Lesson 1 A private conversation Lesson 5 No wrong numbers

Last Week. I. went to. the theatre. I had. a very. good seat. Mr James Scott has a garage in Silbury and now he has just
The play was very interesting. I did not enjoy it. A young bought another garage in Pinhurst. Pinhurst is only five miles
man and a young woman were sitting behind me. They were from Silbury, but Mr Scott cannot get a telephone for his new
talking loudly. I got very angry. I could not hear the actors. I garage, so he has just bought twelve pigeons. Yesterday, a
turned round. I looked at the man and the woman angrily. They pigeon carried the first message from Pinhurst to Silbury. The
did not pay any attention. In the end, I could not bear it. I bird covered the distance in three minutes. Up to now, Mr Scott
turned round again. 'I can't hear a word!' I said angrily. ' It's has sent a great many requests for spare parts and other urgent
none of your business,' the young man said rudely. 'This is a messages from one garage to the other. In this way, he has
private conversation!'. begun his own private telephone service.

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Lesson 2 Breakfast or lunch? Lesson 6 Percy Buttons

It was Sunday. I never get up early on Sundays. I sometimes I have just moved to a house in Bridge Street. Yesterday a
stay in bed until lunch time. beggar knocked at my door. He asked me for a meal and a glass
Last Sunday I got up very late. I looked out of the window. It of beer. In return for this, the beggar stood on his head and sang
was dark outside. songs. I gave him a meal. He ate the food and drank the beer.
'What a day!' I thought. 'It's raining again.' Just then, the Then he put a piece of cheese in his pocket and went away.
telephone rang. It was my aunt Lucy.' I've just arrived by train,' Later a neighbor told me about him. Everybody knows him.
she said. 'I'm coming to see you.' 'But I'm still having His name is Percy Buttons. He calls at every house in the street
breakfast,' I said. once a month and always asks for a meal and a glass of beer.
'What are you doing ?' she asked. ' I'm having breakfast,' I
repeated.
'Dear me,' she said. 'Do you always get up so late ? It's one
o'clock!''
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Lesson 3 Please send me a card Lesson 7 Too late

Postcards always spoil my holidays. Last summer, I went to The plane was late and detectives were waiting at the airport all
Italy. I visited museums and sat in public gardens. A friendly morning. They were expecting a valuable parcel of diamond
waiter taught me a few words of Italian. 'Then he lent me a from South Africa. A few hours earlier, someone had told the
book. I read a few lines, but I did not understand a word. Every police that thieves would try to steal the diamonds. When the
day I thought about postcards. My holidays passed quickly, but plane arrived, some of the detectives were waiting inside the
I did not send any cards to my friends. On the last day I made a main building while others were waiting on the airfield. Two
big decision. I got up early and bought thirty-seven cards. I men took the parcel off the plane and carried it into the
spent the whole day in my room, but I did not write a single Customs House. While two detectives were keeping guard at
card ! the door, two others opened the parcel. To their surprise, the
precious parcel was full of stones and sand!
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Lesson 4 An exciting trip Lesson 8 The best and the worst

I have just received a letter from my brother, Tim. He is in Joe Sanders has the most beautiful garden in our town. Nearly
Australia. He has been there for six months. Tim is an engineer. everybody enters for 'The Nicest Garden Competition' each
He is working for a big firm and he has already visited a great year, but Joe wins every time. Bill Frith's garden is larger than
number of different places in Australia. He has just bought an Joe's. Bill works harder than Joe and grows more flowers and
Australian car and has gone to Alice Springs, a small town in vegetables, but Joe's garden is more interesting. He has made
the centre of Australia. He will soon visit Darwin. From there, neat paths and has built a wooden bridge over a pool. I like
he will fly to Perth. gardens too, but I do not like hard work. Every year I enter for
My brother has never been abroad before, so he is finding this the garden competition too, and I always win a little prize for
trip very exciting. the worst garden in the town!
Lesson 9 A cold welcome Lesson 13 The Greenwood Boys
On Wednesday evening, we went to the Town Hall. It was the The Greenwood Boys are a group of popular singers. At present,
last day of the year and a large crowd of people had gathered they are visiting all parts of the country. They will be arriving
under the Town Hall clock. It would strike twelve in twenty here tomorrow. They will be coming by train and most of the
minutes' time. Fifteen minutes passed and then, at five to young people in the town will be meeting them at the station.
twelve, the clock stopped. The big minute hand did not move. Tomorrow evening they will be singing at the Workers' Club.
We waited and waited, but nothing happened. Suddenly The Greenwood Boys will be staying for five days. During this
someone shouted, 'It's two minutes past twelve! The clock has time, they will give five performances. As usual, the police will
stopped!' I looked at my watch. It was true. The big clock have a difficult time. They will be trying to keep order. It is
refused to welcome the New Year. At that moment everybody always the same on these occasions.
began to laugh and sing.

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Lesson 10 Not for jazz Lesson 14 Do you speak English?

We have an old musical instrument. It is called a clavichord. It I had an amusing experience last year. After I had left a small
was made in Germany in 1681. Our clavichord is kept in the village in the south of France, I drove on to the next town. On
living-room. It has belonged to our family for a long time. The the way, a young man waved to me. I stopped and he asked me
instrument was bought by my grandfather many years ago. for a lift. As soon as he had got into the car, I said good
Recently it was damaged by a visitor. She tried to play jazz on morning to him in French and he replied in the same language.
it! She struck the keys too hard and two of the strings were Apart from a few words, I do not know any French at all.
broken. My father was shocked. Now we are not allowed to Neither of us spoke during the journey. I had nearly reached the
touch it. It is being repaired by a friend of my father. town, when the young man suddenly said, very slowly, 'Do you
speak English?' As I soon learnt, he was English himself!

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Lesson 11 One good turn deserves another Lesson 15 Good news

I was having dinner at a restaurant when Harry Steele came in. The secretary told me that Mr. Harmsworth would see me. I felt
Harry worked in a lawyer's office years ago, but he is now very nervous when I went into his office. He did not look up
working at a bank. He gets a good salary, but he always from his desk when I entered. After I had sat down, he said that
borrows money from his friends and never pays it back. Harry business was very bad. He told me that the firm could not
saw me and came and sat at the same table. He has never afford to pay such large salaries. Twenty people had already left.
borrowed money from me. While he was eating, I asked him to I knew that my turn had come. 'Mr. Harmsworth,' I said in a
lend me $2. To my surprise, he gave me the money immediately. weak voice. 'Don't interrupt,' he Said. Then he smiled and told
'I have never borrowed any money from you,' Harry said, 'so me that I would receive an extra $100 a year!
now you can pay for my dinner!'

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Lesson 12 Goodbye and good luck Lesson 16 A polite request

Our neighbor, Captain Charles Alison, will sail from If you park your car in the wrong place, a traffic policeman will
Portsmouth tomorrow. We shall meet him at the harbor early in soon find it. You will be very lucky if he lets you go without a
the morning. He will be in his small boat, Topsail. Topsail is a ticket. However, this does not always happen. Traffic police are
famous little boat. It has sailed across the Atlantic many times. sometimes very polite. During a holiday in Sweden, I found
Captain Alison will set out at eight o'clock so we shall have this note on my car:' Sir, we welcome you to our city. This is a
plenty of time. We shall see his boat and then we shall say "No Parking" area. You will enjoy your stay here if you pay
good-bye to him. He will be away for two months. We are very attention to our street signs. This note is only a reminder.' If you
proud of him. He will take part in an important race across the receive a request like this, you cannot fail to obey it!
Atlantic.
Lesson 17 Always young Lesson21 Mad or not?
My aunt Jennifer is an actress. She must be at least thirty-five Aeroplanes are slowly driving me mad. I live near an airport
years old. In spite of this, she often appears on the stage as a and passing planes can be heard night and day. The airport was
young girl. Jennifer will have to take part in a new play soon. built during the war, but for some reason it could not be used
This time, she will be a girl of seventeen. In the play, she must then. Last year, however, it came into use. Over a hundred
appear in a bright red dress and long black stockings. Last year people must have been driven away from their homes by the
in another play, she had to wear short socks and a bright, noise. I am one of the few people left. Sometimes I think this
orange-coloured dress. If anyone ever asked her how old she is, house will be knocked down by a passing plane. I have been
she always answers, 'My dear, it must be terrible to be grown offered a large sum of money to go away, but I am determined
up!' to stay here. Everybody says I must be mad and they are
probably right.
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lesson18 He often does this! Lesson22 A glass envelope

