What if...? An alternative course of history

In this worksheet, the learners look at the question of what alternative courses the story could take.

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What if...? An alternative course of history

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Alternative courses of history are exciting ‘what if’ scenarios. They explore what the world might look like if certain events had happened differently. For example, what would have happened if an important war had ended differently or an invention had been made earlier? These ideas are fun, but it's important to realise that they are not real history. They help us to better understand the significance of decisions and coincidences in the past, but they remain thought experiments and not facts.

Dinosaurs Discovered Alive: A Decade of Wonder

On July 14, 2013, in the remote Congo Basin of Africa, a team from the National Geographic Society stumbled upon living dinosaurs. Led by Dr. Jessica Morales, the expedition discovered a herd of small sauropods, sparking worldwide astonishment. This remarkable event was attributed to the region's extreme isolation, which preserved an ecosystem unchanged for millions of years.

The immediate impact was profound. Governments scrambled to protect the area, while scientists flocked to study these ancient creatures. In 2014, the United Nations established the International Dinosaur Preservation Committee. Economically, the discovery spurred a boom in biotechnology and tourism, as visitors and investors sought to witness living dinosaurs. Socially, the find reignited global interest in paleontology, inspiring a new generation to pursue science.

Over the next decade, the presence of dinosaurs led to significant developments. By 2016, debates on cloning and genetic modification intensified, with ethical discussions reaching new heights. In 2018, advancements in DNA research contributed to medical breakthroughs. Politically, countries bordering the Congo negotiated treaties to manage the region. By 2020, conservation efforts expanded, leading to the establishment of the World Wildlife Preservation Zone, altering international environmental policies.

📋 Choose the correct answer.

Now two people will tell you how the changed events have affected their lives.

📋 Work order

Listen to the two audio files and then answer the questions.

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📋 Answer the questions with the help of the text.

📋 Work order

📌 Proposed solution Essay

Here is a possible solution proposal for the essay.

In 2013, the world was amazed when a team led by Dr. Jessica Morales discovered living dinosaurs in the Congo Basin of Africa. These small sauropods were found in a region untouched for millions of years. This incredible event changed many lives and had a big impact on the world. But was this discovery advantageous or disadvantageous? Let's explore both sides.

On one hand, the discovery brought many advantages. Scientists from all over the world went to the Congo to study these ancient creatures. The United Nations formed the International Dinosaur Preservation Committee in 2014 to protect them. People like Maya Patel were inspired by the discovery. At 16 years old, she decided to study biotechnology. She later helped develop new treatments for genetic diseases. Advances in DNA research led to medical breakthroughs in 2018.

The discovery also sparked a boom in tourism and biotechnology. Many people became interested in science and paleontology. Countries worked together to manage the area around the Congo Basin. In 2020, the World Wildlife Preservation Zone was established, improving environmental policies worldwide. Society began to care more about conservation and protecting nature.

On the other hand, the discovery had disadvantages for some people. For farmers like Samuel Mbemba from the Congo Basin, it was the start of a nightmare. Governments declared their lands a protected zone, and they were forced off their ancestral homes. They lost their farms and had to move to crowded towns without jobs. While tourists and scientists benefited, local people struggled with poverty and unemployment.

Conservation efforts ignored the needs of the people who had lived there for generations. Their children couldn't attend good schools, and their voices were not heard. Samuel felt that the authorities valued dinosaurs more than human lives. The discovery brought despair to his community, which had once thrived in harmony with the land.

In conclusion, the discovery of living dinosaurs brought excitement and progress to the world. It inspired many people and led to scientific and medical advances. However, it also caused hardship for the local communities who lost their homes and way of life. The scenario had both advantages and disadvantages. It shows that while such discoveries can benefit many, it is important to consider and protect the rights and well-being of all people affected.