As young readers like to know ‘how people look’, we will take this moment to give them a little sketch of the four sisters, who sat knitting away in the twilight while the December snow fell quietly outside and the fire crackled cheerfully within. It was a comfortable old room, though the carpet was faded and the furniture very plain; for a good picture or two hung on the walls, books filled the shelves, chrysanthemums and Christmas roses bloomed in the windows and a pleasant atmosphere of home-peace filled the room. Meg, the eldest of the four, was sixteen, and very pretty, being plump and fair, with large eyes, plenty of soft, brown hair, a sweet mouth and white hands of which she was rather vain. Fifteen-year-old Jo was very tall, thin and brown, and reminded one of a colt; for she never seemed to know what to do with her long limbs, which were very much in her way. She had a decisive mouth, a comical nose and sharp, grey eyes, which appeared to see everything, and could be fierce, funny or thoughtful. Her long, thick hair was her one beauty; but it was usually bundled in a net, to be out of her way. Jo had round shoulders, big hands and feet, a fly-away look to her clothes and the uncomfortable appearance of a girl who was rapidly shooting up into a woman and didn’t like it. Elizabeth – or Beth, as everyone called her – was a rosy, smooth-haired, bright-eyed girl of thirteen, with a shy manner, a timid voice and a peaceful expression, which was seldom disturbed. Her father called her ‘Little Miss Tranquillity’, and the name suited her excellently; for she seemed to live in a happy world of her own, only venturing out to meet the few whom she trusted and loved. Amy, though the youngest, was a most important person – in her own opinion at least. A regular snow-maiden, with blue eyes and yellow hair curling on her shoulders, pale and slender, and always carrying herself like a young lady mindful of her manners. What the characters of the four sisters were, we will leave to he found out. The clock struck six; and, having swept up the hearth, Beth put a pair of slippers down to warm. Somehow the sight of the old shoes had a good effect upon the girls; for mother was coming, and everyone brightened to welcome her. Meg stopped lecturing and lighted the lamp. Amy got out of the armchair without being asked, and Jo forgot how tired she was as she sat up to hold the slippers nearer to the fire. They are quite worn out; Mother must have a new pair.’
‘I thought I’d get her some with my dollar,’ said Beth.
‘No, I shall!’ cried Amy.
‘I’m the oldest.’ began Meg, but Jo cut in with a decided:
‘l’m the man of the family now that papa is away, and I shall provide the slippers, for he told me to take special care of mother while he was gone.’
‘I’ll tell you what we’ll do,’ said Beth; ‘let’s each get her something for Christmas, and not get anything for ourselves.’
1. Statements:
1. The four sisters were knitting in the morning.
2. The room was not very comfortable.
3. Meg was the youngest of the four sisters.
4. Jo was very short and reminded one of a kitten.
5. Beth was a shy girl who didn't like to meet new people.
6. Amy was the oldest of the four sisters.
7. The sisters were waiting for their father to come home.
8. The sisters were arguing about who would buy their mother new slippers.
9. Jo was responsible for taking care of their mother while their father was away.
10. The sisters decided to buy each other Christmas presents instead of buying something for themselves.
2. Match
1. It was a comfortable old room, though the carpet was faded and the furniture very plain; for a good picture or two hung on the walls, books filled the shelves,
2. A regular snow-maiden, with blue eyes and yellow hair curling on her shoulders, pale and slender, and
3. She had a decisive mouth, a comical nose and sharp, grey eyes,
4. Her father called her 'Little Miss Tranquillity', and the name suited her excellently; for she seemed to live in a happy world of her own, only venturing out to meet the few
5. Jo had round shoulders, big hands and feet, a fly-away look to her clothes
6. Fifteen-year-old Jo was very tall, thin and brown, and reminded one of a colt;
a. always carrying herself like a young lady mindful of her manners
b. whom she trusted and loved
c. chrysanthemums and Christmas roses bloomed in the windows and a pleasant atmosphere of home-peace filled the room
d. and the uncomfortable appearance of a girl who was rapidly shooting up into a woman and didn't like it
e. which appeared to see everything, and could be fierce, funny or thoughtful
f. for she never seemed to know what to do with her long limbs, which were very much in her way
3. Questions:
1. How does the author describe the room where the four sisters are sitting?
2. Can you describe Meg's appearance?
3. What is Jo's physical appearance like, and how does she carry herself?
4. How does the author describe Beth's personality and demeanor?
5. What is Amy's physical appearance like, and how does she behave?
6. Who among the sisters is the youngest, and why is she considered important in her own opinion?
7. Why do the girls brighten up when they see their mother coming home?
8. What is the significance of the old shoes that Beth puts down to warm by the fire?
9. How do the sisters decide who will buy their mother a new pair of slippers for Christmas?
10. What idea does Beth propose for Christmas gift-giving?
4. Questions:
1. What is the setting of the story?
A. A classroom
B. A park
C. A living room
D. A library
3. What is Meg's physical appearance?
A. Plump and fair with large eyes
B. Tall, thin, and brown with sharp grey eyes
C. Rosy, smooth-haired, and bright-eyed
D. Blue-eyed and pale with yellow hair
4. What is Jo's personality like?
A. Shy and timid
B. Fierce, funny, or thoughtful
C. Peaceful and tranquil
D. Mindful of her manners
5. Who is the youngest sister?
A. Meg
B. Jo
C. Beth
D. Amy
6. What do the sisters decide to do for Christmas?
A. Get each other gifts
B. Get their mother slippers
C. Get themselves new shoes
D. Get their father a present
Correct answers:
1. C
2. C
3. A
4. B
5. D
6. A
7. C
Correct answers:
1. The room is comfortable with faded carpeting and plain furniture, but has good pictures on the walls, books on shelves, and flowers blooming in the windows.
