Basic English Institute
In this Step, we are going to see how a learner of Basic English might get on if,
by a happy chance, he came across only persons who, like himself, had a knowledge of Basic.
Who might get on ?
A learner of Basic English might get on.
What persons did he come across ?
He came across only persons who, like himself, had a knowledge of Basic.
How did he come across only persons who, like himself, had a knowledge of Basic.
By a happy chance, he came across only persons who, like himself, had a knowledge of Basic.
In what condition might a leaner of Basic English get on ?
A learner of Basic English might get on if, by a happy chance, he came across
only persons who, like himself, had a knowledge of Basic.
What are we going to do ?
You are going to see how a learner of Basic English might get on if, by a happy chance,
he came across only persons who, like himself, had a knowledge of Basic.
Where are we going to see it.
In this Step you are going to see it.
We will give our Basic learner the name of ' Mr. X ', though ' Mrs. X ' or ' Miss X '
would do equally well.
What and in spite of what condition will we give our Basic learner ?
You will give our Basic learner the name of ' Mr. X ', though ' Mrs. X ' or ' Miss X '
would do equally well.
l . AT THE RAILWAY STATION
[to the porter who has taken his things out of the taxi]
Who does he say to ?
He says to the porter.
What porter does he say to ?
He says to the porter who has taken his things out of the taxi.
Mr. X : Where is the booking-office ?
What does he say ?
He says, "Where is the booking-office ?"
Porter : Through that doorway and to the right.
What does he say ?
He says, "Through that doorway and to the right."
Mr. X : Will you take care of my things while I get my ticket ?
What does he ask the porter to do ?
He asks the porter to take care of his things while he gets his ticket.
He goes to the booking-office.
Where does he go ?
He goes to the booking-office.
[to the man at the booking-office]
Who does he make talk to ?
He makes talks to the man at the booking-office.
A ticket to Paddington, please.
What does he say ?
He says, "A ticket to Paddington, please."
Man at the Booking-Office : First or Third ?
What does he say ?
He says, "First or Third ?"
Mr. X. : Third.
What does he say ?
He says, "Third."
[giving him the ticket]
What is he giving Mr. X ?
He is giving him a ticket.
Man at the Booking-Office: Nine and seven cents, please.
What does he say ?
He says, "Nine and seven cents, please."
Mr. X : But that's more than the amount given in the railway guide at my hotel.
What is it more than ?
It's more than the amount.
What amount is it more than ?
It's more than the amount given in the railway guide at his hotel.
Man at the Booking-Office : It was probably an old guide.
What guide was it probably ?
It was probably an old guide.
There has been an increase of a quarter cent a mile in the price of all tickets this month.
What has there been ?
There has been an increase of a quarter of a cent a mile in the price of all tickets.
When has there been an increase of the price of all tickets ?
There has been an increase in the price of all tickets this month.
He takes a ten-Euro note out of his pocket-book, gives it to the man, and gets five cents change.
What does he take ?
He takes a ten-Euro note.
What does he take a ten-Euro note out of ?
He takes a ten-Euro note out of his pocket-book.
Who does he give it to ?
He gives it to the man.
What does he get ?
He gets five cents change.
Mr. X : I see. Is there a restaurant carriage on the twelve thirty-six to London ?
What does he say ?
He says, "I see. Is there a restaurant carriage on the twelve thirty-six to London ?
Man at the Booking-Office : No.
What does he say ?
He says, "No."
There was one on that train but it has been taken off.
What was there ?
There was one.
Where was there one ?
There was one on that train.
What has been taken off ?
It has been taken off.
Mr. X goes back to the porter.
Who does he go back to ?
He goes back to the porter.
Porter : What train are you taking ?
What does he ask Mr.X ?
He asks him what train he is taking.
Mr. X : The twelve thirty-six to Paddington.
What does he say ?
He says, "The twelve thirty-six to Paddington."
Porter : It's waiting now on Number Three, . . .
Why is it waiting ?
It is waiting on Number Three.
When is it waiting on Number Three.
It is waiting now on Number Three.
. . . but there's still twenty minutes before it goes.
What is there ?
There's twenty minutes.
How is there twenty minutes ?
There's still twenty minutes before it goes.
Mr. X : You go on and get a seat for me while I get a paper and some cigarettes.
What does the porter do ?
He goes on.
What does he get ?
He gets a seat for Mr. X.
