外研版选修三册第三单元听力练习

Unit 3 War and peace

Presenter: Today on Remembering the Past we are with John Cohen. Tell us a little about yourself, John.

John: Well, I was born in Poland in 1932. The first thing I remember was our small community and family get-togethers. Though we were poor, we were happy. But in 1939, things changed. Our country was invaded by the Nazi Germans.

Presenter: I'm sorry to hear that. It must have been bad for you.

John: It was especially difficult for us Jews. The Nazis forced us to wear a yellow badge in the shape of a Star of David. I remember that my father had his business taken away from him. We lost our home and everything we had. But then things got much worse.

Presenter: How?

John: In 1943, our family was sent to Auschwitz death camp to be killed.

Presenter: But you are still alive...

John: Yes. Though over one million people died there, not everyone was killed immediately when they arrived at Auschwitz. The camp needed workers, and my mother and father both had skills which were useful, so we were kept alive for a while. But then they decided to kill my brother because he was too weak to work. My mother could not bear to let him die alone, so she chose to die with him.

Presenter: That must have been terrible for you.

John: It was. I'll never forget seeing her for the last time, at a distance through a fence. She was so brave. Then just a few months later, my father and I were liberated by Russian soldiers. That is why I'm still alive.

Presenter: I feel sad for you and your experience, and for all the people who died.

John: I do too.

Presenter: Thank you for your story.