Basic English Institute
English is today the most widely used of all languages.
How is it used ?
It is today the most widely used.
Of what language is it today the most widely used ?
It is today the most widely used of all languages.
It is talked in places thousands of miles away from our small island by persons to whom Britain
is only a name.
Where is it talked ?
It is talked in places thousands of miles away from their small island.
Who is Britain only a name to ?
Britain is only a name to persons.
What persons is it talked in places thousands of miles away from their small island by ?
It is talked in places thousands of miles away from our small island by persons to whom Britain
is only a name.
So very probably a number of you who have been working through these pages have done
so without any thought of ever coming to England.
What have a number of us been working through ?
A number of you have been working through those pages.
What have a number of us who have been working through those pages done so without any thought
of doing ?
A number of you who have been working through these pages have done so without any thought of ever coming to England.
How have a number of us who have been working through those pages done so without any thought of ever coming to England ?
Very probably a number of you who have been working through those pages have done so
without any thought of ever coming to England.
Others, who are hoping to come, may never get the chance.
What are others hoping to do ?
Others are hoping to come.
What may others, who are hoping to come, never get ?
Others, who are hoping to come, may never get the chance.
But some of you certainly will come some day, for business reasons or simply for pleasure, . . .
When will we come ?
We will come some day.
How will we come some day ?
We certainly will come some day.
What certainly will we come some day for ?
We certainly will come some day, for business reasons or simply for pleasure.
. . . and to you this last Step will be of special interest.
How will it be ?
It will be of special interest.
Who will it be of special interest to ?
It will be of special interest to us.
When you have your ticket and your passport in your pocket and are on the vessel or the airplane
which is taking you to England, what sort of picture will you have in your mind of this country which you have not seen ?
What do I have ?
You have your ticket and your passport.
Where do I have my ticket and my passport ?
You have your ticket and your passport in your pocket.
What am I on ?
You are on the vessel or the airplane.
What vessel or airplane am I on ?
You are on the vessel or airplane which is taking you to England.
What is questioned ?
It is questioned what sort of picture I will have in my mind of that country which I have not see.
When is it questioned ?
It is questioned when I have my ticket and my passport in my pocket and are on the vessel or the airplane
which is taking me to England.
You may have a completely false picture ; you may have no picture at all.
What picture may I have ?
You may have a completely false picture ; you may have no picture at all.
Here are some general observations which may be a rough guide to you.
What are there ?
There are some general observations.
What observations are there ?
There are some general observations which may be a rough guide to you.
But keep in mind that general observations frequently give more light on the point of
view of the persons who make them than on what they are about.
What do general observations give ?
They give more light.
What does it give more light on ?
It gives more light on the point of view of the persons.
What persons does it give more light on the point of view of ?
It gives more light on the point of view of the persons who make them.
What does it give more light on the point of vie of the persons who make them than ?
It gives more light on the point of view of the persons who make them than on what they are about.
At best they are never more than half true.
How are they never ?
At best they are never more than half true.
First, the English weather.
What do the words say ?
They say, "First, the English weather."
It is frequently said that a person who is able to put up with it is able to put up with anything,
even the unhealthy conditions in some of our British colonies.
What is a person able to put up with ?
A person is able to put up with the English weather.
What is a person able to put up with who is able to put up with it ?
A person who is able to put up with it is able to put up with anything, even the unhealthy conditions
in some of our British colonies.
Certainly, if you come from a country where the weather does the same thing at the same time
every year, our English weather will give you some surprises.
Where do I come from ?
You come from a country.
What country do I come from ?
You come from a country where the weather does the same thing at the same time every ear.
What will give me some surprises ?
Their English weather will give you some surprises.
How will it give me some surprises ?
Certainly it will give you some surprises.
In what condition and how will their English weather give me some surprise ?
Certainly, if I come from a country where the weather does the same thing at the same time
every year, their English weather will give you some surprises.
In England, the calendar is a very uncertain guide.
What guide is the calendar ?
It is a very uncertain guide.
Where is it a very uncertain guide ?
In England it is a very uncertain guide.
Normally, for example, our greatest rainfall is in October, but it is quite possible to have a dry
October and a wet June.
What is in October ?
Their greatest rainfall is in October.
How is it in October ?
Normally, for example, it is in October.
