A JOURNEY THROUGH SHORT STORY REALMS

 

Scottish Highlands

Εδώ θα αναρτώνται διηγήματα με σκοπό να έρθουν οι μαθητές μας σε επαφή με αυθεντικά αγγλικά λογοτεχνικά κείμενα. 

SHORT STORY No1

FLOWERS IN THE RAIN by Rosamunde Pilcher

Μέσα στην τάξη και σε 1 διδακτική ώρα δόθηκε στους μαθητές ένα φύλλο εργασίας με απόσπασμα του παρακάτω διηγήματος. 

Προηγήθηκε άσκηση αντιστοίχισης λεξιλογίου. 

Στη συνέχεια διαβάσαμε το κείμενο και μετά οι μαθητές απάντησαν σε δύο ασκήσεις κατανόησης του κειμένου. 

Στο τέλος κλήθηκαν να πούνε τη γνώμη τους σε μία ερώτηση.

Βλέπετε το φύλλο εργασίας:

       

                                                                          

 Τώρα κάντε αντιγραφή και επικόλληση σε άλλη σελίδα για να διαβάσετε όλο το διήγημα. 

Διαβάστε το και κάντε τις ασκήσεις που ακολουθούν:

Flowers in the Rain 

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=92b6afa2be&attid=0.1&permmsgid=msg-f:1779929872055376606&th=18b394c9c4f79ade&view=att&disp=inline&realattid=f_lnt3ps1y0

Exercises

1.What weather conditions does the bus encounter on its journey to the village?

a) Sunny and warm

b) Overcast but dry

c) Snowy and icy

d) Thick mist and a cold east wind

2. Why does the word "driech" hold significance in the story?

a) It describes a delicious local dish.

b) It's the name of the village.

c) It represents a feeling of nostalgia and homecoming.

d) It's the sound of the river.

3. Where does the narrator decide to get off the bus?

a) A random stop along the road

b) In front of Mrs. McLaren's shop

c) At the village square

d) At the bus depot

4. What sensory details fill the silence after the bus departs in the story?

a) Laughter and music

b) Traffic and construction noise

c) River's chuckle, bleat of sheep, and wind through the pines

d) Footsteps and voices of passersby

5. How does the author use the weather and setting to establish the story's mood and atmosphere

a) By creating a lively and energetic mood

b) By making the story feel mysterious and thrilling

c) By setting a gloomy and desolate mood

d) By making the story feel fast-paced and intense

 

 6. What was the narrator's family tradition during Eastertime when they were younger?

a) Travelling to America

b) Going to a seaside resort

c) Visiting Lachlan

d) Staying home in Edinburgh

 

7. What did the narrator and their siblings do while their parents fished during their Lachlan holidays?

a) Helped with the fishing

b) Explored the hills and swam in pools

c) Attended school outings

d) Watched TV in the cottage

 

8. What was the narrator's mother known for in the local village life?

a) Playing the harmonium in church

b) Leading school outings

c) Demonstrating quilting to the Women's Rural Institute

d) Organizing paper chases

 

9. What significant event had occurred to Mrs. Farquhar, according to Mrs. McLaren?

a) She won a local beauty contest

b) She became very wealthy

c) She had a stroke or heart attack

d) She received an award for her gardening

 

10. How does the mention of Rory Farquhar's name affect the narrator?

a) Happiness and excitement

b) Jealousy and resentment

c) Sadness and nostalgia

d) Surprise and curiosity

11. Who is the narrator visiting in the text?

a) Mrs. McLaren

b) Mrs. Felham

c) Mrs. Farquhar

d) Mrs. Reekie

 

12. Where is the narrator living and working currently?

a) New York

b) Relkirk

c) Lachlan

d) San Francisco

 

13. What is the narrator's reason for visiting Mrs. Farquhar?

a) To catch up on the latest village news

b) To borrow a book from her library

c) To say goodbye to her

d) To attend a tea party at her house

 

14. How does Stella Felham react to the narrator's visit?

a) She is thrilled and offers to drive her back to Relkirk

b) She is curious about the narrator's job in nursing

c) She warns the narrator that Mrs. Farquhar is not well

d) She asks the narrator to help organize a charity event

 

15. Why does Rory return from New York to Lachlan?

a) To attend a fishing tournament

b) To visit Mrs. Farquhar

c) To take up farming

d) To be closer to the narrator's family

 

16. What does Mrs. Farquhar wear while lying in her bed?

a) A silk chiffon gown

b) A satin ribbon

c) A Shetland bed-jacket

d) A woolen shawl

 

