Basic English Institute
We are on a road which goes through a town. Where are they ? They are on a road. What road are they on ? They are on a road which goes through a town. It has been raining . . . What has it been doing ? It has been raining. . . . and the road is wet. How is it ? It is wet. Two automobiles are going up the slope . . . What are going up the slope. Two automobiles are going up the slope. . . . and, at the top of the slope, a third is coming out from a side road at a right angle to the one we are on. What is coming out ? A third is coming out. What road is it coming out from ? It is coming out from a side road at a right angle to the one they are on. Where is it coming out? At the top of the slope, it is coming out from a side road at a right angle to the one they are on. Suddenly there is a noise of brakes being put on hard, . . . What is there ? There is a noise of brakes. What brakes is there a noise of ? There is a noise of brakes being put on hard. When is there a noise of brakes being put on hard ? Suddenly there is a noise of brakes being put on hard. . . . but they are of little use on the wet road. How are they ? They are of little use. Where are they of little use ? They are of little use on the wet road. One automobile is overturned . . . What is overturned ? One automobile is overturned. . . . and another goes into the back of a waiting cart from which bags of meal were being taken into a store. What did another go into? It went into the back of a waiting cart. What waiting cart did it go into the back of ? It went into the back of a waiting cart from which bags of meal were being taken into a store. The poor horse is on its knees, with part of the damaged cart resting on its back. What is it on ? It is on its knees. What is resting on its back ? Part of the damaged cart is resting on its back. How is it on its knees ? It is on its knees, with part of the damaged cart resting on its back. The automobile which was coming out from the side road has been given a hard blow. What has the automobile been given ? It has been given a hard blow. Which automobile has been given a hard blow ? The automobile which was coming out from the side road has been given a hard blow. One of its front wings has been damaged . . . What has been damaged ? One of its front wings has been damaged . . . and some of the woodwork is smashed. What is smashed ? Some of the woodwork is smashed. The driver of the overturned automobile is pinned down by the driving-wheel, . . . Who is pinned down by the driving-wheel ? The driver of the overturned automobile is pinned down by the driving-wheel, . . . and the woman who was with him is stretched out in the road. Where is the woman stretched out ? She is stretched out on the road. What woman is stretched out on the road ? The woman who was with him is stretched out in the road. The drivers of the two other automobiles get out. Who get out ? The drivers of the two other automobiles get out. One of them has a deep cut in his head . . . What does he have ? He has a deep cut. Where does he have a deep cut ? He has a deep cut in his head. . . . and his face is covered with blood. What is it covered with ? It is covered with blood. Before the smash there was almost no one about, . . . Who was there ? There was almost no one. When was there almost no one ? Before the smash there was almost no one about. . . . but now men and women are running from all directions to see what has taken place. What are they running from ? They are running from all directions. What are they running from all directions to do ? They are running from all directions to see what has taken place. When are they running from all directions to see what has taken place ? Now they are running from all directions to see what has taken place. They seem to have come from nowhere. Where do they seem to have come from ? They seem to have come from nowhere. They are pushing one another to get a view of the woman in the road. Who are they pushing ? They are pushing one another. What are they pushing one another to do ? They are pushing one another to get a view of the woman in the road. Is she dead or only unconscious ? What is the question ? It is whether she is dead or only unconscious. The onlookers are uncertain what to do. What are they uncertain ? They are uncertain what to do. Then someone makes the suggestion that a medical man is needed. Who is needed ? A medical man is needed. What does someone make ? The one makes the suggestion. What suggestion does the one make ? The one makes the suggestion that a medical man is needed. A woman says that there's one living down the road . . . Where is there one living ? There's one living down the road. What does she say ? She says that there's one living down the road. . . . and sends her son to get him. Who does she send ? She sends her son. What does she send him to do ? She sends him to get him. At the same time another person goes to get the police. What does another person go to do ? He goes to get the police. When does he go to get the police ? At the same time he goes to get the police. The man in the overturned automobile is crying for help, . . . Who is crying for help ? The