Web Quest Task

Twenty Tales from the War Zone: John Simpson

In his career, the BBC journalist John Simpson has visited many famous trouble spots across the world. His book tells us about some of the most important news stories of the last thirty-five years.

Even after two World Wars, people are still fighting each other around the world. Many of these conflicts are civil wars, fought between rival groups in one country.
There is also a threat of terrorism. In the last few years, much of this has had its roots in the Middle East and Asia, but has spread to Africa, Europe and America.

You will look at some websites which tell you more about the events of war in some of the countries reported on by John.

Your quest

What was the date of the Scottish football disaster reported on by John Simpson?

What to do

Read the short notes on the quest websites below. They tell you what to look for on each website. You will find the answer to your quest on the first website.

Have a look at the other websites too before you check your answer. Ask for help if you need it.

If you want to return to Quick Reads Ideas at any time close the new page you are in.

The quest websites

BBC feature on John Simpson, with audio files. Click on the ‘Audio file’ button to hear reports from John during the first bombing of Iraq in 2003. http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/correspondents/newsid_2624000/2624607.stm

Click on the ‘Gallery 1, 2 or 3’ links and scroll through these images taken by Sebastiao Salgado. See if you can find the images of Iraqi refugees and people in Afghanistan, Africa and South America – all places described in John’s book. http://photography.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://pdngallery.com/legends10/

Explore these photographs by Don McCullin, one of the best known war photographers. Some of his images show events in places described by John.
http://www.vam.ac.uk/vastatic/microsites/photography/photographerframe.php?photographerid=ph041

A United Nations site which describes what refugees face when they return to their homes in Angola from camps in other countries.
http://www.unhcr.ca/withyou/2004_01/default.htm

The original online news article about the events described in Chapter 19, ‘Disaster in Iraq’, in John’s book.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/2921807.stm

Click for the web quest answer and more sites about places visited by John Simpson.