But what is it quite possible to do ?
But it is quite possible to have a dry October and a wet June.
Sometimes we have very cold winters and very warm summers, though generally,
because we are circled by the sea, the heat and the cold are not as great as in other European countries.
What winters and summers do they have ?
They have very cold winters and very warm summers.
When do they have very cold winters and very warm summers ?
Sometimes they have very cold winters and very warm summers.
What are the circled by ?
They are circled by the sea.
What are not great ?
The heat and the cold are not great.
How are they not great ?
They are not as great as in other European countries.
Why are they not as great as in other European countries ?
Generally because they are circled by the sea.
In spite of what condition do they sometimes have very cold winters and very warm summers ?
Sometimes they have very cold winters and very warm summers, though generally, because they are
circled by the sea, the heat and the cold are not as great as in other European countries.
On the other hand, there are winters when, at least in the south, we have almost no snow,
and summers in which there is no more than a week or two of warm weather.
What winters are there ?
There are winters when, at least in the south, they have almost no snow.
What summers are there ?
There are summers in which there is no more than a week or two of warm weather.
On the other hand, what are there ?
There are such winters and summers.
Naturally, newcomers are somewhat at a loss till they get used to these conditions.
How are newcomers ?
Naturally, newcomers are somewhat at a loss.
Till when are they somewhat at a loss ?
They are somewhat at a loss till they get used to these conditions.
A Spaniard who had come to England for the first time said to an English friend, " Isn't your
summer weather very late this year ? "
When had a Spaniard come to England ?
A Spaniard had come to England for the first time.
What Spaniard said to an English friend ?
A Spaniard who had come to England for the first time said to an English friend.
What did the Spaniard say ?
The Spaniard said, "Isn't your summer weather very late this year ?
What did the Englishman say ?
The Englishman said, " No,we've had our summer. It was last Tuesday."
The worst thing about the English weather is its way of suddenly changing.
What is it ?
It is its way of suddenly changing.
It is impossible to say what it is going to do on any day.
What is it impossible to say ?
It is impossible to say what it is going to do on any day.
For this reason, even if you go to England in the middle of the summer, be certain to take your
raincoat and umbrella and some strong, water-tight shoes.
For what reason is it suggested to be certain to take my raincoat and umbrella and some strong,
water-tight shoes ?
For that reason it is suggested to be certain to take your raincoat and umbrella and some strong,
water-tight shoes.
In spite of what condition is it suggested to be certain to take my raincoat and umbrella and some strong,
water-tight shoes ?
Even if I go to England in the middle of the summer, it is suggested to be certain to take your raincoat and
umbrella and some strong, water-tight shoes.
And never go out dressed in summer clothing without first looking at the weather-glass.
What is it suggested to do ?
It is suggested to never go out dressed in summer clothing without first looking at the weather-glass.
When you go out in the morning, it may be warm and bright and there may not be a cloud in the sky, . . .
When may it be warm and bright and may there not be a cloud in the sky ?
When I go out in the morning, it may be warm and bright and there may not be a cloud in the sky
. . . but by sundown it may have become cold and wet.
By what time may it have become cold and wet ?
By sundown it may have become cold and wet.
It is not surprising that English persons are never tired of talking about the weather.
What are they never tired of doing ?
They are never tired of talking about the weather.
What is not surprising ?
It is not surprising that they are never tired of talking about the weather.
Experts say that in England we see the sun for only a third of the time it is in the sky.
What do they see ?
They see the sun.
How long do they see the sun ?
They see the sun for only a third of the time it is in the sky.
Where do they see the sun for only a third of the time it is in the sky.?
In England they see the sun for only a third of the time it is in the sky.
What do experts say ?
They say that in England they see the sun for only a third of the time it is in the sky.
All the rest of the time its face is covered by mist or clouds.
What is its face covered by ?
It is covered by mist or clouds.
When is it covered by mist or clouds ?
All the rest of the time it is covered by mist or clouds.
But do not let the thought of the gray skies keep you from seeing the English country.
What is it suggested to do ?
It is suggested not to let the thought of the gray skies keep me from seeing the English country.
It is as full of surprises as the weather, and much more beautiful.
What is it full of ?
It is full of surprises.
How full is it of surprises ?
It is as full of surprises as the weather, and much more beautiful.
