Basic English Institute
As you will see from the top of the notepaper, I am in Naples at last after the long journey through
Belgium, France, Switzerland, and the greater part of Italy.
What does he see from ?
He sees from the top of the notepaper.
Where am I ?
You are in Naples.
When am I in Naples ?
You are in Naples at last after the long journey through Belgium, France, Switzerland, and
the greater part of Italy.
How am I to see you in Naples ?
As he sees from the top of the notepaper, you are in Naples.
It is good to be here after breathing the overheated air of a railway carriage for so long.
How is it ?
It is good.
What is it good ?
It is good to be here.
What is it good to be here after doing ?
It is good to be here after breathing the overheated air of a railway carriage for so long.
If I had had any idea of what was in front of me, l might not have undertaken the journey.
What had I had any idea of ?
You had had any idea of what was in front of you.
What might I not have undertaken ?
You might not have undertaken the journey.
In what condition might I not have undertaken the journey ?
If you had had any idea of what was in front of you, you might not have undertaken the journey.
I had a foolish belief that conditions would be normal now.
What belief had I ?
You had a foolish belief.
How would conditions be ?
They would be normal.
When would they be normal ?
They would be normal now.
What foolish belief had I ?
You had a foolish belief that conditions would be normal now.
How wrong I was !
How was I ?
You were very wrong.
In addition to the fact that the train was so full that half of us were without seats, there was no water for
Washing . . .
How full was the train ?
It was so full that half of them were without seats.
What was there ?
There was no water for washing.
In addition to what fact was there no water for washing ?
In addition to the fact that the train was so full that half of them were without seats, t
here was no water for washing
. . . and it was almost impossible to get any food.
How impossible was it ?
It was almost impossible.
What was it almost impossible to do ?
It was almost impossible to get any food.
If you ever do this journey, take your food and drink with you, . . .
What do I ever ?
You ever do that journey.
What do I take with me ?
You take your food and drink with you.
In what condition do I take my food and drink with me ?
If you ever do that journey, you take your food and rink with you.
. . . and be certain that you have a tin-opener and a corkscrew in your pocket.
What do I have ?
You have a tin-opener and a corkscrew.
Where do I have a tine-opener and a corkscrew ?
You have a tine-opener and a corkscrew in your pocket.
I hadn't !
What didn't you do ?
I hadn't a tin-opener and a corkscrew
My last stop was in Rome, . . .
Where was it ?
It was in Rome.
. . . but I was there only for a night . . .
How long was I there ?
You were there only for a night.
. . . and so wasn't able to see much.
What wasn't I able to do ?
You weren't able to see much.
I am hoping to have a longer time there on the way back, . . .
What do I have ?
You have a longer time.
Where do I have a longer time ?
You have a longer time there.
When do I have a longer time there ?
I have a longer time there on the way back.
What am I hoping to do ?
You are hoping to have a longer time there on the way back.
. . . and I will certainly get in touch with your friend at the British Embassy.
Who will I get in touch with ?
You will get in touch with my friend at the British Embassy.
How will I get in touch with your friend at the British Embassy ?
You will certainly get in touch with my friend at the British Embassy.
He may be able to give me the name of a better hotel than the one I went to.
What may he be able to give you ?
He may be able to give you the name of a better hotel.
What may he be able to give you the name of a better hotel than ?
He may be able to give me the name of a better hotel than the one I went to.
My bed was as hard as a board . . .
How hard was it ?
It was as hard as a board.
. . . and when I got up in the morning, after a very poor night's sleep,
I was covered with bites from head to foot.
When did I get up ?
You got up in the morning.
When did I get up in the morning ?
You got up in the morning after a poor night's sleep
What did I get up in the morning after ?
You got up in the morning after a poor night's sleep.
What was I covered with ?
You are covered with bites.
Where was I covered with bites ?
You were covered with bites from head to foot.
When was I covered with bites from head to foot ?
When you got up in the morning, after a very poor night's sleep, you were covered with bites
from head to foot.
I have had to give up the idea of going by sea to Spain because I'll not have enough money.
What have I had to give up the idea of doing ?
You have had to give up the idea of going by sea to Spain.
What money will I have not ?
You'll not have enough money.
Why have I had to give up the idea of going by sea to Spain ?
Because you'll have not enough money.
Even though the rate of exchange is quite good, prices everywhere are still so high that
it has been impossible to do things cheaply.
What is good ?
The rate of exchange is good.
What are still high ?
Prices everywhere are still high.
How high are they ?
They are still so high that it has been impossible to do things cheaply..