After I had had lunch at a village inn, I looked for my bag. I My daughter, Jane, never dreamed of receiving a letter from a
had left it on a chair beside the door and now it wasn't there ! girl of her own age in Holland. Last year, we were travelling
As I was looking for it, the inn-keeper came in. 'Did you have a across the Channel and Jane put a piece of paper with her name
good meal ?' he asked. 'Yes, thank you,' I answered, 'but I can't and address on it into a bottle. She threw the bottle into the sea.
pay the bill. I haven't got my bag.' The inn-keeper smiled and She never thought of it again, but ten months later, she received
immediately went out. In a few minutes he returned with my a letter from a girl in Holland. Both girls write to each other
bag and gave it back to me. 'I'm very sorry,' he said ' My dog regularly now. However, they have decided to use the
had taken it into the garden. He often does this.' post-office. Letters will cost a litt1e more, but they will
certainly travel faster.
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Lesson19 Sold out Lesson23 A new house

'The play may begin at any moment,' I said. I had a letter from my sister yesterday. She lives in Nigeria. In
'It may have begun already,' Susan answered. her letter, she said that she would come to England next year. If
'I hurried to the ticket-office. 'May I have two tickets please ?' I she comes, she will get a surprise. We are now living in a
asked. beautiful new house in the country. Work on it had begun
'I'm sorry, we've sold out,' the girl said. before my sister left. The house was completed five months ago.
'What a pity!' Susan exclaimed. In my letter, I told her that she could stay with us. The house
Just then, a man hurried to the ticket-office. has many large rooms and there is a lovely garden. It is a very
'Can I return these two tickets?' he asked. modern house, so it looks strange to some people. It must be
'Certainly,' the girl said. the only modern house in the district.
'Could I have those two tickets please ?' I asked.
'Certainly, 'the girl said, 'but they are for next Wednesday's
performance.
'I might as well have them,' I said sadly.
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Lesson20 One man in a boat Lesson24 It could be worse

Fishing is my favourite sport. I often fish for hours without I entered the hotel manager's office and sat down. I had just lost
catching anything. But this does not worry me. Some fishermen $50 and I felt very upset.' I left the money in my room,' I said,
are unlucky. Instead of catching fish, they catch old boots and 'and it's not there now.' The manager was sympathetic, but he
rubbish. I am even less lucky. I never catch anything-not even could do nothing. 'Everyone's losing money these days,' he said.
old boots. After having spent whole mornings on the river, I He started to complain about this wicked world but was
always go home with an empty bag. 'You must give up fishing!' interrupted by a knock at the door. A girl came in and put an
my friends say.' It's a waste of time.' But they don't realize one envelope on his desk. It contained $5o. 'I found this outside this
important thing. I'm not really interested in fishing. I am only gentleman's room' she said. 'Well,' I said to the manager, 'there
interested in sitting in a boat and doing nothing at all ! is still some honesty in this world !'
lesson25 Do the English speak English? Lesson28 No parking
I arrived in London at last. The railway station was big, black Jasper White is one of those rare people who believe in ancient
and dark. I did not know the way to my hotel, so I asked a myths. He has just bought a new house in the city, but ever
porter. I not only spoke English very carefully, but very clearly since he moved in, he has had trouble with motorists. When he
as well. The porter, however, could not understand me; I returns home at night, he always finds that someone has parked
repeated my question several times and at last he understood. a car outside his gate. Because of this, he has not been able to
He answered me, but he spoke neither slowly nor clearly. 'I am get his own car into his garage even once. Jasper has put up' No
a foreigner,' I said. Then he spoke slowly, but I could not Parking' signs outside his gate, but these have not had any
understand him. My teacher never spoke English like that! The effect. Now he has put an ugly stone head over the gate. It is
porter and I looked at each other and smiled. Then he said one of the ugliest faces I have ever seen. I asked him what it
something and I understood it. 'You'll soon learn English!' he was and he told me that it was Medusa, the Gorgon. Jasper
said. I wonder. In England, each man speaks a different hopes that she will turn motorists to stone. But none of them
language. The English understand each other, but I don't has been turned to stone yet!
understand them ! Do they speak English ?

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lesson26 The best art critics Lesson29 Taxi!

I am an art student and I paint a lot of pictures. Many people Captain Ben Fawcett has bought an unusual taxi and has begun
pretend that they understand modern art. They always tell you a new service. The 'taxi' is a small Swiss aeroplane called a
what a picture is 'about'. Of course, many pictures are not 'Pilatus Porter'. This wonderful plane can carry seven
'about' anything. They are just pretty patterns. We like them in passengers. The most surprising thing about it, however, is that
the same way that we like pretty curtain material. I think that it can land anywhere: on snow, water, or even on a ploughed
young children often appreciate modern pictures better than field. Captain Fawcett's first passenger was a doctor who flew
anyone else. They notice more. My sister is only seven, but she from Birmingham to a lonely village in the Welsh mountains.
always tells me whether my pictures are good or not. She came Since then, Captain Fawcett has flown passengers to many
into my room yesterday. ' What are you doing ?' she asked. ' I'm unusual places. Once he landed on the roof of a block of flats
hanging this picture on the wall,' I answered. 'It's a new one. Do and on another occasion, he landed in a deserted car park.
you like it ?' She looked at it critically for a moment.' It's all Captain Fawcett has just refused a strange request from a
right,' she said, 'but isn't it upside-down ?' I looked at it again. businessman. The man wanted to fly to Rockall, a lonely island
She was right! It was! in the Atlantic Ocean, but Captain Fawcett did not take him
because the trip was too dangerous.

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Lesson27 A wet night Lesson30 Football or polo?

Late in the afternoon, the boys put up their tent in the middle of The Wayle is a small river that cuts across the park near my
a field. As soon as this was done, they cooked a meal over an home. I like sitting by the Wayle on fine afternoons. It was
open fire. They were all hungry and the food smelt good. After warm last Sunday, so I went and sat on the river bank as usual.
a wonderful meal, they told stories and sang songs by the camp Some children were playing games on the bank and there were
fire. But some time later it began to rain. The boys felt tired so some people rowing on the river. Suddenly, one of the children
they put out the fire and crept into their tent. Their kicked a ball very hard and it went towards a passing boat.
sleeping-bags were warm and comfortable, so they all slept Some people on the bank called out to the man in the boat, but
soundly. In the middle of the night, two boys woke up and he did not hear them. The ball struck him so hard that he nearly
began shouting. The tent was full of water! They all leapt out of fell into the water. I turned to look at the children, but there
their sleeping-bags and hurried outside. It was raining heavily weren't any in sight: they had all run away! The man laughed
and they found that a stream had formed in the field. The when he realized what had happened. He called out to the
stream wound its way across the field and then flowed right children and threw the ball back to the bank.
under their tent!
Lesson31 Success story
Yesterday afternoon Frank Hawkins was telling me about his Lesson34 Quick work
experiences as a young man. Frank is now the head of a very Ted Robinson has been worried all the week. Last Tuesday he
large business company, but as a boy he used to work in a small received a letter from the local police. In the letter he was asked
shop. It was his job to repair bicycles and at that time he used to call at the station. Ted wondered why he was wanted by the
to work fourteen hours a day. He saved money for years and in police, but he went to the station yesterday and now he is not
1938 he bought a small work-shop of his own. During the war worried any more. At the station, he was told by a smiling
Frank used to make spare parts for aeroplanes. At that time he policeman that his bicycle had been found. Five days ago, the
had two helpers. By the end of the war, the small work-shop policeman told him, the bicycle was picked up in a small
had become a large factory which employed seven hundred and village four hundred miles away. It is now being sent to his
twenty-eight people. Frank smiled when he remembered his home by train. Ted was most surprised when he heard the news.
hard early years and the long road to success. He was still He was amused too, because he never expected the bicycle to
smiling when the door opened and his wife came in. She be found. It was stolen twenty years ago when Ted was a boy of
wanted him to repair their son's bicycle! fifteen !

