Audio Time: 3 min
44 sec
Level: Upper Intermediate and up
Vocabulary: To help
learners fully understand the audio and transcript, most vocabulary that might
be unknown for this lesson’s level is provided. Vocab in bold is more useful for learners at the
lesson’s target level. Try to choose 8 to 10 new words to learn from the story
(in general, it’s best to try to learn no more than 8-10 new words a day).
Definitions
are written with the help of various sources including Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s
Dictionary
Dreary: causing
unhappiness or sad feelings: not warm, cheerful, etc.
To take
something personally: interpret a remark or action as directed against
oneself and be upset or offended by it, even if that was not the speaker's
intention.
Pewter: a dull gray metal that is a mixture of tin and usually
lead.
Dread: to fear
something that will or might happen.
Coax: to
influence or persuade (a person or animal) to do something by talking in a
gentle and friendly way.
Plunge: to push
(something) into (something) quickly and forcefully.
Gaze: to look
at someone or something in a steady way and usually for a long time.
Exile: a
situation in which you are forced to leave your country or home and go to live
in a foreign country or distant place.
Jaded: feeling or showing a lack of interest and excitement
caused by having done or experienced too much of something.
Inhumane: not kind
or gentle to people or animals: not humane.
Broken
family: a family in which the parents have divorced.
Depict: to show
or describe something or someone.
Luxurious: very
comfortable and expensive: richly appealing.
Drab:
not
bright or colorful: too plain or dull to be interesting.
Flip: to cause
(something) to turn or turn over quickly.
Frown: a
serious facial expression that usually shows anger, displeasure, or
concentration.
Sleigh:
a
large, open vehicle that is usually pulled by a horse over snow or ice.
Call on: to make
a brief visit to someone.
Dispense:
to
give or provide (something).
Snowed in: unable
to leave a place because a lot of snow is falling or has fallen.
Discussion
questions:
1. What are some books that have brought you comfort and joy?
2. Who are some of your favorite writers?
3. Is there a book or books that you often read for comfort or
inspiration?
4. What makes an author able to write a good story?
5. How can reading literature help us live better and happier
lives?
In the new few posts, you’ll be able to read original and
adapted short stories of Chekhov. You can see the full list of original and
adapted short stories on this blog
here.
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