man in the overturned automobile is crying for help. . . . and some of' the onlookers get him out. Who get him out ? Some of' the onlookers get him out. His arm is broken . . . What is broken ? His arm is broken. . . . and he is feeling the effects of shock, . . . What is he feeling ? He is feeling the effects of shock. . . . but when he sees the woman in the road he makes them take him to her. Who does he see ? He sees the woman in the road. What does he make them do ? He makes them take him to her. When does he make them take him to her ? When he sees the woman in the road he makes them take him to her. She is his daughter. Who is she ? She is his daughter. When the medical man gets there, he goes down on his knees by the woman. Where does he get ? He gets there. Who does he go down on his knees by ? He goes down on his knees by the woman. After looking at her with care and getting her clothing loose he says to the unhappy father that the woman is not dead but that her condition is serious and she will have to have an operation without loss of time. Who is he looking at ? He is looking at her. How is he looking at her ? He is looking at her with care. What is he getting loose ? He is getting her clothing loose. How is the woman not ? She is not dead. How is her condition ? It is serious. What will she have to have an operation without ? She will have to have an operation without loss of time. Who does he say to ? He says to the unhappy father. What does he say to the unhappy father ? He says to the unhappy father that the woman is not dead but that her condition is serious and she will have to have an operation without loss of time. When does he say it to the unhappy father ? After looking at her with care and getting her clothing loose he says it to the unhappy father. He gets up, saying " Will someone get in touch with the hospital straight away ? " What does he do ? He gets up. What does he get up, saying ? He gets up, saying " Will someone get in touch with the hospital straight away ? " A servant from one of the houses opposite, where there is a telephone, says she will do so. Who says she will do so ? A servant from one of the houses opposite says she will do so. What is there in one of the houses opposite ? There is a telephone in one of the houses opposite. Which servant says she will do so ? A servant from one of the houses opposite, where there is a telephone, says she will do so. While she is away, the woman is lifted and taken to the sidewalk under the medical man's direction. How is she ? She is away. Who is lifted and taken to the side walk ? The woman is lifted and taken to the side walk. What direction is she lifted and taken to the side walk under ? She is lifted and taken to the sidewalk under the medical man's direction. During what time is she lifted and taken to the sidewalk under the medical man's direction ? While the servant is away, the woman is lifted and taken to the sidewalk under the medical man's direction. A man now comes back with two policemen. Who does he come back with ? He comes back with two policemen. By this time there are two lines of automobiles sounding their horns because the persons in the road are in their way and they are unable to go past. What are there ? There are two lines of automobiles. What automobiles are there ? There are two lines of automobiles sounding their horns. By what time are there two lines of automobiles sounding their horns ? By that time there are two lines of automobiles sounding their horns. Who are in their way ? The persons in the road are in their way. What are they unable to do ? They are unable to go past. Why are there, by that time, two lines of automobiles sounding their horns ? Because the persons in the road are in their way and they are unable to go past. One of the policemen gets the road clear, while the other gives help to the medical man, who is keeping watch by the side of the unconscious woman. Who gets the road clear ? One of the policemen gets the road clear. Who gives help to the medical man ? The other gives help to the medical man. Who is keeping watch ? The medical man is keeping watch. Where is he keeping watch ? He is keeping watch by the side of the unconscious woman. During what time does one of the policemen get the road clear ? He gets the road clear, while the other policeman gives help to the medical man, who is keeping watch by the side of the unconscious woman. They do their best for her Who do they do their best for ? They do their best for her. and then go to the two drivers who are needing attention. Where do they go ? They go to the two drivers. What drivers do they go to ? They go to the two drivers who are needing attention. First, the medical man has a look at the one with the cut. Who does he have a look at ? He has a look at the one with the cut. How does he have a look at the one with the cut ? First, he has a look at the one with the cut. He gets the wound clean with a bit of cotton-wool and some liquid which he takes from his bag. How does he get the wound ? He gets the wound clean. What does he take ? He takes some liquid.. What does he take some liquid from ? He takes some liquid from his bag. What does he get the