2. Meg is described as pretty, plump, fair-skinned, with large eyes, soft brown hair, a sweet mouth, and white hands.
3. Jo is tall, thin, and brown, with long limbs that often get in her way. She has sharp grey eyes, a decisive mouth, and a comical nose. Her thick hair is her one beauty, but it is usually bundled in a net.
4. Beth is rosy-cheeked, smooth-haired, and bright-eyed, with a shy manner and a peaceful expression. Her father calls her "Little Miss Tranquility," and she seems to live in a happy world of her own.
5. Amy is the youngest sister, with blue eyes, yellow hair curling on her shoulders, and a pale, slender frame. She carries herself like a young lady mindful of her manners.
6. Amy is the youngest sister and considers herself a most important person.
7. The girls brighten up when they see their mother coming home because they are happy to welcome her.
8. The sight of the old shoes has a good effect on the girls because it reminds them that their mother is coming home soon.
9. Jo decides to buy their mother a new pair of slippers because she feels responsible for taking care of her while their father is away.
10. Beth proposes that each sister get something for their mother for Christmas, instead of getting gifts for themselves.
Correct answers:
1. c
2. a
3. e
4. b
5. d
6. f
Correct answers:
1. False (They were knitting in the twilight.)
2. False (It was a comfortable old room.)
3. False (Meg was the eldest of the four sisters.)
4. False (Jo was very tall and reminded one of a colt.)
5. True
6. False (Amy was the youngest of the four sisters.)
7. True
8. True
9. True
10. True
Statements:
1. The weather in the UK is always hot.
2. The teenagers interviewed are all interested in fashion.
3. The first teenager interviewed likes to wear clothes that show individuality.
4. The first teenager interviewed likes to wear expensive clothes.
5. The first teenager interviewed likes to wear clothes that won't rip when he falls off his skateboard.
6. The second teenager interviewed spends too much time and money in high street shops.
7. The second teenager interviewed likes to buy clothes from top designers.
8. The third teenager interviewed likes to buy clothes from street markets and second-hand shops.
9. The third teenager interviewed likes to wear the same clothes as pop stars.
10. The third teenager interviewed thinks young people are not creative when it comes to fashion.
Questions:
1. What is the weather like in the UK, and what is always hot there?
2. Who did the interviewer speak to about their views on clothes and fashion?
3. How does the first teenager describe his or her style, and what kind of clothes do they usually wear?
4. Why does the first teenager tend to stick to cheaper clothes?
5. What does the second teenager say about keeping up with the latest trends, and where does she shop for fashionable clothes?
6. Where does the third teenager take inspiration from when it comes to fashion, and how does she put her outfits together?
7. What does the third teenager say about young people's creativity in fashion, and who influences pop stars' style according to her?
Questions:
1. What is the weather like in the UK?
A. Hot and dry
B. Cold and wet
C. Warm and sunny
D. Mild and rainy
2. What does the first teenager usually wear?
A. Expensive clothes with logos
B. Comfortable clothes that show individuality
C. Clothes that are too tight
D. Clothes that are too small
3. What does the second teenager like to do?
A. Keep up with all the latest trends
B. Wear expensive designer clothes
C. Shop at second-hand stores
D. Wear clothes that are not fashionable
4. Where does the third teenager get inspiration for fashion?
A. From pop stars
B. From street markets and second-hand shops
C. From high-end designer stores
D. From their parents' closets
5. What is the author's attitude towards fashion?
A. Indifferent
B. Critical
C. Positive
D. Negative
6. What is the main topic of the text?
A. The weather in the UK
B. Fashion in the UK
C. Teenagers in the UK
D. Skateboarding in the UK
7. What is the common theme among the three teenagers?
A. They all love skateboarding
B. They all wear expensive clothes
C. They all like to stand out in a crowd
D. They all take inspiration from different places
Correct answers:
1. B
2. B
3. A
4. B
5. C
6. B
7. C
Correct answers:
1. The weather in the UK is cold and wet, but fashion is always hot.
2. The interviewer spoke to three teenagers about their views on clothes and fashion.
3. The first teenager describes his or her style as reasonably well-dressed, wearing comfortable clothes that show a little bit of individuality, such as baggy jeans, trainers, and hoodies.
4. The first teenager tends to stick to cheaper clothes that won't rip when he or she falls off the skateboard.
5. The second teenager loves keeping up with all the latest trends and shops at high street shops that offer trendy and affordable clothes.
6. The third teenager takes inspiration from many different places, including street markets and second-hand shops, and puts these clothes together with things found on the high street to stand out in a crowd.
7. The third teenager says that young people today are so creative when it comes to fashion that pop stars are influenced by their style, not the other way around.
Correct answers:
1. False (The weather in the UK is well known for being cold and wet.)
2. True
3. True
4. False (The first teenager interviewed tends to stick to cheaper clothes.)
5. True
6. True
7. True
8. True
9. False (The third teenager interviewed thinks pop stars are influenced by young people's style.)
10. False (The third teenager interviewed thinks young people today are very creative when it comes to fashion.)
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