A Useful Stick

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A Useful Stick
1. Background Knowledge
2. Text Analysis
3. Exercises
4. Questions For Discussion
2
Background Knowledge
1. London ranks as one of the worlds oldest and
most historic cities. It is the capital of the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland. The city was founded about 43 A.D., when
the armies of the Roman Empire conquered Britain.
They soon built a seaport on the Thames River
near the present-day London Bridge. The Romans
called the port Londinium. The name of London
comes from this word.
3
Background Knowledge
2. The English policeman has several nicknames
but the most frequently used are copper and
bobby. The first name comes from the verb to
cop, meaning to take or capture, and the
second comes from the first name of Sir Robert
(Bobby) Peel (1788-1850) who reorganized the
London police force.
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4
Questions for Discussion
1.Can you guess what Mrs. Frobisher would do with
the money? 2. What can old people do to enrich
their lives? 3. Are old people useless? Tell of
an old person who greatly influences you.
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Exercises

• Multiple-choice Questions
• 2. True/False Questions

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6
Multiple-choice Questions
1. Mrs. Frobisher went to sit in Victoria Station
every day because . A) she liked that
place B) she wanted to train her legs C) she was
interested in passengers coming and going. D) she
was told to do so by her doctor
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Multiple-choice Questions
1. Mrs. Frobisher went to sit in Victoria Station
every day because D . A) she liked that
place B) she wanted to train her legs C) she was
interested in passengers coming and going. D) she
was told to do so by her doctor
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Multiple-choice Questions
2. Each of the following answers shows that Mrs.
Frobisher was poor, except . A) her
poor legs B) her old shoes C) her thin coat D)
her not going to Hyde Park
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Multiple-choice Questions
2. Each of the following answers shows that Mrs.
Frobisher was poor, except A . A) her
poor legs B) her old shoes C) her thin coat D)
her not going to Hyde Park
10
Multiple-choice Questions
3. Mrs. Frobisher was planning to go back home
when . A) a stream of men and women
rushed through the gate B) two policemen came in
sight and sat in front of her C) the ticket
collector took his place D) a police officer
walked past her
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Multiple-choice Questions
3. Mrs. Frobisher was planning to go back home
when B . A) a stream of men and women
rushed through the gate B) two policemen came in
sight and sat in front of her C) the ticket
collector took his place D) a police officer
walked past her
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Multiple-choice Questions
4. Mrs.Frobisher helped catch the bank robber
because . A) she happened to be in his
way of escape B) she just happened to push her
stick towards him C) she had the sense of what
was right and what was wrong D) she wanted to
prove that she was not useless
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Multiple-choice Questions
4. Mrs.Frobisher helped catch the bank robber
because C . A) she happened to be in his
way of escape B) she just happened to push her
stick towards him C) she had the sense of what
was right and what was wrong D) she wanted to
prove that she was not useless
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Multiple-choice Questions
5. How did she feel when the officer asked for
her name and address? A) She was proud of
herself. B) She was surprised that she was of any
help. C) She was puzzled. D) She was glad that
she would win the prize.
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Multiple-choice Questions
5. How did she feel when the officer asked for
her name and address? C A) She was proud of
herself. B) She was surprised that she was of any
help. C) She was puzzled. D) She was glad that
she would win the prize.
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16
True/False Questions
1. Mrs. Frobisher was poor and old. She had no
work. 2. Victoria Station was near her house.
3. There were many things to see in Victoria
Station. 4. The doctor advised that she go to
Hyde Park or Green Park. 5. Mrs. Frobisher did
not like those parks.
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True/False Questions
1. Mrs. Frobisher was poor and old. She had no
work. (T) 2. Victoria Station was near her house.
3. There were many things to see in Victoria
Station. 4. The doctor advised that she go to
Hyde Park or Green Park. 5. Mrs. Frobisher did
not like those parks.
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True/False Questions
1. Mrs. Frobisher was poor and old. She had no
work. (T) 2. Victoria Station was near her house.
(T) 3. There were many things to see in Victoria
Station. 4. The doctor advised that she go to
Hyde Park or Green Park. 5. Mrs. Frobisher did
not like those parks.
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True/False Questions
1. Mrs. Frobisher was poor and old. She had no
work. (T) 2. Victoria Station was near her house.