wound clean with ? He gets the wound clean with a bit of cotton-wool and some liquid which he takes from his bag. A bit of glass has to be taken out. What has to be taken out ? A bit of glass has to be taken out. The damage is not very serious, . . . How serious is it not ? The damage is not very serious. . . . but if the wound had been a quarter of an inch farther to the left a bloodvessel would have been cut. Where had the wound been ? It had been a quarter of an inch further to the left. What would have been cut ? A bloodvessel would have been cut. In what condition would a bloodvessel have been cut ? [Also, blood vessel.] If the wound had been a quarter of an inch farther to the left a bloodvessel would have been cut. Someone is sent to a chemist's store to get a dressing to put on it. Who is sent to a chemist's store ? Someone is sent to a chemist's store. What is someone sent to a chemist's store to do ? Someone is sent to a chemist's store to get a dressing to put on it. The man with the broken arm is in great pain. Who is in great pain ? The man with the broken arm is in great pain. The medical man gives him something to make the pain less . . . What does he give him ? He gives him something to make the pain less . . . and says that he will have to go to hospital and have an X-ray picture taken. Where will he have to go ? He will have to go to hospital. What will he have to have taken ? He will have to have an X ray picture taken. What does he say ? He says that he will have to go to hospital and have an X-ray picture taken. "It's a good thing for you," he says, "that it's your left arm," . . . What does he say ? He says,"It's a good thing for you that it's your left arm." . . . but unhappily the man is left-handed. How handed is he ? He is left-handed. How is he left-handed ? Unhappily he is left-handed. While the medical man is looking at the arm, the policeman gives the man's breath a smell. What is he looking at ? He is looking at the arm. What does the policeman give the man's breath ? He gives the man's breath a smell. " You have been taking alcohol, haven't you ? " he says. What does he say ? He says, "You have been taking alcohol, haven't you ? " The man's story is that he went into a bar before starting and had only one drink, not enough to have any effect on his driving. What did he go into ? He went into a bar. When did he go into a bar ? He went into a bar before starting. What did he have ? He had only a drink. What drink did he have ? He had a drink not enough. What did he have a drink not enough to do ? He had only one drink, not enough to have any effect on his driving. What is the man's story ? It is that he went into a bar before starting and had only one drink, not enough to have any effect on his driving. He gives his word that what he says is true. What does he give ? He gives his word. What word does he give ? He gives his word that what he says is true. "If my word is doubted," he says, "get a statement from the barman. What does he say ? He says, "If my word is doubted, get a statement from the barman. " On being questioned further, he says that he was overtaking another automobile when it suddenly came out into the middle of the road, forcing him to go to the right. What was he overtaking ? He was overtaking another automobile. What did it come out into ? It came out into the middle of the road. What was it forcing him to do ? It was forcing him to go to the right. How did it come out into the middle of the street ? It suddenly came out into the middle of the road, forcing him to go to the right. When was he overtaking another automobile ? He was overtaking another automobile when it suddenly came out into the middle of the street, forcing him to go to the right. What does he say ? He says that he was overtaking another automobile when it suddenly came out into the middle of the road, forcing him to go to the right. When does he say it ? On being questioned further he says it. He then saw that an automobile was coming out from a side road, . . . What was coming out from a side road ? An automobile was coming out from a side road. What and when did he see ? He then saw that an automobile was coming out from a side road. . . . and he quickly put on his brakes. What did he put on ? He put on his brakes. How did he put on his brakes ? He quickly put on his brakes. He was driving at not more than twenty-five miles an hour, . . . What rate was he driving at ? He was driving at not more than twenty-five miles an hour. . . . and all would have been well but for the wet road. How would all have been ? All would have been well. Except what would all have been well ? All would have been well but for the wet road. His automobile got out of control . . . What got out of control ? His automobile got out of control. . . . and went into the automobile in front of him. What did it go into ? It went into the automobile in front him. It was sent sideways by the force of the blow . . . Where was it sent ? It was sent sideways, What was it sent sideways by ? It was sent sideways by the force of the blow. . . . and was overturned What was overturned ? His automobile was overturned. Feeling that the policeman is against