Vocabulary Idioms & Phrases Reading~ Paragraphs 4-9 Post-reading

Listen to paragraphs 4-9. Skip

Now, answer the following questions.

Indicate T (True) or F (False) for the following statements. T F 1. George is not interested in other peoples conversations at all. 2. Stuart can turn on the faucet by pounding it with a hammer made of wood. 3. George made a brace for Stuart to turn the tap water on.

I can get up onto the faucet all right, he explained, but I cant seem to turn it on, because I have nothing to brace my feet against. all right Ill be there all right. cant seem to V … … =It seems that one cant + V. She cant seem to get out of the bad habit. Next

I can get up onto the faucet all right, he explained, but I cant seem to turn it on, because I have nothing to brace my feet against....I cant seem to turn it on, because I have nothing to brace my feet against....it seems that I cant turn the faucet on, because there is nothing that I can push my feet against. Yes, I know, his father replied, thats the whole trouble. …thats the whole trouble....thats where the trouble is/lies.

George, who always listened to conversations whenever he could, said that in his opinion they ought to construct a brace for Stuart; and with that he got out some boards, a saw, a hammer, a screwdriver, and some nails, and started to make a terrific fuss in the bathroom, building what he said was going to be a brace for Stuart. George, who always listened to conversations whenever he could,.... George, who always paid attention to what others were talking about every time that he could,.... in his opinion = according to him; from his point of view Next

George, who always listened to conversations whenever he could, said that in his opinion they ought to construct a brace for Stuart; and with that he got out some boards, a saw, a hammer, a screwdriver, and some nails, and started to make a terrific fuss in the bathroom, building what he said was going to be a brace for Stuart. building started what he said was going to be a brace for Stuart building he said

But he soon became interested in something else and disappeared, leaving the tools lying around all over the bathroom floor. leave ( ) + O + OC (V-ing)

Stuart, after examining this mess, turned to his father again. Maybe I could pound the faucet with something and turn it on that way, he said. Stuart, after examining this mess, turned to his father again. After he looked carefully at the tools lying around all over the bathroom floor, Stuart tried to get help from his father again. that way:in that way June always acted (in) that way.

So Stuarts father provided him with a very small, light hammer made of wood; and Stuart found that by swinging it three times around his head and letting it come down with a crash against the handle of the faucet, he could start a thin stream of water flowingenough to brush his teeth in, anyway, and moisten his washcloth. start + O + V-ing … … The shock of his sons death started him drinking. anyway:anyhow Im feeling ill, but I intend to go out anyway. Next

So Stuarts father provided him with a very small, light hammer made of wood; and Stuart found that by swinging it three times around his head and letting it come down with a crash against the handle of the faucet, he could start a thin stream of water flowingenough to brush his teeth in, anyway, and moisten his washcloth....enough to brush his teeth in, anyway, and moisten his washcloth....(the water), though only a thin stream, (which was) enough for him to brush his teeth in, and moisten his washcloth.

So every morning, after climbing to the bowl, he would seize his hammer and pound the faucet, and the other members of the household, dozing in their beds, would hear the bright sharp plink plink plink of Stuarts hammer, like a faraway blacksmith, telling them the day had come and that Stuart was trying to brush his teeth. the bright sharp plink... a faraway blacksmith. that that. Back

Post-reading

Reading for the Main Idea 1. A little mouse tries to lead a human life. 2. Compared with human beings, a mouse is little. 3. Washing up is as important to a little mouse as to human beings. 4. What seems to be an ordinary daily activity for one mouse may be difficult for another.

Topics for Discussion

Discussion 1: What other inconveniences do you think Stuart might have?

Reference answer: I think it is possible that Stuart drowns in the bathtub or is flushed down the toilet. Compared with the average human being, Stuart is so tiny that hes only two inches tall, about the size of a cigarette pack. To him, a bathtub full of water is like a big pond, and

Reference answer: the stirring currents of water in a toilet when it is flushed can be like giant waves in a rough sea.

Discussion 2: Have you ever read the novel Gullivers Travels? Imagine that you, like Gulliver, have an adventure to a faraway country where people are only six inches tall and everything is comparatively small.

Reference answer: If I had an adventure in a land where the inhabitants were only six inches tall, Id be very surprised. It would be amazing to find houses like match boxes, fields like flower beds and seas like swimming pools. At the news of my arrival, curious people

Reference answer: would hurry to see me. To them, Id be as giant as a mountain. To satisfy my hunger, Id have to consume a large quantity of food. To quench my thirst, Id have to empty numerous cups of beverages. My appetite would be so enormous as to cause a famine

Reference answer: in the land. Besides, Id be very careful when walking around in case I stepped on any creature or damaged any construction. I believe such an adventure would be both fun and difficult. Back