Demosthenes: The Man With Stones in His Mouth
Learn English Through Story With a Video and a Quiz
Demosthenes was a speaker in ancient Athens, Greece, who lived from 384 BC to 322 BC.
Next steps:
1. Read the story.
New Words from the Story
weak
not strong
clear
easy to hear and understand
a speech
a talk that one person gives to a group of people
to give up
to stop trying
to train
to do something again and again so you get better at it
tongue
the soft part inside your mouth that moves when you speak and eat
to shout
to speak very loudly
noise
a loud sound
to shave
to cut hair off very close to the skin
silly
funny in a strange way, not serious
Demosthenes Story Quiz
Choose the right answer. You will see at once if you are right.
1. Where does the story happen?
Demosthenes was a young man in ancient Athens, in Greece.
2. What happened at his first big speech?
His voice was weak and his words were not clear, so people laughed.
3. Why did he speak with stones in his mouth?
With stones in his mouth, his tongue had to work hard.
4. Where did he say his speeches?
He said his speeches while he ran up a hill.
5. Why did he shave half of his head?
He looked so silly that he stayed inside and practiced for months.
6. What is the lesson of the story?
Great speakers are not born. They practice.
Questions and Answers
Who was Demosthenes?
Demosthenes was an orator, a person who gives speeches, and a politician in ancient Athens. He lived from 384 BC to 322 BC.
How do you pronounce Demosthenes?
Say "dih-MOSS-thuh-neez."
Is the story about the stones in his mouth true?
Plutarch, an ancient writer, says Demosthenes practiced speaking with small stones in his mouth.
Why did Demosthenes shave half of his head?
Plutarch says he shaved one side of his head so he would feel too embarrassed to go out. This helped him stay inside and practice.
What did Demosthenes say about speaking?
A later ancient book says he answered "Delivery, delivery, delivery" when asked for the three most important things in speaking. Delivery means how you say your words.
What can English learners learn from Demosthenes?
Good speaking comes from practice. Do not put stones in your mouth.
Talk About It
What helps you practice speaking English? Do you practice alone or with other people?
Tell us in English in the comments under the video.
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