Reading in English: a Tale of Two Texts
Reading in English: a tale of two texts
Read the first text briefly.
- What kind of story do you think it is?
- When and where might it be set?
- When do you think it is written?
- Circle every word or phrase that you are not 100% sure of. (Don't guess meanings at this stage.)
Read the second text.
- How does it differ from the first text?
- Which did you prefer reading? (Obviously, there's no 'correct' answer here.)
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of each type of text?
- The names in the story have been changed. What do you think their real names are?
I went to visit my friend, Mr Michael Jones, one day in the autumn of last year. When I got to his flat, he was talking to a very fat, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair and a red face. I apologized for disturbing them and was about to leave, but Jones pulled me into the room and closed the door behind me.
‘You’ve come at just the right time, my dear Simpkins’ he said sounding pleased.
‘I was afraid you were busy.’
‘I am. Very busy.’
‘Then I can wait in the next room.’
‘Not at all,’ said Jones, and he turned to the fat man. ‘Mr Wilson, this is Dr Simpkins. He’s been my partner and assistant in many of my most successful cases. I’m sure he will be a great help with your case too.’
The fat man got up half-way from his chair and nodded his head to me with a questioning glance. / I had called upon my friend, MrMichael Jones, one day in the autumn of last year, and found him in deep conversation with a very stout, florid-faced elderly gentleman, with fiery red hair. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw, when Jones pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door behind me.
"You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Simpkins," he said, cordially.
"I was afraid that you were engaged."
"So I am. Very much so."
"Then I can wait in the next room."
"Not at all. This gentleman, Mr Wilson, has been my partner and helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also."
The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small, fat-encircled eyes.