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Participant : Very good. Welfare is not only
money but improving knowledge is also important.
Journalist : All right. You are excellent. Congratulations. Thank you so
much. It is kind of you. Participant : Youre welcome.
Activity 4
A poor woodsmans wife sighed one day and said, if only we could have a son, even he
was only as tall as a thumb. Time went by, and in the end a child was born to her, a little boy who
was exactly as tall as a thumb; so they called him Tom Thumb.
As the years went by, he remained small, butt he remained small, but he became a kind
and intelligent boy. One day, it was necessary to take the cart and go and fetch his father, but his
mother was unable to go. Ill go, said Tom Thumb. It seemed impossible that someone so small could
hold the reins; but then he climbed into the horses ear, so that he could speak and feel it where to
go. When this happen, all the passers-by thought that the horse must be very intelligent, to be able
to go places by itself. A circus master wanted to buy it, only then he learned that he wanted to buy
the tiny boy instead. His-father would not have sold him for all the gold in the world, but Tom
Thumb convinced him, by saying: You need the money, dont you? Sell me to the circus and leave
everything up to me.
In fact, as soon as he was able, Tom Thumb runaway from the circus and since he was so
small, he was able to avoid being recaptured and make his way back home.
Taken from 366 and More Fairy Tales, 1990
Activity 7
• seem • need •
speak • leave
• this
• me
• be
• since
Activity 8
The Mystery of the Sphinx
A long, long time ago, the city of Thebes was guarded by a sphinx, a creature with the
head of a women, the body of lion and the wings of an eagle.
She asked the same riddle of every passer-by, and when they could not answer, she consumed
them. I dont care, snarled the Wolf; If it was not
you it was your father, and with that he rushed upon the poor little Lamb and ––
WA RRA WA RRA WA RRA WA RRA WARRA ––ate her all up. But before she died she
gasped out–– ANY EXCUSE WILL SERVE A TYRANT.
Taken from http:www.pitt.edu
i
Chapter 4 Valuable Stories
Activity 2
A journalist is interviewing one of the seminar participants at break time.
Journalist : Excuse me, Sir. Is it okay if I
bother you for a few minutes? I am from Dialogue Newspaper.
I just want to know about this seminar.
Participant : Not at all. What can I do for you?
Journalist : Is it possible for participants to
master the seminar materials given in one day?
Participant : What do you think?
Journalist : I dont think so. Receiving new
information only is not enough if there is no any practice or
simulation, is it?
Participant : I dont think so, too. In my opinion, imitating the well-
known manager is better than training.
Journalist : Good. Thank you for the approval.
If so why dont you just stay at the office?
Participant : Oh ... no ... the participants all
are asked to join it by General Manager. Therefore, we should
come.
Journalist :
Oh ... I see and then do you have to pay for it by yourself?
Participant : Of course not. Our company takes charge of it. We all just
participate on it. And this is compulsory for us because this
is the regular programme at our company to improve human
resource.
Journalist : Ehm... How is your welfare here?
Di unduh dari : Bukupaket.com
184
Developing English Competencies f or Grade XI of Nat ural and Social Science Programmes
Andi : So, lets get married next month. Tia
: No, it cant be. Maybe in June Ill be ready.
Andi : Why? Isnt it better for us to get married soon?
Tia : Yeah. But you know, my grandpa had
just passed away. I lost him and I feel deeply sad.
Andi : I understand your feeling. Do you want me to tell you a funny story?
Tia : Thats a great idea. So, how does your
story begin? Andi : OK. Its about husband and wife...
Adapted from The Chicken Smells Good, 1997
Activity 4
Juliet is in her room, crying. Wini, her best friend wants Juliet to share her problem with her.
Wini : Knocking at the door Juliet, are you alone there?
Juliet : Yes, but please leave me alone. Wini : Oh Juliet... Let me know why you are
crying? Juliet : Go, Wini. Leave me alone.
Wini : Dont you want to share your problem with me? Let me in and talk to me,
please Juliet : ...
Activities 6, 7 and 8
Its every airplane passengers nightmare – getting stuck near a crying baby. I was manning
the ticket counter at a busy airport when the sound of a sobbing infant filled the air. As the next
passenger stepped up to the desk, he glanced at the tot and rolled his eyes. Dont worry, I said
to him cheerily. Chances are that baby wont be on your flight.
Head shaking, he grimly replied, Oh, I bet he will. Thats my son.
– Debbie Williams –
Taken from www.rd.com
Activities 10 and 12
After arriving in London from Dublin, my husband phoned the tour company to verify the
time that wed leaving the next day. Told it would 6.45, he asked, Is that a.m.?
Sir, this is a tour, not a holiday was the crisp reply.
– Theresa Herbert –
Taken from Reader’s Digest, January 2000
What being, the sphinx asked Oedipus, when he came over her, has four legs in the
morning, two at midday and three in the evening?
Activity 9
Man, answered Oedipus. As a child he crawls on all fours, in his he walks on two legs,
and when he is old he leans on a stick.
Activity 10
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Chapter 5 What a Funny Story
