Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

“World War I” ESL Discussion Questions

1. What is the main reason why World War I started?
2. Why did Germany and Austria-Hungary declare war on Russia?
3. What was the Treaty of Versailles?
4. What were the causes of World War I?
5. What was the name of the treaty that ended World War I?
6. What countries were on each side in World War I?
7. Who won the battle of Verdun?
8. What are some results of World War I that are still felt today?
9. Why do you think we remember World War I today?
10. What was the significance of Sarajevo?
11. What were some of the consequences of this war?
12. What was the most significant weapon used in World War I?
13. How long did World War I last?
14. What year did the war end?
15. Who won The Battle of Tannenberg?
16. What was life like in Europe before World War I started?
17. What happened at Verdun?
18. Who won the Battle of Gallipoli?
19. What were the alliances during World War I?
20. What was the main reason for the US joining World War I?
21. How did World War I start?
22. Do you think there will be another world war in our lifetime?
23. Who were the losers in World War I?
24. What was the outcome of World War I?
25. What did World War I lead to?
26. Why did the U.S., which had been a neutral country during World War I, enter the war in 1917?
27. To what extent did the Treaty of Versailles resolve problems that had arisen from World War I?
28. What happened next after World War I ended?
29. What was life like for soldiers during the war?
30. What was the most important result of the Paris Peace Conference?
31. Who were the winners in World War I?
32. What was the Triple Alliance and which countries belonged to it?
33. Which side had more casualties at Verdun?
34. What caused the war to end?
35. Why do you think we have to learn about this war?
36. When did the First World War start, and how long did it last?
37. Who won the Battle of Jutland?
38. When did World War I begin and when did it end?
39. What countries won World War I?
40. How many countries fought in World War I?
41. How many people died during World War I?
42. Why did so many countries join the war?
43. What were some of the weapons used during World War I?