3. Getting Used to It is a realistic short story by Douglas Dunn. The story is about Harry Boyle, his wife Vera, Vic Nairn, Bob MacQueen and their feelings about the situation they find themselves in.
1) Look at the sentences below and guess what situation they find themselves in exactly and what their feelings about this situation are. (using a dictionary/predicting)
• I could get familiar with it.
• You did it without my knowledge and agreement.
• I think it annoys you, and makes you angry.
• I don't get annoyed or angry.
• Sure, I was extremely angry.
• You came home with a notice informing you that you are reduced.
• Right now I'm more interested in housework.
• I'll have to stand in a line of people waiting for free food to be given to me.
2) WORD POWER
Read a brief passage from the story to check your suggestions. Find the equivalents of the highlighted words above, (guessing by analogy/by context)
Several days a week, after lunch, Harry and Vera Boyle spent at home.
"I suppose," Vera said, "that this is what rich people do in the afternoon. I could get used to it."
"I'm getting used to it already." Harry did more housework than he used to. "How much would it cost," he asked Vera, "to have these curtains dry-cleaned?"
"I don't think I like what's happening to you. Last week you washed the kitchen floor, behind my back. And now you're talking about curtains."
A few days later.
"Have we any carpet shampoo in the house, Vera? I don't see it in the cupboard."
"I think it's getting to you," Vera said. "What is?"
"Unemployment is. And time is, too."
'You don't hear me talk about unemployment. I just don't get roused by the subject. I've got plenty of time."
'You were certainly angry enough the night you came home with that redundancy notice."
"Sure, I was livid. But right now I'm into carpets and curtains. I'm a homeboy. If they can keep me on the bread line, I'll be happy enough and so will you."
3) What was the situation like in the Boyles's house? Choose the correct statement. Read out the sentences from the story to support your opinion.
1. Harry was a homeboy.
Harry was unemployed and spent plenty of time at home.
2. Harry could get used to being unemployed.
Harry could get used to helping his wife about the house.
3. Vera didn't like what was happening to her unemployed husband. Vera didn't like that Harry was doing more housework than he used to.
4 Vera thinks that Harry has got used to the fact that he's unemployed.
Vera thinks that Harry's unemployment was getting to him.
5. Harry didn't get roused by his status as unemployed, because he had plenty of time.
Harry didn't get roused by his status as unemployed, because he was kept on the bread line.
4) Harry Boyle is unemployed.
Does he see any good points in his unemployment or not? Copy the chart and fill it in. (reading for detail)
Good points
Bad points
1) Look at the sentences below and guess what situation they find themselves in exactly and what their feelings about this situation are. (using a dictionary/predicting)
• I could get familiar with it.
• You did it without my knowledge and agreement.
• I think it annoys you, and makes you angry.
• I don't get annoyed or angry.
• Sure, I was extremely angry.
• You came home with a notice informing you that you are reduced.
• Right now I'm more interested in housework.
• I'll have to stand in a line of people waiting for free food to be given to me.
2) WORD POWER
Read a brief passage from the story to check your suggestions. Find the equivalents of the highlighted words above, (guessing by analogy/by context)
Several days a week, after lunch, Harry and Vera Boyle spent at home.
"I suppose," Vera said, "that this is what rich people do in the afternoon. I could get used to it."
"I'm getting used to it already." Harry did more housework than he used to. "How much would it cost," he asked Vera, "to have these curtains dry-cleaned?"
"I don't think I like what's happening to you. Last week you washed the kitchen floor, behind my back. And now you're talking about curtains."
A few days later.
"Have we any carpet shampoo in the house, Vera? I don't see it in the cupboard."
"I think it's getting to you," Vera said. "What is?"
"Unemployment is. And time is, too."
'You don't hear me talk about unemployment. I just don't get roused by the subject. I've got plenty of time."
'You were certainly angry enough the night you came home with that redundancy notice."
"Sure, I was livid. But right now I'm into carpets and curtains. I'm a homeboy. If they can keep me on the bread line, I'll be happy enough and so will you."
3) What was the situation like in the Boyles's house? Choose the correct statement. Read out the sentences from the story to support your opinion.
1. Harry was a homeboy.
Harry was unemployed and spent plenty of time at home.
2. Harry could get used to being unemployed.
Harry could get used to helping his wife about the house.
3. Vera didn't like what was happening to her unemployed husband. Vera didn't like that Harry was doing more housework than he used to.
4 Vera thinks that Harry has got used to the fact that he's unemployed.
Vera thinks that Harry's unemployment was getting to him.
5. Harry didn't get roused by his status as unemployed, because he had plenty of time.
Harry didn't get roused by his status as unemployed, because he was kept on the bread line.
4) Harry Boyle is unemployed.
Does he see any good points in his unemployment or not? Copy the chart and fill it in. (reading for detail)
Good points
Bad points
