The Last LeafO. Henry

Pre-reading Task

True Friends

True Friends (1)

People today, in all this new world technology and thinking, have lost sight of what a true friendship is. So, in sprit of my best friend Tellie, I thought I would help the world out a little and explain what real, true friends are.

True Friends (2)

1. Friends don't have to be exactly the same. Friends have similarities but they also have their differences. They key to opening up the world of friendship is not only to expand on similarities but to accept each other's faults. Because you can't ever judge your friend.

True Friends (3)

2. Friends have to argue! No one likes to but it is necessary to be healthy. Cause if you agree on everything, either the government has expanded cloning subjects or someone isn't being true and is trying a little too hard.

True Friends (4)

3. You have to be comfortable together or else you just aren't going to click. If you feel edgy around the person then something isn't quite right.

True Friends (5)

4. Friends love unconditionally. They have there little angry moments but what's done is done and all is forgive and forget. Why let something that happened in the past ruin what happiness you could have in the future?

True Friends (6)5. Believe in love at first sight because there is the equivalent in friendship. Some people think that you have to know someone really well to become good friends. Trust me, it's not true. If the first time you really spend time together you talk for 25 hours straight until 4:30 in the morning about some topic you thought no one else in the world understood, hun, that's real love at first sight.

True Friends (7)These are only a few of the basics. Just remember, friends are forever. But only if you keep it that way. Don't diss your buds, love them instead. And when they drive you nuts, love them that much more for being just a little bit different and maybe just a little bit quirky! Once more

Questions for discussion 1.What is your definition of friendship?2.Faith, hope and charity are traditionally grouped together as three important virtues. What do you think of it?3.Some say that charity begins at home, that we should take care of those closest to us rather than worrying about strangers. What do you think of that?4.Can you figure out what the stories of this unit are going to be about?

Cultural Notes

Who is him?O. Henry (1862-1910)

O. Henry (1862-1910): pseudonym of William Sydney Porter(1862-1910), American writer of short stories, best known for his ironic plot twists and surprise endings. Born and raised in Greensboro, North Carolina, O. Henry attended school only only until age 15, when he dropped out to work in his uncles drugstore.

During his 20s he moved to Texas, where he worked for more than ten years as a clerk and a bank teller. O. Henry did not write professionally until he reached his mid-30s, when he sold several pieces to the Detroit Free Press and the Houston Daily Post. In 1894 he founded a short-lived weekly humor magazine, The Rolling Stone.

In 1896 O. Henry was charged with embezzling funds from the First National Bank of Austin, Texas, where he had worked from 1891 to 1894. The amount of money was small and might have been an accounting error; however, he chose to flee to Honduras rather than stand trial.

Learning that his wife was dying, he returned to Texas in 1897 and, after her death, turned himself in to the authorities. He served three years of a five-year sentence a the federal penitentiary in Columbus, Ohio, where he first began to write short stories and use the pseudonym O. Henry.

Released from prison, O. Henry moved to New York City in 1901 and began writing full time. In his storieds he made substantial use of his knowledge of Texas, Central America, and life in prison. He also became fascinated by New York street life, which provided a setting for many of his later stories.

During the last ten years of his life, O. Henry became one of the most popular writers in America, publishing over 500 short stories in dozens of widely read periodicals.

O. Henrys most famous stories, such as The Gift of the Magi, The Furnished Room, and The Ransom of Red Chief, make simple yet effective use of paradoxical coincidences to produce ironic endings.

For example, in The Gift of the Magi a husband sells his watch to buy his wife a Christmas present of a pair of hair combs; but, she cuts and sells her long hair to buy him a Christmas present of a new chain for his watch. His style of storytelling became a model not only for short fiction, but also for American motion pictures and television programs.

Writing at the rate of more than one story per week, O. Henry published ten collections of stories during a career that barely spanned a decade. They are Cabbages and Kings (1904), The Four Million (1906), Heart of the West (1907), The trimmed Lamp (1907), The Gentle Grafte r(1908), The Voice of the City(1908), Options(1909), Roads of Destiny(1909), Whirligigs(1910), and Strictly Business(1910).

The collections Sixes and Sevens (1911), Rolling Stones (1912), and for the best American short stories published each year were founded by the Society of Arts and Sciences. The Complete Works of O. Henry was published in 1953.

The last leaf

Pre-questions (1)Q1:What was, at first, Johnsy determined to do if the last ivy leaf should fall? A1:She made up her mind to die when the last leaf fell. Q2:What did she decide to do when she saw the last leaf still cling to the vine after two nights rain and wind? A2:She decided not to give up her life.

Pre-questions (2)Q3:How was it that the cold fierce wind did not blow away the last leaf? A3:Behrman, a kind neighbor, who was aware of Johnsys state of mind, risked death to paint the last leaf and save her. Q4:Why did Sue call the painted leaf Behrmans masterpiece? A4:Because it was so perfect the girls both mistook it for the real thing.

Text Organization

Text Organization

Language Study: in tunein tune: harmonious(ly (often followed by with; the opposite: out of tune))Examples: His ideas are in tune with the times.The price of gold coins fluctuates in tune with that of commodities.Her character is quite out of tune with her beauty.

Language Study: jointjoint: held or done by two or more persons togetherExamples: She had taken he money out of the joint account she had with her husband.There are a number of different forms of business ownership, such as partnerships corporations and joint ventures.To attract foreign capital, China issued new economic regulations giving more preferential treatment to joint ventures.

Language Study: stalkstalk: (of and evil force) move through (a place) in a threatening way, move quietly and cautiously in order to get nearExample: When night falls, danger stalks the streets of the city.

Language Study: here and therehere and there: in various placesExample: During the summer vacation he will do a bit of teaching here and there.

Language Study: victimvictim: person, animal, etc. suffering death, injury or lossExample: Police and hospital records indicate that the majority of victims of domestic violence are women.

Language Study: scarcelyscarcely: not quite; almost notExample: I can scarcely remember when I last ate home-baked bread.

Language Study: merrymerry: happy; cheerful; bright and gayExample: From the other room, we could hear the merry sound of laughter and glasses clinking.

Language Study: backwardbackward: with the back or end firstExample: The helicopter can travel forward, backward, or sideways.

Language Study: barebare: without covering, clothing, or decorationExample: Soil held in place by plant roots is less likely to blow or wash away than bare soil.

Language Study: drearydreary: dull; gloomy; causing low spiritsExample: By the time they had waited five hours for their delayed flight, everyone looked dreary.

Language Study: in a whisperin a whisper: in a low voiceExample: He bent down and addressed her in a whisper.

Language Study: hear of hear of : be old about or have knowledge ofExamples: Three weeks passed, and nothing was heard of the missing boy.

Language Study: nonsensenonsense: foolish talk, ideas, behaviorExample: I think the report is nonsense and nothing but a waste of paper.

Language Study: turn looseturn loose: allow ( sth.) to be free of controlExample: The sick whale will be taken care of by the scientists before being turned loose.

Language Study: look the partlook the part: have an appearance for a particular job, role, or positionExample: I think he must be a captain---- he certainly looks the part.

Language Study: masterpiecemasterpiece: a piece of work, esp. art, which is the best of its type or the best a person has doneExample: The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn is considered Mark Twains masterpiece.

Language Study: to excessto excess: to an extreme degreeExample: His father never smoked or drank to excess.

Language Study: for the restfor the rest: as regards other mattersExample: The book contains some interesting passages about the authors childhood. For the rest, it is rather dull

Language Study: fiercefierce: 1) violent and angryExample: A fierce police dog was chained to a wall.2) intense; strongExample: The world is becoming a global market, and the competition is fierce.

Language Study: mockmock: ridicule; make fun of (used in the pattern: mock at sb./sth.)Example: They mocked at him and called him a coward.

Language Study: fancyfancy: sth. Imagined; unfounded opinion or beliefExample: The river streamed past my house.

Language Study: streamstream: move in a continuous flow, pour outExample: The river streamed past my house.

Language Study: persistentpersistent: continuing; occurring again and againExample: Neither high prices nor high wages could explain persistent depression and mass unemployment.

Language Study: minglemingle: mix (followed by with)Example: The singers style mingles jazz and country music.

Language Study: pull uppull up: raiseExample: I sat at my desk, knees pulled up to my chin.

Language Study: stand outstand out: be easily seen above or among othersExample: The working experience in Microsoft last year still stand out in my mind.

Language Study: wear awaywear away: 1) (of time) pass graduallyExample: They didnt reach an agreement. Instead they wore the afternoon away in arguing.2) (cause to) become thin or damaged by constant useExample: The steps have been worn away by the feet of thousands of visitors.

Language Study: cling tocling to: hold tight toExample: The child is clinging to his mothers legs.

Language Study: call tocall to: attract the attention of (sb.) by speaking outExample: The fisherman called to the villagers on the shore.

Language Study: sinsin: offence against God, religion or good moralsExample: In Christian theology, the first sin was committed by Adam.

Language Study: sit upsit up: raise yourself into an upright sitting position after you have been lying down or leaning backExample: The patient is well enough to sit up in bed now.

Language Study: acuteacute: 1) (of diseases) coming quickly to the critical stageExample: She was taken to the hospital suffering from acute appendicitis.2) severeExample: The company is said to be suffering from acute financial difficulties.

Language Study: be wet throughbe wet through: be wet all overExample: My mother came home wet through.

Language Study: flutterflutter: (cause to) move about in a quick, irregular wayExample: The ugly ducking fluttered into the milk-pan, and splashed the milk about the room.

Post-questions: (for group discussion) 1.Which character in the story impresses you most? Why?2.What is the essential message the writer wants to convey to his readers through the story? Is it of social significance? Explain.3.What do you think can support you in your moments of depression, despair or a setback?

TranslationTranslate the following passage into English, using the words and phrases given below:Bare cling to fancy here and there in tune look the part masterpiece persistent to excess stand out

Translation: KeysHere and there we see young artists who stand out from other people. They may be in worn out jeans all year round, or walk barefoot/ in bare feet even in winter, or drink to excess, or cling to the fancy of creating a masterpiece without actually doing any creative work. In fact, many of them act like this just to look the part, or to be in tune with other artists. They have forgotten that only through persistent effort can one achieve success.