What does Mr. X get ?
He gets a paper and some cigarettes.
During what time does the porter go on and get a seat for Mr. X.
He goes on and gets a seat for Mr. X while Mr. X gets a paper and some cigarettes.
I'll see you at the train.
Who will Mr. X see ?
He'll see the porter.
Where will he see the porter ?
He'll see the porter at the train.
Porter : Are you going Third?
What does he ask Mr. X ?
He asks him if he is going Third.
Mr. X : Yes.
What does he say ?
He says, "Yes."
Get me into a smoking-carriage if possible.
What does he ask the porter to do ?
He asks the porter to get him into a smoking-carriage if possible.
I'll have all these things in the carriage with me.
What will he have ?
He'll have all those things.
Where will he have all those things ?
He'll have all those things in the carriage.
How will he have all those things in the carriage ?
He'll have all those things in the carriage with him
It will give less trouble at the other end.
What will it give ?
It will give less trouble.
Where will it give less trouble ?
It will give less trouble at the other end.
Mr. X gets a paper and some cigarettes . . .
What does he get ?
He gets a paper and some cigarettes.
. . . and then goes to where the train is waiting.
Where does he go to ?
He goes to where the train is waiting.
To get to the train, he has to go past a woman who is looking at everyone's ticket.
What is he going to do ?
He is going to get to the train.
Who does he have to go past to get to the train ?
To get to the train he has to go past a woman who is looking at everyone's ticket.
She is by a railing which has a board on it with the words ' ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE
TICKETS MAY GO THROUGH. BY ORDER '.
Where is she ?
She is by a railing.
What railing is she by ?
She is by a railing which has a board on it with the words ' ONLY THOSE WHO HAVE
TICKETS MAY GO THROUGH. BY ORDER '.
Ticket Woman : Have all tickets ready, please.
What does she say ?
She says, "Have all tickets ready, please."
She takes Mr. X's ticket . . .
What does she take ?
She takes Mr. X's ticket.
. . . and gives it back to him after stamping a hole in it.
When does she give it back to him ?
She gives it back to him after stamping a hole in it.
Mr. X : Do I go to Paddington without a change ?
What does he ask ?
He asks if he goes to Paddington without a change.
Ticket Woman : .No, there's a change at Reading.
What is there ?
There's a change.
Where is there a change ?
There's a change at Reading.
Mr. X goes on till he comes to his porter.
What does he do ?
He goes on.
How far does he go on ?
He goes on till he come to his porter.
Porter : Is this carriage all right ?
He asks if that carriage is all right.
The seat by the window is yours.
What is his ?
The seat by the window is his.
I've put the smaller things overhead.
What has he done ?
He has put the smaller things.
Where has he put the smaller things ?
He has put the smaller things overhead.
There's no danger of their falling.
Is there danger ?
There's no danger of their falling.
There is room for this box under the seat.
What is there ?
There is room for this box under the seat.
Mr. X : Good.
But take care not to put it upside-down.
He asks the porter to take care not to put it upside down.
There's a clock in it which might get broken.
What is there ?
There's a clock.
Where is there a clock ?
There's a clock in it., the box.
What clock is there in it ?
There's a clock in it which might get broken.
The porter puts the box under the seat.
What does he put.
He puts the box.
Where does he put it ?
He puts it under the seat,
Here's something for himself.
What is here ?
Here's something for himself.
He gives him some money.
What does he give him ?
He gives him some money.
The porter has a look at it . . .
What does he have a look at ?
He has a look at it.
. . . and doesn't seem at all pleased.
How does he seem ?
He doesn't seem at all pleased.
What's wrong ? Isn't a ten cents enough ?
What does he say ?
He says, "What's wrong ? Isn't a ten cents enough ?"
Porter : This isn't a ten-cent .
What isn't it ?
It isn't a ten-cent.
It's made of nickel, not silver.
What is it made of ?
It's made of nickel, not silver.
Mr. X : Oh, how foolish of me ! It's a bit of French money, very like our new nickel 10-cent .
What does he say ?
He says, "Oh, how foolish of me ! It's a bit of French money, very like our new nickel 10-cent .
He takes it from the porter's outstretched hand.
What does he take ?
He takes it.
Who does he take it from ?
He takes it from the porter's outstretched hand.
Here's a ten cent.
What does he say ?
He says, "Here's ten cents."
Porter : That's better.
