One family ruled Russia for 300 years — and then lost everything in one year.
Want more detail? Read this lesson at B2/C1 level →
Before we read, let's learn the important words. Match each word (1–8) to its meaning (A–H). Say your answers out loud — "I think 1 is D" — then check.
1 = C (a dynasty) · 2 = D (an empire) · 3 = A (an heir) · 4 = B (a revolution)
5 = F (to give up power) · 6 = H (a prisoner) · 7 = E (a mystery) · 8 = G (a body)
Read each part. Then try the questions from memory, and talk about the last one.
For almost 300 years, one family ruled Russia. They were called the Romanovs. The last king was Nicholas II. He became king in 1894. Russia was huge — a very big empire. But Nicholas was not a strong leader. He was a kind man and a good father, but he did not rule well.
Nicholas married a German princess called Alexandra. They had four daughters and one son, called Alexei. Alexei was the heir — one day, he would be king. But the boy was very ill. He had a blood illness, and a small cut was very dangerous for him.
Alexandra was very afraid for her son. A strange holy man called Rasputin said he could help the boy, and sometimes Alexei did get better. So Alexandra trusted Rasputin completely. Soon, this strange man had a lot of power over the royal family. Many people in Russia did not like this at all.
1. What kind of king was Nicholas II?
2. Why did Alexandra trust Rasputin?
1. He was a kind man and a good father, but he was a weak leader and did not rule well.
2. Her son Alexei was very ill, and Rasputin seemed to help him get better — so she trusted him completely.
In 1914, the First World War started. It was terrible for Russia. Many soldiers died. People in the cities had no food. Everyone was angry and tired.
In 1917, the people of Russia had enough. There was a revolution. The people came onto the streets. Even the soldiers joined them. Nicholas had no friends left. He had to give up his power — he stopped being king. After almost 300 years, the Romanov family did not rule Russia any more.
Later that year, a new group called the Bolsheviks took control. They did not like the royal family at all. They took Nicholas, Alexandra and the five children far away to a cold town in the east, called Yekaterinburg. The family were now prisoners. Guards watched them all the time.
1. How did the First World War change things in Russia?
2. What happened to Nicholas in 1917?
1. Many soldiers died, people had no food, and everyone was angry and tired. This helped start the revolution.
2. There was a revolution; Nicholas had no support left, so he gave up his power and stopped being king. Later the family became prisoners.
In July 1918, something terrible happened. One night, the guards killed the whole family — Nicholas, Alexandra and all five children. Then they hid the bodies in a forest. For a long time, nobody knew exactly what had happened.
Because of this secret, a strange story began. People said that maybe one daughter, Anastasia, did not die. Maybe she escaped! A woman in Germany said, "I am Anastasia." Her name was Anna Anderson. For many years, some people believed her. There were even films about her.
But it was not true. Many years later, scientists found the bodies in the forest. They used DNA tests (tests that compare family blood). The tests showed that the bodies really were the Romanov family. And the tests showed that Anna Anderson was not Anastasia. Finally, after many years, the mystery was over.
1. Why was there a mystery for so many years?
2. How did scientists finally solve it?
1. The family were killed in secret and the bodies were hidden, so nobody was sure what had happened. Some people thought a daughter, Anastasia, had escaped.
2. Scientists found the bodies and used DNA tests. The tests showed the bodies were the Romanovs, and that Anna Anderson was not Anastasia.
This story happened long ago. We can look back and say: the past was like this — and now things are like this. To do that, we use one pattern.
1. If the Tsar (have) been kinder, things (would / be) different now.
2. If the family (have) left Russia, they (would / be) safe today.
3. If the Tsar (have) listened to the people, Russia (would / be) different now.
1. had / would be
2. had / would be
3. had / would be
Finish each sentence with your own idea — about now. Then read it out loud.
1. If the Tsar had been a better king, Russia .
2. If the family had not become prisoners, they .
3. If I had studied more languages when I was young, I .
Your answers will be different! Just check the shape: would + verb, and it talks about now. For example: "…Russia would be a kingdom today." / "…they would be alive now." / "…I would speak three languages today."
There is a real podcast about the Romanovs. It is for native speakers, so it is fast and quite difficult — that is normal! You do not need to understand every word.
From the Noiser podcast. About 50 minutes. Listen to a few minutes now, or all of it for homework.
Listen on Spotify →Do all three tasks out loud. Use the timer to keep talking.
Tell the story of the Romanovs in your own words. Use these steps to help you: one family ruled for 300 years → Nicholas, a kind but weak king → his ill son and Rasputin → the war → the revolution → the family become prisoners → the mystery and the DNA tests.
Try to use some of the key words (dynasty, empire, heir, revolution, give up power, prisoner, mystery).
Look back at the story and link the past to now. For example: "If the Tsar had been kinder, things would be different today…", "If the family had left Russia, the children would be safe now…". Say two or three sentences: if one thing had been different then, how would things be today?
Tell me about another famous family or leader — from your country, from history, or from a film. Were they powerful? What happened to them in the end?
Not sure what to talk about? Choose one: