Page 90 - English Expedition Class 6

The old man was very imaginative and told us _____________ tales. His style of narration tickled
everyone’s _____________. One of his stories was about the _____________ and how he tamed

it. The old man was _____________ and did not like people making fun of him. He was rather
sharp and learnt things quickly. So, we collected money to buy a _____________ for him, so he

could write down his stories.

At fi rst, he resisted our _____________ gesture; but, before long, he became busy with writing his
stories. He came over to meet us the other day with a gift for us – his _____________, printed by

an eminent publisher!

Grammar

The Past Perfect vs. the Simple Past Tense

Compare these sentences.

1. Bhola Grandpa confi ded to Father that he Bhola Grandpa confi ded to Father some time
had spied upon a gang of pirates. after spying on the pirates.

2. Bhola Grandpa confi ded to Father that he Bhola Grandpa confi ded to Father at the same
spied upon a gang of pirates. time as he was spying on the pirates.

The past perfect form is used to show which event happened fi rst in a sequence of events in the past.
The action in the simple past suggests a stronger connection with the time of the event.

Fill in the blanks with the simple past or the past perfect forms of the verbs given in brackets.

1. Reyna _____________ me after she _____________ to the city. (meet, move)

2. Falak _____________ the letter last evening, before I _____________ her. (write, see)
3. The train _____________ by the time we _____________ the station. (leave, reach)

4. _____________ you _____________ that we _____________ to this place exactly two years
back? (forget, come)
5. The explorers _____________ to leave the forest after they _____________ one last
expedition and _____________ nothing of value. (decide, undertake, fi nd)

Listening

Read the statements carefully before listening to the audio clip on forgetfulness. After
listening, complete them with suitable phrases/words.
1. Forgetfulness can become a serious problem in the _____________.

2. _____________ is, perhaps, the most common reason as restful sleep is very important.

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