What does he say ?
He says, "That's better.'
He goes away smiling.
How does he go away ?
He goes away smiling.
[to a woman in the carriage]
Who does he make talk to ?
He makes talk to a woman in the carriage.
Mr. X : Will you be kind enough to keep an eye on my things while I go to the tea-room for five minutes ?
What does he ask the woman ?
He asks her to be kind enough to keep an eye on his things while he goes to the tea-room for five
minutes.
Woman : Certainly.
What does she say ?
She says, "Certainly"
Mr. X goes to the tea-room.
Where does he go ?
He goes to the tea-room.
While he is drinking his tea, a whistle is sounded.
What is he drinking ?
He is drinking his tea.
What is sounded.
A whistle is sounded.
During what time is a whistle sounded ?
A whistle is sounded while he is drinking his tea.
Running back, he gets into his carriage while the train is in motion.
What does he get into ?
He gets into his carriage.
What is the train doing ?
It is in motion.
How does he get into his carriage ?
Running back, he gets into his carriage.
During what time he gets into his carriage by running back
While the train is in motion, he gets into his carriage, running back.
2. AT THE HOTEL
[to the woman at the office]
Who does he say to ?
He says to the woman at the office.
Mr. X : Good morning. May I have a room ?
What does he say ?
He says, "Good morning. May I have a room ?"
Woman : For how long ?
What does she say ?
She says, "For how long ?"
Mr. X : I am not quite certain at present, . . .
How certain is he ?
He is not quite certain.
When is he not quite certain ?
He is not quite certain at present.
. . . but it will be for at least one week and at most two.
For how long is it during the time when he is there ?
It will be for at least one week and at most two.
Woman : From today ?
What does she say ?
She says, "From today ?"
Mr. X : Yes. My things are at the door.
Where are they ?
They are at the door.
[looking at a book]
What is she having a look at ?
She is looking at a book.
Woman: I' have a room with a private bathroom, . . .
What does she have ?
She has a room with a private bathroom.
. . . but that is booked from the 26th, . . .
What day is it booked from ?
It is booked from the 26th.
. . . so it's free only for a week.
How long is it free ?
It's free only for a week.
But there's a smaller bedroom without a bathroom which you would be able
to have for longer.
What is there ?
There's a smaller bedroom.
What is the smaller bathroom without ?
The a smaller bedroom is without a bathroom.
What about the smaller bedroom that is without a bathroom ?
There's a smaller bedroom without a bathroom which he would be able to have for longer.
It has a telephone and a basin with warm and cold water.
What does it have ?
It has a telephone and a basin with warm and cold water.
Mr. X : Is it quite certain that I wouldn't be able to have the room with a bathroom
for more than a week ?
What does he ask ?
He asks if it is quite certain that he wouldn't he be able to have the room with
a bathroom for more than a week.
Woman : There is a question-mark in the book . . .
What is there ?
There is a question-mark.
Where is there a question-mark ?
There is a question-mark in the book.
. . . but I have no doubt that the room will be taken.
What does she have no doubt ?
She has no doubt that the room will be taken.
Mr. X : Then it will be best for me to take the smaller room.
What will it be best for him to do ?
It will be best for him to take the smaller room.
How much is it ?
What does he ask ?
He asks how much is it.
Woman : Fifteen and sixty cents a night.
What does she say ?
She says, "Fifteen and sixty cents a night."
Mr. X : Is that without any meals ?
What does he ask ?
He asks if it is without any meals.
Woman : Yes. Meals are separate.
How are meals ?
They are separate.
Mr. X : How much are meals ?
What does he ask ?
He asks how much meals are.
Woman : Here is one of our folders.
What does she say ?
She says, "Here is one of our folders."
It gives all our prices and other details about the hotel.
What does it give ?
It gives all their prices and other details about the hotel.
Mr. X : May I keep it ?
What does he say ?
He says, "May I keep it ?"
Woman : Yes, please do.
What does she say ?
She says, "Yes, please do."
[reading the folder]
What is he reading ?
He is reading the folder.
Mr. X: I see that when one is going to give up one's room it is necessary
to say so at least two days before.
What is one going to give up ?
One is going to give up one's room.
What is it necessary to do ?
It is necessary to say so at least two days before.
Woman : That's right.
How is it ?
It's right.
That rule was made to give us time to let the rooms again.
What was that rule made to do ?
