

1. Who were the Greeks fighting in the story?
2. What did the Greeks build?
3. What did they hide inside the wooden horse?
4. Why did the Greeks build the horse?
5. What did the people of Troy think the horse was?
6. When did the Greek soldiers come out of the horse?
7. What happened after the soldiers came out?
8. Why should we not believe something just because it looks good?
9. What should we do before making an important decision?
10. Why should we listen when people warn us about something?
11. Who may sometimes see a problem that we do not see?
12. What can we do when our first idea does not work?
13. How can a new idea help us with a problem?
14. Why are the lessons of the Trojan Horse still useful today?

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Answers:

Who were the Greeks fighting in the story? — The people of Troy

What did the Greeks build? — A wooden horse

What did they hide inside the wooden horse? — Soldiers

Why did the Greeks build the horse? — To get into Troy

What did the people of Troy think the horse was? — A gift

When did the Greek soldiers come out of the horse? — At night

What happened after the soldiers came out? — They opened the city gates

Why should we not believe something just because it looks good? — It may have a problem

What should we do before making an important decision? — Think first

Why should we listen when people warn us about something? — They may see a problem

Who may sometimes see a problem that we do not see? — Other people

What can we do when our first idea does not work? — Try another way

How can a new idea help us with a problem? — It can help us succeed

Why are the lessons of the Trojan Horse still useful today? — They help us make better choices

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Interview – match the questions and answers

Questions

1. What was the main problem for the Greeks?
2. What was the Greeks‘ new plan?
3. What did they put inside the horse?
4. Why did the people of Troy take the horse into the city?
5. When did the soldiers come out of the horse?
6. What happened after the soldiers came out?
7. What is one important lesson from the story?
8. What should we do before making an important decision?
9. Why should we listen to people who warn us?
10. What can good advice do for us?
11. What can we do when our first idea does not work?
12. How should we behave when we meet new people?

Answers

A. We should be friendly and open, but we should also be careful.
B. They made a large wooden horse as part of their new plan.
C. They opened the city gates, and the Greeks entered the city.
D. They may see a problem that we do not see.
E. They could not get into the city of Troy, so they needed a different plan.
F. We can think again and try another way instead of giving up.
G. They hid soldiers inside it before it went into the city.
H. We should take some time and think carefully before we act.
I. They thought it was a gift from the Greeks.
J. One important lesson is that things are not always what they seem.
K. They can help us make better choices in difficult situations.
L. They came out at night when the people of Troy were not expecting them.

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Answer key:
1-E, 2-B, 3-G, 4-I, 5-L, 6-C, 7-J,
8-H, 9-D, 10-K, 11-F, 12-A
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Interview about the Trojan Horse

Interviewer: What was the main problem for the Greeks?
Student: They could not get into the city of Troy, so they needed a different plan.

Interviewer: What was the Greeks‘ new plan?
Student: They made a large wooden horse as part of their new plan.

Interviewer: What did they put inside the horse?
Student: They hid soldiers inside it before it went into the city.

Interviewer: Why did the people of Troy take the horse into the city?
Student: They thought it was a gift from the Greeks.

Interviewer: When did the soldiers come out of the horse?
Student: They came out at night when the people of Troy were not expecting them.

Interviewer: What happened after the soldiers came out?
Student: They opened the city gates, and the Greeks entered the city.

Interviewer: What is one important lesson from the story?
Student: We should remember that things are not always what they seem.

Interviewer: What should we do before making an important decision?
Student: We should take some time and think carefully before we act.

Interviewer: Why should we listen to people who warn us?
Student: They may see a problem that we do not see.

Interviewer: What can good advice do for us?
Student: It can help us make better choices in difficult situations.

Interviewer: What can we do when our first idea does not work?
Student: We can think again and try another way instead of giving up.

Interviewer: How should we behave when we meet new people?
Student: We should be friendly and open, but we should also be careful.

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Remember how babies
learn a language:

Babies learn a language by listening.
They use their ears to hear sounds.
Their brain remembers these sounds.
Babies connect sounds with people and things.
They listen to their parents.
Then they copy the sounds they hear. They imitate words.
Slowly, babies learn to speak.

So,
LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN………………