Unit 3 War and peace

Using language

5 Listen to the interview and answer the questions.

Interviewer: Today, I'm talking to Ms Gao Li and Mr Gao Ming. The brother and sister were living in Chongqing during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and experienced the five year terror bombing campaign by Japanese forces. Ms Gao, what are your first memories of that time?

Gao Li: I was only eight years old when the bombing started in the year 1938, and the first bombs fell a long way away from our house. I remember our house shook and I saw fires in the distance.

Interviewer: That must be terrible for a child! And Mr Gao, what are your first memories of the bombing?

Gao Ming: Well, I was three years older than my sister. The first thing I remember was the bombing planes. They flew so low. I went out on the street to watch.

Interviewer: How did you feel when you went into the street?

Gao Ming: Well, at first I was fascinated by the planes and the noise they made, but soon I was scared.

Interviewer: I can only imagine how it must felt. What was the most terrible experience you had during that time, Ms Gao?

Gao Li: Well, I'll never forget what happened on the fifth of June 1941. I remember the Japanese were targeting the residential areas. There wasn't enough time for us to get to the bomb shelter so we stayed in the basement.

Interviewer: How long did the bombing last on that day？

Gao Li: We waited for five hours until the bombing stopped. It was absolutely terrifying. Our house was destroyed, and dead bodies could be seen all over the street. Over 4,000 people were killed that day.

Interviewer: I'm sorry to hear that. Mr Gao, how do you feel when you think about it now?

Gao Ming: I feel sad for all the victims, but the bombing didn't destroy our fighting spirit.

Gao Li: Yes, despite everything, around 960,000 of the city's soldiers went to the front to fight the Japanese. It's no wonder Chongqing became known as the "city of heroes".

Interviewer: And how are they remembered today?

Gao Ming: Every year on the fifth of June, the air raid warning is sounded across the city. It gives us an opportunity to mourn those we lost, and reminds us to cherish the peace we enjoy today.