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
shop – n. a building or room where goods and services are sold or worked on
safe(s) – n. a strong metal box with a lock that is used to store money or valuable things
coat – n. an outer piece of clothing that can be long or short and that is worn to keep warm or dry
cop – n. a person whose job is to enforce laws, investigate crimes, and make arrests
lovingly – adv. done in a way that shows love
proud – adj. very happy and pleased because of something you have done, something you own or someone you know or are related to
cake – n. a sweet baked food made from a mixture of flour, sugar, and other ingredients
corner – n. the place where two streets or roads meet
- Listen to the story.
- Watch the video and read along.
- Take the short story quiz.
Take the quiz: https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/a-retrieved-reformation-by-o-henry/3429096/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.
About the Author
Hi, I am Albertine,
I thank you for this very useful vocabularies.
Blessings
Lesson 3.9.2 Year 3
American English short stories.
” A Retrieved Reformation” by O. Henry.”
A Retrieved Reformation by Henry is a short story. The story is about a safe cracker named Jimmi Valentine, who is an expert at cracking safe. Jimmey gets punishment of ten months prison due to his crime. Jimmey is a kindhearted man and has good character. Jimmey has very loyal friends. That’s why he is released from prison earlier than his due date of release. The warden tells him,” you are not a bad fellow at heart, stop cracking safes and start to live a clean life. He agrees a bit with warden’s advice. He goes to his friend Mike Dolan’s Cafe where he used to live before his arrest. Jimmey takes the safe cracker tools and leaves the town… read more
After Jimme’s resales, multiple burglaries are reported in Indiana, Logansport and Jefferson City. a police officer who works on such matters is also arrested Jimmey in Springfield. Now Jimmey arrives in a small town called Elmore. here he changes his name as Ralph Spencer (Jimmey Valentine) His intentions are to rob another bank, but he meets a beautiful young girl named Annabel Adams, daughter of a bank owner. he instantly falls in love with her and foregoes his old life as a safe cracker. Jimmey starts his shoes business. He reforms his personality for good deeds. Jimmey wants to get married with Annable. both of them are engaged. before his wedding, he writes a letter to his old friend Billy to take back the tools of safe cracker. he does not want to keep them anymore. For the day to gives the tools to Billy, Annabel’s niece may, and Agatha are running and playing around the safe, May accidently shuts inside the safe. all of them are worried, then Jimmy performs his duty and use his skills to open the safe with his safe cracker tools.in doing so ralph (Jimmey) reveals his talent and real identity to Ben price… a very impressive quote about the above story,” in every bad situation, life gives you a second chance to make it right. some take it, others leave it, and most don’t see it..
The quiz of this lesson I got 100%.
Dear teacher,
Lesson 3.9.2 Year 3
American English short stories.
” A Retrieved Reformation” by O. Henry.”
A Retrieved Reformation by Henry is a short story. The story is about a safe cracker named Jimmi Valentine, who is an expert at cracking safe. Jimmey gets punishment of ten months prison due to his crime. Jimmey is a kindhearted man and has good character. Jimmey has very loyal friends. That’s why he is released from prison earlier than his due date of release. The warden tells him,” you are not a bad fellow at heart, stop cracking safes and start to live a clean life. He agrees a bit with warden’s advice. He goes to his friend Mike Dolan’s Cafe where he used to live before his arrest. Jimmey takes the safe cracker tools and leaves the town.
After Jimme’s resales, multiple burglaries are reported in Indiana, Logansport and Jefferson City. a police officer who works on such matters is also arrested Jimmey in Springfield. Now Jimmey arrives in a small town called Elmore. here he changes his name as Ralph Spencer (Jimmey Valentine) His intentions are to rob another bank, but he meets a beautiful young girl named Annabel Adams, daughter of a bank owner. he instantly falls in love with her and foregoes his old life as a safe cracker. Jimmey starts his shoes business. He reforms his personality for good deeds.
Thank you.