This changing quality of the English country is its great attraction.
What attraction is it ?
It is its great attraction.
Wherever you go you will see something different and pleasing to the eye, . . .
What will I see ?
You will see something different and pleasing to the eye.
Where will I see something different and pleasing to the eye ?
Wherever you go you will see something different and pleasing to the eye
. . . and everywhere you will see gardens with masses of bright flowers and stretches of smooth green
grass-the fruit of years of loving care.
What will I see ?
You will see gardens with masses of bright flowers and stretches of smooth green grass -- the fruit of
years of loving care.
Where will I see gardens with masses of bright flowers and stretches of smooth green grass -- the
fruit of years of loving care ?
Everywhere you will see gardens with masses of bright flowers and stretches of smooth
green grass -- the fruit of years of loving care.
In the opinion of the guide-books, the best parts of England to see are the open country of parts of
Devon, or Cumberland, with its dark mountains and beautiful stretches of inland water.
What are the best parts of England to see ?
They are the open country of parts of Devon, or Cumberland, with its dark mountains and beautiful stretches of inland water.
In whose opinion are they the open country of parts of Devon, or Cumberland, with its dark mountains and
beautiful stretches of inland water ?
In the opinion of the guide-books, they are the open country of parts of Devon, or Cumberland, with its dark mountains
and beautiful stretches of inland water.
But to an Englishman, the most beautiful bit of England is generally his birthplace.
What is it ?
It is his birthplace.
How is it his birthplace ?
It is generally his birthplace.
Who is it generally his birthplace to ?
It is generally his birthplace to an Englishman.
It may be the chalk slopes of Sussex, or the fertile, wooded grassland round Stratford-on-Avon,
or the fruit-gardens of Kent, or the Cotswold country north of Oxford, where the earth is a dark
red-brown and the houses are of yellow stone.
What may it be ?
It may be the chalk slopes of Sussex, or the fertile, wooded grassland round
Stratford-on-Avon, or the fruit-gardens of Kent, or the Cotswold country north of Oxford,
where the earth is a dark red-brown and the houses are of yellow stone.
And who will say he is wrong ?
What do the words say ?
The words say, "And who will say he is wrong ?"
Anyhow, you will get a better knowledge of England if you put away your guide-books and
go to some of the places which are less generally seen.
What will I get ?
You will get a better knowledge of England.
What will I put away ?
You will put away your guide-books.
What places do I go to some of ?
You go to some of the places which are less generally seen.
How will I get a better knowledge of England ?
Anyhow, you will get a better knowledge of England.
In what condition, anyhow, will I get a better knowledge of England ?
Anyhow, you will get a better knowledge of England if you put away your guide-books and
go to some of the places which are less generally seen.
In the coal-fields of West Yorkshire, in the great cotton towns of Lancashire, or among the
potters of the Staffordshire ' Black Country ', you will see quite a different England from
that commonly pictured in books about Britain.
What will I see ?
You will see quite a different England from that commonly pictured in books about Britain.
Where will I see quite a different England from that commonly pictured in books about Britain.?
In the coal-fields of West Yorkshire, in the great cotton towns of Lancashire, or among the
potters of the Staffordshire ' Black Country ', you will see quite a different England from that
commonly pictured in books about Britain.
If you are a lover of good food, you will probably not have a very high opinion of our English meals.
What will I probably not have ?
You will probably not have a very high opinion of their English meals.
In what condition will I probably not have a very high opinion of their English meals ?
If You are a lover of good food, you will probably not have a very high opinion of their English meals.
Cooking is not our strong point.
What is not their strong point ?
Cooking is not their strong point.
We have meat of the best quality . . .
What do they have ?
They have meat of the best quality.
. . . and our garden produce is first-rate, . . .
What is their garden produce ?
It is first rate.
. . . but it is generally cooked in an uninteresting way.
How is it cooked ?
It is generally cooked in an uninteresting way.
Much of our food is covered with a thick brown dressing or a disgusting sticky white paste,
which quite takes away its delicate taste, . . .
What is it covered with ?
It is covered with a thick brown dressing or a disgusting sticky white paste.
What paste is it covered with ?
It is covered with a disgusting sticky white paste, which quite takes away its delicate taste.
. . . and English cooks do not make enough use of oil and fats.
