Unit 3 The Million Pound Bank-note

Mark Twain Perhaps America's best known literary figure, Mark Twain enjoys a popular following as much for his personality as for his books. Born Samuel Langhorne Clemens in Florida, Missouri, he was brought up in Hannibal where his childhood experiences provided the basis for the two masterpieces 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' and 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'.

At the age of twelve the death of his father forced him to leave school and take work as a printer's apprentice to help support the family. But he was quickly tired of this life and left to spend four years as a river pilot on the Mississippi - his pen name coming from the characteristic call of a leadsman on the river. In 1870, he married into an old Connecticut family and settled in Hartford. His worldwide fame allowed him lucrative可赚钱的international lecture tours but Twain continued to write steadily for the rest of his life.

Do you know any of his works? The Adventures of Tom Sawyer The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Life on the Mississippi

Discussion If a rich person gives you a large amount of money to use as you like, what will you do with it? Have you ever made a bet with a friend? If so, what did you bet on? How did you feel about the bet after it was won or lost?

The Million Pound Bank-Note A penniless and lost young American in London becomes the subject of a bet between two rich and eccentric English gentlemen. They want to know how a poor man do and live with a million pound note. And a series of funny things happened.

Main Characters Henry a lost American businessman in London Roderick a rich Englishman, Oliver’s brother Oliver a rich Englishman, Roderick’s brother Servant to the brothers Portia Oliver’s daughter Mr. Clemens a diner in the restaurant and expert on bank-notes

Reading

What does this play tell us? The Million Pound Bank-Note: Two rich men want to know how a poor man do and live with a million pound note. So they issue the note.And a series of funny things happen.

P.17 Line 12 That will be all. P.18 Line 15 I’d just about given myself up for lost when I was spotted by a ship. P.21 Line 2 That one’s reserved P.21 Line 5 And make it extra thick. P.21 the last line Well, we will have to take a chance.

boat, ship A boat is much smaller, such as a sailboat, and can often be steered by a single person. A ship is much larger and requires a crew to navigate. A vessel can be either a boat or ship.

The main characters : What kind of person are the characters?

Henry Adams: He earns his passage by working on a ship to England. proud He arrived in England by accident after not sailing his boat well. careless honest He asks for work not charity

Oliver and Roderick: servants and not worrying about giving a stranger a million pound bank-note rich prepared to bet one million pounds just for a bit of fun mischievous They see that Henry is honest and proud good judges of character

Make a list of useful expressions for requesting from the play. Would you do (something ), please? May we ask…? I wonder if you’d mind …? Could you offer me…? If you don’t mind ,may I ask you…?

I wonder if you’d mind us asking you a few questions . This is a very formal expression. In the informal situations, it is usually put like this , “ Do you mind if we ask you a few questions? ” Please say nothing about us calling.