It was made to give them time to let the rooms again.
Mr. X : By the day after tomorrow I will probably be able to say how long
I am going to be here.
What will he be able to say ?
He will be able to say how long he is going to be there.
Will he be able to say how long he is going to be there. ?
He will probably be able to say how long he is going to be there.
Till when will he probably be able to say how long he is going to be there ?
He will probably be able to say how long he is going to be there by the day after tomorrow.
Woman : The lift is not working at present, . . .
What is not working.
The lift is not working
When is it not working ?
It is not working at present.
. . . but the porter will take you up to your room in a minute.
Who will he take up ?
He will take him up.
Where will he take him up ?
He will take him up to his room.
When will he take him up to his room ?
He will take him up to his room in a minute.
It is Number 26 on the second floor.
What is it ?
It is Number 26 on the second floor.
Here's the key.
What does she say ?
She says, "Here's the key."
Will you please put your name in the book ?
What does she say ?
She says, "Will you please put your name in the book ?"
Mr. X : Oh, certainly.
What does he say ?
He says, "Oh, certainly."
3. AT THE BAN K
Mr. X: Good morning .
What does he say ?
He says, "Good morning."
Man at the Bank : Good morning, Mr. X.
What does he say ?
He says, "Good morning, Mr. X."
Mr. X : I'm very troubled about the loss of my cheque-book.
How troubled is he ?
He is very troubled.
What is he very troubled about ?
He is very troubled about the loss of his cheque-book.
Man at the Bank : That's serious.
How is it ?
It's serious.
Are you certain you haven't got it ?
What does he ask ?
He asks if he is certain he hasn't got it.
Mr. X : I've no idea what I've done with it.
What does he have no idea ?
He has no idea what he has done with it.
I'm hoping it may be in the pocket of a coat which I gave to a friend.
Where may it be ?
It may be in the pocket of a coat.
What coat may it be in the pocket of ?
It may be in the pocket of a coat which he gave to a friend.
What is he hoping ?
He's hoping it may be in the pocket of a coat which he gave to a friend.
If so, I will get it back.
In what condition will he get it back ?
If so, he will get it back.
But it is much more probable that I put it into the waste-paper basket with some old letters.
What did he put it ?
He put it into the waste-paper basket.
What did he put it into the waste-paper basket with ?
He put it into the waste-paper basket with some old letters.
Man at the Bank : Was it an unused book ?
What does he ask ?
He asks if it was an unused book.
Mr. X : No, there were only five cheques in it, . . .
What were there in it ?
There were only five cheques in it.
. . . and by chance I had made a note of their numbers.
What had he made a note of ?
He had made a note of their numbers.
They were SK931076 to 931080.
What were they ?
They were SK931076 to 931080.
Man at the Bank : I'll put those numbers down so that if any of the cheques come here
we will be able to take steps about them.
What may come there ?
Any of the cheques may come there.
What will they be able to take steps about ?
They will be able to take steps about them.
In what condition will they be able to take steps about them ?
If any of the cheques come there they will be able to take steps about them.
What will he put ?
He'll put those numbers down.
For what will he put those numbers down ?
He'll put those numbers down so that if any of the cheques come here
they will be able to take steps about them.
That's all we are able to do.
What are they able to do ?
That's all they are able to do.
But you probably put the cheque-book in some very safe place . . .
What did he put ?
He put the cheque-book.
Where did he the cheque-book ?
He put the cheque-book in some very safe place.
How did he put the cheque-book in some very safe place ?
He probably put the cheque-book in some very safe place.
. . . and will come across it in a day or two.
What will he come across ?
He will come across it.
When will he come across it ?
He will come across it in a day or two.
Mr. X : I wouldn't be surprised.
How wouldn't he be ?
He wouldn't be surprised.
I'll not get another cheque-book till I'm certain that my old one has gone for ever.
What will he not get ?
He'll not get another cheque-book.
What has gone for ever ?
His old one has gone forever.
Till when will he not get another cheque-book ?
He'll not get another cheque-book till he's certain that his old one has gone for ever.
But I'm needing some money today.
What is he needing ?
He is needing some money.
When is he needing some money ?
He is needing some money today.
May I have a cheque ?
What does he say ?
He says, "May I have a cheque ?"
Man at the Bank : Yes, certainly.
What does he say ?
He says, "Yes, certainly."
[Gives him a cheque.]
What does he give him ?