What do they not make enough use of ?
They do not make enough use of oil and fats.
We have so much respect for the French art of cooking that it is the normal thing for
the food list in an English restaurant to be printed in French.
What do they have for ?
They have respect for the French art of cooking.
What respect do they have ?
We have so much respect for the French art of cooking that it is the normal thing for the
food list in an English restaurant to be printed in French.
But when the food which has been ordered comes to the table, one frequently makes the
discovery that there is nothing French about it but the name.
What food comes to the table ?
Food which has been ordered comes to the table.
What discovery and how does one make ?
One frequently makes the discovery that there is nothing French about it but the name.
Beer and whisky are the two commonest drinks in England.
What drinks are they ?
They are the two commonest drinks in England.
Most of the beer is not very strong, . . .
How strong is it not ?
It is not very strong.
. . . and one may take a great amount of it without becoming the worse for drink, . . .
What may one take ?
One may take a great amount of it.
What may one take a great amount of it without becoming ?
One may take a great amount of it without becoming the worse for drink.
. . . but if you are wise, you will not overdo the whisky.
What will I not overdo ?
You will not overdo the whisky.
How am I ?
You are wise.
In what condition will I not overdo the whisky ?
If you are wise, you will not overdo the whisky.
Wine is not produced here, . . .
What is not produced there ?
Wine is not produced there.
. . . but some of the best French, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian wines are sent to the English market.
What are sent to the English market ?
Some of the best French, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian wines are sent to the English market.
These, however, are so highly taxed when they come into the country that they are very dear, . . .
How are those ?
Those are taxed.
When are they taxed ?
They are taxed when they come into the country.
How taxed are they ?
Those are so highly taxed when they come into the country that they are very dear.
. . . and only persons with good incomes are able to take them regularly.
Who are able to take them regularly ?
Only persons with good incomes are able to take them regularly.
Our friends from other countries say, sometimes with amusement and sometimes a little bitterly,
that we have no idea how to keep our houses warm.
What do they have ?
They have no idea how to keep their houses warm.
How do they say that you have no idea how to keep their houses warm.
They say, sometimes with amusement and sometimes a little bitterly, that they have no idea
how to keep their houses warm.
Most English houses are dependent for their heating on open fires.
What are they dependent on ?
They are dependent on open fires.
What are dependent on open fires for ?
They are dependent on open fires for their heating.
An open fire certainly makes a room bright, . . .
How does it make a room ?
It certainly makes a room bright.
. . . but it doesn't give a good distribution of heat.
What doesn't it give ?
It doesn't give a good distribution of heat.
In cold weather, it makes only a part of the room warm, . . .
What does it make warm ?
It makes only a part of the room warm.
When does it only a part of the room warm ?
In cold weather, it makes only a part of the room warm.
. . . and when the door is open it lets in more cold air from the rest of the house.
How is it ?
It is open.
What does it let in ?
It lets in more cold air.
What does it let in more cold air from ?
It lets in more cold air from the rest of the house.
When does it let in more cold air from the rest of the house ?
When the door is open it lets in more cold air from the rest of the house.
English persons are not troubled by this because they have a theory that a current of cold air is healthy.
What are they not troubled by ?
They are not troubled by that.
What is healthy ?
A current of cold air is healthy.
What theory do they have ?
They have a theory that a current of cold air is healthy.
Why are they not troubled by that ?
Because they have a theory that a current of cold air is healthy.
In fact, they generally keep their windows open even in the middle of winter, . . .
How do they keep their windows ?
In fact, they generally keep their windows open.
In fact, when do they generally keep their windows open ?
In fact, they generally keep their windows open even in the middle of winter.
. . . and in most houses the landings are unheated.
What are unheated ?
The landings are unheated.
Where are the landings unheated ?
In most houses the landings are unheated.
Another thing which seems strange to anyone who is not used to our ways is that English houses
have their water-pipes on the outside.
How does another thing seem ?
Another seems strange.
Who does another thing seem strange to ?
Another thing seems strange to anyone who is not used to their ways.
What is that English houses have their water-pipes on the outside ?
Another thing which seems strange to anyone who is not used to their ways is that English
houses have their water-pipes on the outside.
Whenever the weather is cold enough for ice to be formed in the pipes, one naturally gets a burst.
