Page 136 - Real English 2024 Book 8

REAL ENGLISH 8

2. Norman does not believe the young man’s story at once. He asks to see some proof before
he offers any help.
 Do you think you would offer your help to someone in such a circumstance? What if
you realized you were being tricked?

B Understand

B1 Answer these questions.

1. ‘On the bench, by his side sat an elderly gentleman; he had the expression of a defeated
person who refused to admit his defeat.’
a) Who does ‘his’ refer to?
b) Why does the author describe the elderly gentleman in that manner?

2. ‘The young man turned to him with a look of great frankness, which put Gortsby instantly
on his guard.’

a) Who was the young man?
b) What made the young man turn to Gortsby?
c) What does ‘a look of great frankness’ suggest about the young man?
d) What put Gortsby on his guard instantly? What characteristic trait does it show about
him?

3. What according to the young man was the silliest thing he had done in his life?
4. Say whether the following statements are true or false.
a) Gortsby was staying at the Patagonian Hotel.

b) The young man was a good actor.
c) The old man was the young man’s accomplice.
d) Gortsby thought of himself as very intelligent.

5. ‘I’m glad, however, that you don’t think the story totally improbable.’
a) Who said this and to whom?
b) In what context was this said?
c) Did Gortsby believe the story? What do you think? Why?

6. What made Gortsby give a cry of surprise and anxiety? What conclusion did he jump to at
once?
7. What did Gortsby do to make amends for his earlier disbelief?

8. What was the surprise in store for Gortsby when he returned to his seat in the park?
9. Gortsby said to himself, ‘It’s a lesson to me not to be too clever in judging people by
circumstances.’ What do you think his thoughts were after he came to know that the elderly
gentleman had lost a cake of soap near the bench in the park?

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