UNDERSTANDING THE LANGUAGE Using Context Clues a hot a b cold Use context clues to work out the meaning of the following words and idioms from the 口a.sad. story. You may look back at the story to 5. In the dim light, three figures were get more help if necessary. Put a v in the walking across the lawn toward the box next to the correct answer window The word dim means 口 a very bright Words 口 b fairly dark 1. The aunt kept talking about hunting. To 口 C shining Framton it was dreadful. He was 6. Framton grabbed his hat and ran wildly getting more and more nervous. The out of the house. The word grabbed word dreadful means means 口a. terrible. 口 a threw away violentI!y 口 b wonderful 口 b put down violently. 口 C helpful O c took hold of violently. 2. Nothing should upset me or make me 7. He said he was once chased into a nervous I need to be calm and avoid cemetery by a pack of hungry dogs excitement. The word avoid means The word chased means 口 a enjoy O a quickly followed someone to catch 口 b. stay away from him or her 口c. look for 口 b defeated someone. 3. "Here they are at last she Oc hid somewhere to avoid attacks. exclaimed. Framton shivered slightly The word shivered here means Idioms 口a. shook out of fear. 8. Mrs Sappleton was keeping an eye on 口 b stood up happily the open window. The idiom keeping 口 c cried happily an eye on means 4. A chill went up Framton's back as he 口 a watching turned around in fear. When you have 口 b breaking a chill, you feel 口c. speaking 12
UNDERSTANDING THE STORY Exercise A- Checking Comprehension Answer each question by writing a complete sentence in your notebook 1. Who liked to come in through the open window? 2. What did Mrs Sappleton talk about? 3. What was Mrs Sappleton looking at? 4. What did the doctors agree that Framton should do? 5. How many figures were walking across the lawn toward the window? 6. What were the men carrying under their arms? 7. What did Framton do when he heard someone singing 8. What did Mrs Sappleton say about Framton? 9. What reason did Vera give to explain why Framton ran away Exercise B- Putting Events in Order Put the events in the order in which they occurred. You may look back at the story a. She said that her husband and brothers would be back soon b. Suddenly Mrs. Sappleton sat up straight in her chair C. Mrs Sappleton came into the room d. Vera said she knew why Framton ran a e."Here they are at last!"she exclaimed f. Framton explained that he needed to rest g. Framton ran wildly out of the house. 13
STUDYING THE STORY A Character Characters are usually the people in a story. They may be based on real people, or they may be from the author's imagination. Characters can be grouped as major characters and minor characters Major characters are the ones on whom a story focuses. These characters play the most important roles and the author writes a lot about them Minor characters play less important roles, and the author writes less about them. But minor characters may still influence the outcome of a story. The interaction of the major and minor characters produces the action in a story Now answer the following questions 1. How many characters are there in"The Open Window"? 2. Who are the major characters, and who are the minor characters? 3. How have the minor characters affected the outcome of the story? B. Character Traits Character traits are the qualities that make a person stand out as an individual. For example, one person may have a sunny disposition, another a violent temper, one person may be a talented athlete, another a gifted painter. Writers usually give their characters some traits that distinguish them from others. These traits then determine how the character behaves and interacts with others Now answer the following questions 1. In"The Open Window", Framton,s character traits made him believe Veras story. which frightened him badly. what are these traits? 14
2. Look back at what Vera said and did, What words would you use to describe her character traits? C. Plot The plot of a story is the sequence of events that occur in the story. These events can usually be divided into five parts: The first part is the beginning, which usually presents the characters, the setting and he problem the major characters have The second part is the rising action, in which the major characters try to solve their problems. At this stage, there will usually be some sort of conflict or crisis that leads the story to the climax The third part is the climax, the moment of greatest emotional tension in a story. this is usually a turning point at which the rising action reverses to become the falling action The fourth part, the falling action is all the events that follow the climax In the last part, the resolution, the author ties together all of the threads and brings the story to an end Now look back at"The Open Window"to complete the story map below. After that identify the beginning, the rising action, the climax, the falling action and the resolution of the plot The Open window Characters Plot(important events that take place in the story 1. Framton Nuttel came to the country to calm his nerves 2. Vera asked Framton if he knew anything about Mrs. Sappleton 15
0, Surprise Ending A surprise ending in a story means that the ending is different from what most readers expect. In"The Open Window", not only the unfortunate Framton, but also the readers may be deceived by Vera's joke and believe the story she told In a well-written story, the author usually gives clues to help the reader figure out and understand the surprise. In such a story, you are surprised, but can find events that hint at the ending. Now, look back at"The Open Window, and list some details that provide clues to the surprise ending E. Thinking and writing 1. Suppose you are Framton Nuttel and you decide to write a letter to your sister. In letter, tell what happened to you when you visited Mrs Sappleton. Tell your sister, Anne, where you are now and how you feel Dear Arne Your brother Framton 2. While no specific dates are mentioned in the story, The Open Window is assumed to take place in the early twentieth century, most likely before the First World War. A critic notes that, "On one hand, Framton's nervousness is unique to himself. On the other hand, it is somewhat typical of the time, Based upon what you have learned about world history, suggest why this might be. 16