How cold is the weather ?
It is cold enough for ice to be formed in the pipes.
What does one get ?
One gets a burst.
When and how does one get a burst ?
Whenever the weather is cold enough for ice to be formed in the pipes, one naturally gets a burst.
Englishwomen are well-dressed, though not with such good taste as Frenchwomen and
with less care for details than American women.
How are they dressed ?
They are well-dressed.
Are they well-dressed ?
They are well-dressed, though not with such good taste as Frenchwomen and with less care
for details than American women.
Englishmen, on the other hand, are generally happiest when they have on an old country coat
and some gray trousers.
How are they ?
On the other hand, they are generally happiest.
On the other hand, when are they generally happiest ?
On the other hand, they are generally happiest when they have on an old country coat and
some gray trousers.
They might be well dressed, because England has a name for producing the best men's clothing.
How dressed might they be ?
They might be well dressed.
Why might they be well dressed ?
Because England has a name for producing the best men's clothing.
But at any rate, even if the things they go about in have seen their best days, as we say, they
are well cut and made of good cloth.
What do they go about in ?
They go about in things.
What have things seen ?
They have seen their best days.
How are they cut ?
They are well cut.
What cloth are they made of ?
They are made of good cloth.
How and in spite of what condition are they well cut and made of ?
At any rate, even if the things they go about in have seen their best days, as we say, they
are well cut and made of good cloth.
Naturally, the great stores in London, as in every important town, are full of beautiful things.
What are full of beautiful things ?
The great stores in London are full of beautiful things.
How are they full of beautiful things ?
Naturally, as in every important town, they are full of beautiful things.
If you are looking for something to take back with you, keep in mind that English cloth,
English leather goods, and English knives are all of very high quality.
What am I looking for ?
You are looking for something.
What am I looking for something to do ?
You are looking for something to take back with you.
What is it suggested to do ?
It is suggested to keep in mind that English cloth, English leather goods, and English knives
are all of very high quality.
In what condition is it suggested to keep in mind that they are all of very high quality ?
If you are looking for something to take back with you, it is suggested to keep in mind
that they are all of very high quality.
But you may be interested to go to some of the little second-hand places which have old prints,
silver, brass ornaments, and suchlike.
What may I be interested to do ?
You may be interested to go to some of the little second-hand places.
What places may I be interested to go to some of ?
You may be interested to go to some of the little second-hand places which have old prints,
silver, brass ornaments, and suchlike.
So much has been said by others about the British love of sport, that there is little need to say
anything here.
What has been said ?
So much has been said.
Who has much been said by ?
Much has been said by others.
What has much been said by others about ?
Much has been said by others about the British love of sport.
How has much been said by others about the British love of sport ?
So much has been said by others about the British love of sport, that there is little need to say anything here.
Englishmen give a number of different reasons for looking on sport as important.
What do they give ?
They give a number of different reasons.
What do they give a number of different reasons for doing ?
They give a number of different reasons for looking on sport as important.
They say that it keeps one healthy, that it gives one training in working with others, and is good for one's
self-control.
How does it keep one ?
It keeps one healthy.
What does it give one ?
It gives one training in working with others.
What is it good for ?
It is good for one's self-control.
What do they say ?
They say that it keeps one healthy, that it gives one training in working with others and is good for
one's self-control.
But the simple fact is that they take a pleasure in it.
What do they take in it ?
They take a pleasure in it.
What is the simple fact ?
The simple fact is that they take a pleasure in it.
Being still a schoolboy in his heart; an Englishman does things which seem completely foolish to the
more serious-minded men of other nations.
What is an Englishman ?
He is a schoolboy.
How is he a schoolboy ?
He is still a school boy in his heart.
What does he do ?
He does things.
What things does he do ?
He does things which seem completely foolish to the more serious-minded men of other nations.
How does he do things which seem completely foolish to the more serious-minded men of other nations. ?
Being still a schoolboy in his heart; he does things which seem completely foolish to the more
serious-minded men of other nations.
For example, in the London parks one may see men old enough to be fathers of families
sailing small boats with as much pleasure as little boys.
Who may one see ?
One may see men.
How are men sailing small boats ?
They are sailing small boats with as much pleasure as little boys.
What may one see men doing ?
