Read the following task. What could the most important event be? Who can the main character(s) be?

Your English teacher asked you to write a short story entitled “A Holiday to Remember”. The best stories will be published in the school magazine.

 

· Look at the story below. The paragraphs in the story have been mixed up. Read and put them in the correct order. Find the most dramatic event in the story.

 

A Holiday to Remember

One night I was driving along the road when I noticed that there were no more signposts. Suddenly, I realized that we were lost. There were no lights anywhere, so I stopped the camper van for the night.

After a while, a boat arrived and pulled us back to the beach. A couple of hours later we were at home, safe and sound! From then on, we decided to stay in a hotel for our holidays.

I was sick and tired of going to the same place every year, so last year my family and I decided to travel around Britain for two weeks in a camper van.

The next day I woke up and the camper van was moving by itself. We were floating on the sea! I called for help immediately. Meanwhile, my wife was trying to stop water from coming into the camper van.

 

· In pairs, list the events in the story in the chronological order. Which words/expressions helped you to put the events in the right order?

· Write your own short story.

 

 

Grammar: Joining sentences.

 

Complete the sentences using and,so or but.

1. It was pouring with rain, …………. we decided to stay in the hotel.

2. We wanted to go on holiday,…………… we didn’t have enough money.

3. They put their suitcase in the car ……….. set off the airport.

4. Jane tried to lift the box,……….. it was too heavy.

5. The most beautiful spot on the campsite was empty,………….. we decided to put our tent there.

6. It was late at night ……… the stars were shining in the black sky.

 

 

Literature: Travel/ adventure

 

Gulliver’s Travels

Speaking

What do you know about Gulliver’s Travels?

What kind of novel is Gulliver’s Travels?

How many parts has it got?

Who is the main character?

Who wrote it? And what do you know about the author?

Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) was Dean of St Patric’s Cathedral, Dublin. Today he is known as one of the finest satirists in the English language. In this satire, Swift makes fun of politics and some of the people of his time.

 

Read the extract below and match the sentences (A-E) to the gaps (1-4). There is one extra sentence which doesn’t match any gap.

A. As for me, I swam, and was pushed forward by the wind and tide.

B. I lay down on the grass, which was very short and soft.

C. We rowed about nine miles, till we were able to row no more.

D. Puzzled, I tried to discover what this strange sound might be.

E. I heard noise around me, but in the position I was in, I could see nothing but the sky.

 

Gulliver’s Travels

On 5^th November, which was the beginning of summer in those parts, the seamen suddenly saw a rock close to the ship; but the wind was so strong that we were pushed onto it. Six of the crew, including myself, let down the boat into the sea and tried to get away from the ship and the rock. _1_______________ In about half an hour the boat was overturned by a sudden strong wind from the north. What happened to the men in the boat, as well as those who escaped on the rock, or were left in the ship, I cannot say; but I imagine they were all lost. 2 _____________ I often let my legs drop, and could not feel the bottom; but when I was able to struggle no more, I found myself in shallow waters; and by this time the storm was much calmer. I walked for nearly a mile before I got to the shore, which I guessed was at about eight o’clock in the evening. I then walked on for another half a mile, but could not find any sign of houses or people. I was extremely tired, and with the heat of the weather I needed to sleep._________________3_ I slept better than I remembered ever having done in my life, and when I awoke, it was just daylight. I tried to get up, but wasn’t able to, as I was laid on my back, I found my arms and legs were strongly fastened on each side to the ground; and my hair, which was long and thick, tied down in the same way. I could only look upwards; the sun began to grow hot, and the light hurt my eyes.____________4_.In a little time, I felt something alive moving on my leg, which, moving gently forward over my chest, came almost up to my chin; looking downwards as much I could. I realized it was a human creature not six inches high, with a bow and arrow in his hands.

 

· Read the passage again. Work in groups and explain the highlighted words.

· Write in pairs 5-7 questions. Change your partner(s) ask and answer the questions.

· What do you think will happen next? In pairs, make up a dialogue between Gulliver and Lilliputian standing on his chest.

· Listen to the passage and check your predictions.

 

Writing

Find information about Jonathan Swift and write a report about his works for a local newspaper.

Glossary

 

double-decker bus

driving license

zebra crossing

transport cafes

L-plates

traffic warden

destination

fares n

coach n

accommodation n

travel agent

traveller’s cheque

package n

trekking n

safari n

backpacking n

camping n

resort city

map out v

rave about v

go wrong v

better off

spending money

make good time

on the road

pull in v

check in v