The Sentence That Opened the Wall
Written by Studio AM.
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By autumn 1989, East Germany was leaking citizens through new routes to the West. Hungary had opened its border with Austria, while growing demonstrations demanded change at home. The government drafted rules to ease travel, intending to retain an application process.
On November 9, official Günter Schabowski announced the new arrangements at a televised press conference. Asked when they would take effect, he answered that they applied immediately. The announcement reached people before border officials had clear instructions for carrying it out.
Crowds gathered at checkpoints, expecting to cross. Officials sought guidance as the pressure increased. Late that evening, the Bornholmer Straße crossing opened, and other crossings followed. People who had been separated by the border could suddenly pass through it.
Schabowski's answer was a trigger within a much larger political crisis. Protests, departures, news coverage, and decisions at the checkpoints all shaped the outcome. The concrete wall was not instantly removed, but its operation as a closed border changed that night. The event shows how an announcement can alter expectations and set actions in motion when institutions are already under severe pressure.
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Questions
Choose an answer. The explanation appears after you answer.
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Question 1 of 4
Which statement best captures the main idea?
The answer is D: An announcement changed expectations during a political crisis and helped trigger the opening of border crossings.
The passage links the statement with existing pressure, public action, and decisions at the checkpoints.
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Question 2 of 4
Why did the timing of Schabowski's announcement create a practical problem?
The answer is B: People expected immediate crossing before officials had clear instructions to implement it.
The announcement created expectations and crowds ahead of clear operational guidance.
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Question 3 of 4
What does “leaking” suggest when describing East Germany's loss of citizens?
The answer is C: steadily losing citizens through gaps in its borders
Citizens were leaving through newly available routes, which the passage compares with a leak.
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Question 4 of 4
What did the government's planned rules retain?
The answer is A: An application process for travel.
The opening says the government intended to retain an application process while easing travel.
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