He gives him a cheque.
That will be two cents.
What does he say ?
He says, "That will be two cents.
After writing on the cheque, Mr. X gives it back with two cents.
Where is he writing ?
He is writing on the cheque.
What does he give it back with ?
He gives it back with two cents.
What will you have ? Five ' one's ' ?
What does he say ?
He says, "What will you have ? Five ' one's ' ?"
Mr. X : No, give me nine ten-cents in silver, a ten-cents in coppers, and the rest in notes.
What does he ask him ?
He ask him to give him nine ten-cents in silver, ten-cents in coppers, and the rest in notes.
The man gives him the money.
What does he give him ?
He gives him the money.
By the way, has the interest from Imperial Chemical Industries Limited come in ?
What does he say ?
He says, "By the way, has the interest from Imperial Chemical Industries Limited come in ?"
Man at the Bank : I'll go and have a look.
What will he do ?
He'll go and have a look.
He goes to an inner office . . .
Where does he go ?
He goes to an inner office.
. . . and comes back
What does he do ?
He comes back.
Yes. Payment was made on the 14th.
What was made on the14th ?
Payment was made on the 14th.
Mr. X : How much was it ?
What does he say ?
He says, : "How much was it ?"
Man at the Bank : Fifteen Euros and ten cents.
What does he say ?
He says, "Fifteen Euros and ten cents."
Mr. X : Good.
What does he say ?
He says, "Good."
The rate of interest has gone up.
What has gone up ?
The rate of interest has gone up.
If I send an order to Greece for some goods, will I be able to make payment for them
from this country ?
What does he send ?
He sends an order.
Where does he send an order ?
He sends an order to Greece.
What does he send an order to Greece for ?
He sends an order to Greece for some goods.
What will he be able to make payment for ?
He will be able to make payment for them.
Where will he be able to make payment for them from ?
He will he be able to make payment for them from that country.
Man at the Bank : Yes, but it is necessary for certain forms to be gone through first.
How is it ?
It is necessary.
What way is it necessary for certain forms to be done ?
It is necessary for certain forms to be gone through first.
Will you see the Manager about it ?
What does he say ?
He says, "Will you see the Manager about it ?"
Mr. X.: Not now. I haven't time.
What does he say ?
He says, "Not now. I haven't time."
But I have to come in again this week to give you some ear-rings to keep
in your safe till Mrs. X comes to England.
When does he have to come in ?
Not now. He hasn't time.
How does he have to come in ?
He has to come in again that week.
Where does Mrs. X come ?
She comes to England.
What does he have to come in again that week to do ?
He has to come in again that week to give him some ear rings.
What ear rings does he have to come in again that week to give him ?
He has to come in again that week to give him some ear rings
to keep in his safe till Mrs. X comes to England.
I'll see the Manager then. Good day.
What does he say ?
He says, "I'll see the Manager then. Good day."
Man at the Bank : Good day.
What does he say ?
He says, "Good day"
4. AT THE POST OFFIGE
Mr. X : What is the rate for telegrams ? '
What does he say ?
He says, "What is the rate for telegrams ?"
Post Office Girl : Nine cents for nine words or less and a penny for every word after that.
What does he say ?
He says, "Nine cents for nine words or less and a penny for every word after that."
[handing her a telegram]
What is he handing her ?
He is handing her a telegram.
Mr. X: When will this telegram get to Leeds ?
What does he say ?
He says, "When will this telegram get to Leeds ?"
Post Office Girl : Two or three hours is the normal time a telegram takes, but it may take longer.
What is the normal time a telegram takes ?
Two or three hours is the normal time a telegram takes.
How may it take ?
It may take longer.
That is dependent on how much the telegraph wires are being used.
What is it dependent on ?
It is dependent on how much the telegraph wires are being used.
Mr. X : That'll probably be all right then.
How will it be ?
It'll probably be all right then.
The friend to whom I am telegraphing may be out after one.
How may he be ?
He may be out.
When may he be out ?
He may be out after one.
What friend may be out after one.
The friend to whom he is telegraphing may be out after one.
[looking at the telegram]
What is she looking at ?
She is looking at the telegram.
Post Office Girl: Twenty words.
What does he say ?
He says, "Twenty words."
That'll be 20-cents.
What will it be ?
It will be 20-cents.
Mr. X : Will this letter go for three cents? ?
What does he ask ?
