Explanation
Exercises
War & peace
B2 Pre-Advanced • Vocabulary
Key nouns, phrases and verb patterns for talking about conflict, peacekeeping and diplomacy.

1. Types of conflict & groups

  • ceasefire – a formal agreement between enemies to stop fighting for a limited time.
    Both sides agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire so civilians could leave the city.
  • the resistance – an underground group secretly fighting against an occupying force or harsh regime.
    The resistance organised sabotage missions against the occupying army.
  • civil war – a war fought between organised groups within the same country or state.
    The civil war divided families who supported different factions.
  • insurgency – an organised movement aiming to overthrow the government, often using violence.
    Growing insurgency in the north forced the president to tighten security.
  • sanctions – trade or financial restrictions used to punish a state for breaking international rules.
    Economic sanctions were imposed after the country ignored a UN resolution.
  • disarmament – reducing or removing weapons, especially powerful ones such as nuclear arms.
    Several leaders called for complete nuclear disarmament in the region.
Conflict types International relations

2. Peace, aid & international action

  • humanitarian aid – food, shelter, medicine and other help given to people affected by war or disasters.
    Without humanitarian aid, many families would not survive the winter.
  • humanitarian crisis – a situation where large numbers of people’s health and safety are seriously at risk.
    The conflict quickly turned into a humanitarian crisis as hospitals ran out of supplies.
  • refugee – someone forced to flee their country because of war or persecution.
    Thousands of refugees crossed the border hoping for protection.
  • peacemaker – a person or organisation that tries to bring enemies together and end violence.
    International peacemakers travelled to the capital to mediate talks.
  • military intervention – the use of armed forces by one state in the affairs of another.
    Neighbouring countries debated whether military intervention was necessary.
  • peace negotiations – formal talks between opposing sides to try to end a conflict.
    Peace negotiations resumed after months of stalemate.
  • peacekeeping mission – an operation in which troops are sent to reduce violence and protect civilians.
    UN soldiers were deployed on a peacekeeping mission to the border area.
  • peace treaty – a formal written agreement that officially ends a state of war.
    The peace treaty was signed in the presence of international observers.
Peace & diplomacy Aid & protection

3. People & consequences of war

  • war crimes – serious violations of the laws of war (e.g. torture, genocide, attacks on civilians).
    The general was later tried in court for war crimes.
  • civilian casualties – non-military people who are killed or injured in a conflict.
    Air strikes caused heavy civilian casualties in several towns.
  • humanitarian crisis – (revisited) emphasises large-scale suffering caused by war, disasters or repression.
    Aid agencies warned that the siege could trigger a major humanitarian crisis.
  • occupation – control of a region by foreign military forces.
    During the occupation, many citizens joined the resistance.
  • uprising / rebellion – an organised attempt by a group of people to remove the government.
    The rebellion spread quickly from the capital to other cities.
Impact on civilians Law & responsibility

4. Verbs & phrasal verbs

  • overthrow – remove a leader or government from power by force.
    The rebels hoped to overthrow the dictator within a year.
  • break out – start suddenly (used for war, fighting, violence).
    War broke out after months of rising tension.
  • escalate – become more intense or serious very quickly.
    The minor clash escalated into full-scale fighting overnight.
  • capture – take someone prisoner or seize control of a place.
    Government forces captured several enemy soldiers.
  • release – set someone free from prison or captivity.
    The hostages were released after long negotiations.
  • defeat – win a victory over an enemy.
    The army was badly defeated in the first battle.
  • surrender – stop fighting and accept that you have lost.
    The commander finally agreed to surrender the city.
  • retreat – move back from the enemy to avoid further fighting.
    The troops were ordered to retreat to higher ground.
  • carry out – perform or execute a planned military action or ceasefire.
    Both sides promised to carry out the ceasefire as agreed.
  • stand down – reduce or end military activity; withdraw troops from action.
    Soldiers were told to stand down once the deal was signed.
  • pull out – withdraw from a conflict or operation.
    Several countries decided to pull out of the coalition.
  • put down – stop a riot or rebellion by using force.
    The army moved in to put down the uprising.
  • take over – gain control of territory or a government.
    After capturing the capital, the rebels took over the whole region.
  • break up – force a protest or crowd to end and disperse.
    Police used tear gas to break up the demonstration.
  • ambush – attack someone suddenly after hiding and waiting.
    The patrol was ambushed by guerrilla fighters in the forest.
  • blow up – destroy something with an explosion.
    The bridge was blown up to stop the enemy advancing.
Exercises:
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War & Peace

Choose the correct option to complete each sentence below.
1
Both sides agreed to a 48-hour so that civilians could leave the city safely.
Correct: A ceasefire = an agreement to stop fighting, usually temporarily.
2
During the occupation, many young people secretly joined and sabotaged enemy supply lines at night.
Correct: The resistance = organised groups that secretly fight against an occupying power or government.
3
For over a decade the country was torn apart by , with neighbours and even family members fighting on different sides.
Correct: A civil war = a war between groups within the same country.
4
Several nations imposed economic , banning trade and freezing the government's assets abroad.
Correct: Sanctions = official measures, often economic, used to punish or pressure a country or regime.
5
The peace plan includes gradual , so both armies must destroy many of their weapons over time.
Correct: Disarmament = the process of reducing or removing weapons.
6
International organisations sent trucks full of food and medicine as to the war-torn region.
Correct: Humanitarian aid = help such as food, water and medical care given to people in crisis.
7
After the bombing destroyed their village, the family fled the country and registered as a in the neighbouring state.
Correct: A refugee = someone who has to leave their country because of war or persecution.
8
She acted as a , encouraging the two leaders to talk instead of fighting.
Correct: A peacemaker = a person who tries to end conflict and create peace.
9
Some politicians demanded , sending troops in to stop the fighting by force.
Correct: Military intervention = when a country uses its armed forces in another country's conflict.
10
With no clean water, hospitals or food supplies, the region faced a major affecting millions of civilians.
Correct: A humanitarian crisis = a situation where large numbers of people lack basic needs like food, water and safety.
11
The two sides began formal in a neutral country with international mediators present.
Correct: Peace negotiations = official talks aimed at ending a conflict.
12
Deliberately attacking schools and hospitals can be prosecuted as in the International Criminal Court.
Correct: War crimes = serious violations of the laws of war, such as intentionally targeting civilians.
13
The air strikes caused heavy as many non-combatants were killed or injured in the explosions.
Correct: Civilian casualties = civilians who are killed or injured in a conflict.
14
The UN sent soldiers on a to monitor the ceasefire and protect civilians in the buffer zone.
Correct: A peacekeeping mission = an international force sent to supervise peace and protect people after a conflict.
15
After months of negotiations, the leaders finally signed a that officially ended the war between their countries.
Correct: A peace treaty = a formal written agreement that ends a state of war.
16
The government struggled for years to defeat the armed , as small rebel groups kept attacking police stations and army bases.
Correct: An insurgency = a violent uprising by organised armed groups against the government or occupying forces, often using guerrilla tactics.
17
After the invasion, the country lived under foreign , with enemy soldiers controlling the streets and government buildings.
Correct: An occupation = when a foreign army controls and administers a territory it has taken.
18
The sudden began when thousands of protesters filled the main square and tried to remove the governor in a few dramatic days.
Correct: An uprising = a sudden, often short period when many people rise up against a government or authority.
19
The long against the king lasted for years, as fighters tried to overthrow his rule completely.
Correct: A rebellion = a long, organised attempt to change or remove a government or ruler by force.

War & Peace

Match the sentences with the war & peace words
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Sentences

Words

War & Peace

War & Peace