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Lesson32 Shopping made easy Lesson35 Stop thief!

People are not so honest as they once were. The temptation to Roy Trenton used to drive a taxi. A short while ago, however,
steal is greater than ever before--especially in large shops. A he became a bus-driver and he has not regretted it. He is
detective recently watched a well-dressed woman who always finding his new work far more exciting. When he was driving
went into a large store on Monday mornings. One Monday, along Catford Street recently, he saw two thieves rush out of a
there were fewer people in the shop than usual when the shop and run towards a waiting car. One of them was carrying a
woman came in, so it was easier for the detective to watch her. bag full of money. Roy acted quickly and drove the bus straight
The woman first bought a few small articles. After a little time, at the thieves. The one with the money got such a fright that he
she chose one of the most expensive dresses in the shop and dropped the bag. As the thieves were trying to get away in their
handed it to an assistant who wrapped it up for her as quickly car, Roy drove his bus into the back of it. While the battered car
as possible. Then the woman simply took the parcel and walked was moving away, Roy stopped his bus and telephoned the
out of the shop without paying. When she was arrested, the police. The thieves' car was badly damaged and easy to
detective found out that the shop-assistant was her daughter. recognize. Shortly afterwards, the police stopped the car and
The girl' gave' her mother a free dress once a week ! both men were arrested.

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lesson33 Out of the darkness Lesson36 Across the Channel

Nearly a week passed before the girl was able to explain what Erna Hart is going to swim across the English Channel
had happened to her. One afternoon she set out from the coast tomorrow. She is going to set out from the French coast at five
in a small boat and was caught in a storm. Towards evening, the o'clock in the morning. Erna is only fourteen years old and she
boat struck a rock and the girl jumped into the sea. Then she hopes to set up a new world record. She is a strong swimmer
swam to the shore after spending the whole night in the water. and many people feel that she is sure to succeed. Erna's father
During that time she covered a distance of eight miles. Early will set out with her in a small boat. Mr. Hart has trained his
next morning, she saw a light ahead. She knew she was near the daughter for years. Tomorrow he will be watching her
shore because the light was high up on the cliffs. On arriving at anxiously as she swims the long distance to England. Erna
the shore, the girl struggled up the cliff towards the light she intends to take short rests every two hours. She will have
had seen. That was all she remembered. When she woke up a something to drink but she will not eat any solid food. Most of
day later, she found herself in hospital. Erna's school friends will be waiting for her on the English
coast. Among them will be Erna's mother, who swam the
Channel herself when she was a girl.
Lesson37 The Olympic Games Lesson40 Food and talk
The Olympic Games will be held in our country in four years' Last week at a dinner-party, the hostess asked me to sit next to
time. As a great many people will be visiting the country, the Mrs Rumbold. Mrs Rumbold was a large, unsmiling lady in a
government will be building new hotels, an immense stadium, tight black dress. She did not even look up when I took my seat
and a fine new swimming pool. 'They will also be building new beside her. Her eyes were fixed on her plate and in a short time,
roads and a special railway-line. The Games will be held just she was busy eating. I tried to make conversation.
outside the capital and the whole area will be called 'Olympic ' A new play is coming to" The Globe" soon,' I said. 'Will you
City'. Workers will have completed the new roads by the end of be seeing it ?' ' No,' she answered. 'Will you be spending your
this year. By the end of next year, they will have finished work holidays abroad this year ?' I asked. ' No,' she answered.
on the new stadium. The fine modern buildings have been ' Will you be staying in England?' I asked. ' No,' she answered.
designed by Kurt Gunter. Everybody will be watching In despair, I asked her whether she was enjoying her dinner.
anxiously as the new buildings go up. We are all very excited ' Young man,' she answered,' if you ate more and talked less, we
and are looking forward to the Olympic Games because they would both enjoy our dinner !'
have never been held before in this country.

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Lesson38 Everything except the weather lesson41 Do you call that a hat?
My old friend, Harrison, had lived in the Mediterranean for 'Do you call that a hat ?' I said to my wife. 'You needn't be so
many years before he returned to England. He had often rude about it,' my wife answered as she looked at herself in
dreamed of retiring in England and had planned to settle down the mirror. I sat down on one of those modern chairs with
in the country. He had no sooner returned than he bought a fine holes in it and waited. We had been in the hat shop for half an
house and went to live there. Almost immediately he began to hour and my wife was still in front of the mirror.
complain about the weather, for even though it was still ' We mustn't buy things we don't need,' I remarked suddenly. I
summer, it rained continually and it was often bitterly cold. regretted saying it almost at once.
After so many years of sunshine, Harrison got a shock. He 'You needn't have said that,' my wife answered.' I need not
acted as if he had never lived in England before. In the end, it remind you of that terrible tie you bought yesterday.'
was more than he could bear. He had hardly had time to settle ' I find it beautiful,' I said. 'A man can never have too many
down when he sold the house and left the country. The dream ties.'
he had had for so many years ended there. Harrison had thought 'And a woman can't have too many hats,' she answered.
of everything except the weather. Ten minutes later we walked out of the shop together. My wife
was wearing a hat that looked like a lighthouse !

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Lesson39 Am I all right? Lesson42 Not very musical

While John Gilbert was in hospital, he asked his doctor to tell As we had had a long walk through one of the markets of Old
him whether his operation had been successful, but the doctor Delhi, we stopped at a square to have a rest. After a time, we
refused to do so. The following day, the patient asked for a noticed a snake-charmer with two large baskets at the other side
bedside telephone. When he was alone, he telephoned the of the square, so we went to have a look at him. As soon as he
hospital exchange and asked for Doctor Millington. When the saw us, he picked up a long pipe which was covered with coins
doctor answered the phone, Mr Gilbert said he was inquiring and opened one of the baskets. When he began to play a tune,
about a certain patient, a Mr John Gilbert. He asked if Mr we had our first glimpse of the snake. It rose out of the basket
Gilbert's operation had been successful and the doctor told him and began to follow the movements of the pipe. We were very
that it had been. He then asked when Mr Gilbert would be much surprised when the snake charmer suddenly began to play
allowed to go home and the doctor told him that he would have jazz tunes and modern pop songs. The snake, however,
to stay in hospital for another two weeks. Then Dr Millington continued to 'dance' slowly. It obviously could not tell the
asked the caller if he was a relative of the patient.' No,' the difference between Indian music and jazz!
patient answered,' I am Mr John Gilbert.'
Lesson43 Over the South Pole lesson46 Expensive and uncomfortable
In 1929, three years after his flight over the North Pole, the When a plane from London arrived at Sydney airport, workers
American explorer, R. E. Byrd, successfully flew over the began to unload a number of wooden boxes which contained
South Pole for the first time. Though, at first, Byrd and his men clothing. No one could account for the fact that one of the
were able to take a great many photographs of the mountains boxes was extremely heavy. It suddenly occurred to one of the
that lay below, they soon ran into serious trouble. At one point, workers to open up the box. He was astonished at what he
it seemed certain that their plane would crash. It could only get found. A man was lying in the box on top of a pile of woollen
over the mountains if it rose to 10,000 feet. Byrd at once goods. He was so surprised at being discovered that he did not
ordered his men to throw out two heavy food sacks. The plane even try to run away. After he was arrested, the man admitted
was then able to rise and it cleared the mountains by 400 feet. hiding in the box before the plane left London. He had had a
Byrd now knew that he would be able to reach the South Pole long and uncomfortable trip, for he had been confined to the
which was 300 miles away, for there were no more mountains wooden box for over ten hours. The man was ordered to pay
in sight. The aircraft was able to fly over the endless white $345 for the cost of the trip. The normal price of a ticket is
plains without difficulty. $230 !

