One Symbol, Two Meanings

In my Simon in Germany post When the Small Things Matter, I wrote about remembrance, loss and the poppy, a small flower with a big meaning.

In this lesson we'll learn vocabulary for remembrance and symbols, look at how one symbol can mean different things in different cultures, and practise should, must, mustn't and don't have to for advice and obligation.

Level: B1–B2.

This lesson comes from my Simon in Germany blog post.

Read: When the Small Things Matter

Activity

Is there a flower, colour or symbol that means something special in your country? Could it mean something different somewhere else?

💡 What is a symbol?

A symbol is an object, sign or colour that represents an idea.

In the UK, a red poppy is a symbol of remembrance. It reminds people of the soldiers who died in war, because poppies grew on the battlefields of the First World War.

No File

Vocabulary

Word / phrase	Meaning	Example
remembrance	remembering people who have died, especially in war	For most people it's a simple symbol of remembrance.
a wreath	a ring of flowers or leaves	Veterans laid wreaths at the Cenotaph.
a veteran	someone who served in the armed forces, especially in a war	Every year there seemed to be fewer veterans.
to fall silent	to become completely quiet	It was the same day the UK fell silent.
a delegation	a group of people sent to represent a country	Officials asked his delegation to remove their poppies.
to criticise	to say what is wrong with someone or something	Anyone on television without one is quickly criticised.
humiliation	a feeling of shame and lost pride, caused by someone else	Remembrance to one country can mean humiliation to another.
a stiff upper lip	not showing your feelings when things are hard	We're the nation of the stiff upper lip.

Grammar: should, must, mustn't and don't have to

Form	Use	Example
should / shouldn't	advice: a good or bad idea	You should learn about local traditions before you visit.
must / have to	obligation: it's necessary	Visitors must take off their shoes in some temples.
mustn't	prohibition: it's not allowed	You mustn't talk during the two-minute silence.
don't have to	no obligation: it's your choice	You don't have to wear a poppy. It's up to you.

The "muss nicht" trap: In German, Du musst nicht means you don't have to. It does not mean you mustn't.
✗ You mustn't wear a poppy. (it's not allowed)
✓ You don't have to wear a poppy. (it's your choice)

Practice A: Complete with wreath, veterans, fell silent, delegation, criticised

1. At 11 o'clock, the whole town ______ for two minutes.
2. The mayor laid a ______ of red poppies at the memorial.
3. Fewer ______ march in the parade every year.
4. The minister was ______ for not wearing a poppy on TV.
5. The British ______ refused to remove their poppies.

Show answers

1. fell silent
2. wreath
3. veterans
4. criticised
5. delegation

Practice B: Choose should, must, mustn't or don't have to

1. It's a free country. You ______ wear a poppy if you don't want to.
2. You ______ check what flowers mean before you give them as a gift abroad.
3. Passengers ______ show their ticket when they board.
4. You ______ use your phone during the two-minute silence.
5. In Germany, you ______ bring a gift to a birthday party at work, but it's a nice idea.

Show answers

1. don't have to
2. should
3. must / have to
4. mustn't
5. don't have to

Practice C: One flower, many meanings

Match 1–4 with a–d.

1. a red poppy in the UK
2. a white poppy in the UK
3. a blue cornflower in France
4. the poppy in China

1. a symbol of peace
2. a reminder of the Opium Wars
3. remembrance of soldiers who died in war
4. a symbol of remembrance worn on 11 November

Show answers

1. c
2. a
3. d
4. b

Language learning can be really challenging. I know, because I'm a language learner myself. I hope the information and activities were helpful. Try the following:

Think of a symbol or tradition from your country. Write four tips for a visitor, using should, must, mustn't and don't have to.

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This lesson comes from my Simon in Germany blog post.

Read: When the Small Things Matter

Image credit: Photo by Mathias Weigand on Unsplash
Mathias Weigand https://unsplash.com/@fujigraf
Unsplash https://unsplash.com

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