What happened to the Library of Alexandria?

Answer each question with 2–3 sentences.

1. Do you use libraries? What for?
2. What is your favourite book?
3. Which book would you save from a fire?
4. What do you think was lost in history?
5. Have you ever lost something important?
6. Do you often think "what if"?

Read each word and the example. Then say a sentence about libraries.

Choose the word that fits.

1. In ancient times, books were written on a .
2. A is a person who studies a subject deeply.
3. The library's was said to contain hundreds of thousands of scrolls.
4. Many historians think the decline was , not sudden.
5. Some scrolls managed to in other libraries.
6. The library lost money when its ruler cut the .
7. The story of one big fire may be a .
8. The of knowledge is a tragedy for everyone.

Choose the right answer, then press Check answers.

1. a scroll is a
   long roll with writing on itstone buildingtype of coin
2. a scholar is a person who
   studies a subject deeplysells booksbuilds ships
3. to destroy = to
   borrowdamage completelyrepair
4. gradual = happening
   slowlysuddenlyrarely
5. a myth is a popular story that is
   very shorta factnot true
6. to survive = to
   continue to existdisappearstart again

Use these phrases to talk about what would have happened.

• If the library had survived,...Якби бібліотека вціліла,...If the library had survived, we would know more.
• If they hadn't cut the budget,...Якби вони не скоротили бюджет,...If they hadn't cut the budget, it might have lasted.
• We would have learned...Ми б дізналися...We would have learned much more about the past.
• It might have survived if...Вона могла б вціліти, якби...It might have survived if rulers had supported it.
• They should have copied...Їм слід було скопіювати...They should have copied more scrolls.
• If only they had...Якби ж вони...If only they had made more copies.
• What would have happened if...?Що б сталося, якби...?What would have happened if the scrolls had been copied?
• Historians disagree about...Історики не погоджуються щодо...Historians disagree about how it ended.

Read the text. Hover over the dotted words for help.

1. The library was founded in the third century BCE.
   TrueFalse
2. Historians agree that one fire destroyed the library.
   TrueFalse
3. Ancient writers agree on the exact number of scrolls.
   TrueFalse
4. The decline of the library was gradual.
   TrueFalse
5. The text says that no ancient text has survived.
   TrueFalse

1. What do you think we would know today if the library had survived?
2. Which is more dangerous for knowledge: fire, war or lack of money?
3. How can we protect knowledge today?
4. Why are myths about history so popular?

Common mistakes: if + had + past participle, would have + past participle, and never would after if. ✗ If the library survived, we would have known → If the library had survived. ✗ If I would have known → If I had known.

1. If the library
   had survivedsurvived
   , we would know more.
2. If they
   hadn't cutdidn't cut
   the budget, it might have lasted.
3. If the king
   had paidpaid
   more, the scholars would have stayed.
4. What
   would have happenedwould happen
   if the scrolls had been copied?
5. They
   shouldshould have
   copied more scrolls.
6. They
   could havecould
   saved the books if they had acted.
7. If she
   knewhad known
   , she would have helped.
8. It
   might survivemight have survived
   with more support.

Each sentence has one mistake. Type the correct words.

1. If the library survived, we would have known more. →
2. If they hadn't cut the budget, it would last. →
3. If scholars would have stayed, the library would have survived. →
4. They should saved more books. →
5. What would happen if the scrolls had been copied? →
6. If I had known, I will have helped. →

Answer in detail. Use the third conditional and should have, could have, might have.

1. What would have happened if the library had survived?
2. What decision in your life would you change if you could?
3. If you had lived in Alexandria, what would you have studied?
4. What should people have done to protect the library?
5. Which of your possessions would you have saved from a fire?
6. What do you think we will lose in the future if we are not careful?

Three people think about the lost library. Compare their views. Who is the most critical? Who is the most hopeful about preserving knowledge today? What would you have done?

Your teacher will time you.

1. Plan for one minute, then speak for one or two minutes.
2. Part 1: tell what you know about the library.
3. Part 2: what would have happened if it had survived (third conditional).
4. Part 3: what we should preserve today, and how.

1. What would you have done in ancient Alexandria?
2. What book would you save from a fire?
3. Do you prefer paper books or digital ones?
4. What would have happened if you hadn't studied English?
5. What decision would you change?
6. What should you have done differently this week?
7. Do you keep old letters or photos?
8. Have you ever lost something you wish you still had?

1. Who in your family reads the most?
2. Who would you have asked about the past?
3. Who should have been more careful?
4. Who would have helped you if you had asked?
5. Who do you know that works in a library?
6. Who keeps family documents?

1. Should all knowledge be free?
2. Should governments pay for libraries?
3. Is digital storage safer than paper?
4. What would the world be like if the library had survived?
5. Should we keep everything, or only the best?