Episode 22

A round the bend in the road Alec felt sure that he could see the next town. He’d been traveling on foot for more than 4 hours and was in need of rest, and some food, and drink. He had started out early in the day, determined to travel as far as he could by evening, then camped out and returned home the next day. What he didn’t allow for was his poor physical condition. He had not exercised regularly for months and was not in good physical shape. But he didn’t realize this until he had traveled for an hour himself. His begs were so weary that he could hardly move them. One thing he was sure of – after he got to the next town and had eaten and rested, he was going to return home by bus. As far as he was concerned, his hike was over. He would have to get in better shape before he again attempted to hike all the day through the countryside. His legs clamoured for relief, so he stopped to rest for a few minutes before going on into town. Before long, he decided that a short nap would help. So, he went into a small grove of trees near the road, found a comfortable shady place to lie down, and was soon fast asleep.

Exercises:

I. True/false:

1. Alec had been traveling for four days.

2. He needed to get a bicycle.

3. He planned to camp out.

4. His physical condition was poor.

5. His legs were very tired.

6. He was determined to continue his hike.

7. He decided to rest for a few minutes.

8. He found a barn, went inside, and went to sleep.

II. QUICK REVIEW: Write the words that best complete the sentence.

1. He had been traveling on___________________for more than four__________and was in need of_____________and some food and__________.

2. He had not______________regularly for months and was not in good____________shape.

3. His legs were so________________that he could hardly_________________.

4. After he got to the next________________and had eaten and ____________, he was going to return_______________by bus.

5. His________________clamored for relief, so he___________________to rest for a few_______________.

6. He went into a small_______________of trees near the_____________, found a comfortable, shady_______________to lie down and was soon fast___________.

III. CLOSE ATTENTION: Write the word that immediately precedes or follows the words below to fill in the blanks.

1. ________________in the road

2. started out________________

3. as far____________________

4. didn’t allaw_______________

5. _____________he had traveled

6. was sure__________________

7. ______________hike was over

8. _____________the countryside

9. ____________long he decided

10. a short___________________

IV. RECALL: Answer the following questions based on what you remember.

1. What could Alec see around the bend in the road?

2. What time of day did he start?

3. When did he plan to return home?

4. Why wasn’t he in good physical shape?

5. What was he going to do after reaching the next town?

6. What happened when Alec stopped to rest