1C English literature

A In pairs, read the seven extracts below and explain the words and phrases in bold. Discuss whether each one is
commonly used in English in the 21st century and whether the use has changed.

Extract 1

He was at that time a very young man, just engaged in the study of the law; and Elizabeth found him extremely
agreeable, and every plan in his favour was confirmed. He was invited to Kellynch Hall; he was talked of and
expected all the rest of the year; but he never came. The following spring he was seen again in town, found
equally agreeable, again encouraged, invited, and expected, and again he did not come; and the next tidings
were that he was married. Instead of pushing his fortune in the line marked out for the heir of the house of Elliot,
he had purchased independence by uniting himself to a rich woman of inferior birth.

Extract 2

I stood in a subway doorway, trying to get enough nerve to pick up a beautiful long butt, and every time I stooped
great crowds rushed by and obliterated it from my sight, and finally it was crushed. I had no money to go home in
the bus. Paterson is quite a few miles from Times Square.

Extract 3

Send me some tokens, that my hope may live

Or that my easeless thoughts may sleep and rest;
Send me some honey, to make sweet my hive,
That in my passions I may hope the best.
I beg nor ribbon wrought with thine own hands,
To knit our loves in the fantastic strain
Of new-touch'd youth; nor ring to show the stands
Of our affection, that, as that's round and plain,
So should our loves meet in simplicity.

Extract 4

But now the plague is abated almost to nothing, and I entending to get to London as fast as I can, my family, that
is, my wife and maids, having been there these two or three weeks. The Dutch war goes on very ill, by reason of
lack of money.

Extract 5

On week-ends his Rolls-Royce became an omnibus, bearing parties to and from the city between nine in the
morning and long past midnight, while his station wagon scampered like a brisk yellow bug to meet all trains.
And on Mondays eight servants, including an extra gardener, toiled all day with mops and scrubbing-brushes and
hammers and garden-shears, repairing the ravages of the night before.

Extract 6

The First Speaker said, ‘You have studied mental science hard and well for most of your life. You have absorbed
all your teachers could give you. It is time for you and a few others like yourself to begin your apprenticeship for
Speakerhood.’
Agitation from the other side of the desk.
‘No – now you must take this phlegmatically. You had hoped you would qualify. You had feared you would not.
Actually, both hope and fear are weaknesses. You knew you would qualify and you hesitate to admit the fact
because such knowledge might stamp you as cocksure and therefore unfit. Nonsense! The most hopelessly
stupid man is he who is not aware that he is wise. It is part of your qualification that you knew you would qualify.’

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 1C English literature

Extract 7

The land was barren and desolate. He could see a few run-down buildings and some tents. Farther away there
was a cabin beneath two tall trees. Those trees were the only plant life he could see. There weren't even weeds.
The guard led Stanley to a small building. A sign on front said, YOU ARE ENTERING CAMP GREEN LAKE JUVENILE
CORRECTIONAL FACILITY. Next to it was another sign that declared it was a violation of the Texas Penal Code to
bring guns, explosives, weapons, drugs, or alcohol onto the premises.
As Stanley read the sign he couldn't help but think, Well, duh!

B Look at the timeline. In pairs, match the extracts to the dates and books on the timeline. Give reasons for your
choices. How does the language help you to decide?

The Diary The Great Gatsby Second On the Road

of Persuasion The Token by Foundation by Holes
Samuel Pepys by Jane Austen by John Donne F Scott-Fitzgerald by Isaac Asimov Jack Kerouac by Louis Sachar

1665 1818 1896 1925 1953 1957 1998

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 1C English literature

Aims  To give students the opportunity to analyse and discuss

English language from different periods of English literature.
Time  15 minutes
Materials  1 handout for each student
• Give each student a copy of the handout and ask them to do
task A with a partner. Tell them to read the extracts and think
about the words in bold.
Answer Key
Extract one – these words are not commonly used in 21st century
agreeable – pleasant (in this case, possibly also good-looking)
tidings – news
of inferior birth – this means that her parents and grandparents
were of a lower social standing or class
Extract two – these words are used in 21st century, with the same
meaning
nerve – courage
stooped – bent down
obliterated – remove all signs of
Extract three – these words are not used in 21st century apart from
wrought but this is most often used with a different meaning:
caused
easeless – without comfort or rest
wrought – made, built
Thine own hands – your own hands
Extract four – abate’ is still in use in formal English. Ill when used as
an adverb like this is very old-fashioned or literary. Entending is
not in use in 21st century
abated – become less strong, faded/died away
entending – intending, attempting
Ill – badly
Extract five – these words are not commonly used in 21st century
except in literary texts or specific set phrases.
Omnibus – bus
Toiled – worked hard
Ravages – damage
Extract six – hesitate is commonly used in 21st century but
cocksure is unusual and old-fashioned
hesitate – pause before you do something (often because you are
nervous or uncertain)
stamp – mark or label with a particular sign
cocksure – over-confident, big-headed
Extract seven – these words are all commonly used in 21st century
run-down – neglected, not cared for or maintained
violation – an action which breaks a law or rule
premises – buildings owned by an organisation or business
• Tell students to match the extracts to the dates on the timeline
and discuss with their partner, giving reasons for their choices.
Check answers as a class.
Answer Key
Extract 4 1665 The Diary of Samuel Pepys
Extract 1 1818 Persuasion
Extract 3 1896 The Token
Extract 5 1925 The Great Gatsby
Extract 6 1953 Second Foundation
Extract 2 1957 On the Road
Extract 7 1998 Holes

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