Packing (7.1)

Look at this sentence.

"I told George and Harris that they had better leave the whole matter entirely to me."

The words had better are used

• in an advice or suggestion:

You had better take your umbrella; it looks like rain.

• in an order

You had better complete your homework before you go out to play.

• as a threat

You had better leave or I'll have you arrested for trespass!

When we speak, we say you'd/I'd/he'd better, instead of you had better, etc.

Work in pairs to give each other advice, orders or suggestions, or even to threaten each other. Imagine situations like the following: Your partner

1. hasn't returned a book to the library.

2. has forgotten to bring lunch.

3. hasn't got enough change for bus fare.

4. has found out a secret about you.

5. has misplaced your English textbook.

You have seen how Jerome, George and Harris mess up their packing, especially of the hamper. From their mistakes you must have thought of some dos and don'ts for packing. Can you give some tips for packing by completing the paragraph below?

First pack all the heavy items, especially the ones you don't need right away.

Then...

Here are some words and phrases you can use to begin your sentences

with:

• Then

• Next

• Now

• Remember

• Don't forget

• At last/ Finally

Look at the sentences below. Notice that the verbs (italicised) are all in their bare form.

Ӣ Simple commands:

- Stand up!

- Put it here!

Ӣ Directions: (to reach your home)

Board Bus No.121 and get down at Sagar Restaurant. From there turn right and walk till you reach a book shop. My home is just behind the shop.

Ӣ Dos and don'ts:

- Always get up for your elders.

- Don't shout in class.

Ӣ Instructions for making a fruit salad:

Ingredients

Oranges - 2

Pineapple - one large piece

Cherries - 250 grams

Bananas - 2

Any other fruit you like

Wash the fruit. Cut them into small pieces. Mix them well. Add a few drops of lime juice. Add sugar to taste. Nowadd some cream (or ice cream if you wish to make fruit salad with ice cream.)

1. Now work in pairs. Give

(i) two commands to your partner.

(ii) two do's and don'ts to a new student in your class.

(iii) directions to get to each other's houses.

(iv) instructions for moving the body in an exercise or a dance, or for cooking something.

2. The table below has some proverbs telling you what to do and what not to do. Fill in the blanks and add a few more such proverbs to the table.

Use suitable words or phrases from Column A above to complete the paragraph given below.

A Traffic Jam

During power cuts, when traffic lights go off, there is utter __________ at crossroads. Drivers add to the confusion by __________ over their right of way, and nearly come to blows. Sometimes passers-by, seeing a few policemen __________ at regulating traffic, step in to help. This gives them a feeling of having __________ something.

Match the words/phrases in Column A with their meanings in Column B.

Discuss in groups and answer the following questions in two or three paragraphs (100 -150 words)

1. Of the three, Jerome, George and Harris, who do you think is the best or worst packer? Support your answer with details from the text.

2. How did Montmorency 'contribute' to the packing?

3. Do you find this story funny? What are the humorous elements in it?

(Pick out at least three, think about what happens, as well as how it is described.)

What does Jerome say was Montmorency's ambition in life? What do you think of Montmorency and why?

Discuss in pairs and answer each question below in a short paragraph (30 - 40 words).

1. How many characters are there in the narrative? Name them. (Don't forget the dog!).

2. Why did the narrator (Jerome) volunteer to do the packing?

3. How did George and Harris react to this? Did Jerome like their reaction?

4. What was Jerome's real intention when he offered to pack?

5. What did Harris say after the bag was shut and strapped? Why do you think he waited till then to ask?

6. What "horrible idea" occurred to Jerome a little later?

7. Where did Jerome finally find the toothbrush?

8. Why did Jerome have to reopen the packed bag?

9. What did George and Harris offer to pack and why?

10. While packing the hamper, George and Harris do a number of foolish and funny things. Tick the statements that are true.

(i) They started with breaking a cup.

(ii) They also broke a plate.

(iii) They squashed a tomato.

(iv) They trod on the butter.

(v) They stepped on a banana.

(vi) They put things behind them, and couldn't find them.

(vii) They stepped on things.

(viii) They packed the pictures at the bottom and put heavy things on top.

(ix) They upset almost everything.

(x) They were very good at packing.

• Do you like going on trips? What kind of trips do you enjoy most?

• How do you feel about having to pack for a trip?

• Have you ever discovered on a trip that you have forgotten to pack a few things you very much need, or that you can't find them easily?

• Does this make you angry or does it make you laugh at yourself?