Episode 26

F or many years the Olsons had been planning a trip to Hawaii. They had saved enough money, sent off travel brochures, talked to a local travel agent, and even called some friends who had visited the islands two years ago. They were satisfied that the planned vacation in Honolulu was going to be the best 3 weeks of the year, perhaps, even of their lives. Bob Olson and his wife Clara worked hard for nearly 25 years without having taken a long vacation. There had been weekends, visiting relatives in the next state, short trips to the mountains, and an occasional day spent at museums and art galleries, but never a long vacation. Now they both planned for a time away from the daily grind of work and fixed schedules. Their children would take care of the house and any important matters related to business. “Freedom from the humdrum” was the way Clara expressed it, and Bob agreed. Their vacation plans were about to come to pass. Only ten more days and they would be on a plane bound for the land of the hoola, luau and ukulele.

Exercises:

I. True/false:

1. The Olsons live in Hawaii.

2. Their friends are coming to visit them.

3. The Olsons are planning a three-week vacation.

4. They hadn’t taken a long vacation in 10 years.

5. They had spent weekends going on short trips.

6. They wanted to get away from the daily grind of work.

7. Their parents will take care of their house.

8. Their vacation begins in 10 days.

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

1. They had saved enough______________, sent off for travel______________, talked to a local travel_____________and had even called some____________who had visited_____________two years ago.

2. They were satisfied that the planned______________in Honolulu was going to be the______________three weeks the____________________.

3. There had been_______________ visiting relatives in the next____________short trips to the___________, and an occasional__________spent at museums and art_________________.

4. They both planned for a_________________away from the daily__________of work and fixed_________________.

5. Freedom from the ______________was the way Clara_______________it and Bob agreed.

6. Only ten more___________and they would he on a_______________bound for the land of the________________, luau, and ukelele.

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

1. _______________to Hawaii

2. __________,even, of their lives

3. _______________having taken

4. a long___________________

5. would take_______________

6. _______________to business

7. come to_________________

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

1. How had the Olsons prepared for their vacation in Hawaii?

2. How long did they plan to spend there?

3. When was their last long vacation?

4. Who was going to take care of the house and business matters?

5. How long until the Olsons depart?