him, the man does his best to make it seem as if the two other drivers were responsible. Who is against him ? The policeman is against him. What does the man do his best to do ? He does his best to make it seem as if the two other drivers were responsible. How does he do his best to make it seem as if the two other drivers were responsible. Feeling that the policeman is against him, he does his best to make it seem as if the two other drivers were responsible. There wouldn't have been a smash, he says, if they had taken more care. What wouldn't there have been ? There wouldn't have been a smash. What care had they taken ? They had taken more care. In what condition wouldn't there have been a smash ? There wouldn't have been a smash if they had taken more care. What does he say ? There wouldn't have been a smash, he says, if they had taken more care. At this point there are strong protests from the two drivers in question, . . . What were there ? There are strong protests from the two drivers in question. When were there strong protests from the two drivers in question ? At that point there are strong protests from the two drivers in question. . . . but the policeman makes a sign to them to keep quiet, saying that they will be questioned in turn. Who does the policeman make a sign to ? He makes a sign to them. What does he make a sign to them to do ? He makes a sign to them to keep quiet. How will they be questioned ? They will be questioned in turn. What does he make a sign to them to keep quiet, saying ? He makes a sign to them to keep quiet, saying that they will be questioned in turn. Turning to the man who has been talking, he says that he had no right to overtake anything on a slope when he was unable to see what was in front of it. Who is he turning to ? He is turning to the man. What man is he turning to ? He is turning to the man who has been talking. What was he unable to see ? He was unable to see what was in front of it. What does he overtake ? He overtakes anything. Where does he overtake anything ? He overtakes anything on a slope. What did he have no right to do ? He had no right to overtake anything on a slope when he was unable to see what was in front of it. What does he say ? He says that he had no right to overtake anything on a slope when he was unable to see what was in front of it. How does he say it ? He says it by turning to the man who has been talking. " Moreover," he goes on, " a good driver never takes chances on a wet road." What does a good driver never take ? He never takes chances. Where does he never take chances ? He never take chances on a wet road. What does he go on about? He goes on, " Moreover, a good driver never takes chances on a wet road." He then makes a request to see his driver's card What does he then make a request to do ? He then makes a request to see his driver's card. "You have been in trouble before, " he says looking at the card. " I am not surprised." What does he say and do? He says , "You have been in trouble before, I am not surprised.", looking at the card. He takes out a note-book and pencil. What does he take out ? He takes out a note-book and pencil. The lead of the pencil is broken . . . What is broken ? The lead of the pencil is broken. . . . and someone gives him another. What does someone give him ? Someone gives him another. He puts down the man's name and details of where he is living, . . . What does he put down ? He puts down the man's name and details of where he is living, . . . and makes some notes. What does he make ? He makes some notes. While the policeman is writing, the driver sees that a newspaper man is making some notes in shorthand. Who is writing ? The policeman is writing. What is a newspaper man writing ? He is writing some notes. How is he writing some notes ? He is writing some notes in shorthand. What does the driver see ? He sees that a newspaper man is making some notes in shorthand. [also, newspaperman] During what time does he see it ? When does he see it? He sees it while the policeman is writing. He makes a request to him to keep the story out of the papers, saying that he has a responsible public position and that it would be very hard on him if his name got into the headlines. What does he make a request to him to do ? He makes a request to him to keep the story out of the papers. What position does he have ? He has a responsible public position. How would it be ? It would be very hard. Who would it be very hard on ? It would be very hard on him. In what condition would it be very hard on him ? It would be very hard on him if his name got into the headlines. How does he make a request to him to keep the story out of the papers ? He makes a request to him to keep the story out of the papers, saying that he has a responsible public position and that it would be very hard on him if his name got into the headlines. His words have no effect on the hard-hearted newspaper man, who goes on writing. Who do his words have no effect on ? They have no effect on the hard-hearted newspaper man. What hard-hearted newspaper man do they have no effect on ? They have no effect on the hard-hearted newspaper man, who goes on writing. What is that bell ? What is