3.41.2: Year 3 American English Lessons with Maestro Sersea

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

ally– n. (pl. allies) a country that supports and helps another country in a war

disabled – adj. having a physical or mental disability : unable to perform one or more natural activities (such as walking or seeing) because of illness, injury, etc.

dismiss – v. to send away; to refuse to consider

dismissal – n. the act of sending a person away (from a position at work or in a school)

join up – (idiom) enlist in the military service

superiors – n. a person of higher rank or status than another

  • Listen to the story.

  • Watch the video and read along.

  • Take the short story quiz.

Take the quiz: https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/2478554/p1.html?isEmbedded=True

4 thoughts on “3.41.2: Year 3 American English Lessons with Maestro Sersea

  1. Usually most of people practice academic regulations in every specific situation. Stupidity actions of someone let athers confius and mislead their decision. In same situation is our hero. He is a very lucky man.
    The true hero, I think, is the men that stand after him, the teacher.
    He has and feels the responsibility before the Nation.

  2. Lesson 3.41.2: Year 3
    American Short story
    The story of this week is, ” Luck.” written by Mark Twain.
    Luck refers to that which happens to a person beyond that person’s control. Success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one’s own actions. it was just luck that Lieutenant General Lord Arthur Scoresby, a highly decorated war hero who has no skills, but he is so lucky that he has survived and thrived solely on his excellent luck. The story is narrated by a Clergyman who was an instructor at a Wool Witch in military academy. His luck is so extraordinary that he survives numerous battels without suffering, earning him a reputation as a unbeatable and charmed individual. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that Scoresby is not aware of his supposed luck and attribute his survival to his own strategic decions and bravery.
    the central idea of Luck is that Scoresby, a war hero, has only gotten to where he is because of luck.

    1. Dear teacher,
      Lesson 3.41.2: Year 3
      American Short story
      The story of this week is, ” Luck.” written by Mark Twain.
      Luck refers to that which happens to a person beyond that person’s control. Success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one’s own actions. it was just luck that Lieutenant General Lord Arthur Scoresby, a highly decorated war hero who has no skills, but he is so lucky that he has survived and thrived solely on his excellent luck. The story is narrated by a Clergyman who was an instructor at a Wool Witch in military academy. His luck is so extraordinary that he survives numerous battels without suffering, earning him a reputation as a unbeatable and charmed individual. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that Scoresby is not aware of his supposed luck and attribute his survival to his own strategic decision. He got high praise too, while others who knew a thousand times more than he were sharply criticized.
      By some strange, lucky accident, he was asked no questions but those I made him study. Such an accident does not happen more than once in a hundred years.
      Well, all through his studies, I stood by him, with the feeling a mother has for a disabled child. And he always saved himself by some miracle.
      He has filled his whole military life with mistakes. Every one of them brought him another honorary title.
      Look at his chest, flooded with British and foreign medals. Well, sir, every one of them is the record of some great stupidity or other. They are proof that the best thing that can happen to a man is to be born lucky. I say again, as I did at the dinner, Scoresby’s a complete fool.
      Thank you.

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