One may see men sailing small boats with as much pleasure as little boys.
What men may one see sailing small boats with as much pleasure as little boys ?
One may see men old enough to be fathers of families sailing small boats with as much pleasure
as little boys.
How and where may one see men old enough to be fathers of families sailing small boats with as
much pleasure as little boys ?
For example, in the London parks one may see men old enough to be fathers of families sailing
small boats with as much pleasure as little boys.
Frequently, they take part in competitions with other sailing experts as old as themselves.
What do they take part in ?
They take part in competition ?
Who do they take part in competition with ?
They take part in competitions with other sailing experts as old as themselves.
How do they take part in competitions with other sailing experts as old as themselves. ?
Frequently, they take part in competitions with other sailing experts as old as themselves
The fact is that the English love of sport is chiefly a love of play.
What is chiefly a love of play ?
The English love of sport is chiefly a love of play.
What is the fact ?
The fact is that the English love of sport is chiefly a love of play.
Even football is not such a serious business in England as baseball is to our American friends.
What is not a serious business in England ?
Even football is not a serious business in England.
How is even football not such a serious business in England ?
Even football is not such a serious business in England as baseball is to our American friends.
The British have a taste for all outdoor amusements.
What does the British have a taste for ?
He has a taste for all outdoor amusements.
If you give an Englishman a gun or let him have a quiet day working in his garden, he will be
completely happy.
What do I give an Englishman ?
You give an Englishman a gun.
What and how do I let him have ?
You let him have a quiet day working in his garden.
How will he be happy ?
He will be completely happy.
In what condition will he be completely happy ?
If you give an Englishman a gun or let him have a quiet day working in his garden, he will be
completely happy.
It is not surprising that he is commonly pictured as dressed in country things and gripping the stem
of an old and well-loved pipe between his teeth.
How is he pictured ?
He is commonly pictured as dressed in country things and gripping the stem of an old and
well-loved pipe between his teeth.
What is it not surprising ?
It is not surprising that he is commonly pictured as dressed in country things and gripping the stem
of an old and well-loved pipe between his teeth.
Every week-end, thousands of persons living in the towns go out by rail or road to some quiet
little place in the country.
What persons go out ?
Thousands of persons living in the towns go out.
What do they go out by ?
They go out by rail or road.
Where do they go out by rail or road ?
They go out by rail or road to some quiet little place in the country.
When do they go out by rail or road to some quiet little place in the country ?
Every week-end, they go out by rail or road to some quiet little place in the country.
Their chief amusement is walking, . . .
What is it ?
It is walking.
. . . and they go for long country walks, even in the rain.
What do they go for ?
They go for long country walks.
Even when do they go out for long country walks ?
They go for long country walks, even in the rain.
In the summer, most families go for a week or two to the seaside . . .
How long do they go ?
They go for a week or two.
Where do they go for a week or two ?
They go for a week or two to the seaside.
When do they go for a week or two ?
In the summer, they go for a week or two to the seaside.
. . . and get brown playing on the sands.
How do they get ?
They get brown.
How do they get brown ?
They get brown playing on the sands.
With this love of the country goes a great love of animals.
What and how goes ?
With this love of the country goes a great love of animals.
Most English families have at least a dog or a cat.
What do they have ?
They have a dog or a cat ?
How do they have a dog and a cat ?
They have at least a dog or a cat.
In England, animals are very well looked after, . . .
How are they looked after ?
They are very well looked after.
Where are they very well looked after ?
In England they are very well looked after.
. . . and nothing makes us more angry than to see anyone being cruel to them.
How does nothing make them ?
Nothing makes them angry.
What does nothing make them more angry than to do ?
Nothing makes us more angry than to see anyone being cruel to them.
It is touching to see some poor persons going without food themselves so that their dogs may have enough.
What do they see some poor persons doing ?
They see some poor persons going without food themselves.
For what are some poor persons going without food themselves ?
They are going without food themselves so that their dogs may have enough.
What is it touching to do ?
It is touching to see some poor persons going without food themselves so that their dogs may have enough.
One of the most noted British qualities is a strong sense of humor.
What is a strong sense of humor ?
One of the most noted British qualities is a strong sense of humor.
It is the sort of humor which becomes specially marked in times of danger or when things go wrong.
What is it ?
It is the sort of humor.