In spite of what condition are they still so high that it has been impossible to do things cheaply ?
Even though the rate of exchange is quite good, prices everywhere are still so high that
it has been impossible to do things cheaply.
It has been a blow to me.
What has it been ?
It has been a blow.
Who has it been a blow to ?
It has been a blow to you.
I was looking forward to going to Spain.
What was I looking forward to doing ?
You were looking forward to going to Spain.
However, now I will have a chance to see more of Italy, . . .
What will I have a chance to do ?
You will have a chance to see more of Italy.
When will I have a chance to see more of Italy ?
Now you will have a chance to see more of Italy.
. . . and I'm pleased about that.
What am pleased about ?
You are pleased about that.
It is still quite early,
How early is it ?
It is still quite early.
and I am writing this while I am haying my morning coffee and rolls at one of the little tables
on the hotel terrace, overlooking the sea.
What am I writing ?
You are writing that.
What am I having ?
You are having your morning coffee and rolls.
Where am I having my morning coffee and rolls ?
You are having your morning coffee and rolls at one of the little tables on the hotel terrace.
Where am I having my morning coffee and rolls ?
You are having your morning coffee and rolls at one of the little tables on the hotel terrace,
overlooking the sea.
During what time am I writing this ?
You are writing that while you are having your morning coffee and rolls at one of the
little tables on the hotel terrace, overlooking the sea.
I have a seat facing Vesuvius.
What do I have ?
You have a seat.
What seat do I have ?
You have a seat facing Vesuvius.
The waiter's surprise on the first morning at seeing me come down for my meal made it
quite clear that this is not generally done.
What does the waiter see me do ?
He sees me come down for my meal.
What made it clear ?
The waiter's surprise on the first morning at seeing me come down for my meal made it clear.
How is that not done ?
It is not generally done.
What does the waiter's surprise on the first morning at seeing me come down for my meal made clear ?
The waiter's surprise on the first morning at seeing me come down for my meal made it quite clear that
that is not generally done.
I have now made the discovery that most of the persons in the hotel have their coffee in bed.
What have I made ?
You have made the discovery.
When have I made the discovery ?
You have now made the discovery.
What discovery have I now made ?
You have now made the discovery that most of the persons in the hotel have their coffee in bed.
But it seems a shame not to get up when the weather is so beautiful.
What does it seem ?
It seems a shame.
How beautiful is the weather ?
The weather is so beautiful.
What does it seem a shame not to do ?
It seems a shame not to get up when the weather is so beautiful.
The sun is very warm this morning
How warm is it ?
It is very warm.
When is it very warm ?
It is very warm this morning.
and there is a soft wind coming from the sea.
What is there ?
There is a soft wind.
What soft wind is there ?
There is a soft wind coming from the sea,.
I am getting quite sunburned
How sunburned am I getting ?
You are getting quite sunburned.
and I have a great sense of well-being.
What do I have ?
You have a great sense of well being.
It is surprising how fertile the slopes of Vesuvius are, in view of the fact that
they are formed chiefly of lava and other hard material from deep down in the earth.
How are the slops of Vesuvius ?
They are very fertile.
What are they formed of ?
They are formed chiefly of lava and other hard material from deep down in the earth.
What is surprising ?
It is surprising how fertile the slopes of Vesuvius are.
In view of what fact is it surprising how fertile the slopes of Vesuvius are ?
It is surprising how fertile the slopes of Vesuvius are, in view of the fact that they are
formed chiefly of lava and other hard material from deep down in the earth.
I see smoke coming from the mountain,
What do I see smoke doing ?
You see smoke coming.
What do I see smoke coming from ?
I see smoke coming from the mountain.
and at night the sky in that direction is quite red.
What is quite red ?
The sky in that direction is quite red.
When is it quite red ?
At night it is quite red.
They say here that Vesuvius is frequently in this condition . . .
How is Vesuvius ?
It is in that condition.
How often is it in that condition ?
It is frequently in that condition.
What do they say here ?
They say here that Vesuvius is frequently in this condition
. . . and that the experts who keep it under observation are able to see when there are signs of danger.
What do the experts keep under observation ?
They keep it under observation.
What experts are able to see when there are signs of danger.
The experts who keep it under observation are able to see when there are signs of danger.
They are probably right,
How right are they ?
They are probably right.
but I'm taking no chances !
What am I taking ?
You are taking no chances.
I'm going to keep at a safe distance, . . .
At what distance am I going to keep ?
You are going to keep at a safe distance.