(T) 3. There were many things to see in Victoria
Station. (F) 4. The doctor advised that she go to
Hyde Park or Green Park. 5. Mrs. Frobisher did
not like those parks.
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True/False Questions
1. Mrs. Frobisher was poor and old. She had no
work. (T) 2. Victoria Station was near her house.
(T) 3. There were many things to see in Victoria
Station. (F) 4. The doctor advised that she go to
Hyde Park or Green Park. (T) 5. Mrs. Frobisher
did not like those parks.
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True/False Questions
1. Mrs. Frobisher was poor and old. She had no
work. (T) 2. Victoria Station was near her house.
(T) 3. There were many things to see in Victoria
Station. (F) 4. The doctor advised that she go to
Hyde Park or Green Park. (T) 5. Mrs. Frobisher
did not like those parks. (F)
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True/False Questions
6. Mrs. Frobisher sat in Victoria Station every
day for an hour or more because it was an
interesting and exciting place. 7. Mrs.
Frobisher came to the station not to seek
pleasure but for her health. 8. Though Mrs.
Frobisher was old, she took great interest in
life.
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True/False Questions
6. Mrs. Frobisher sat in Victoria Station every
day for an hour or more because it was an
interesting and exciting place. (F) 7. Mrs.
Frobisher came to the station not to seek
pleasure but for her health. 8. Though Mrs.
Frobisher was old, she took great interest in
life.
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True/False Questions
6. Mrs. Frobisher sat in Victoria Station every
day for an hour or more because it was an
interesting and exciting place. (F) 7. Mrs.
Frobisher came to the station not to seek
pleasure but for her health. (T) 8. Though Mrs.
Frobisher was old, she took great interest in
life.
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True/False Questions
6. Mrs. Frobisher sat in Victoria Station every
day for an hour or more because it was an
interesting and exciting place. (F) 7. Mrs.
Frobisher came to the station not to seek
pleasure but for her health. (T) 8. Though Mrs.
Frobisher was old, she took great interest in
life. (F)
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True/False Questions
9. As soon as the young man came out of the
station, Mrs. Frobisher knew he was the criminal
the policemen were waiting for. 10.Mrs.
Frobisher helped the policemen to catch the
criminal. 11.Mrs. Frobisher used to think she
was old and useless. After she helped to catch
the criminal, she changed her view about herself.

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True/False Questions
9. As soon as the young man came out of the
station, Mrs. Frobisher knew he was the criminal
the policemen were waiting for.(F) 10.Mrs.
Frobisher helped the policemen to catch the
criminal. 11.Mrs. Frobisher used to think she
was old and useless. After she helped to catch
the criminal, she changed her view about herself.

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True/False Questions
9. As soon as the young man came out of the
station, Mrs. Frobisher knew he was the criminal
the policemen were waiting for.(F) 10.Mrs.
Frobisher helped the policemen to catch the
criminal. (T) 11.Mrs. Frobisher used to think she
was old and useless. After she helped to catch
the criminal, she changed her view about herself.

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True/False Questions
9. As soon as the young man came out of the
station, Mrs. Frobisher knew he was the criminal
the policemen were waiting for.(F) 10.Mrs.
Frobisher helped the policemen to catch the
criminal. (T) 11.Mrs. Frobisher used to think she
was old and useless. After she helped to catch
the criminal, she changed her view about herself.
(T)
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30
A Useful Stick
Mrs. Frobisher often thought to herself
that she was useless because of her advanced age,
but one day something unusual happened, which
brought her great excitement. What was it? Read
on.
31
It was colder today than usual, Mrs.
Frobisher thought, as she reached the seats in
Victoria Station. Her leg was troubling her
badly, and she sat down with satisfaction. By her
side she placed the stick which she had to use
when walking. She looked round without much
interest.
32
There were only a few people on the seats.
She never believed that sitting there improved
her health in any way but Dr. Lund had said that
she must be out of her flat, and in the open air,
for at least two hours every day.
33
Well, with this leg, I cant walk for
two hours a day, she had replied sharply and
where are the parks in this part of London?
Take a bus to Hyde Park or to Green Park, he
had said. And wholl pay for that every
day? Im not a rich woman.
34
Then he had told her to sit in Victoria
Station when she got tired of walking so she sat
there every day for an hour or more. It cost her
nothing, and it was not as bad as she had feared.