Test B: Key words exercises (1) 1.Many campers are tempted by backpacks with extra_______, zippers and other options, but a simple, well-made pack is sufficient on most trips.2.Born in Boston, American natural history writer Elizabeth Cary was educated at home because of ________health.3.Abstract expressionism involves_______ and splashing paint in an impulsive, loosely controlled manner without any predetermined design.4.Biological clocks release a hormone that__________ complex behaviors in humans and animals alike.5.__________, play fair. That is what every mother teaches her child to do.

Test B: Key words exercises (2)6.Early women basketball players were prohibited from______ the ball from the hands of another player.7.The Ford Trimotor, the first plane designed to carry passengers rather than mail, had an interior cabin with a ceiling high enough for people to walk down the aisle without________.8.The Andrew Johnson Homestead, where US President Johnson lived between 1851 and 1875, is __________with his original articles.9.With 1300 meters remaining, Barbara and Decker Slaney were among the group of leading runners. However, the two bumped, causing Barbara to ________.10.Although all Americans do not speak the same way, their speech _________enough ________so that American English can be recognized as a variety of English different from British English, Australian English, etc.

Test B: Key words exercises (3)11._____________ of the Cluny Museum is a large beautiful garden.12.Shellery felt a _______ at her heart at the sudden attraction of him, the perfect body and the face that looked so much more natural and attractive out here in the warm southern wind.13.Dealing with your childrens friends who __________round in the evening calls for diplomacy and the setting of time limits.14.Aunt Louise seemed to swell up, her eyes about to ________of her head.15.Hearing her baby scream all of a sudden, Robyn made a _________for the bedroom.

Test B: Key words exercises (4)16.Some managed to _________their boat while others were swept uncontrollably downstream.17.When the thief saw a police officer coming, he ___________in the other direction.18.They were working_________ in order to finish the assignment on time.19.If you are __________Sam Walton, you will become a better person.20.I expect a handsome paycheck when I _________translating this book.

Keys: Key words exercises (1) 1.Many campers are tempted by backpacks with extra _straps_, zippers and other options, but a simple, well-made pack is sufficient on most trips.2.Born in Boston, American natural history writer Elizabeth Cary was educated at home because of _frail_ health.3.Abstract expressionism involves _dripping_ and splashing paint in an impulsive, loosely controlled manner without any predetermined design.4.Biological clocks release a hormone that _swiches on_ complex behaviors in humans and animals alike.5._Behave yourself_, play fair. That is what every mother teaches her child to do.

Keys: Key words exercises (2)6.Early women basketball players were prohibited from _snatching_ the ball from the hands of another player.7.The Ford Trimotor, the first plane designed to carry passengers rather than mail, had an interior cabin with a ceiling high enough for people to walk down the aisle without _stooping_.8.The Andrew Johnson Homestead, where US President Johnson lived between 1851 and 1875, is _furnished_ with his original articles.9.With 1300 meters remaining, Barbara and Decker Slaney were among the group of leading runners. However, the two bumped, causing Barbara to _lose her balance_.10.Although all Americans do not speak the same way, their speech _has_ enough _in common_ so that American English can be recognized as a variety of English different from British English, Australian English, etc.

Keys: Key words exercises (3)11._At the rear of_ of the Cluny Museum is a large beautiful garden.12.Shellery felt a _tug_ at her heart at the sudden attraction of him, the perfect body and the face that looked so much more natural and attractive out here in the warm southern wind.13.Dealing with your childrens friends who _pop_ round in the evening calls for diplomacy and the setting of time limits.14.Aunt Louise seemed to swell up, her eyes about to _pop out_ of her head.15.Hearing her baby scream all of a sudden, Robyn made a _dash_ for the bedroom.

Keys: Key words exercises (4)16.Some managed to _catch hold of_ their boat while others were swept uncontrollably downstream.17.When the thief saw a police officer coming, he _took off_ in the other direction.18.They were working _(at) full blast_ in order to finish the assignment on time.19.If you are _in contact with_ Sam Walton, you will become a better person.20.I expect a handsome paycheck when I _am/get through with_ translating this book.

Test B: Comprehension CheckChoose the best answer for each of the following:1.The boy fell because____A.the lady pushed himB.the purse was heavyC.it was darkD.he was running too fast

2.The first thing the lady did was to_____A.make the boy pick up her purseB.make the boy apologizeC.shake the boyD.kick the boy

3.In answer to the womans question, the boy____A.lied B.replied truthfullyC.criedD.stayed silent

4.We can infer that the woman___ A.owned the houseB.rented the houseC.rented a room in the houseD.none of the above

5.We can learn from the story that the boy____A.was beaten by his parentsB.had no parents to care for himC.was stealing because he was hungryD.disliked school

6.The woman told the boy that____A.she too had been poor, but had not tried to stealB.she had also done bad things when she was youngC.she knew he was lying when he said he wanted the money for shoesD.she knew it was like to have no one to care for one

Comprehension Check: KeysB D B C B B