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Lesson44 Through the forest Lesson47 A thirsty ghost

Mrs Anne Sterling did not think of the risk she was taking when A public house which was recently bought by Mr Ian
she ran through a forest after two men. They had rushed up to Thompson is up for sale. Mr Thompson is going to sell it
her while she was having a picnic at the edge of a forest with because it is haunted. He told me that he could not go to sleep
her children and tried to steal her handbag. In the struggle, the one night because he heard a strange noise coming from the bar.
strap broke and, with the bag in their possession, both men The next morning, he found that the doors had been blocked by
started running through the trees. Mrs Sterling got so angry that chairs and the furniture had been moved. Though Mr
she ran after them. She was soon out of breath, but she Thompson had turned the lights off before he went to bed, they
continued to run. When she caught up with them, she saw that were on in the morning. He also said that he had found five
they had sat down and were going through the contents of the empty whisky bottles which the ghost must have drunk the
bag, so she ran straight at them. The men got such a fright that night before. When I suggested that some villagers must have
they dropped the bag and ran away. 'The strap needs come in for a free drink, Mr Thompson shook his head. The
mending,' said Mrs Sterling later, 'but they did not steal villagers have told him that they will not accept the inn even if
anything.' he gives it away.

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Lesson45 A clear conscience Lesson48 Did you want to tell me something?

The whole village soon learnt that a large sum of money had Dentists always ask questions when it is impossible for you to
been lost. Sam Benton, the local butcher, had lost his wallet answer. My dentist had just pulled out one of my teeth and had
while taking his savings to the post-office. Sam was sure that told me to rest for a while. I tried to say something, but my
the wallet must have been found by one of the villagers, but it mouth was full of cotton-wool. He knew I collected birds' eggs
was not returned to him. Three months passed, and then one and asked me whether my collection was growing. He then
morning, Sam found his wallet outside his front door. It had asked me how my brother was and whether I liked my new job
been wrapped up in newspaper and it contained half the money in London. In answer to these questions I either nodded or
he had lost, together with a note which said: 'A thief, yes, 'but made strange noises. Meanwhile, my tongue was busy
only 5o per cent a thief!' Two months later, some more money searching out the hole where the tooth had been. I suddenly felt
was sent to Sam with another note:' Only 25 per cent a thief very worried, but could not say anything. When the dentist at
now!' In time, all Sam's money was paid back in this way. The last removed the cotton-wool from my mouth, I was able to tell
last note said:' I am 100 per cent honest now!' him that he had pulled out the wrong tooth.
Lesson49 The end of a dream Lesson52 A pretty carpet
Tired of sleeping on the floor, a young man in Teheran saved up We have just moved into a new house and I have been working
for years to buy a real bed. For the first time in his life, he hard all morning. I have been trying to get my new room in
became the proud owner of a bed which had springs and a order. This has not been easy because I own over a thousand
mattress. Because the weather was very hot, he carried the bed books. To make matters worse, the room is rather small, so I
on to the roof of his house. He slept very well for the first two have temporarily put my books on the floor. At the moment,
nights, but on the third night, a storm blew up. A gust of wind they cover every inch of floor space and I actually have to walk
swept the bed off the roof and sent it crashing into the on them to get in or out of the room. A short while ago, my
courtyard below. The young man did not wake up until the bed sister helped me to carry one of my old bookcases up the stairs.
had struck the ground. Although the bed was smashed to pieces, She went into my room and got a big surprise when she saw all
the man was miraculously unhurt. When he woke up, he was those books on the floor. 'This is the prettiest carpet I have ever
still on the mattress. Glancing at the bits of wood and metal that seen,' she said. She gazed at it for some time then added, 'You
lay around him, the man sadly picked up the mattress and don't need bookcases at all. You can sit here in your spare time
carried it into his house. After he had put it on the floor, he and read the carpet!'
promptly went to sleep again.
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Lesson53 Hot snake
Lesson50 Taken for a ride At last firemen have put out a big forest fire in California.
I love travelling in the country, but I don't like losing my way. I Since then, they have been trying to find out how the fire began.
went on an excursion recently, but my trip took me longer than Forest fires are often caused by broken glass or by cigarette
I expected. ' I'm going to Woodford Green,' I said to the ends which people carelessly throw away. Yesterday the
conductor as I got on the bus,' but I don't know where it is.' ' I'll firemen examined the ground carefully, but were not able to
tell you where to get off,' answered the conductor. find any broken glass. They were also quite sure that a cigarette
I sat in front of the bus to get a good view of the countryside. end did not start the fire. This morning, however, a fireman
After some time, the bus stopped. Looking around, I realized accidentally discovered the cause. He noticed the remains of a
with a shock that I was the only passenger left on the bus. snake which was wound round the electric wires of a
' You'll have to get off here,' the conductor said. 'This is as far 16,000-volt power line. In this way, he was able to solve the
as we go.' ' Is this Woodford Green ?' I asked. 'Oh dear,' said the mystery. The explanation was simple but very unusual. A bird
conductor suddenly.' I forgot to put you off.' 'It doesn't matter,' I had snatched up the snake from the ground and then dropped it
said. 'I'll get off here.' 'We are going back now,' said the on to the wires. The snake then wound itself round the wires.
conductor. 'Well, in that case, I prefer to stay on the bus,' I When it did so, it sent sparks down to the ground and these
answered. immediately started a fire.
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Lesson51 Reward for virtue Lesson54 Sticky fingers

My friend, Herbert, has always been fat, but things got so bad After breakfast, I sent the children to school and then I went to
recently that he decided to go on a diet. He began his diet a market. It was still early when I returned home. The children
week ago. First of all, he wrote out a long list of all the foods were at school, my husband was at work and the house was
which were forbidden. The list included most of the things quiet. So I decided to make some tarts for tea. In a short time I
Herbert loves: butter, potatoes, rice, beer, milk, chocolate, and was busy mixing butter and flour and my hands were soon
sweets. Yesterday I paid him a visit. I rang the bell and was not covered with sticky pastry. At exactly that moment, the
surprised to see that Herbert was still as fat as ever. He led me telephone rang. Nothing could have been more annoying. I
into his room and hurriedly hid a large parcel under his desk. It picked up the receiver between two sticky fingers and was
was obvious that he was very embarrassed. When I asked him dismayed when I recognized the voice of Mrs Bates. It took me
what he was doing, he smiled guiltily and then put the parcel on ten minutes to persuade her to ring back later. At last I hung up
the desk. He explained that his diet was so strict that he had to the receiver. What a mess! There was pastry on my fingers, on
reward himself occasionally. Then he showed me the contents the telephone, and on the door-knobs. I had no sooner got back
of the parcel. It contained five large bars of chocolate and three to the kitchen than the door-bell rang loud enough to wake the
bags of sweets! dead. This time it was the postman and he wanted me to sign
for a registered letter !
Lesson55 Not a gold mine Lesson58 A blessing in disguise?
Dreams of finding lost treasure almost came true recently. A The tiny village of Frinley is said to possess a 'cursed tree'.
new machine called 'The Revealer' has been invented and it has Because the tree was mentioned in a newspaper, the number of
been used to detect gold which has been buried in the ground. visitors to Frinley has now increased. The tree was planted near
The machine was used in a cave near the seashore where--it is a church fifty years ago, but it is only in recent years that it has
said--pirates used to hide gold. The pirates would often bury gained an evil reputation. It is said that if anyone touches the
gold in the cave and then fail to collect it. Armed with the new tree, he will have bad luck; if he picks a leaf, he will die. Many
machine, a search party went into the cave hoping to find villagers believe that the tree has already claimed a number of
buried treasure. The leader of the party was examining the soil victims. The vicar has been asked to have the tree cut down, but
near the entrance to the cave when the machine showed that so far he has refused. He has pointed out that the tree is a useful
there was gold under the ground. Very excited, the party dug a source of income as tourists have been coming from all parts of
hole two feet deep. They finally found a small gold coin which the country to see it. In spite of all that has been said, the
was almost worthless. The party then searched the whole cave tourists-have been picking leaves and cutting their names on
thoroughly but did not find anything except an empty tin trunk. the tree-trunk. So far, not one of them has been struck down by
In spite of this, many people are confident that 'The Revealer' sudden death!
may reveal something of value fairly soon.
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Lesson56 Faster than sound! Lesson59 In or out ？