The air was fairly fresh because all the trains
were electric but nothing very important ever
happened, and it was always dull. She was never
sorry when she could go back home and read by her
fire, or listen to the radio.
35
She looked down at her old shoes. A good
pair of shoes was one of her needs, but she had
only a little money at present. Perhaps in a few
months she could buy a pair then she would be
able to walk better.
36
She looked up when a crowd of people from
a train rushed through the gate which was just in
front of the seats. She often wondered why people
came to London every day in such large numbers,
and why they were always in such a hurry. Her own
days were long and dull, and time passed slowly
for her.
37
She pulled her coat more closely round
her shoulders. The day was cold, and her coat was
getting thin but she was glad enough to have a
coat of any kind. Once she had been of
some importance in the world. She had worked on
committees and she had had a secretary to help
her but that was long ago. Now she was old and
poor, and she had a bad leg too. A useless old
woman!
38
She was beginning to think of her
fireside in her flat when two policemen walked
past her form behind. They made no noise, but sat
down together on the seat exactly in front of
her. Mrs. Frobisher was not at all
pleased at this unusual event. They were big men,
and she could not see much. The back of a
policemans coat is a dull view but it was too
much trouble to move.
39
One of the men took a photograph from his
pocket, and both looked at it for several
minutes. It seemed that they wanted to remember
it. Mrs. Frobisher, by moving slightly to one
side, could see that it was a photograph of a
young man. A police officer walked past
the seat, looked quickly at the two men, went
over towards a notice-board on the right-hand
side of Gate Number 14, and stood still.
40
Mrs. Frobisher, who was no fool, noticed
these things with rising excitement. She told
herself that something was going to happen. Life
was getting more interesting. She looked
round the station, but could see nothing unusual.
Some passengers were hurrying towards the trains
some were buying books some were drinking
coffee some were waiting near the gates.
41
In a few minutes the police officer near
the notice-board made a slight sign with his
right hand, and the two policemen slowly stood
up. They walked in a very careless manner towards
the gate in front of the seats. The
ticket-collector suddenly appeared and opened the
gate. One of the policemen hid himself behind a
wall on the left the other bent down behind the
notice-board on the right, near the officer. A
train moved slowly into the station and stopped.
In a few seconds all the doors of the carriages
were open.
42
Mrs. Frobishers heart was beating faster
than usual. How would Dr. Lund like to hear my
heart now? she wondered. She forgot the cold,
and anxiously held the seat with one hand.
43
In a few moments the usual stream of men
and women was rushing through the gate. Among
these people a young man with his hands in the
pockets of a heavy coat walked with long steps.
Mrs. Frobisher wished that she could walk like
that. He did not seem to understand how lucky he
was to possess a strong pair of legs. Probably,
she thought, he had never had a pain in his leg
in his whole life.
44
Quietly the two policemen and their
officer left their hiding places and gathered
round him. For a moment he looked surprised.
The officer said a few words, and suddenly
the young man jumped backwards and started to run
away from the police. One of them caught his arm,
but he turned suddenly and escaped. He slipped
past the two men and hit the officer in the face,
knocking him down. In a moment the criminal was
on his way towards the entrance of the station.
45
The other people there were so surprised
by these events that they stood still with
expressions of disbelief on their faces. Mrs.
Frobishers admiration of the young man changed
to anger. Catch him! she cried,
standing up and using her stick for support. The
criminal was now rushing towards the seats and
the officer was getting up. Her anger increased
when she saw red blood on the officers face.
46
As the criminal reached the seat on her
left, she pushed her stick towards him. By chance
more than by arrangement, it went between the
knees of those wonderful legs, and he fell
heavily to the ground with a loud cry. A
strange sound came from Mrs. Frobishers mouth.
Her heart was making a terrible noise in her
ears. As the stick flew across the station, she
fell back on the seat again. She closed her eyes
for a moment.
47
When she opened them, the criminal was
beginning to get up, but the police were beside
him before he was on his feet. He had no hope of
escape, and was led outside by the policemen.
The officer picked up Mrs. Frobishers stick
and took it back to her.Yours, I think,
Madam,he said, breathing heavily. Then he took
out a notebook. May I have your name and
address, please, Madam?
48
Oh, why? said Mrs. Frobisher in a weak
voice. I didnt really hurt him, did I?
