Lesson 2

Language

1. Underline all the verbs in these sentences. Write PS (past simple) or PP (present perfect).

1. I’ve never read David Copperfield. PP
2. I read David Copperfield two years ago. PS
3. Adel has just finished reading David Copperfield. PP
4. My sister hasn't read David Copperfield since high school. PP
5. I read some of Charles Dickens’ books last year. PS
6. Aya studied English for years and she read David Copperfield then. PS

2. Work in pairs. What is the difference in meaning between these sentences?

1. I lived in Qena for years.

I’ve lived in Qena for years.

In the first sentence: I don't live in Qena now.

In the second sentence: I live in Qena now.

2. I’m reading David Copperfield.

I’ve just read David Copperfield.

In the first sentence I’m (still) reading David Copperfield now / I haven’t finished reading David Copperfield.

In the second sentence, I finished reading David Copperfield a short time ago.

3. Amal has stayed in Hurghada for two years.

Amal stayed in Hurghada two years ago.

In the first sentence, Amal talks about his experience of staying in Hurghada which continues.

In the second sentence he talks about when he stayed in Hurghada, a past experience which has ended.

Listening

5. Listen to the talk and answer the questions.

1. What did Charles Dickens want people to do after they read his books?

Do something to change the world.

2. Who did Charles Dickens most want to help?

Poor children.

3. Why did he want to help them?

Because he had a difficult childhood.

4. How was the poor law against the people’s benefit?

It removed support for most poor people so their lives were hard.

5. Dickens’ thought that both poor and rich people have a role to make society better. Explain.

Any person who worked hard and was honest and good deserved to be rewarded because they made society better.

6. Listen again. Find and correct the factual mistakes in these sentences. Some sentences may be correct.​​​​​​​

1. Charles Dickens left school when he was ten years old.

Charles Dickens left school when he was 12 years old.

2. There was a new law in 1834 which made life worse for poor people​​​​​​​.

Correct.

3. Dickens spent three years writing David Copperfield​​​​​​​.

Dickens spent two years writing David Copperfield

4. Dickens thought that Mr Micawber and Mr Wickfield were helpful and kind people.

Correct.

5. Bad people in his books were usually rewarded.

Bad people had an unhappy end​​​​​​​.