Once a year a race is held for old cars. A lot of cars entered for Our dog, Rex, used to sit outside our front gate and bark. Every
this race last year and there was a great deal of excitement just time he wanted to come into the garden he would bark until
before it began. One of the most handsome cars was a someone opened the gate. As the neighbours complained of the
Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost. The most unusual car was a Benz noise, my husband spent weeks training him to press his paw
which had only three wheels. Built in 1885, it was the oldest on the latch to let himself in. Rex soon became an expert at
car taking part. After a great many loud explosions, the race opening the gate. However, when I was going out shopping last
began. Many of the cars broke down on the course and some week, I noticed him in the garden near the gate. This time he
drivers spent more time under their cars than in them ! A few was barking so that someone would let him out ! Since then, he
cars, however, completed the race. The winning car reached a has developed another bad habit. As soon as he opens the gate
speed of forty miles an hour--much faster than any of its rivals. from the outside, he comes into the garden and waits until the
It sped downhill at the end of the race and its driver had a lot of gate shuts. Then he sits and barks until someone lets him out.
trouble trying to stop it. The race gave everyone a great deal of After this he immediately lets himself in and begins barking
pleasure. It was very different from modern car races but no again. Yesterday my husband removed the gate and Rex got so
less exciting. annoyed we have not seen him since.
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Lesson57 Can I help you, madam? Lesson60 The future

A woman in blue jeans stood at the window of an expensive At a village fair, I decided to visit a fortune-teller called
shop. Though she hesitated for a moment, she finally went in Madam Bellinsky. I went into her tent and she told me to sit
and asked to see a dress that was in the window. The assistant down. After I had given her some money, she looked into a
who served her did not like the way she was dressed. Glancing crystal ball and said: 'A relation of yours is coming to see you.
at her scornfully, he told her that the dress was sold. The She will be arriving this evening and intends to stay for a few
woman walked out of the shop angrily and decided to punish days. The moment you leave this tent, you will get a big
the assistant next day. She returned to the shop the following surprise. A woman you know well will rush towards you. She
morning dressed in a fur coat, with a handbag in one hand and a will speak to you and then she will lead you away from this
long umbrella in the other. After seeking out the rude assistant place. That is all.' As soon as I went outside, I forgot all about
she asked for the same dress. Not realizing who she was, the Madam Bellinsky because my wife hurried towards me. 'Where
assistant was eager to serve her this time with great difficulty, have you been hiding ?' she asked impatiently. 'Your sister will
he climbed into the shop window to get the dress. As soon as be here in less than an hour and we must be at the station to
she saw it, the woman said she did not like it. She enjoyed meet her. We are late already.' As she walked away, I followed
herself making the assistant bring almost everything in the her out of the fair.
window before finally buying the dress she had first asked for.
Lesson61 Trouble with the Hubble Lesson64 The Channel Tunnel
In future, astronauts will be required to descend from a In l858, a French engineer, Aime Thome de Gamond, arrived in
spaceship while it is still in space and to return to it. The ability England with a plan for a twenty-one mile tunnel across the
to do this will be necessary in future flights to distant planets. English Channel. He said that it would be possible to build a
Scientists are now trying to discover if this is possible. The platform in the centre of the Channel. This platform would
spaceship Astra which left the earth a short time ago, will be serve as a port and a railway station. The tunnel would be
travelling three hundred miles into space. At a certain point, the well-ventilated if tall chimneys were built above sea-level. In
Astra will stop for a short time and an astronaut will attempt to 1860, a better plan was put forward by an Englishman, William
leave the stationary spaceship and then return to it. We shall not Low. He suggested that a double railway tunnel should be built.
know whether the experiment has been successful until we This would solve the problem of ventilation, for if a train
have received a radio message. The first message is expected to entered this tunnel, it would draw in fresh air behind it.
arrive at 7 o'clock this evening. By that time, the Astra will Forty-two years later a tunnel was actually begun. If, at the
have been flying through space for seventeen hours and will time, the British had not feared invasion, it would have been
have circled the earth a great many times. When the first radio completed. Recently, there has again been great interest in the
messages have been received, the results of the trip will be idea of a Channel Tunnel. If it is built, it will connect Britain to
announced immediately. Europe for the first time in history.
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Lesson62 After the fire
Firemen had been fighting the forest fire for nearly three weeks Lesson65 Jumbo versus the police
before they could get it under control. A short time before, great Last Christmas, the circus owner, Jimmy Gates, decided to take
trees had covered the countryside for miles around. Now, some presents to a children's hospital. Dressed up as Father
smoke still rose up from the warm ground over the desolate Christmas and accompanied by a 'guard of honour' of six pretty
hills. Winter was coming on and the hills threatened the girls, he set off down the main street of the city riding a baby
surrounding villages with destruction, for heavy rain would not elephant called Jumbo. He, should have known that the police
only wash away the soil but would cause serious floods as well. would never allow this sort of thing. A policeman approached
When the fire had at last been put out, the forest authorities Jimmy and told him he ought to have gone along a side-street
ordered several tons of a special type of grass-seed which as Jumbo was holding up the traffic. Though Jimmy agreed to
would grow quickly. The seed was sprayed over the ground in go at once, Jumbo refused to move. Fifteen policemen had to
huge quantities by aeroplanes. The planes had been planting push very hard to get him off the main street. The police had a
seed for nearly a month when it began to rain. By then, difficult time, but they were most amused. 'Jumbo must weigh a
however, in many places the grass had already taken root. In few tons,' said a policeman afterwards, 'so it was fortunate that
place of the great trees which had been growing there for we didn't have to carry him. Of course, we should arrest him,
centuries, patches of green had begun to appear in the but as he has a good record, we shall let him off this time.'
blackened soil.
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Lesson63 She was not amused
Geoffrey Hampden has a large circle of friends and is very Lesson66 Sweet as honey!
popular at parties. Everybody admires him for his fine sense of The Hatheld Puffin is a modern aero-plane, but its designer, Mr
humor--everybody, that is, except his six-year-old daughter, John Wimpenny, is finding it difficult to get it off the ground.
Jenny. Recently, one of Geoffrey's closest friends asked him to The reason for this is that this plane is also a bicycle. Its pilot
make a speech at a wedding reception. This is the sort of thing has to pedal hard to get it into the air. After Mr Wimpenny had
that Geoffrey loves. He prepared the speech carefully and went the plane built, it was tested thoroughly. In 1961, it was the first
to the wedding with Jenny. He had included a large number of man-powered aircraft to fly half a mile. While being flown by a
funny stories in the speech and, of course, it was a great success. champion amateur cyclist in 1963, the plane crashed on an
As soon as he had finished, Jenny told him she wanted to go airfield. Since then, Mr Wimpenny has had it rebuilt. He has
home. Geoffrey was a little disappointed by this but he did as had the length of the wings increased so that they now measure
his daughter asked. On the way home, he asked Jenny if she 93 feet--almost as long as those of a Dakota. Many people have
had enjoyed the speech. To his surprise, she said she hadn't. shown interest in this new and unusual sport. But though air
Geoffrey asked her why this was so and she told him that she cyclists may learn how to fly over short distances, and may,
did not like to see so many people laughing at him! eventually, even get across the English Channel, it is doubtful
whether they will ever cycle across the Atlantic.
Lesson67 Volcanoes lesson70 Red for danger
Haroun Tazieff the Polish scientist, has spent his life-time During a bullfight, a drunk suddenly wandered into the middle
studying active volcanoes and deep caves in all parts of the of the ring. The crowd began to shout, but the drunk was
world. In 1948, he went to lake Kivu in the Congo to observe a unaware of the danger. The bull was busy with the matador at
new volcano which he later named Kituro. Tazieff was able to the time, but it suddenly caught sight of the drunk who was
set up his camp very close to the volcano while it was erupting shouting rude remarks and waving a red cap. Apparently
violently. Though he managed to take a number of brilliant sensitive to criticism, the bull forgot all about the matador and
photographs, he could not stay near the volcano for very long. charged at the drunk. The crowd suddenly grew quiet. The
He noticed that a river of liquid rock was coming towards him. drunk, however, seemed quite sure of himself. When the bull
It threatened to surround him completely, but Tazieff managed got close to him, he clumsily stepped aside to let it pass. The
to escape just in time. He waited until the volcano became quiet crowd broke into cheers and the drunk bowed. By this time,
and he was able to return two days later. This time, he managed however, three men had come into the ring and they quickly
to climb into the mouth of Kituro so that he could take dragged the drunk to safety. Even the bull seemed to feel sorry
photographs and measure temperatures. Tazieff has often for him, for it looked on sympathetically until the drunk was
risked his life in this way. He has been able to tell us more out of the way before once more turning its attention to the
about active volcanoes than any man alive. matador.
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Lesson68 Persistent
I crossed the street to avoid meeting him, but he saw me and Lesson71 A famous clock
came running towards me. It was no use pretending that I had When you visit London, one of the first things you will see is
not seen him, so I waved to him. I never enjoy meeting Bert Big Ben, the famous clock which can be heard all over the
Dykes. He never has anything to do. No matter how busy you world on the B.B.C. If the Houses of Parliament had not been
are, he always insists on coming with you. I had to think of a burned down in 1834, the great clock would never have been
way of preventing him from following me around all morning. erected. Big Ben takes its name from Sir Benjamin Hall who
'Hullo, Bert,' I said. 'Fancy meeting you here !' was responsible for the making of the clock when the new
'Hullo, Elizabeth,' Bert answered. ' I was just wondering how to Houses of Parliament were being built. It is not only of
spend the morning--until I saw you. You're not busy doing immense size, but is extremely accurate as well. Officials from
anything, are you ?' Greenwich Observatory have the clock checked twice a day. On
' No, not at all,' I answered.' I'm going to.. .' the B.B.C. you can hear the clock when it is actually striking
'Would you mind my coming with you ?' he asked, before I had because microphones are connected to the clock tower. Big Ben
finished speaking. has rarely gone wrong. Once, however, it failed to give the
‘ Not at all,' I lied, 'but I'm going to the dentist.' correct time. A painter who had been working on the tower
' Then I'll come with you,' he answered.' There's always plenty hung a pot of paint on one of the hands and slowed it down !
to read in the 'waiting room !'
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lesson69 But not murder! Lesson72 A car called Bluebird
I was being tested for a driving licence for the third time. I had The great racing driver, Sir Malcolm Campbell, was the first
been asked to drive in heavy traffic and had done so man to drive at over 300 miles per hour. He set up a new world
successfully. After having been instructed to drive out of town, record in September 1935 at Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah.
I began to acquire confidence. Sure that I had passed, I was Bluebird, the car he was driving, had been specially built for
almost beginning to enjoy my test. The examiner must have him. It was over 30 feet in length and had a 2500 horse-power
been pleased with my performance, for he smiled and said, 'Just engine. Although Campbell reached a speed of over 304 miles
one more thing, Mr Eames. Let us suppose that a child per hour, he had great difficulty in controlling the car because a
suddenly crosses the road in front of you. As soon as I tap on tire burst during the first run. After his attempt, Campbell was
the window, I want the car to be stopped immediately.' I disappointed to learn that his average speed had been 299 miles
continued driving and after some time, the examiner tapped per hour. However, a few days later, he was told that a mistake
loudly. Though the sound could be heard clearly, it took me a had been made. His average speed had been 301 miles per hour.
long time to react. I suddenly pressed the brake pedal hard and Since that time, racing drivers have reached speeds of over 400
we were both thrown forward. The examiner looked at me sadly. miles an hour. Following his father's footsteps many years later,
'Mr Eames,' he said, in a mournful voice,' you have just killed Sir Malcolm's son, Donald, also set up a world record. Like his
that child !' father, he was driving a car called Bluebird.
Lesson73 The record-holder lesson75 SOS
Little boys who play truant from school are unimaginative. A When a light passenger plane flew off course some time ago, it
quiet day's fishing, or eight hours in a cinema seeing the same crashed in the mountains and its pilot was killed. The only
film over and over again, is usually as far as they get. They passengers, a young woman and her two baby daughters, were
have all been put to shame by a boy who, while playing truant, unhurt. It was the middle of winter. Snow lay thick on the
travelled 1600 miles. He hitch-hiked to Dover and, towards ground. The woman knew that the nearest village was miles
evening, went into a boat to find somewhere to sleep. When he away. When it grew dark she turned a suitcase into a bed and
woke up next morning, he discovered that the boat had, in the put the children inside it, covering them with all the clothes she
meantime, travelled to Calais. No one noticed the boy as he could find. During the night, it got terribly cold. The woman
crept off. From there, he hitch-hiked to Paris in a lorry. The kept as near as she could to the children and even tried to get
driver gave him a few biscuits and a cup of coffee and left him into the case herself, but it was too small. Early, next morning,
just outside the city. The next car the boy stopped did not take she heard planes passing overhead and wondered how she
him into the centre of Paris as he hoped it would, but to could send a signal. Then she had an idea. She stamped out the
Perpignan on the French-Spanish border. There he was picked letters' SOS' in the snow. Fortunately, a pilot saw the signal and
up by a policeman and sent back to England by the local sent a message by radio to the nearest town. It was not long
authorities. He has surely set up a record for the thousands of before a helicopter arrived on the scene to rescue the survivors
boys who dream of evading school. of the plane crash.