questioned ? It is questioned what that bell is. The men from the hospital are coming at last. Who are coming at last ? The men from the hospital are coming at last. The driver is sounding his bell to make everyone who is on the road get out of the way and let him past. What is he sounding ? He is sounding his bell. What is he sounding his bell to do ? He is sounding his bell to make everyone who is on the road get out of the way and let him past. When the men get to the place of the smash they quickly take out a stretcher. What place do they get to ? They get to the place of the smash. What do they take out ? They take out a stretcher. How do they take out a stretcher. They quickly take out a stretcher. When do they quickly take out a stretcher ? When they get to the place of the smash they quickly take out a stretcher. The woman is lifted onto it with care, . . . What is she lifted onto ? She is lifted onto it. How is she lifted onto it ? She is lifted onto it with care. . . . and she and the driver with the broken arm are taken away to hospital. Where are they taken away ? They are taken away to hospital. The medical man goes with them because the woman may be in need of attention on the journey. Who does he go with ? He goes with them. Who may be in need of attention ? The woman may be in need of attention. When may she be in need of attention ? She may be in need of attention on the journey. Why does he go with them ? Because she may be in need of attention on the journey. While all this has been going on, the second policeman has been helping to get the horse out of the cart. What has been going on ? All that has been going on. What has he been helping to do ? He has been helping to get the horse out of the cart. During what time has he been helping to get the horse out of the cart ? While all that has been going on, he been helping to get the horse out of the cart. Happily, though its knees are cut, it is not badly damaged. What are cut ? Its knees are cut. How is it not damaged ? It is not badly damaged. In spite of what condition is it not badly damaged ? Though its knees are cut, it is not badly damaged. The cart is completely smashed. How is it smashed ? It is completely smashed. It was old and in bad condition, so the loss is not serious, . . . How was it ? It was old and in bad condition. How is the loss not ? It is not serious. . . . but the owner is hoping to get the price of a new cart from whoever was responsible. What is the owner hoping to get ? He is hoping to get the price of a new cart. Who is he hoping to get the price of a new cart from ? He is hoping to get the price of a new cart from whoever was responsible. The driver has taken the horse away. What has he taken away ? He has taken the horse away. The cart, which has been pulled to the side of the road, will be taken away later. Where has the cart been taken ? It has been taken to the side of the road. When will it be taken away ? It will be taken away later. What cart will be taken away later. The cart, which has been pulled to the side of the road, will be taken away later. The policemen take note of the position of the three automobiles on the road and of the condition they are in. What do they take note of ? They take note of the position of the three automobiles on the road and of the condition they are in. Then they put some questions to the two other drivers. Who do they put questions to ? They put questions to the two other drivers. These men give a straightforward account of what took place . . . What do they give an account of ? They give an account of what took place. . . . and, bit by bit, the facts come to light. What comer to light ? The facts comer to light. How do the facts come to light ? Bit by bit the facts come to light. The driver of the automobile which was overtaken says that he had to go out into the middle of the road because he saw the horse and cart in front of him when he was almost at the top of the slope. Which driver is saying ? The driver of the automobile which was overtaken says. What did he see ? He saw the horse and cart in front of him. When did he see the horse and cart in front of him ? He saw the horse and cart in front of him when he was almost at the top of the slope. Why did he have to go out into the middle of the road ? Because he saw the horse and cart in front of him when he was almost at the top of the slope. What does he say ? He says that he had to go out into the middle of the road because he saw the horse and cart in front of him when he was almost at the top of the slope. He put out his arm as a sign to the driver of the other automobile, who was, however, going so quickly that he was unable to come to a stop. What did he put out ? He put out his arm. What did he put out his arm as ? He put out his arm as a sign to the other driver. How quickly, however, was the other driver going ? He was going so quickly that he was unable to come to a stop. What did the driver of the other automobile do as a sign to ? He put out his arm as a sign to the driver of the other automobile, who was, however, going so quickly that he was unable to come to a stop. After going past him at about forty miles an hour, this automobile