Famous People

Karl Marx

Karl Marx Pre-Reading Warm Up Questions ☀

1. Do you know where Karl Marx was born?

Karl Marx co-wrote the Communist Manifesto and took part in the
early Communist movement. 2. Have you ever heard of the Communist Manifesto? What
do you think the word manifesto means?
Karl Heinrich Marx was born in Prussia on May 5, 1818. His family
3. Can you explain the difference between communism and
was Jewish, but his father became a Lutheran in order to practice
capitalism?
law.
4. Do you know the name of Karl Marx’s most famous book?
Marx’s father wanted him to become a lawyer, but Marx was
interested in philosophy and literature. In 1841, he graduated in
philosophy from the University of Berlin and hoped to teach at a
university. This did not work out and he had to make his living as a
journalist. In 1843, he moved to Paris, where he began his lifelong
study of economics.

Marx was married in 1843, and he and his wife, Jenny, had seven
children. He was a devoted father.

In 1845, he and his family moved to Belgium where he became

active in the Communist movement. In 1848, he and Friedrich
Engels wrote the Communist Manifesto. Between 1848 and 1849,
Marx was expelled from Belgium, Germany, and France for his
radical activities. Late in 1849, he and his family settled in London,
where he lived out his life.

In London, Marx worked as a journalist and remained active in the

Communist movement for several years. By 1872, he was mainly
offering advice to radicals in other countries.
COMPREHENSION ✍
Over the years, Marx wrote countless newspaper articles, brochures,
A. True or False. Read the statements below. If the
and reports. He was fluent in several languages and wrote
statement is true, write T beside the sentence. If it is
particularly well in English. He also wrote five books. In 1867, his
false, write F. If it is false, correct the information.
most famous book, Das Kapital (Capital), was published. In it, he
explained his ideas on how economic systems shape history. He 1. Karl Marx wanted to be a lawyer.
believed that a communist system would eventually replace 2. Karl Marx was not a good father.
capitalism. His book and his ideas have influenced many people and
3. Marx was forced to leave several European countries.
many governments around the world.
4. Marx spoke several languages.
In the last 20 years of his life, Marx suffered ill health. By about
5. Marx had a great influence throughout the world.
1870, his health prevented him from working as much as he would
like. He died in London on March 14, 1883.`

1
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 Famous People
Karl Marx

B. Practice asking and answering the following questions with your partner. Then write the answers in complete sentences.

1. Why did Karl Marx’s father change his religion?

2. What did Marx do when he graduated from university?
3. What did Marx study throughout his life?
4. Why was Marx forced to leave Belgium, France, and Germany?
5. Who wrote the Communist Manifesto with Marx?
6. Name three things that Marx did when he was living in London?
7. What was the title of Marx’s most famous book and what was it about?

VOCABULARY REVIEW ✍
A. Match the words on the left with the correct meaning on the right.

A. Choose the word(s) with the closest meaning to the underlined words in the following sentences.

1. Karl Marx co-wrote the Communist Manifesto.

a) published b) began c) wrote with another author
2. Marx had seven children and was a devoted father.
a) very loving and caring b) uninterested c) busy
3. Marx became active in the Communist movement.
a) travel b) united actions of a group c) economics DISCUSS
4. Marx was expelled from Belgium, Germany, and France.
a) traveled b) sailed c) was forced to leave 1. Karl Marx was expelled from several
5. His book explained how economic systems shape history. European countries. Do you think that this
a) talk about b) influence c) circle helped to prevent the spread of his ideas
about communism? Explain your answer.
B. Find the idioms in the article that have the following meanings:
2. Karl Marx lived for many years in
1. participated - _________________________
England, yet communism did not take over
2. did not get the result that was hoped for - _________________________
that country. Why do think that is?
3. work to support himself - _________________________
4. was able to speak well - _________________________ 3. Why do you think Karl Marx had such a
great influence on world history?
C. Match the words on the left with the correct meaning on the right.
4. Why do you think communist
_____ 1. philosophy a) many
governments fell in so many countries in
_____ 2. literature b) start to live in a new place
the 1990’s?
_____ 3. economics c) the study of books and poetry
_____ 4. journalist d) stop something from happening
_____ 5. radical e) a short booklet
_____ 6. settle f) the study of the production and use of goods
_____ 7. countless g) finally
_____ 8. brochure h) a person who writes for newspapers
_____ 9. eventually i) the study of humanity’s beliefs and values
_____ 10. prevent j) a person who wants complete change

