World War One: causes and events

The main causes, events and end of the First World War, 1914 to 1918

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Try each question. If you're stuck, leave it and come back. The answer key is on the last page.

1
Between which years was the First World War fought? A) 1914 to 1918 B) 1939 to 1945 C) 1900 to 1910 D) 1850 to 1855
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2
Whose assassination in 1914 helped trigger the start of the First World War? A) Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary B) Tsar Nicholas II of Russia C) Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany D) King George V of Britain
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3
True or false? Soldiers on the Western Front spent much of the war fighting from long ditches called trenches. A) True B) False
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4
In which year did the First World War begin? A) 1914 B) 1900 C) 1939 D) 1945
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5
Fill in the blank. The agreement that ended the fighting in 1918 is called the ___.
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6
Which of these was a major cause of the First World War? A) A system of alliances between European powers B) An argument over the rules of football C) The invention of the telephone D) A shortage of chocolate in Europe
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7
Match each cause of WW1 with what it means. Match each item on the left to one on the right. Left: Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism Right: Building up huge armies and weapons, Promises between countries to help each other, Competing for empires around the world, Strong pride in your own country
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8
What was the Battle of the Somme in 1916 known for? A) Very high numbers of soldiers killed and wounded B) Lasting only one day C) Being fought entirely at sea D) Ending the war
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9
Put these events of the First World War in order. Put these in order: Battle of the Somme begins, Armistice is signed, Franz Ferdinand is assassinated, War begins between Britain and Germany
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10
Why is 11 November remembered every year as Remembrance Day? A) It is the day the First World War ended in 1918 B) It is when the war began C) It is the birthday of the king at the time D) It is the date the Spanish Armada was defeated
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Answer key

World War One: causes and events · for parents and teachers

1
1914 to 1918
The First World War was fought from 28 July 1914 until 11 November 1918.
2
Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary
Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were shot in Sarajevo on 28 June 1914. This event helped trigger the war within weeks.
3
True
Trench warfare was a major feature of the Western Front. Soldiers lived and fought in long lines of trenches across France and Belgium.
4
1914
The First World War started on 28 July 1914.
5
Armistice
The Armistice was signed at 11am on 11 November 1918. It ended the fighting on the Western Front.
6
A system of alliances between European powers
Before 1914, European countries had formed alliances. When one country went to war, others were drawn in by these agreements.
7
Militarism → Building up huge armies and weapons; Alliances → Promises between countries to help each other; Imperialism → Competing for empires around the world; Nationalism → Strong pride in your own country
The MAIN causes of WW1 were Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism and Nationalism. Together they made war much more likely.
8
Very high numbers of soldiers killed and wounded
The Battle of the Somme lasted from July to November 1916. It is remembered for the very high number of British, French and German soldiers killed or wounded.
9
Franz Ferdinand is assassinated, War begins between Britain and Germany, Battle of the Somme begins, Armistice is signed
Franz Ferdinand was killed in June 1914. Britain declared war on Germany in August 1914. The Battle of the Somme began in July 1916. The Armistice ended fighting on 11 November 1918.
10
It is the day the First World War ended in 1918
The Armistice that ended the First World War was signed at 11am on 11 November 1918. We remember the dead of this and later wars on this date each year.