You did very well indeed, Madam, he said. That
mans a bank robber, and weve been trying to
catch him for weeks. We were informed that he was
on that train from Brighton, and so we waited for
him. He almost escaped, as you noticed, but your
quick action stopped that. We were delighted when
we saw him on the ground. Then why do
you want my name and address? she asked.
49
He pointed to the notice-board on the
right. Theres a notice over there, he said.
Its too far away to read from here, but the
Southern Bank has offered ?500 to anyone who
helps to catch this man. You helped a great deal,
Madam so, if youll kindly give me your name and
address, youll no doubt receive the money in a
short time.
50
Im not as useless as I used to think,
Mrs. Frobisher told herself. I beg your
pardon, Madam? the officer said. Never
mind, she said, and told him who she was.
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51
sharply 5FBplI in a sharp manner ad.
???e.g. He answered sharply no.
????????
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52
dull dQl monotonous, uninteresting
a.???,???e.g. Actually this is a dull book.
???,???????????
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53
committee kE5mItI group of persons appointed
to attend to special business n. ???e.g. He
was invited to attend a committee meeting.
????????????(be or work) on committees ??????e.g
. Jims Dad is on the factory strike committee.
?????????????????
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secretary 5sekrEterI employee in an office,
who deals with correspondence, keeps records,
makes arrangements and appointments for a
particular member of the staff n. ??e.g. Mr.
Davis was not in the office, his secretary
answered my phone call. ??????????,???????????
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55
excitement Ik5saItmEnt state of being excited
n.??e.g. That news caused great excitement.
???????????
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56
passenger 5pAsIndVE person being conveyed by
bus, taxi, tram, train, ship, aircraft, etc.
n. ??,??e.g. There is only one passenger on the
bus. ????????????
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57
stream strim steady flow ( of liquid,
persons, things, etc) n.(?)???e.g. Streams of
people were coming out of the railway station.
?????????
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58
possess pE5zes own, have v. ??e.g. He
lost all that he possesses overnight.
???????????????
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59
backwards 5bAkwEdz towards the back
ad. ??e.g. He looked backwards over his
shoulder. ???????
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60
escape I5skeIp get free, get away (from)
vi. ????e.g. The canary has escaped from its
cage. ??????????
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61
criminal5krImInEl person who commits a crime
or crimes n.??e.g. The criminal was finally
caught in New York State after five months.
??????????????????
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62
entranceentrEns opening, gate, door,
passage, etc by which one enters n. ??e.g.
The entrance to the cave had been blocked up.
???????????
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63
disbeliefdIsbI5lif refusal to believe
n. ??,???e.g. He shook his head in disbelief.
????????
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64
admirationAdmI5reIFEn feeling of pleasure,
satisfaction, respect or, wonder n. ??e.g. She
speaks English so well that her friends are
filled with admiration. ????????,??????????
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65
notebook5nEJtbJk book in which to write notes
n.???e.g. He wrote down important appointments
in his notebook. ??????????????
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robber5rRbE person who robs n. ??e.g. The
robber robbed the old lady of her watch.
????????????
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67
informIn5fCm give knowledge to
vt. ??,??e.g. Keep me informed of fresh
developments. ??????????
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68
view (1) n. field of vision ??,??e.g. Clouds
came down and the hill tops passed from our view.
???????,?????????Phrases in view of
considering, taking into account ??,??e.g. In
view of the facts, it seems useless to continue.
???????,???????????? come into
view become visible ???e.g. As we rounded the
bend the lake came into view. ?????,?????????????

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(2) n. scenery, landscape, etc ??e.g. This
house has fine views over valleys and mountains.
????????????????(3) vt. look at, examine,
consider ?,??,??e.g. The subject may be viewed
in various ways. ???????????
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70
slip (1) n. act of slipping false step slight
error caused by carelessness ?,??,???e.g. Its
completely a slip of pen. ???????(2) v. lose
ones balance fall or almost fall as the result
of this ??,??e.g. He slipped on the icy road and
broke his leg. ????????????????(3) v. go or
move quietly or quickly, esp. without attracting
attention ???????????e.g. The years slipped
by. ???????????
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(4) v. move, get away, escape, fall, by being
difficult to hold, or by not being held
firmly(???????????)??,?e.g. The fish slipped out
of my hand. ????????(5) v. move smoothly and
effortlessly go with a gliding motion ??,??e.g.