He asks if that letter will go for three cents.
[puts the letter on the scales]
What does she put ?
She puts the letter.
Where does she put the letter ?
She puts the letter on the table.
Post Office Girl: Yes. It's under two ounces.
What does he say ?
He says, "Yes. It's under two ounces."
Mr. X : I've put a penny stamp on these printed papers.
What has he put ?
He has put a penny stamp.
Where has he put a penny stamp ?
He has put a penny stamp on those printed papers.
Is that enough ?
What does he say ?
He says, "Is that enough ?"
[puts them on the scales]
What does she put ?
She puts them.
Where does she put them ?
She puts them on the scales.
Post Office Girl: Three ounces.
What does she say ?
She says, "Three ounces."
You'll have to put another penny on them.
What will he have to put ?
He'll have to put another penny.
Where will have to put another penny ?
He'll have to put another penny on them.
[handing her a parcel]
What is he handing her ?
He is handing her a parcel.
Mr. X : This is a book.
What is it ?
It is a book.
Will it go by book post ?
What does he say ?
He says, "Will it go by book post ?"
Post Office Girl : No. Parcels for book post have to be open at the ends.
How do they have to be ?
They have to be open.
Where do they have to be open ?
They have to be open at the ends.
It will be nine cents by parcel post.
How much will it be ?
It will be nine cents.
What will it be nine cents by ?
It will be nine cents by parcel post.
Mr. X : All right.
What does he say ?
He says, "All right"
Is there any limit to the size of parcels which may go through the post ?
What does he ask ?
He asks if there is any limit to the size of parcels which may go through
the post.
I have a box to send which is four feet long, two feet, six inches wide, and two feet high.
What does he have ?
He has a box.
What size box does he have ?
He has a box to send which is four feet long, two feet, six inches wide, and two feet high.
Post Office Girl : That would have to go by rail.
What would it have to go by ?
It would have to go by rail.
The Post Office doesn't take parcels which are more than three feet, six inches long.
What parcels doesn't it take ?
It doesn't take parcels which are more than three feet, six inches long.
Mr. X : Its weight is twelve pounds.
What is twelve pounds.
Its weight is twelve pounds.
How much would the carriage be by rail ?
What does he ask ?
He asks how much the carriage price would be by rail.
Post Office Girl : I've no idea.
What does she say ?
She says, "I've no idea."
You'll be able to get the rates from the Parcels Office at the station.
What will he get ?
He'll be able to get the rates.
What will he be able to get the rates from ?
He'll be able to get the rates from the Parcels Office at the station.
Mr. X : I see.
What does he say ?
He says, "I see."
Will you please give me the stamps for these and six stamped postcards ?
What does he ask ?
He asks her to give him the stamps for these and six stamped postcards.
[gives him the stamps and the postcards]
What does she give him ?
She gives him the stamps and the postcards.
Post Office Girl]: Three and nine please.
What does she say ?
She says, "Three and nine please."
The letter and printed papers have to be posted in the post-box outside.
Where do they have to be posted ?
They have to be posted in the post-box outside.
Be quick because the postman is there now.
What does she say ?
She says, "Be quick because the postman is there now."
[gives her the money]
What does he give her ?
He gives her the money.
Mr. X: Where do I get a money order ?
What does he ask her ?
He asks her where he gets a money order.
Post Office Girl : At the end there.
What does she say ?
She says, "At the end there."
5. AT THE LIBRARY
Mr. X : I've come to get my book changed.
What has he come to do ?
He has come to get his book changed.
I haven't been able to get through this one.
What hasn't he been able to do ?
He hasn't been able to get through that one.
Man at the Library : Oh, isn't it good ?
What does he say ?
He says, "Oh, isn't it good ?"
I've a cutting here from one of last week's papers which says it's
the most balanced account of conditions in Spain which has been
produced in the last ten years.
What does he have ?
He has a cutting there from one of last week's papers.
What is it ?
It's the most balanced account of conditions in Spain.
What conditions in Spain is it the most balance account of ?
It's the most balanced account of conditions in Spain which
has been produced in the last ten years.
What cutting from one of last week's papers does he have there ?
He has a cutting there from one of last week's papers which says
it's the most balanced account of conditions in Spain which has
been produced in the last ten years.
Mr. X : There's certainly some interesting material in it, . . .
What is there in it ?
There's certainly some interesting material in it.