What humor is it the sort of ?
It is the sort of humor which becomes specially marked in times of danger or when things go wrong.
And generally it is not unkind.
How is it not ?
Generally it is not unkind.
Though an Englishman is very ready to make sport of others, he is equally ready to have a laugh
at himself.
How ready is he ?
He is very ready.
What is he very ready to do ?
He is very ready to make sport of others.
How ready is he ?
He is equally ready.
What is he equally ready to do ?
He is equally ready to have a laugh at himself.
In spite of what condition is he equally ready to have a laugh at himself ?
Though he is very ready to make sport of others, he is equally ready to have a laugh
at himself.
As a nation, the British have a name for being very upright.
What do they have ?
They have a name for being very upright.
How do they have a name for being very upright.
As a nation, they have a name for being very upright.
An Englishman is generally straight in business, . . .
How is he ?
He is straight.
How straight is he ?
He is generally straight.
What is he generally straight in ?
He is generally straight in business.
. . . and when he gives his word he keeps it.
What does he give ?
He gives his word.
What does he keep ?
He keeps it.
When does he keep it ?
When he gives his word he keeps it.
It is safe to do things here which in some other countries would be looked on as very foolish.
What would things be looked on as ?
They would be looked on as very foolish.
Where would things be looked on as very foolish ?
Things would be looked on as very foolish in other countries.
What things is it safe to do ?
It is safe to do things here which in some other countries would be looked on as very foolish.
For example, when a newsboy goes for a drink, he does not take his papers with him.
What does a newsboy go for ?
He goes for a drink.
What does he not take with him ?
He does not take his papers with him.
When does he not take his papers with him ?
When he goes for a drink, he does not take his papers with him.
When he goes for a drink, how does he not take his papers with him ?
For example, when he goes for a drink, he does not take his papers with him.
He puts them on a box with his hat on top of them . . .
Where does he put them ?
He puts them on a box.
What does he put them on a box with ?
He puts them on a box with his hat on top of them.
. . . and everyone who takes a paper puts his penny in the hat.
What does everyone take ?
Everyone takes a paper.
Who puts his penny in the hat ?
Everyone who takes a paper puts his penny in the hat.
Because they are naturally independent, Britons have done everything possible to make theirs
a free country.
How independent are they ?
They are naturally independent.
What have they done everything possible to do ?
They have done everything possible to make theirs a free country.
Why have they done everything possible to make theirs a free country. ?
Because they are naturally independent.
To be free is looked on as a man's birthright.
What is looked on as a man's birthright ?
To be free is looked on as a man's birthright.
When a poor man becomes old, his greatest fear is that he may be sent to a poorhouse.
How does a poor man become ?
He becomes old.
Where may he be sent ?
He may be sent to a poorhouse.
What is his greatest fear ?
It is that he may be sent to a poorhouse.
When is it that he may be sent to a poorhouse ?
When a poor man becomes old, it is that he may be sent to a poorhouse.
It is not a fear that he will be badly looked after but a fear of being put under the control of others.
How will he be looked after ?
He will be badly looked after.
What will he be put under the control of ?
He will be put under the control of others.
What is it not a fear ?
It is not a fear that he will be badly looked after.
But what is it a fear of ?
It is a fear of being put under the control of others.
In England, everyone is free to put forward his opinions, even opinions which would be a
danger to society if our acts were guided by them.
What would be a danger to society ?
Opinions would be a danger to society.
What were their acts guided by ?
Their acts were guided by opinions.
In what condition would opinions be a danger to society ?
Opinions would be a danger to society if their acts were guided by them.
What is everyone free to do ?
Everyone is free to put forward opinions.
What opinions is everyone free to put forward ?
Everyone is free to put forward his opinions, even opinions which would be a danger to
society if our acts were guided by them.
Where is everyone free to put forward all these opinions ?
In England, everyone is free to put forward all these opinions.
We have a theory that it is good to give persons an outlet by letting them have a chance for the
statement of their views.
What is it good to do ?
It is good to give persons an outlet.
What is it good to give persons an outlet by doing ?
It is good to give persons an outlet by letting them have a chance for the statement of their views.
What theory do they have ?
They have a theory that it is good to give persons an outlet by letting them have a chance for the
statement of their views.