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Lesson74 Out of the limelight Lesson76 April Fools Day

An ancient bus stopped by a dry river bed and a party of 'To end our special news bulletin,' said the voice of the
famous actors and actresses got off. Dressed in dark glasses and television announcer,' we are taking you to the macaroni fields
old clothes, they had taken special precautions so that no one of Calabria. Macaroni has been grown in this area for over six
should recognize them. But as they soon discovered, disguises hundred years. Two of the leading growers, Giuseppe Moldova
can sometimes be too perfect. and Ricardo Brabante, tell me that they have been expecting a
'This is a wonderful place for a picnic,' said Gloria Gleam. splendid crop this year and harvesting has begun earlier than
' It couldn't be better, Gloria,' Brinksley Meers agreed. 'No usual. Here you can see two workers who, between them, have
newspaper men, no film fans! Why don't we come more just finished cutting three cart-loads of golden brown macaroni
often ?' stalks. The whole village has been working day and night
Meanwhile, two other actors, Rockwall Slinger and Merlin gathering and threshing this year's crop before the September
Greeves, had carried two large food baskets to a shady spot rains. On the right, you can see Mrs Brabante herself. She has
under some trees. When they had all made themselves been helping her husband for thirty years now. Mrs Brabante is
comfortable, a stranger appeared. He looked very angry. talking to the manager of the local factory where the crop is
'Now you get out of here, all of you!' he shouted: ' I'm sheriff processed. This last scene shows you what will happen at the
here. Do you see that notice? It says" No Camping"-in case you end of the harvest: the famous Calabrian macaroni-eating
can't read!' competition! Signor Fratelli, the present champion, has won it
'Look, sheriff, 'said Rockwall,' don't be too hard on us. I'm every year since 1961. And that ends our special bulletin for
Rockwall Slinger and this is Merlin Greeves.' today, Thursday, April 1st. We are now returning you to the
'Oh, is it ?' said the sheriff with a sneer. 'Well, I'm Brinksley studio.'
Meers, and my other name is Gloria Gleam. Now you get out
of here fast !'
Lesson77 A successful operation Lesson By air
The mummy of an Egyptian woman who died in 800 B.C. has I used to travel by air a great deal when I was a boy. My parents,
just had an operation. The mummy is that of Shepenmut who used to live in South America and I used to fly there from
was once a singer in the Temple of Thebes. As there were Europe in the holidays. An airhostess would take charge of me
strange marks on the X-ray plates taken of the mummy, doctors and I never had an unpleasant experience. I am used to
have been trying to find out whether the woman died of a rare travelling by air and only on one occasion have I ever felt
disease. The only way to do this was to operate. The operation, frightened. After taking off, we were flying low over the city
which lasted for over four hours, proved to be very difficult and slowly gaining height, when the plane suddenly turned
because of the hard resin which covered the skin. The doctors round and flew back to the airport. While we were waiting to
removed a section of the mummy and sent it to a laboratory. land, an air-hostess told us to keep calm and to get off the plane
They also found something which the X-ray plates did not quietly as soon as it had touched down. Everybody on board
show: a small figure of the god Duamutef. This god which has was worried and we were curious to find out what had
the head of a cow was normally placed inside a mummy. The happened. Later we learnt that there was a very important
doctors have not yet decided how the woman died. They feared person on board. The police had been told that a bomb had
that the mummy would fall to pieces when they cut it open, but been planted on the plane. After we had landed, the plane was
fortunately this has not happened. The mummy successfully searched thoroughly. Fortunately, nothing was found and five
survived the operation. hours later we were able to take off again.

