Language Activities Assignment I (Chapters 1-3)

Comprehension

1. Where does the action of the story take place?

2. Introduce the characters you meet on the first pages of the story.

3. Why did everyone consider Mr. Otis was doing a foolish thing buying Canterville Chase? What was so uncommon about the place?

4. Did Mr. Otis mind having a ghost in the house?

5. Who met the Otis family on the steps of the house?

6. What did Mrs. Umney tell the new inhabitants of the house about the dull red stain on the floor by the fireplace? How did the Otis family take the story?

7. What made the Otis family suspect that the ghost really existed?

8. What subjects did the family discuss at supper?

9. Describe the first appearance of the ghost before the Otis family. Why was the ghost so upset and distressed after that?

10. What measures was Mr. Otis going to take if the ghost refused to use the Rising Sun Lubricator?

11. Describe the second appearance of the ghost before the Otis family. What was his state of mind after his clash with the twins?

12. The Canterville ghost prepares for his new attack. Who is doomed, according to his plan, to the most terrible suffering? Why?

13. What prevented the ghost from carrying out his plans?

14. Describe the events of chapters 1-3 as if you were: a) Mrs. Otis, b) Virginia, c) Washington, d) one of the twins, e) the Ghost.

Vocabulary

Word List

to discuss terms

to have everything that money can buy

constitution

to have smth. in common with smb.

to propose to smb.

in high spirits

now and then

to catch sight of smth./smb.

to be (un)conscious of

to care for

to admire smth./smb.

to be admired by smb.

to come to

to make one's hair stand on end

to make arrangements

to go out for a drive

superiority of smb. over smb.

to feel one's pulse

to insist on smth. (smb. doing smth.)

to supply smb. with smth.

indignation

escape n.,v.

to vanish

to recover one's breath

to go off into hysterics

to be confined to one's bed

notorious

wicked

to accept a present

to take smth. from smb.

to make a bet on smth.

for some reason

out of respect for smb./smth.

to keep smth. in proper repair

to make one's way to

to bear smb. a grudge

to be in the habit of doing smth.

to occupy a room

to make up one's mind

to insult smb.

to teach smb a lesson

to produce a great effect

1. Reproduce the passages from the text in which the vocabulary is used.

2. Paraphrase the following using the vocabulary:

1. I don’t really like red wine.

2. You may not like him, but you’ve got to appreciate and respect his persistence.

3. The idea of parachuting out of a plane terrifies me.

4. He persistently claimed the truth of his story, even though the police refused to believe him.

5. He is one of Britain’s most scandalous criminals.

6. I’m used to having biscuits with my coffee.

7. Has he regained consciousness?

8. At the beginning of term, the library provides students with books that they are expected to read.