Misanthrope /ˈmɪs.Ən.Θrəʊp/ /-θroʊp/ n [c] (also misanthropist) someone who dislikes other people and avoids involvement with society

4. Read the following extracts from the story. What can you infer from these sentences about the villagers? How did it affect Humphrey Partridge’s life?

1. When Mrs. Denton expected something, everyone in the village soon heard about it.

2. Of course, Reg Carter had talked to Mr. and Mrs. Denton, and they had talked to almost everyone who came into the shop.

3. “As you know, this is a small place… I’ve been hearing some strange things about you. People are saying you killed your mother, to get her money.”

5. Look at the sentence in the box. Complete these sentences using a different form of the word in the italics.

Everyone in the village soon knew what Mrs. Denton expected. Everyone in the village soon knew about Mrs. Denton’s expectation.

1. Mr. Potter had a more responsible position in the company.

Mr. Potter had more … in the company .

2. Mr. Brownlow looked annoyed.

Mr. Brownlow looked at Partridge with … .

3. Partridge won money in a competition.

Partridge … for some money and won.

4. He said that a doctor from town had signed the death certificate.

He said that the … on the death certificate belonged to a doctor in town.

5. Partridge hurried to his employer’s office.

Partridge hurried to the office of the man who … him.

6. Make up a dialogue between Mrs. Denton and Reg Carter discussing Humphrey Partridge’s case after his departure.

7. Reproduce the story in writing adding another ending.

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