. . . and nothing will make me go anywhere near the foot of the mountain while there are signs
that some-thing is going on inside.
What will make me go ?
Nothing will make me go.
Where will nothing make me go ?
Nothing will make me go anywhere near the foot of the mountain.
What are there ?
There are signs.
What is going on inside ?
Something is going on inside.
What signs are there ?
There are signs that something is going on inside.
During what time will nothing take me go anywhere near the foot of the mountain
while there are signs that something is going on inside.
Nothing will make me go anywhere near the foot of the mountain while there are signs that some-
thing is going on inside.
From where I am on the terrace, looking down on the garden with its bright flowers and
evergreens, I have a good view of the warships which are at present in the harbor, . . .
Where am I ?
You are on the terrace.
What am I on the terrace, doing ?
You are on the terrace, looking down on the garden with its bright flowers and evergreens.
What do I have ?
You have a good view of the warships.
What warships do I have a good view of ?
You have a good view of the warships which are at present in the harbor.
From where do I have a good view of the warships which are at present in the harbor ?
From where you are on the terrace, looking down on the garden with its bright flowers and evergreens,
you have a good view of the warships which are at present in the harbor.
. . . and I have been watching the little steamers which go to the islands of Capri and Ischia.
What have I been watching ?
You have been watching the little steamers.
What little steamers have I been watching ?
You have been watching the little steamers which go to the islands of Capri and Ischia.
I haven't been to Capri . . .
Where haven't I been ?
You haven't been to Capri.
. . . but I may go there for the day tomorrow if I am feeling strong enough.
Where may I go ?
You may go there.
When may I go there ?
You may go there for the day tomorrow.
How am I feeling ?
You are feeling strong enough.
In what condition may I go there for the day tomorrow ?
You may go there for the day tomorrow if you are feeling strong enough.
Today, I am a little tired after walking about so much.
How tired am I ?
You are a little tired.
When am I a little tired ?
Today, you are a little tired.
What, today, am I a little tired after doing ?
Today, you are a little tired after walking about so much.
I made a friend on the journey, a French writer named Paul Fournier, who got on the train at Berne.
Where did a French writer named Paul Fournier get on the train ?
He got on the train at Berne.
What friend did I make ?
You made a friend, a French writer named Paul Fournier, who got on the train at Berne.
I got into talk with him because I saw that he had a ticket for Naples, . . .
Who did I get into talk with ?
You got into talk with him.
What did he have ?
He had a ticket for Naples.
What did I see ?
You saw that he had a ticket for Naples.
Why did I get into talk with him ?
Because you saw that he had a ticket for Naples.
. . . and then made the discovery that he was going to the same hotel as I was.
What hotel was he going to ?
He was going to the same hotel as I was.
What discovery did I make ?
You made the discovery that he was going to the same hotel as you were.
His English is so good that I took him, at first, for an English man, . . .
What is good ?
His English is good.
How good is it ?
It is so good that you took him, at first, for an English man.
. . . and was quite surprised when he said he was a Frenchman.
How was I ?
You were quite surprised.
What was he ?
He was a Frenchman.
What did he say ?
He said he was a Frenchman.
When was I quite surprised ?
You were quite surprised when he said he was a Frenchman.
He's not at all like one's idea of a man of letters.
What is he not at all like ?
He's not at all like one's idea of a man of letters.
He is a tall, fat, red-faced man with glasses, . . .
What man is he ?
He is a tall, fat, red-faced man with glasses.
. . . and his hair is getting thin on top, though he's only in the middle thirties.
How is it getting ?
It is getting thin.
Where is it getting thin ?
It is getting thin on top.
How is he ?
He is only in middle thirties.
In spite of what condition is his hair getting thin on top ?
It is getting thin on top, though he's only in the middle thirties.
Looking at him, you would say that he was probably a business man with a limited outlook, . . .
What was he probably ?
He was probably a business man with a limited outlook.
What would you say ?
I would say that he was probably a businessman with a limited outlook.
How would you say that he was probably a business man with a limited outlook ?
Looking at him, I would say that he was probably a businessman with a limited outlook.
. . . but he has one of the best minds I have ever come across.
What does he have ?
He has one of the best minds.
What have I ever come across ?
You have ever come across one of the best minds.
What minds does he have ?
He has one of the best minds you have ever come across.
He has a ready tongue and a great sense of humor, . . .
What tongue and sense does he have ?
He has a ready tongue and a great sense of humor.
. . . so his company is a pleasure.
What is his company ?
It is a pleasure.
Fournier has been here before . . .
