Hello students. I’m proud of you for completing years 1 and 2 of our American English course. In order for you to become a strong intermediate American English learner, you need to be able to read, understand, and discuss abridged American English short stories. In this lesson, throughout Year 3 of your studies, you will read, listen to, and write about popular American English short stories. Please follow the directions below closely.
- Study the American English vocabulary below.
Words in This Story
soap – n. a substance that is used for washing something
avenue – n. a wide street
cab – n. a car that carries passengers to a place for an amount of money that is based on the distance traveled
theater – n. a building where plays or shows are performed on a stage
cabby – n. a person who drives a taxi
wagon – n. a vehicle with four wheels that is used for carrying heavy loads or passengers and that is usually pulled by animals
cop(s) – n. a person whose job is to enforce laws, investigate crimes, and make arrests
Cupid – n. the god of sexual love in ancient Rome
- Listen to the story.
- Watch the video and read along.
- Take the short story quiz.
Take the quiz: https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/3329143/p1.html?isEmbedded=True
- Write a summary of the short story you just read and listened to in the comments section below. Click here to read an article that teaches you how to summarize a story. Remember to let us know who the characters of the story are, what they do, and what the story is about.
Lesson 3.33.2: Year 3
American story, ”Mammon and the Archers.” written by O. Henrey
In this tale we meet Anthony Rockwall, a self-made millionaire, who firmly believes that money can solve any problem. He thinks his wealth can pave the way for his son, Richard to enter Newyork’s elite social circles ‘ Richard, a gentleman has fallen in love with the beautiful girl, Miss, Lantry, but her high social status seems unattainable. To win Miss Lantry heart, Anthony makes a plan. He advises Richerd to make a symbolic to Mammon,” The Money of Gad”. Meanwhile aunt Ellen gives Richerd his mother’s gold ring as love token. When Richerd meets Lantry, he drops the ring during a cab ride.Unexpectedally,they get stuck in a massive traffic jam for hours. Eventually they get engaged to be married. Aunt Ellen believes, the ring’s power of love played a role.
So, in this delightful story, love, money and fate intervene in unexpected ways.
The moral of the story is that love, and fate cannot be controlled or manipulated by money alone.
I got 75% in the quiz of this lesson.