Reading - The Speech That Echoed Through Time

Read the text and complete the activities below.

For decades, the world knew him as a man of silence. But in 1940, during the height of World War II, something extraordinary happened. In his film The Great Dictator, Charles Chaplin finally spoke. He did not just say a few words; he delivered a six-minute speech that remains one of the most famous moments in history.

At that time, Europe was in chaos. Chaplin used his voice to call for peace, kindness, and democracy. He famously said, "We all want to help one another. Human beings are like that. We want to live by each other’s happiness, not by each other’s misery." This was a massive risk. Many people thought a comedian should stay away from politics. However, Chaplin believed that an artist has a responsibility to society. His transition from the "Little Tramp" to a public voice for humanity changed the way we see celebrities today. The speech was a critique of greed, hate, and intolerance. Even now, in 2026, his words are frequently used in social media videos because the message is timeless. It reminds us that, behind the comedy and the costumes, there is a heart that beats for the world.

ACTIVITIES

Activity 1: Fill in the Blanks

1. In 1940, the world was in the middle of World War.

2. Chaplin's character for the first time in The Great Dictator.

3. He called for peace, kindness, and .

4. Some people thought a should not talk about politics.

5. The speech is a critique of hate, greed, and .

Activity 2: Vocabulary Hunt

Find words in the text that mean:

1. Extremely impressive or unusual:

2. A state of total confusion/disorder:

3. The desire for more money/power than you need:

4. Not limited by time; always relevant:

5. A person who is very famous:

Activity 3: True or False

1. Chaplin's speech lasted only ten seconds.

True False

2. The speech was about the importance of war.

True False

3. Many people were surprised that a comedian spoke about politics.

True False

4. Chaplin believed that artists have no responsibility.

True False

5. The message of the speech is still used today.

True False

Activity 4: Multiple Choice (Analysis)

What does Chaplin mean by "We want to live by each other's happiness"?

A) We should ignore other people. B) Our success should come from helping others, not making them suffer. C) We should only be happy if we have a lot of money.