The ship slipped through the water. ?????????
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72
(not) in any wayin no way ????e.g. We can not
in any way allow this to continue.
????????????????????
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73
at least ??e.g. You should at least have warned
her. ??????????
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74
at presentnow ??,??e.g. We dont need any more
at present. ????????????
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75
on the right-hand side of ??????e.g. Theres a
bank just on the right-hand side of the
restaurant. ?????????????
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in a few seconds ??????(?????)e.g. I shall be
ready in a few seconds. ????????????
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77
hit the officer in the face?????????e.g. The
runaway hit the officer in the face so that he
could escape. ??????????????????
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78
make a noise ????e.g. He was careful not to make
a noise when he went downstairs. ???????????????
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79
be on ones feetbe standing ????e.g. No sooner
had the question been put than he was on his feet
to reply. ???????????????
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80
Victoria Stationa railway station in London
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81
Her leg was troubling her badly, and she sat down
with satisfactionHer leg was aching terribly,
and she was glad that she could finally sit down.
?????????,??????????
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82
Hyde Parka park in central London
(Click the picture to see the map)
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83
(No Transcript)
84
Green parkto the east of Hyde park
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85
She had worked on committeesShe had been a
member of certain committees
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86
The other people there were so surprised by these
events that they stood still with expressions of
disbelief on their faces.The other people were
shocked by what they saw, so they stood there,
couldnt do anything to help. ?????????????,?????
????,?????
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87
By chance more than by arrangement, it went
between the knees of those wonderful legs, and he
fell heavily to the ground with a loud cry. It
is more correct to say that this happened by
chance than by arrangement, the stick was put
between the young mans strong legs, so the young
man cried and fell down.?????????????????????????
,?????????????? by chanceaccidentally ??e.g.
I met him by chance on Fifth Avenue.
??????????????
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88
Her heart was making a terrible noise in her
ears She felt her heart beating wildly.
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89
before he was on his feetbefore he got up from
the ground
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90
Brighton 'braitna seaside place in southeast
England for people to spend their holiday
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91
if youll kindly give me your name and addressa
polite way of speaking
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92
Once she had been of some importance in the
world. She had worked on committees.?????????????
????????Be of Noun ?????????,???????????
???????,??????????????????????,??????????,????????
?????????e.g. This matter is of great
importance. (This matter is greatly important.)
?????????
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93
The back of a policemans coat is a dull view
but it was too much trouble to move.?????????????
,?????????????
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94
She never believed that sitting there improved
her health in any way but Dr. Lund had said that
she must be out of her flat, and in the open air,
for at least two hours every day.????????????????
???????????????,??????????????
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95
Well, with this leg, I cant walk for two hours
a day, she had replied sharply?????!????????
???????
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96
Her own days were long and dull, and time passed
slowly for her.?????????????,????,?????????
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97
She pulled her coat more closely round her
shoulders. The day was cold, and her coat was
getting thin but she was glad enough to have a
coat of any kind.?????????????????,????????????,?
???,??????????,??????????
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98
In a few moments the usual stream of men and
women was rushing through the gate.????,?????,???
?????????????
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99
Mrs. Frobishers admiration of the young man
changed to anger.?????????????????????
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100
What problems do you think confront old people?
101
What problems do you think confront old people?
Reference Answer Health problems, financial
problems, safety problems, and emotional
problems.
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102
What are the actual problems of Mrs. Frobisher?
103
Reference Answer 1) health problems She had
a bad leg and had to walk with the help of a
stick. 2) Financial problems She was not
well-off. She could not afford the fares to
parks she wore a pair of old shoes and longed
for a good pair it was getting colder but she
had not enough clothes to protect her from the
cold. 3) Emotional problems She felt lonely and
depressed. She was reluctant to be out of her
flat her days were long and dull she had no
interest in life.
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104
Can you use four adjectives to describe what Mrs.
Frobisher thought of herself?
105
Can you use four adjectives to describe what Mrs.
Frobisher thought of herself?
Reference Answer Old, poor, sick, and useless.
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106
How did Mrs. Frobisher change her view about
herself?
107
How did Mrs. Frobisher change her view about
herself?
Reference Answer She helped the policemen to
catch the criminal. This caused her to look at
herself with fresh eyes she was not as useless
as she used to think.
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