Task 1 – Long reading

Read the following text about a historical event and answer the 15 questions.

The Fall of the Berlin Wall

Paragraph 1

On November 9, 1989, the world watched in astonishment as the Berlin Wall, a symbol of division and oppression for nearly three decades, began to crumble. This monumental event marked a pivotal moment in history, signaling the end of the Cold War and the reunification of Germany. Constructed on August 13, 1961, the Wall was a desperate attempt by the East German government to prevent its citizens from fleeing to the democratic West. It stretched for over 155 kilometers, cutting through neighborhoods and families, becoming a stark physical representation of the Iron Curtain that divided Europe.

Paragraph 2

Life in East Germany under the communist regime was characterized by strict control and limited freedoms. Citizens had little say in their government, and economic stagnation was prevalent. The desire for greater freedom and economic prosperity fueled a continuous exodus to West Berlin, where opportunities were abundant and life was unrestricted. The construction of the Wall drastically reduced these defections, but it also intensified a sense of resentment and longing for change among East Germans. Over the years, many brave individuals attempted to cross the Wall, often with tragic consequences, as border guards were authorized to shoot anyone trying to escape.

Paragraph 3

The late 1980s saw a rise in protest movements across Eastern Europe, fueled by Mikhail Gorbachev’s reforms of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) in the Soviet Union. These reforms encouraged greater transparency and allowed for some economic liberalization, inspiring citizens in satellite states to demand similar changes. In East Germany, large-scale peaceful demonstrations, particularly in cities like Leipzig and Berlin, grew in size and intensity throughout the autumn of 1989. People marched, chanting for freedom and democratic reforms, bravely defying the authorities.

Paragraph 4

The immediate trigger for the Wall's fall was a confusing announcement by an East German government official, Günter Schabowski, during a press conference on November 9, 1989. He mistakenly stated that new travel regulations, which were intended to be phased in, were effective immediately. When asked when this would take effect, he replied, "Immediately, without delay." This announcement, broadcast live on television, led thousands of East Berliners to converge on the border crossings, demanding to be let through. Faced with overwhelming numbers and no clear orders, the bewildered border guards eventually opened the gates.

Paragraph 5

The scenes that followed were joyous and chaotic. People from both East and West Berlin embraced, many meeting relatives they hadn't seen in decades. They chipped away at the concrete barrier with hammers and chisels, a symbolic act of dismantling the oppressive system. The fall of the Berlin Wall had a profound impact on international relations, accelerating the collapse of communist regimes across Eastern Europe and paving the way for German reunification less than a year later, on October 3, 1990. It remains a powerful testament to the human desire for freedom and the unexpected ways in which historical change can unfold.