When has he been there ?
He has been there before.
. . . and has an interesting circle of friends.
What does he have ?
He has an interesting circle of friends.
Last night he took me to see a man who is teaching at the University.
What did he take me to do ?
He took you to see a man.
When did he take me to see a man ?
Last night he took you to see a man.
What man, last night, did he take me to see ?
Last night he took you to see a man who is teaching at the University.
He was in the United States for three years, being trained as a teacher of psychology, . . .
Where was he ?
He was in the United States.
How long was he in the United States ?
He was in the United States for three years.
As what teacher was he in the United States for three years, being trained ?
He was in the United States for three years, being trained as a teacher of psychology.
. . . and his bookshelves are full of American and English books.
What are they full of ?
They are full of American and English books.
He is writing a book on the psychology of crime, which he is hoping to get out this year.
What is he writing ?
He is writing a book on the psychology of crime.
What book on the psychology of crime is he writing ?
He is writing a book on the psychology of crime, which he is hoping to get out this year.
In the war years he naturally got out of touch with the work which was being done in other countries, . . .
What did he get out of touch with ?
He got out of touch with the work.
When and how did he get out of touch with the work ?
In the war years he naturally got out of touch with the work.
What work, in the war years, did he get out of touch with ?
In the war years he naturally got out of touch with the work which was being done in other countries.
. . . and he was interested in the news I was able to give him, in answer to his questions,
about developments in this field in England.
What was I able to give him ?
You were able to give him the news about developments in that field in England.
How was I able to give him the news about developments in that field in England.
You were able to give him, in answer to his questions, about developments in that field in England.
What was he interested in ?
He was interested in the news.
What news was he interested in ?
He was interested in the news you were able to give him, in answer to his questions,
about developments in that field in England.
This man's brother has a position at the Museum . . .
What does he have ?
He has a position at the Museum.
. . . and he is going to take me round one day.
What is he going to do ?
He is going to take you round one day.
I had been reading the very detailed account of the Museum which is given in my guide-book, . . .
What had I been reading ?
You had been reading the very detailed account of the Museum.
What very detailed account of the Museum had I been reading ?
You had been reading the very detailed account of the Museum which is given in your guide-book.
. . . and, to my amusement, he took me for an expert on early Italian works of art !
What did he take me for ?
He took you for an expert on early Italian works of art.
How did he take me for an expert on early Italian works of art.
To your amusement he took you for an expert on early Italian works of art.
Another friend of Fournier's, who does the music notes for a Rome newspaper, is to take us
to see the Opera from his box on Friday.
Who does the music notes for a Rome newspaper ?
Another friend of Fournier's does the music notes for a Rome newspaper.
What friend of Fournier's is to take us to do ?
Another friend of Fournier's, who does the music notes for a Rome newspaper, is to take you
to see the Opera from his box on Friday.
So, you see, I am completing my education.
What am I completing ?
You are completing your education.
Fournier's Italian is not as good as his English
How good is Fournier's Italian ?
It is not as good as his English.
but it is much better than mine.
How better is it ?
It is much better.
What is it much better than
It is much better than yours.
He has been teaching me . . .
Who has he been teaching ?
He has been teaching you.
. . . and, by degrees, I am learning to say the things which are needed for getting about,
though my not infrequent slips are still a cause of great amusement to our friends.
What am I learning to say ?
You are learning to say the things.
What things am I learning to say ?
You are learning to say the things which are needed for getting about.
How am I learning to say the things which are needed for getting about ?
By degrees you are learning to say the things which are needed for getting about.
What are my not infrequent slips still a cause of ?
They are still a cause of great amusement to your friends.
In spite of what condition, by degrees, am I learning to say the things which are needed for getting about ?
By degrees, you are learning to say the things which are needed for getting about, though your not
infrequent slips are still a cause of great amusement to your friends.
l went for a walk yesterday in some of the back streets.
What did I go for ?
You went for a walk.
When did I go for a walk ?
You went for a walk yesterday.
Where did I go for a walk yesterday ?
You went for a walk yesterday in some of the back streets.
The houses seem tall because the streets are so narrow.
How do they seem ?
They seem tall.
How narrow are they ?
They are so narrow.
Why do they seem tall ?
They seem tall because the streets are so narrow.
They all have shutters to keep out the sun . . .
What do they all have ?
They all have shutters.
What shutters do they all have ?
They all have shutters to keep out the sun.
. . . and a number of them are painted some light color.
What are they painted ?
They are painted some light color.
The general effect is bright and pleasing, . . .
