Listen&Learn: The Great Depression

Posted by: Jaksyn Peacock

The worldwide recession during the years leading up to World War II.

Pre-listening vocabulary

recession: a period of economic decline
stocks: shares in ownership of a company
drought: a period of time with little rainfall
unemployed: without a job
prairie: a wide area of flat land
migrate: to move from one area to another
welfare program: a program meant to help people in poverty

Listening activity

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:16 — 1.2MB)

Gapfill exercise

The Great Depression was a worldwide economic recession. It began in 1929 in the United States, when the of stocks decreased drastically. People who had invested their savings lost a lot of , and an overall decrease in spending caused many Americans to lose their jobs. This downturn quickly began to affect the rest of the world, because the United States couldn’t afford to with other countries frequently. This was a particularly difficult time for American farmers, who were also dealing with harsh conditions like droughts and dust storms. Many unemployed farmers from the prairie states began to migrate west in hopes of finding work. Throughout the recession, the American government worked to build welfare programs to help unemployed people. These programs contributed to the end of the Great Depression in 1939, around the start of World War II.

Comprehension questions

[wp_quiz id=”19569″]

Discussion/essay questions

The economic state of the United States (and many other countries) has changed a lot since the Great Depression. Do you think such a disastrous recession could ever happen again? What factors could cause this?

Transcript

The Great Depression was a worldwide economic recession. It began in 1929 in the United States, when the value of stocks decreased drastically. People who had invested their savings lost a lot of money, and an overall decrease in spending caused many Americans to lose their jobs. This downturn quickly began to affect the rest of the world, because the United States couldn’t afford to trade with other countries frequently. This was a particularly difficult time for American farmers, who were also dealing with harsh climate conditions like droughts and dust storms. Many unemployed farmers from the prairie states began to migrate west in hopes of finding work. Throughout the recession, the American government worked to build welfare programs to help support unemployed people. These programs contributed to the end of the Great Depression in 1939, around the start of World War II.

Written and recorded by Jaksyn Peacock for EnglishClub

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17 comments

Channora Siea says:

It is very lucky for us that government has help us with that supported program so we can have time to strengthen us to be a strong and well-educated people for our family and community and also help the country back !
Yi Feng says:

The economic state of the United States has changed a lot since the Great Depression.I think such a disastrous recession couldn’t happen again.Althogh there are many foctors that may think it will be happen,such as the climate conditions and the pandemic disease,but the scientific development of the world,and many counties help each other. The government already has enough experienced to response.
Thanh Phuong says:

It’s good to learn my english add knowledge to me in life, thank you very much!
Thanh Phuong says:

It’s good to learn my english add knowledge tome in life, thank you very much!
Moi says:

# Covid-19 and HIV aids which are decimating people
Moi says:

The economic depression can occurred again, there are many factors which can drive to it.
Climate change is one of these factors, many area in the world are now affecting by dryness while somewhere else there are flood,all those phenomena are destroying farms, enable people to plant and to produce enough for everyone worldwide.
Second factor: could be different kind of wars: economic, military, bacteriologic,…
third factor: pandemic as covid-19,HIV and aids…which are decimated people.
Sandra says:

The great Depression is repeated again because of the covid19
Sunny day says:

What level of English would you clasified this listening?
Si says:

to suggest a time limit for every piece of listening test is a good way to self-check the English level
MILIND says:

VERY NICE
aaa says:

very informative and helpful for English learner
sarah qamar says:

awesome i loved it
thank you
Gudina says:

You are doing phenomenal jobs, Very informative!
Mai says:

Very interesting the story thanks.
May says:

The economic recession can reoccur again especially after the covid-19 lockdown.
Yen says:

Thank you so much.
learner from Phoenix says:

The economy is a fragile system and the past can repeat it self again, we just need to be aware and not be surprise and be prepare when it happens!