got out of control. Who was it going past ? It was going past him. At what rate was it going past him ? It was going at about forty miles an hour. What did it do ? It got out of control. When did it get out of control ? After going past him at about forty miles an hour, it got out of control. He was forced to go to the left side of the road to get out of the way when it was overturning. Where was he forced to go ? He was forced to go to the left side of the road. What was he forced to go to the left side of the road to do ? He was forced to go to the left side of the road to get out of the way when it was overturning. This was how he went into the back of the cart. What did he go into ? He went into the back of the cart. What was it ? It was how he went into the back of the cart. " Didn't you put on your brakes?" says one of the policemen. What does he say ? He says, "Didn't you put on your brakes?" "Yes," the man says. What does he say ? He says ,"Yes." "That is clear from the marks on the road. How is it ? It is clear. What is it clear from ? It is clear from the marks on the road. But the road was wet . . . How was it ? It was wet. . . . and my wheels were unable to get a good enough grip." What grip were they unable to get ? They were unable to get a good enough grip. The driver who came out from the side road says that his automobile wasn't even moving at the time of the smash. When wasn't his automobile even moving ? It wasn't even moving at the time of the smash. Which driver says that his automobile wasn't even moving at the time of the smash ? The driver who came out from the side road says that his automobile wasn't even moving at the time of the smash. In fact, the engine was turned off. How was the engine turned off ? In fact, the engine was turned off. He had only come out a little way to see if the road was clear. How had he come ? He had only come out a little way. What had he come out a little way to do ? He had only come out a little way to see if the road was clear. He was taken by surprise when an automobile suddenly came into view on the wrong side of the road. How did an automobile come into view ? It suddenly came into view. Where did it suddenly come into view ? It suddenly came into view on the wrong side of the road. When was he taken by surprise ? He was taken by surprise when an automobile suddenly came into view on the wrong side of the road. It was going at such a rate that he had no time to put his foot on the self-starter and get out of the way. What did he have no time to do ? He had no time to put his foot on the self-starter and get out of the way. At what a rate was it going ? It was going at such a rate that he had no time to put his foot on the self-starter and get out of the way. Another man, who was present at the time of the smash, makes a statement in support of what the two drivers have said. Another man was present at the time of the smash. What does he make ? He makes a statement. How does he make a statement ? He makes a statement in support of what the two drivers have said. Which man makes a statement in support of what the two drivers have said ? Another man, who was present at the time of the smash, makes a statement in support of what the two drivers have said. The policeman with the note-book takes down every word. Who takes down every word ? The policeman with the note-book takes down every word. [Also, notebook.] When he has made his notes, he says that the three men will be needed later and t hat the police will get in touch with them. What has he made ? He has made notes. Who will be needed later ? Three men will be needed later. Who will the police get in touch with ? The police will get in touch with them. One of the onlookers puts forward the view that it would be a good thing if the driver who had been the cause of the trouble was sent to prison. What does he put forward ? He puts forward a view. Which driver was to be sent to prison ? The driver who had been the cause of the trouble was sent to prison. In what condition would it be a good thing ? It would be a good thing if the driver who had been the cause of the trouble was sent to prison. What view does he put forward ? He puts forward the view that it would be a good thing if the driver who had been the cause of the trouble was sent to prison. "There is so much bad driving these days," he says, "that one is facing death every time one goes on the roads. What is one facing ? One is facing death. When is one facing death ? One is facing death every time one goes on the roads. What driving is there these days ? There is so much bad driving these days that one is facing death every time one goes on the roads. What does he say ? He says, "There is so much bad driving these days, that one is facing death every time one goes on the roads." The time has come to put a stop to it." What has the time come to do ? The time has come to put a stop to it. Judging from the sounds of approval from others who are present, this is the general view. What is it ? It is the general view. How is it the general view ? Judging from the sounds of approval from others who are present, this is the general view.
Saburo Terada
Saitama Prefecture