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Lesson78 The last one? Lesson80 The Crystal Palace

After reading an article entitled 'Cigarette Smoking and Your Perhaps the most extraordinary building of the nineteenth
Health' I lit a cigarette to calm my nerves. I smoked with century was the Crystal Palace, which was built in Hyde Park
concentration and pleasure as I was sure that this would be my for the Great Exhibition of 1851. The Crystal Palace was
last cigarette. For a whole week I did not smoke at all and different from all other buildings in the world, for it was made
during this time, my wife suffered terribly. I had all the usual of iron and glass. It was one of the biggest buildings of all time
symptoms of someone giving up smoking: a bad temper and an and a lot of people from many countries came to see it. A great
enormous appetite. My friends kept on offering me cigarettes many goods were sent to the exhibition from various parts of
and cigars. They made no effort to hide their amusement the world. There was also a great deal of machinery on display.
whenever I produced a packet of sweets from my pocket. After The most wonderful piece of machinery on show was
seven days of this I went to a party. Everybody around me was Nasmyth's steam hammer. Though in those days, travelling was
smoking and I felt extremely uncomfortable. When my old not as easy as it is today, steam boats carried thousands of
friend Brian urged me to accept a cigarette, it was more than I visitors across the Channel from Europe. On arriving in
could bear. I took one guiltily, lit it and smoked with England, they were taken to the Crystal Palace by train. There
satisfaction. My wife was delighted that things had returned to were six million visitors in all, and the profits from the
normal once more. Anyway, as Brian pointed out, it is the exhibition were used to build museums and colleges. Later, the
easiest thing in the world to give up smoking. He himself has Crystal Palace was moved to South London. It remained one of
done it lots of times! the most famous buildings in the world until it was burnt down
in 1936.
Lesson81 Escape Lesson83 After the elections
When he had killed the guard, the prisoner of war quickly The former Prime Minister, Mr Wentworth Lane, was defeated
dragged him into the bushes. Working rapidly in the darkness, in the recent elections. He is now retiring from political life and
he soon changed into the dead man's clothes. Now, dressed in a has gone abroad. My friend, Crawley, has always been a
blue uniform and with a rifle over his shoulder, the prisoner fanatical opponent of Mr Lane's Radical Progressive Party.
marched boldly up and down in front of the camp. He could After the elections, Crawley went to the former Prime
hear shouting in the camp itself. Lights were blazing and men Minister's house. When he asked if Mr Lane lived there, the
were running here and there: they had just discovered that a policeman on duty told him that since his defeat, the ex-Prime
prisoner had escaped. At that moment, a large black car with Minister had gone abroad. On the following day, Crawley went
four officers inside it, stopped at the camp gates. The officers to the house again. The same policeman was just walking
got out and the prisoner stood to attention and saluted as they slowly past the entrance, when Crawley asked the same
passed. When they had gone, the driver of the car came towards question. Though a little suspicious this time, the policeman
him. The man obviously wanted to talk. He was rather elderly gave him the same answer. The day after, Crawley went to the
with grey hair and clear blue eyes. The prisoner felt sorry for house once more and asked exactly the same question. This
him, but there was nothing else he could do. As the man came time, the policeman lost his temper.' I told you yesterday and
near, the prisoner knocked him to the ground with a sharp blow. the day before yesterday,' he shouted, 'Mr Lane was defeated in
Then, jumping into the car, he drove off as quickly as he could. the elections. He has retired from political life and gone to live
abroad !' ' I know,' answered Crawley,' but I love to hear you
say it !'

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Lesson82 Monster or fish? Lesson84 On strike

Fishermen and sailors sometimes claim to have seen monsters Busmen have decided to go on strike next week. The strike is
in the sea. Though people have often laughed at stories told by due to begin on Tuesday. No one knows how long it will last.
seamen, it is now known that many of these 'monsters' which The busmen have stated that the strike will continue until
have at times been sighted are simply strange fish. Occasionally, general agreement is reached about pay and working conditions.
unusual creatures are washed to the shore, but they are rarely Most people believe that the strike will last for at least a week.
caught out at sea. Some time ago, however, a peculiar fish was Many owners of private cars are going to offer 'free rides' to
caught near Madagascar. A small fishing-boat was carried miles people on their way to work. This will relieve pressure on the
out to sea by the powerful fish as it pulled on the line. trains to some extent. Meanwhile, a number of university
Realizing that this was no ordinary fish, the fisherman made students have volunteered to drive buses while the strike lasts.
every effort not to damage it in any way. When it was All the young men are expert drivers, but before they drive any
eventually brought to shore, it was found to be over thirteen of the buses, they will have to pass a special test. The students
feet long. It had a head like a horse, big blue eyes, shining are going to take the test in two days' time. Even so, people are
silver skin, and a bright red tail, The fish, which has since been going to find it difficult to get to work. But so far, the public
sent to a museum where it is being examined by a scientist, is has expressed its gratitude to the students in letters to the Press.
called an oarfish. Such creatures have rarely been seen alive by Only one or two people have objected that the students will
man as they live at a depth of six hundred feet. drive too fast!
Lesson85 Never too old to learn Lesson87 A perfect alibi
I have just received a letter from my old school informing me 'At the time the murder was committed, I was travelling on the
that my former head- master, Mr Regmald Page, will be retiring 8.0 o'clock train to London,' said the man.
next week. Pupils of the school, old and new, will be sending 'Do you always catch such an early train ?' asked the inspector.
him a present to mark the occasion. All those who have 'Of course I do,' answered the man.' I must be at work at 10.0
contributed towards the gift will sign their names in a large o'clock. My employer will confirm that I was there on time.'
album which will be sent to the headmaster's home. We shall all ' Would a later train get you to work on time ?' asked the
remember Mr Page for his patience and understanding and for inspector.
the kindly encouragement he gave us when we went so ' I suppose it would, but I never catch a later train.'
unwillingly to school. A great many former pupils will be 'At what time did you arrive at the station ?'
attending a farewell dinner in his honour next Thursday. It is a 'At ten to eight. I bought a paper and waited for the train.'
curious coincidence that the day before his retirement, Mr Page 'And you didn't notice anything unusual ?'
will have been teaching for a total of forty years. After he has ' Of course not.'
retired, he will devote himself to gardening. For him, this will 'I suggest,' said the inspector, 'that you are not telling the truth. I
be an entirely new hobby. But this does not matter, for, as he suggest that you did not catch the 8.0 o'clock train, but that you
has often remarked, one is never too old to learn. caught the 8.25 which would still get you to work on time. You
see, on the morning of the murder, the 8.0 o'clock train did not
run at all. It broke down at Ferngreen station and was taken off
the line.'