. . . but the writing is very poor, . . .
How poor is it ?
It is very poor.
. . . and I'm tired of books about current events anyhow.
What is he tired of ?
He's tired of books about current events.
How is he tired of books about current events ?
He's tired of books about current events anyhow.
I'm going to take a work of fiction for a change.
What is he going to take a work of ?
He's going to take a work of fiction.
What is he going to take a work of fiction for ?
He's going to take a work of fiction for a change.
Man at the Library : The fiction shelves are there.
What are there ?
The fiction shelves are there.
We have so much fiction that the Library Committee is talking of
building a new wing for it.
What do they have ?
They have fiction.
How much fiction do they have ?
They have so much fiction that the Library Committee is talking of building a new wing for it.
What sort of book have you in mind ? A crime story ?
What does he ask him ?
He asks him, "What sort of book have you in mind ? A crime story ?"
Mr. X : No, not a crime story.
What does he say ?
He says, "No, not a crime story.
I have the complete library of the Crime Club books and all the works of
the late William le Queux.
What does he have ?
He has the complete library of the Crime Club books and all the works
of the late William le Queux.
That's quite enough.
How much is it ?
It's quite enough.
My idea is to do some serious reading.
What is his idea ?
It is to do some serious reading.
Have you any of the earlier English writers-George Eliot, for example ?
Are his books good ?
What does he ask ?
He asks, "Have you any of the earlier English writers-George Eliot,
for example ? Are his books good ?"
Man at the Library : George Eliot was a woman - Mary Ann Evans.
Who was George Eliot ?
George Eliot was a woman - Mary Ann Evans.
George Eliot was only her pen-name.
What was George Eliot ?
It was only her pen-name.
She is almost as noted as the Bronte sisters.
How is she noted ?
She is as noted as the Bronte Sisters.
Her works are on this shelf.
Where are they ?
They are on that shelf.
Mr. X : Let me have a look at one of them.
What does he ask ?
He asks him to let him have a look at one of them.
Adam Bede.
What does he say ?
He says, "Adam Bede."
Turning over the pages.
What is he turning over ?
He is turning over the pages.
Yes, I'll take that.
What will he take ?
He'll take that.
And may I see Bernard Shaw's Arms and the Man ?
What does he say ?
He says, "And may I see Bernard Shaw's Arms and the Man ?"
I'd be interested to make a comparison of it with my copy in Basic English.
What is he interested to do ?
He'd be interested to make a comparison of it with his copy in Basic English.
Man at the Library : Will you take it with you ?
What does he ask him ?
He asks him if he takes it with him.
Mr. X : Yes, please.
What does he say ?
He says, "Yes, please."
Man at the Library : I'll get it for you.
Who will he get it for ?
He'll get it for him.
The plays are in the other room.
Where are they ?
They are in the other room.
He gets the book.
What does he get ?
He gets the book.
Mr. X [pointing] : Why do you have these tickets with numbers on them pasted on the
covers of your books ?
What does he ask him ?
He asks him why they have those tickets with numbers on them pasted on the covers
of their books.
Man at the Library : The numbers are a key to the shelf on which the book goes and
its position on the shelf.
What are they ?
They are a key to the shelf.
What shelf are they a key to ?
They are a key to the shelf on which the books go and its position on the shelf.
Mr. X : That's a very good system.
What system is it ?
It's a very good system.
How long may I keep these books ?
What does he ask ?
He asks how long he may keep those books.
Man at the Library : Two weeks.
What does he say ?
He says, "Two weeks."
Mr. X : Will it be all right if the books are posted back to you ?
What does he say ?
He says, "Will it be all right if the books are posted back to you ?"
I may be going away.
What may he be doing ?
He may be going away.
Man at the Library : Certainly.
What does he say ?
He says, "Certainly"
And you may have a parcel of books posted to you in exchange
if you send us the price of the stamps.
What may he have posted ?
He may have a parcel of books posted.
Who may he have a parcel of books posted to ?
He may have a parcel of books posted to him.
How may he have a parcel of books posted to him ?
He may have a parcel of books posted to him in exchange.
In what condition may he have a parcel of books posted to him in exchange ?
He may have a parcel of books posted to him in exchange
if he send them the price of the stamps.
Mr. X : Good, I'll probably do that.
What does he say ?
He says, "Good, I'll probably do that."
- End -
Saburo Terada
Saitama Prefecture