17. How does the narrator feel after seeing Mrs. Farquhar?

a) Sad and regretful

b) Angry and frustrated

c) Happy and relieved

d) Indifferent and bored

 

18. What does Rory suggest the narrator do in the future?

a) Return to New York

b) Pursue a career in farming

c) Attend a "gin-and-tonic" course

d) Take care and stay in touch

 

19. What is the significance of the clock striking five?

a) It's time for tea with Mrs. Farquhar

b) It's the time for the narrator to leave

c) It's time for Rory to go fishing

d) It's time for a dance party

 

20. How does the story end?

a) The narrator decides to stay in Lachlan permanently

b) The narrator and Rory share a passionate kiss

c) The narrator walks away through the daffodils

d) The narrator asks Rory to marry her

 

21.Why did Lavinia visit Lachlan?

a) To go fishing

b) To spend time with Rory

c) To see Mrs. Farquhar

d) To attend a party

 

22.What did Lavinia experience while eating chocolate outdoors?

a) It tasted different from before.

b) It had melted in the rain.

c) It attracted bees.

d) It made her feel sick.

 

23.Who recognised Lavinia on the street in Lachlan?

a) Mrs. Farquhar

b) Stella Felham

c) The bus driver

d) Rory

 

24.How did Stella Felham react when Lavinia mentioned her intention to visit Mrs. Farquhar?

a) She encouraged the visit.

b) She offered to drive her.

c) She insisted it was pointless.

d) She asked to come along.

 

25.What is the state of Mrs. Farquhar's health as described by Stella Felham?

a) Recovering well

b) Sleeping peacefully

c) Deteriorating

d) Ready for a party

 

 

26.How does Lavinia feel about Stella Felham's negative comments regarding her visit?

a) Angry

b) Grateful

c) Unaffected

d) Confused

 

27.How does Lavinia respond to Rory's question about where she has come from?

a) She mentions she came from Relkirk.

b) She avoids answering.

c) She says she came from America.

d) She inquires about his recent whereabouts.

 

28.What is the profession of Rory's father?

a) Fisherman

b) Businessman

c) Minister

d) Farmer

 

29.How does Mrs. Farquhar's room appear despite the professional nursing care?

a) Disheveled

b) Cold and unwelcoming

c) Warm and feminine

d) Abandoned

 

30.What is Lavinia's emotional state when she leaves the Big House?

a) Content and happy

b) Sad and tearful

c) Angry and frustrated

d) Indifferent and cold

 

 

 Here are 10 True/False statements based on the text:

 

1.The main character visited Lachlan with her three brothers and parents every Easter. (True/False)

 2.Stella Felham's husband was a lawyer who retired and settled in Lachlan. (True/False)

 3.Rory has never been married. (True/False)

 4.The protagonist fell in love with Rory when she was sixteen. (True/False)

 5.Rory worked in London with his father's firm. (True/False)

 6.Rory's grandmother, Mrs. Farquhar, had a stroke and was in good health. (True/False)

 7.Lavinia first visited Lachlan with her family when she was around ten years old. (True/False)

 8.Stella Felham was a beloved and respected figure in the village. (True/False)

 9.Mrs. Farquhar's room smelled of pine and polish. (True/False)

 10.Lavinia and Rory reminisced about their past memories of dancing reels. (True/False)

Imagine that Lavinia went back to her work but wanted to keep in touch with Rory. She wrote to him 5 days later.

The paragraphs of the letter have been mixed up. You must put them in the right order.

 

1	Dear Rory,

 

Please let me know if this idea resonates with you. If it does, we can exchange addresses, or if you prefer, we can find a more convenient way to correspond. I look forward to your response.

 

I was thinking it would be nice to stay in touch, despite the physical distance. If you're open to it, we could write letters, share our experiences, and keep each other updated on what's happening in our lives. I'd love to hear more about your work in New York and how you're finding it. And, of course, I'd be happy to share my stories from the nursing front.

 

I've returned to my nursing duties in Relkirk, and it's been quite a busy week. The family I'm working for keeps me on my toes, especially with the little one who seems to have endless energy. But it's rewarding, and I enjoy taking care of them.

 

Take care, Rory, and send my regards to Mrs. Farquhar.

 

I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to express my gratitude for allowing me to visit your grandmother and see you during my short trip to Lachlan. It meant a lot to me, and it was truly heartwarming to witness the genuine care and love you have for Mrs. Farquhar.

 

7	Warm regards, Lavinia

 

 

 Lavinia's personality can be described as follows:

 

1. Nostalgic
2. Curious
3. Compassionate
4. Emotional
5. Adaptable
6. Resilient
7. Romantic
8. Thoughtful

 

Can you find enough evidence in the text to support the characteristics above?