What is bright and pleasing ?
The general effect is bright and pleasing.
. . . but the streets are shockingly dirty . . .
How dirty are they ?
They are shockingly dirty.
. . . and the smell of the drains is overpowering.
What is overpowering ?
The smell of the drains is overpowering.
Much of the house waste is put out into the streets, . . .
Where is it put out ?
It is put out into the streets.
. . . and naturally there are flies everywhere.
What are there ?
There are flies.
How are there flies ?
Naturally there are flies everywhere.
I am certain that it is very unhealthy.
How unhealthy is it ?
It is very unhealthy.
What am I certain ?
You are certain that it is very unhealthy.
Very little air gets into these streets, . . .
What gets into those streets.
Very little air gets into those streets.
. . . and Fournier says that in the middle of the summer the houses are like ovens.
What are the houses like ?
They are like the ovens.
When are they like ovens ?
In the middle of summer they are like ovens.
What does Fournier say ?
He says that in the middle of the summer the houses are like ovens.
These Italians of the South, with their black hair, brown eyes, and dark skins,
have a great attraction for me, specially the younger ones.
Who have a great attraction for me ?
These Italians of the South, with their black hair, brown eyes, and dark skins,
have a great attraction for you, specially the younger ones.
It is strange that, though clearly they have a taste for bright colors
(as one may see from the pictures and ornaments in their churches),
such a number of them go about dressed in black.
What do they have a taste for ?
They have a taste for bright colors.
How do they have a taste for bright colors
Clearly they have a taste for bright colors as one may see from the pictures and ornaments
in their churches.
In spite of what condition do such a number of them go about dressed in black ?
Though clearly they have a taste for bright colors as one may see from the pictures
and ornaments in their churches, such a number of them go about dressed in black.
What is it strange ?
It is strange that, though clearly they have a taste for bright colors
(as one may see from the pictures and ornaments in their churches),
such a number of them go about dressed in black.
They have a natural love of music . . .
What do they have a natural love of ?
They have a natural love of music.
. . . .and are never tired of hearing the simple songs which are so dear to them.
What are they never tired of doing ?
They are never tired of hearing the simple songs.
What simple songs are they never tired of hearing ?
They are never tired of hearing the simple songs which are so dear to them.
They seem happy and carefree,
How do they seem ?
They seem happy and carefree.
and though, when they get angry, they are sometimes very violent and cruel,
normally they are laughing and good-humored.
How do they get ?
They get angry.
How violent and cruel are they ?
They are very violent and cruel.
When are they very violent and cruel ?
When they get angry they are sometimes very violent and angry.
How are they ?
Normally they are laughing and good-humored.
In spite of what condition normally are they laughing and good-humored ?
They are normally laughing and good-humored, though, when they get angry,
they are sometimes very violent and cruel.
They are all very kind to babies, . . .
How kind are they ?
They are all very kind.
Who are they all very kind to ?
They are all very kind to babies.
. . . but, unhappily, they do not have the same kind feeling for their horses and dogs.
What do they not have ?
They do not have the same kind feeling for their horses and dogs.
How do they not have the same kind feeling for their horses and dogs ?
Unhappily, they do not have the same kind feeling for their horses and dogs.
Do the men and women of any other country have our English love of animals ?
What does the writer ask ?
He asks if the men and women of any other country have their English love of animals.
Here's the waiter coming to take my tray away.
What is the waiter coming to do ?
He is coming to take your tray away.
It's time for me to go and see if Fournier is awake, . . .
What is it ?
It's time.
What time is it for me to do ?
It's time for you to go and see if Fournier is awake.
. . . so I'll come to a stop.
What will I do ?
You'll come to a stop.
Are you able to make out my handwriting ?
What does he say ?
He says, "Are you able to make out my handwriting.?"
It seems to get worse every day.
How does it seem to get ?
It seems to get worse every day.
I'm unable to get used to these Italian pens.
What am I unable to get used to ?
You are unable to get used to those Italian pens.
I'll get this letter off to you before I go out if the hotel porter has a stamp.
Who will I get this letter off to ?
You will get that letter off to me.
When will I get this letter off to you ?
You'll get that letter off to me before you go out.
What does the hotel porter have ?
He has a stamp.
In what condition will I get this letter off to you before I go out ?
You'll get that letter off to me before you go out if the hotel porter has a stamp.
How are you all ?
What does he say ?
He says, "How are you all ?"
Give my love to Alice.
What does he say ?
He says, "Give my love to Alice."
Saburo Terada
Saitama Prefecture