THE ORIGINS OF THE SWASTIKA

Published: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/4183467.stm
BEFORE YOU REeAD
What is the swastika?
What does the swastika mean for you?
NOW WATCH THE BBC VIDEO
The story of the swastika https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_reuMKpgow
READ THE SUBTITLE OF THE TEXT

3. What exactly has the EU done?
4. Why?
5. Do you agree or not
6. Which of the words below does not mean “association”?

1. link      b.  connection      c.  relationship     d.  meaning

NOW READ THE FIRST SECTION OF THE TEXT DOWN TO THE SUBTITLE

7. What is an icosagon or 20 sided polygon?
8. What surprising information does the text provide concerning the origin of the swastika?
9.    The swastika points in all four directions. What additional quality does this give the swastika?
10.  How widespread is the swastika as a cultural symbol? Does it surprise you that you’ve never heard of these roles of the swastika? Why do you think you only know the Nazi   association?
11. . Why did Rudyard Kipling remove the swastika from the dust jacket of his books?
12.  Which of the words below does not mean the same as ‘inappropriate’? (p.5)  a.  unsuitable       b. unnecessary      c. incorrect       d. improper

13. The swastika has appeared on medals presented by two countries. Whereas
   ______________ removed the symbol, _________________________still retains it.
14.  Which attitude do you agree with? Justify your answer.

  NOW READ THE SECOND HALF OF THE TEXT

 15. What geographical place has the name of swastika? Why do you think the name has not been changed?
16.   Which of the words below does not mean ‘resident’?
   - citizen,  - dweller, - inhabitant,  - official, - occupant
17.   Were the Nazis the first to use the swastika as a racist symbol? 
18. What does the word Aryan mean to you? Who, in fact, were the early Aryans?
19.  How do you feel about all you’ve read in the text? Discuss your reaction. How would you feel if you were a Hindu?

THE ORIGINS OF THE SWASTIKA KEY

This is a simple yet original text suited to preintermediate students quite early in the year.

BEFORE YOU READ

      A Nazi symbol

      It reminds me of the persecution of the Jews, concentration camps …

READ THE SUBTITLE OF THE TEXT

Banned the swastika

      because of its associations with hate and racism

      Answers will vary   
      d.  meaning

NOW READ THE FIRST SECTION OF THE TEXT DOWN TO THE SUBTITLE

      A swastika

      It means “good to be” and was made on people and objects to give them    

     good luck.

           stability

           very widespread. Answers will vary.

          The rise of Nazism made it inappropriate.

          b. unnecessary      

          Britain removed the symbol, Finland (the Finnish airforce ) still retains it.
       Open ended

NOW READ THE SECOND HALF OF THE TEXT

  A small mining town in Northern Ontario

   Open ended.
   official, -

   No. The Austrian Pan German followers of Schoenerer used it first.
 Open ended; an Indian race

 Open ended