2
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 Famous People
Karl Marx

ANSWER KEY

Please note:
The reading for this topic is also available in full-page format at the end of the lesson (page 4).

PRE-READING QUESTIONS
1. Karl Marx was born in Prussia.
2. Individual answer
3. (Individual answer). Communism is the political theory or system in which all property and wealth is owned in a
classless society by all the members of that society. Capitalism is an economic system characterized by the following:
private property ownership exists; individuals and companies are allowed to compete for their own economic gain; and
free market forces determine the prices of goods and services.
4. Das Kapital is Karl Marx’s most famous book.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS
True or False
1. F 2. F 3. T 4. T 5. T

Written Answers
1. His father changed his religion from Judaism to Lutheran so he could practice law.
2. When Marx graduated form university, he made his living as a journalist.
3. Marx studied economics throughout his life.
4. Marx was forced to leave Belgium, France and Germany because of his radical activities.
5. Friedrich Engels wrote the Communist Manifesto with Marx.
6. (Individual answer) e.g. Marx offered advice to communist radicals in other countries, wrote newspaper articles, and
authored five books.
7. Das Kapital was the title of Marx's most famous book about how economic systems shape history.

VOCABULARY REVIEW
A. Choose the correct word
1. c 2. a 3. b 4. c 5. b

B. Find the idioms

1. participated - took part in
2. did not get the results he had hoped for - did not work out
3. work to support himself - make a living
4. was able to speak well - is fluent

C. Match the words

1. i 2. c 3. f 4. h 5. j 6. b 7. a 8. e
9. g 10. d

3
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 Famous People
Karl Marx

Karl Marx

Karl Marx co-wrote the Communist Manifesto and took part in the early Communist movement.

Karl Heinrich Marx was born in Prussia on May 5, 1818. His family was Jewish, but his father became a Lutheran
in order to practice law.

Marx’s father wanted him to become a lawyer, but Marx was interested in philosophy and literature. In 1841, he
graduated in philosophy from the University of Berlin and hoped to teach at a university. This did not work out and
he had to make his living as a journalist. In 1843, he moved to Paris, where he began his lifelong study of
economics.

Marx was married in 1843, and he and his wife, Jenny, had seven children. He was a devoted father.

In 1845, he and his family moved to Belgium where he became active in the Communist movement. In 1848, he
and Friedrich Engels wrote the Communist Manifesto. Between 1848 and 1849, Marx was expelled from Belgium,
Germany, and France for his radical activities. Late in 1849, he and his family settled in London, where he lived
out his life.

In London, Marx worked as a journalist and remained active in the Communist movement for several years. By
1872, he was mainly offering advice to radicals in other countries.

Over the years, Marx wrote countless newspaper articles, brochures, and reports. He was fluent in several
languages and wrote particularly well in English. He also wrote five books. In 1867, his most famous book, Das
Kapital (Capital), was published. In it, he explained his ideas on how economic systems shape history. He believed
that a communist system would eventually replace capitalism. His book and his ideas have influenced many people
and many governments around the world.

In the last 20 years of his life, Marx suffered ill health. By about 1870, his health prevented him from working as
much as he would like. He died in London on March 14, 1883.

4
Copyright 2009. This eBook is produced and distributed by Red River Press Inc. All rights reserved. The contents within this e-book/document may only be
photocopied by members of ESL-Llibrary.com in accordance with membership terms and conditions. Contact info@esl-library.com for complete details.