Do you know who I am ?

It was the final examination for an introductory English course at a university. Like many such freshman courses, it was designed to weed out new students, having over 800 students in the class. The examination was two hours long, and exam booklets were provided. The professor was very strict and told the class that any exam that was not on his desk in exactly two hours would not be accepted and the student would fail. Half an hour into the exam, a student came rushing in and asked the professor for an exam booklet. «You’re not going to have time to finish this», the professor said, as he handed the student a booklet. « Yes, I will, » replied the student. Then he took a seat and began writing. After two hours, the professor called for the exam, and the students filed up and handed them in – all except the late student, who continued writing. Half an hour later, the last student came up to the professor who was sitting at his desk preparing for the nest class. The student attempted to put his exam on the stack of exam booklets already there.

« No, you don’t. I’m not going to accept that. It’s late. » The student looked incredulous and angry,

«Do you know who I am?»

« No, as a matter of fact, I don’t, » replied professor with an air of sarcasm in his voice.

« DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM ? !» the student asked again.

«No, and I don’t care, » replied the professor with an air of superiority.

« Good, » replied the student, who quickly lifted the stack of completed exams, stuffed his in the middle, and walked out of the room.

freshman

weed out

provide

accept

fail an exam

pass an exam

rush in

call for exams

file up

attempt

stack

incredulous

with an air of sarcasm

“No, and I don’t care!”

Superiority

stuff

Flat Tire

This past fall semester, at Duke University, there were two sophomores who were taking Organic Chemistry and who did pretty well on all of the quizzes and the midterms and labs, etc., so that going into the final they had a solid `A`. These two friends were so confident going into the final that the weekend before finals week, even though the Chemistry final was on Monday, they decided to go up to University of Virginia and party with some friends up there. So, they did this and had a great time. However, with their hangovers and everything, they overslept all day Sunday and didn’t make it back to Duke until early Monday morning. Rather than taking the final then, what they did was to find Professor Aldric after the final and explain to him why they missed the final. They told him that they went up to UVA for the weekend and had planned to come back in time to study, but that they had a flat tire on the way back and didn’t have a spare and couldn’t get help for a long time and so were late getting back to campus.

Aldric thought this over and then agreed that they could make up the final on the following day. The two guys were elated and relieved. So , they studied that night and went in the next day at the time that Aldric had told them. He placed them in separate rooms and handed each of them a test booklet and told them to begin. They looked at the first problem which was something simple and was worth 5 points. “Cool,” they thought, “ this is going to be easy.” They did that problem and then turned the page. They were unprepared, however, for what they saw on the next page.

It said: “(95 points) Which tire?”

sophomore

take Organic Chemistry

quiz

midterm

solid ‘A’

confident

finals

party

have a grate time

hangover

rather than

UVA (University of Virginia)

they had a flat tire

spare (tire)

campus

think over

they were elated and relieved

point

do a problem

* * *

Read the interview given by Julian Lennon, a famous singer. Do you think the problem of fathers and sons is touched here?

My full name is John Charles Julian Lennon. Why am I called Julian and not John? Well, years and years ago when Dad and I were in the same house, when my mum would call "John" we'd both come running, so we decided it would be better if I was called Julian from then on.

I was born on April 8, 1963 in Liverpool. I have a half-brother, Sean Ono Lennon. I don't get see him enough. He goes to school in Europe and when he gets out we'll hopefully spend lot more time together. My parents are Cynthia Powell – that's my mum's maiden name – and John Winston Lennon. He used to be in some band in the 60s. I think they were called the Beatles.

I was like a ratbag at school. At the end of my school career I just tried to have as much fun as possible. I did work hard for one year when I was 14.

I came second in all my classes but after that I decided I just wanted to do music and slacked off.

I used to drive jeeps but now I've found a lovely, reasonable cheap 1979 Emerald Green Porsche. I still ride motorbikes as well though. I own one house in Los Angeles. It's where I live at the time being, but most of the time I feel like a gypsy because I'm travelling around so much. I'm actually thinking of getting a place in Sydney too, in the future.

I'd like to be remembered for being a good songwriter and for being a posi­tive person who hopes it's possible to be happy in this day and age. I used to rely on too many people and their opinions - now I just do it myself and I'm much happier.

There are the words to a beautiful song dealing with plans and intentions. Maybe you'll compose a tune of your own to them?

Tomorrow will fee wonderful

I'll drive my little car,

I'll walk along the river bank,

I'll watch the ships go by,

The next day will be better

I'll take you to the Zoo.

I'll show you bears and monkeys

And a great gorilla, too.

Will you come to the party on Friday?

Will you meet me under the tree?

Will you marry me in September?

Will you come and live by sea?

We'll have a house with windows

That look out to the sea.

We'll entertain our neighbours

With chocolate cake and tea.

They'll see us in our little house

As happy as can be

They'll wish they were just like us

So happy, bright and free.

Will you come to the party on Friday?

Will you meet me under the tree?

Will you marry me in September?

Will you come and live by sea?