“AN APPOINTMENT”

Once upon a time, there was a rich Caliph in Baghdad. He was very famous because he was wise and kind.
One morning, he sent his servant, Abdul, to the market to buy some fruit. As Abdul was walking through the
market, he suddenly felt very cold. He knew that somebody was behind him. He turned round and saw a tall
man, dressed in black. He couldn't see the man's face, only his eyes. The man was staring at him, and Abdul
began to shiver.
'Who are you? What do you want?' Abdul asked.
The man in black didn't reply.
'What's your name?' Abdul asked nervously.
'I...am...Death', the stranger replied coldly and turned away.

Abdul dropped his basket and ran all the way back to the Caliph's house. He rushed into the Caliph's room.
'Excuse me, master. I have to leave Baghdad immediately', Abdul said.
'But why? What's happened?' the Caliph asked.
'I've just met Death in the market', Abdul replied.
'Are you certain?' said the Caliph.
'Yes, I'm certain. He was dressed in black, and he stared at me. I'm going to my father's house in Samarra. If I
go at once, I'll be there before sunset.'
The Caliph could see that Abdul was terrified and gave him permission to go to Samarra.

The Caliph was puzzled. He was fond of Abdul and he was angry because Abdul had been badly frightened by
the stranger in the market. He decided to go to the market and investigate. When he found the man in black,
he spoke to him angrily.
'Why did you frighten my servant?'
'Who is your servant?' the stranger replied.
'His name is Abdul', answered the Caliph.
'I didn't want to frighten him. I was just surprised to see him in Baghdad.'
'Why were you surprised?' the Caliph asked.
'I was surprised because I've got an appointment with him...tonight...in Samarra!'

QUESTIONS:
Here are ten questions about the text using the simple past tense:

1.Did Abdul meet Death in the market?

2-What did Abdul see when he turned around in the market?
3-Why did Abdul feel the need to leave Baghdad immediately after encountering the stranger?
4-In your opinion, how did Abdul's encounter with the man in black affect him emotionally?
5-Was the Caliph angry with Abdul for being frightened?
6-Where did Abdul decide to go after the encounter in the market?
7-What might have been Abdul's feelings when he realized the stranger was Death?
8-In your opinion, why did Death say he was surprised to see Abdul in Baghdad?
9-Did the Caliph believe Abdul's story about meeting Death?
10-What did Death reveal about his appointment with Abdul?

There's No Fury Like a Woman Scorned!

On the first day Margo packed all her belongings into boxes, crates and suitcases. On the second day, she
had the movers come and collect her things. On the third day, Margo sat down for the last time at their
beautiful dining room table by candlelight, put on some soft background music, and feasted on a pound of
shrimp, a jar of caviar, and a bottle of Chardonnay. When she had finished, she went into each an every
room and deposited few half-eaten anchovies dipped in caviar down the curtain rods.
When Margo's husband Ralph returned with his new girlfriend Tracey, all was bliss for the first few days.
Then slowly, the house began to smell. They tried everything, cleaning, mopping, and airing the place out.
Vents were checked for dead rodents, and carpets were steam cleaned. Air fresheners were hung
everywhere. Exterminators were brought in to set off gas canisters, during which they had to move out for a
few days, and in the end they even paid to replace the expensive wool carpeting.....Nothing worked. People
stopped coming over to visit. Repairmen refused to work in the house. The maid quit. Finally, they could not
take the stench any longer and decided to move.
A month later, even though they had cut their price in half, Ralph and Tracey could not find a buyer for their
stinky house. Word got out, and eventually, even the local realtors refused to return their calls.
Finally, they had to borrow a huge sum of money from the bank to purchase a new place. Then Margo
called Ralph, and asked how things were going and he told her the saga of the rotting house. She listened
politely, and said that she missed her old home terribly, and would be willing to reduce her divorce
settlement in exchange for getting the house back.
Knowing his ex-wife had no idea how bad the smell was, Ralph agreed on a price that was about 1/10th of
what the house had been worth, but only if she were to sign the papers that very day. She agreed, and
within the hour his lawyers delivered the paperwork.
A week later Ralph and Tracey stood smiling as they watched the moving company pack everything to take
to their new home - including the curtain rods!
1. Yes/No Question:
 Did Margo pack all her belongings on the first day?
2. Information (WH) Question:
 What did Margo feast on during her final evening in the house?
3. Inference Question:
 Why did Margo deposit half-eaten anchovies dipped in caviar down the curtain rods?
4. Opinion Question:
 In your opinion, what impact did Margo's actions have on Ralph and Tracey's house?
5. Yes/No Question:
 Did Ralph and Tracey initially enjoy their new house?
6. Information (WH) Question:
 What did they try to get rid of the smell in their house?
7. Inference Question:
 Why did people stop coming over to visit Ralph and Tracey?
8. Opinion Question:
 In your opinion, why did Ralph and Tracey struggle to sell their house?
9. Yes/No Question:
 Did the local realtors eventually return Ralph and Tracey's calls?
10. Information (WH) Question:
 What did Margo propose when she called Ralph?
11. Inference Question:
 Why did Ralph agree to reduce the divorce settlement for the house?
12. Opinion Question:
 In your opinion, was Margo aware of how bad the smell was in the house?
13. Yes/No Question:
 Did Ralph and Tracey successfully sell their stinky house?
14. Information (WH) Question:
 What did Ralph and Tracey include in the items they moved to their new home?
15. Inference Question:
 Why do you think the story is titled "There's No Fury Like a Woman Scorned!"?