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Lesson86 Out of control Lesson88 Trapped in a mine

As the man tried to swing the speed-boat round, the Six men have been trapped in a mine for seventeen hours. If
steering-wheel came away in his hands. He waved desperately they are not brought to the surface soon they may lose their
to his companion, who had been water-skiing for the last fifteen lives. However, rescue operations are proving difficult. If
minutes. Both men had hardly had time to realize what was explosives are used, vibrations will cause the roof of the mine
happening when they were thrown violent1y into the sea. The to collapse. Rescue workers are therefore drilling a hole on the
speed-boat had struck a buoy, but it continued to move very north side of the mine. They intend to bring the men up in a
quickly across the water. Both men had just begun to swim special capsule. If there had not been a hard layer of rock
towards the shore when they noticed with dismay that the beneath the soil, they would have completed the job in a few
speed-boat was moving in a circle. It now came straight hours. As it is, they have been drilling for sixteen hours and
towards them at tremendous speed. In less than a minute, it they still have a long way to go. Meanwhile, a microphone,
roared past them only a few feet away. After it had passed, they which was lowered into the mine two hours ago, has enabled
swam on as quickly as they could because they knew that the the men to keep in touch with the closest relatives. Though they
boat would soon return. They had just had enough time to swim are running out of food and drink, the men are cheerful and
out of danger when the boat again completed a circle. On this confident that they will get out soon. They have been told that
occasion, however, it had slowed down considerably. The rescue operations are progressing smoothly. If they knew how
petrol had nearly all been used up. Before long, the noise difficult it was to drill through the hard rock, they would lose
dropped completely and the boat began to drift gently across heart.
the water.
Lesson89 A slip of the tongue Lesson91 Three men in a basket
People will do anything to see a free show--even if it is a bad A pilot noticed a balloon which seemed to be making for a
one. When the news got round that a variety show would be Royal Air Force Station nearby. He informed the station at once,
presented at our local cinema by the P. and U. Bird Seed but no one there was able to explain the mystery. The officer in
Company, we all rushed to see it. We had to queue for hours to the control tower was very angry when he heard the news,
get in and there must have been several hundred people present because balloons can be a great danger to aircraft. He said that
just be- fore the show began. Unfortunately, the show was one someone might by spying on the station and the pilot was
of the dullest we have ever seen. Those who failed to get in ordered to keep track of the strange object. The pilot managed
need not have felt disappointed as many of the artistes who to circle the balloon for some time. He could make out three
should have appeared did not come. The only funny things we men in a basket under it and one of them was holding
heard that evening came from the advertiser at the beginning of field-glasses. When the balloon was over the station, the pilot
the programme. He was obviously very nervous and for some saw one of the men taking photographs. Soon afterwards, the
minutes stood awkwardly before the microphone. As soon as he balloon began to descend and it landed near an airfield. The
opened his mouth, everyone burst out laughing. We all know police were called in, but they could not arrest anyone, for the
what the poor man should have said, but what he actually said basket contained two Members of Parliament and the
was: 'This is the Poo and Ee Seed Bird Company. Good ladies, Commanding Officer of the station! As the Commanding
evening and gentlemen !' Officer explained later, one half of the station did not know
what the other half was doing !

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lesson90 Whats for supper ？ Lesson92 Asking for trouble

Though Brazil is one of the richest countries in the world, It must have been about two in the morning when I returned
much of it has not yet been developed. It was mainly for this home. I tried to wake up my wife by ringing the door-bell, but
reason that the Brazilian government decided to have a new she was fast asleep, so I got a ladder from the shed in the
city built 600 miles north-west of Rio de Janeiro. Designed by garden, put it against the wall, and began climbing towards the
the great architect Lucio Costa, the new city, Brasilia, replaced bedroom window. I was almost there when a sarcastic voice
Rio de Janeiro as the capital of Brazif in 1960. Brasilia has below said,' I don't think the windows need cleaning at this
been carefully planned for modern living. Its wide roads, which time of the night.'
can take fourteen lanes of traffic, have been kept I looked down and nearly fell off the ladder when I saw a
away from living areas. Children do not have to cross busy policeman. I immediately regretted answering in the way I did,
streets to go to school. Housewives can visit-shopping centres but I said, 'I enjoy cleaning windows at night.'
on foot, for in these specially designed living areas, cars are 'So do I,' answered the policeman in the same tone. 'Excuse my
unnecessary. At first, the government had great difficulty in interrupting you. I hate to interrupt a man when he's busy
persuading people to leave Rio and to settle in Brasilia. Since working, but would you mind coming with me to the station ?'
1960, however, the population has been growing all the time. 'Well, I'd prefer to stay here,' I said. 'You see, I've forgotten my
Brasilia has quickly established itself as the capital of the key.'
country. The idea to have the capital moved so far inland will 'Your what ?' he called.
have a great effect on the future of Brazil. 'My key,' I shouted.'
Fortunately, the shouting woke up my wife who opened the
window just as the policeman had started to climb towards me.
Lesson93 A noble gift Lesson95 A fantasy
One of the most famous monuments in the world, the Statue of When the Ambassador of Escalopia returned home for lunch,
Liberty, was presented to the United States of America in the his wife got a shock. He looked pale and his clothes were in a
nineteenth century by the people of France. The great statue, frightful state.
which was designed by the sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, took ten 'What has happened ?' she asked.
years to complete. The actual figure was made of copper 'How did your clothes get into such a mess ?'
supported by a metal framework which had been especially 'A fire-extinguisher, my dear,' answered the Ambassador drily.
constructed by Eiffel. Before it could be transported to the 'University students set the Embassy on fire this morning.'
United States, a site had to be found for it and a pedestal had to 'Good heavens!' exclaimed his wife. 'And where were you at
be built. The site chosen was an island at the entrance of New the time ?'
York Harbour. By 1884, a statue which was 151 feet tall, had 'I was in my office as usual,' answered the Ambassador. 'The
been erected in Paris. The following year, it was taken to pieces fire broke out in the basement. I went down immediately. of
and sent to America. By the end of October 1886, the statue had course, and that fool, Horst, aimed a fire-extinguisher at me. He
been put together again and it was officially presented to the thought I was on fire. I must definitely get that fellow posted.'
American people by Bartholdi. Ever since then, the great The Ambassador's wife went on asking questions, when she
monument has been a symbol of liberty for the millions of suddenly noticed a big hole in her husband's hat. 'And how can
people who have passed through New York Harbour to make you explain that ?' she asked.
their homes in America. 'Oh, that,' said the Ambassador. 'Someone fired a shot through
my office window. Accurate, don't you think ? Fortunately, I
wasn't wearing it at the time. If I had been, I would not have
been able to get home for lunch.'

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Lesson94 Future champions Lesson96 The dead return

Experiments have proved that children can be instructed in A Festival for the Dead is held once a year in Japan. This
swimming at a very early age. At a special swimming pool in festival is a cheerful occasion, for on this day, the dead are said
Los Angeles, children become expert at holding their breath to return to their homes and they are welcomed by the living.
under water even before they can walk. Babies of two months As they are expected to be hungry after their long journey, food
old do not appear to be reluctant to enter the water, It is not is laid out for them. Specially-made lanterns are hung outside
long, before they are so accustomed to swimming, that they can each house to help the dead to find their way. All night long,
pick up weights from the floor of the pool. A game that is very people dance and sing. In the early morning, the food that had
popular with these young swimmers is the underwater tricycle been laid out for the dead is thrown into a river or into the sea
race. Tricycles are lined up on the floor of the pool seven feet as it is considered unlucky for anyone living to eat it. In towns
under water. The children compete against each other to reach that are near the sea, the tiny lanterns which had been hung in
the other end of the pool. Many pedal their tricycles, but most the streets the night before, are placed into the water when the
of them prefer to push or drag them. Some children can cover festival is over. Thousands of lanterns slowly drift out to sea
the whole length of the pool without coming up for breath even guiding the dead on their return journey to the other world. This
once. Whether they will ever become future Olympic is a moving spectacle, for crowds of people stand on the shore
champions, only time will tell. Meanwhile, they should watching the lanterns drifting away until they can be seen no
encourage those among us who cannot swim five yards before more.
they are gasping for air.