1. Unit 2 Great minds
Writing
Two geniuses

2. Floating listeners
You are going to write a short story about Patrick Moore, another
famous person with a good sense of humour.22
A In groups, look at the pictures and then complete the diagram below. Write the letters in the correct boxes to show the plot of the story.

4. • When is their next talk? What is the significance of the day?
Look at the pictures and answer the questions.
• Who are the two people?
• Where are they?
• What are they doing?
• When is their next talk? What is the significance of
the day?
They are discussing the content of their next talk.

6. He is thinking of an idea for a joke.

8. • What is Patrick Moore doing? He is playing a joke on the listeners.
• What is the date?
It is 1 April.
• What is Patrick Moore doing?
He is playing a joke on the listeners.

9. b c e d a Turning point Rising action Falling action Ending Opening
Read the story on P19 . Then complete the diagram below. Write the letters in the correct boxes.
Your next talk about gravity will start at 9 a.m. on the first of April- April Fool’s Day. Why don’t you …
I’ve got an idea.
I have no idea.
You just played a joke on us. I obeyed your instructions but didn’t float in the air!
The planets Jupiter and Saturn are very close to each other this morning. This will reduce the gravity of the Earth. If you jump into the air at exactly 9:47 a.m….
Turning point b
Rising action c
Falling action e
Ending d a
Opening

10. When you write a short story, it is important to use paragraphs.
Write a short story about Patrick Moore. Use the information in A to help you.
Top tip
When you write a short story, it is important to use paragraphs.
This makes it easier for readers to understand how the story
moves on.
Floating listeners
Sir Patrick Moore was a well-known astronomer with a good sense of humour. Like many scientists, he enjoyed playing harmless jokes on people. Some years ago, he received an invitation to give a series of talks on the radio. One day, at the end of his talk, the host said ____
_____________________________________________
Over the next few days, _________________________
However, on his way to the radio station on 1st April, _
He arrived at the station and _____________________
At the end of his talk, ___________________________
A few minutes after 9:47 a.m., ________
___________________________
______________________
Opening
Rising
action
Turning
point
Falling
action
Ending

11. Floating listeners Opening
Sir Patrick Moore was a well-known astronomer with a good sense of humour. Like many scientists, he enjoyed playing harmless jokes on people. Some years ago, he received an invitation to give a series of talks on the radio. One day, at the end of his talk, the host said ________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________ __________________
Opening
, “Your next talk about gravity
Will start at 9 a.m. on the first of April – April Fool’s Day. Why don’t you play a joke on the listeners?”
Patrick Moore

12. Rising action Turning point Over the next few days, __________________
______________________________________
However, on his way to the radio station on 1st April, _________________________________
Patrick Moore could
Rising action
not think of a joke / had no idea.
He saw some children jumping up and
Turning
point
down in the street. That gave him an idea.

13. Falling action Ending He arrived at the station and _______________
At the end of his talk, _____________________
______________________________________
__________________________
A few minutes after 9:47 a.m., _____________
gave a talk.
he told his listeners, “The
planets Jupiter and Saturn are very close to each other this morning. This will reduce the gravity of the Earth. If you jump into the air at
exactly 9:47 a.m., you’ll be able to float for several seconds.”
Falling
action
the phones.
Began to ring. Some people said, “You just played a joke on us.” Some said, “We obeyed your instructions but didn’t float in the air!”
Ending