Activity 1(A): By partner

A Tale of Two Cities:

The Beginning Charles Dickens wrote A Tale of Two Cities which was published in
1859. The novel takes place in Paris and London before and during the French Revolution.
Through the actions of the characters, Dickens compares the social and political situations of the
two cities. Below are the opening paragraphs of the book.
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens It was the best of times, it was the worst of
times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was
the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the
spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before
us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way—in short, the
period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being
received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only. There was a king
with a large jaw and a queen with a plain face, on the throne of England; there were a king with a
large jaw and a queen with a fair face, on the throne of France. In both countries it was clearer
than crystal to the lords of the State preserves of loaves and fishes, that things in general were
settled for ever.
Answer the following questions. 1. Dickens starts the novel with a series of seeming
contradictions, e.g. “it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.” How do you think
the time can be both?
2. In the passage the author states “the period was so far like the present period.” He sees
the time of the opening of the book (1775) is the same as his own time (1859). Using the
best/worst descriptions in the first paragraph, state a similarity you see between 1775 and today.
3. Dickens refers to the “lords of the State preserves” who believe that “things in general
were settled forever.” Who do you think these lords are, and what things are settled?
 Activity 1 (B): By Partner

Charles Dickens Visits America

In 1842 Charles Dickens was probably the most famous English language author in the
world. He was received around the world as a major celebrity, often mobbed by fans. It was in
that year that Dickens visited the United States. He wrote and published his thoughts about his
visit in a book American Notes for General Circulation. Below is a passage about his visit to
Washington, D.C.
Washington. The Legislature. And The President’s House The President’s mansion is
more like an English club-house, both within and without, than any other kind of establishment
with which I can compare it. The ornamental ground about it has been laid out in garden walks;
they are pretty, and agreeable to the eye; though they have that uncomfortable air of having been
made yesterday, which is far from favourable to the display of such beauties. My first visit to this
house was on the morning after my arrival, when I was carried thither by an official gentleman,
who was so kind as to charge himself with my presentation to the President. We entered a large
hall, and having twice or thrice rung a bell which nobody answered, walked without further
ceremony through the rooms on the ground floor, as diverse other gentlemen (mostly with their
hats on, and their hands in their pockets) were doing very leisurely. Some of these had ladies
with them, to whom they were showing the premises; others were lounging on the chairs and
sofas; others, in a perfect state of exhaustion from listlessness, were yawning drearily. The
greater portion of this assemblage were rather asserting their supremacy than doing anything
else, as they had no particular business there, that anybody knew of. A few were closely eyeing
the movables, as if to make quite sure that the President (who was far from popular) had not
made away with any of the furniture, or sold the fixtures for his private benefit. After glancing at
these loungers; who were scattered over a pretty drawing-room, opening upon a terrace which
commanded a beautiful prospect of the river and the adjacent country; and who were sauntering,
too, about a larger state-room called the Eastern Drawing-room; we went up-stairs into another
chamber, where were certain visitors, waiting for audiences.
1. Dickens talks about the gardens having the “uncomfortable air of having been made
yesterday.” Explain how the garden might be a metaphor for the United States.
2. Write a short paragraph comparing the White House that Dickens describes and the
White House of today. What is something that happened then that would not happen now. Why?
 Activity 3: Individual
Writing Introductions:
Bridge Building Activity
The student picks one lead noun card and one thesis statement card. The student then
writes an introduction to an essay that connects the lead noun to the thesis statement with the
bridge. The goal is to encourage creative, interesting, and attention-getting introductions to the
essay.
Lead Nouns
BICYCLE CAT
ROBOT TREE
FIREPLACE BOOK
CLOUDS APPLE
Thesis sentences
Student lunch hours should be longer.
Vacations are important for families.
It is the duty of all citizens to vote.
Parents should pay children to complete chores.
Art is an important subject for students to learn in school.
Young people should participate in sports because athletics teaches teamwork.
Texting while driving is dangerous.
Water conservation now is important for the future of the next generation.
 Activity 4: By partner
Poe and The Fall of the House of Usher
“The Fall of the House of Usher” is a short story written by Edgar Allan Poe in 1839. Poe is
considered a master of Gothic fiction, which centers on dark and terrifying stories. Poe focuses
on psychological terror, as his characters often show madness. Below is a passage from the
opening of “The Fall of the House of Usher.” The narrator has just arrived at the home of his
childhood friend, Roderick Usher. It is a description of the Usher’s house. A tarn is a mountain
lake. Shaking off from my spirit what must have been a dream, I scanned more narrowly the real
aspect of the building. Its principal feature seemed to be that of an excessive antiquity. The
discoloration of ages had been great. Minute fungi overspread the whole exterior, hanging in a
fine tangled web-work from the eaves. Yet all this was apart from any extraordinary dilapidation.
No portion of the masonry had fallen; and there appeared to be a wild inconsistency between its
still perfect adaptation of parts, and the crumbling condition of the individual stones. In this there
was much that reminded me of the specious totality of old wood-work which has rotted for long
years in some neglected vault, with no disturbance from the breath of the external air. Beyond
this indication of extensive decay, however, the fabric gave little token of instability. Perhaps the
eye of a scrutinizing observer might have discovered a barely perceptible fissure, which,
extending from the roof of the building in front, made its way down the wall in a zigzag
direction, until it became lost in the sullen waters of the tarn.
Part I. Using the context clues, write what you think the underlined word means.
1. Yet all this was apart from any extraordinary dilapidation
______________________________________________
2. ...there appeared to be a wild inconsistency between its still perfect adaptation of parts, and the
crumbling condition of the individual stones
______________________________________________
3. reminded me of the specious totality of old wood-work
______________________________________________
4. Perhaps the eye of a scrutinizing observer
______________________________________________
5. discovered a barely perceptible fissure
______________________________________________
Part II 1. Write an example of personification in the passage.
2. Write a metaphor from the passage.
3. Write an alliteration from the passage.

Activity 2: By three
Writing Introductions:
Thesis Sentence A thesis sentence is the main topic sentence of an essay or other written
piece. It states the main opinion and often forecasts the principle sections of the piece. It is
usually placed at the end of the introduction.
Example: Topic: Should students be allowed to eat during class?
Possible thesis sentence: Students should not eat during class as students would not be
paying attention while they eat, they may leave trash in the classroom, and other students might
be distracted while their neighbor eats.
Write a thesis sentence for each topic below.
1. Discuss who was the greater president of the Philppines: Ferdinand Marcos or Corazon
Aquino?
2. What was the greatest challenge in your life?
3. What are the most important character traits fo

r a good brother/sisetr?
4. Explain your favorite character in literature.
5. Should motorcycles be outlawed on public streets?