Every Sunday in London's Hyde Park, you may see men and women talking to the public.
What may we see men and women doing ?
We may see men and women talking to the public.
When and where may see men and women talking to the public ?
Every Sunday in London's Hyde Park, you may see men and women talking to the public.
Every shade of political opinion is voiced at these meetings,
What is voiced at these meetings ?
Every shade of political opinion is voiced at these meetings.
every form of religion is supported and attacked.
What is supported and attacked.
Every form of religion is supported and attacked.
While one group is hearing all the arguments for a belief in God, . . .
What is one group hearing ?
One group is hearing all the arguments for a belief in God.
. . . another group, two or three yards away, is probably hearing all the arguments against such a belief.
What and how is another group two or three yards away hearing ?
It is probably hearing all the arguments against such a belief.
Policemen are present at the meetings, . . .
How are they ?
They are present.
Where are they present ?
They are present at the meetings.
. . . but they are there to keep order, not to put a stop to them.
What are they there to do ?
They are there to keep order, not to put a stop to them.
Though Englishmen do not readily put themselves under authority, they are great respecters of
law and order.
What do they not readily put themselves under ?
They not readily put themselves under authority.
What are they ?
They are respecters of law and order.
In spite of what condition are they great respecters of law and order ?
Though they do not readily put themselves under authority, they are great respecters of law and order.
There is less violent crime in England than in most countries, . . .
What crime is there ?
There is violent crime.
Where is there violent crime ?
There is violent crime in England.
What is there less violent crime in England than ?
There is less violent crime in England than in most countries.
. . . and the police are able to go about without firearms.
What are they able to go about without ?
They are able to go about without firearms.
The relations between the police and the public are very good.
What are very good ?
The relations between the police and the public are very good.
The policemen are good-humored and ready to give help to anyone in trouble.
How humored are they ?
They are good-humored.
How are they ready to do ?
They are ready to give help to anyone in trouble.
So, if you are ever at a loss in a strange place, go straight to the nearest policeman.
How am I ever ?
Yu are ever at a loss.
Where am I ever at a loss ?
You are ever at a loss in a strange place.
What is it suggested to do ?
It is suggested to go to the nearest policeman.
When and in what condition is it suggested to go to the nearest policeman ?
If I am ever at a loss in a strange place, it is suggested to go straight to the nearest policeman.
In England, the law is the same for all.
What is the same for all ?
The law is the same for all.
Where is the law the same for all ?
In England, the law is the same for all.
It is quite impossible to have any effect on a Judge's decision by offering him money.
What is it impossible to do ?
It is quite impossible to have any effect on a Judge's decision by offering him money.
To make such an offer is a certain way of getting oneself sent to prison.
What is a certain way of getting oneself sent to prison ?
To make such an offer is a certain way of getting oneself sent to prison.
No one may be kept in prison for long, without a hearing, . . .
How may no one be kept ?
No one may be kept in prison for long.
What may no one be kept in prison for long without ?
No one may be kept in prison for long, without a hearing.
. . . and when a man comes before a Judge, he will go free if there is any room for doubt
about his wrongdoing.
Who does a man come before ?
A man comes before a Judge.
When and in what condition will he go free ?.
When he comes before a Judge, he will go free if there is any room for doubt about his wrongdoing.
Our British system, widely copied by others, is to put the government of the country into the
hands of persons who are responsible to the masses for what they do.
Britain was the first country which gave every man and woman a voice in the selection of the
nation's representatives.
We are against all forms of rule by one man, however wise that man may be.
What are they against ?
They are against all forms of rule by one man.
In spite of what condition are they against all forms of rule by one man ?
They are against all forms of rule by one man, however wise that man may be
Politically, our tendency is to take the middle road.
What is their tendency ?
It is to take the middle road.
How is it to take the middle road ?
Politically it is to take the middle road.
We are not supporters of reaction, . . .
What are they not ?
They are not supporters of reaction.
. . . but we have a deep respect for the past . . .
What do they have ?
They have a deep respect for the past.
. . . and are slow to make changes.
What are they slow to do ?
They are slow to make changes.
Enough space has been given to the good qualities of the British.
What has been given to the good qualities of the British.
Enough space has been given to the good qualities of the British.
Now let us look at the other side of the picture and say something about their shortcomings.
What is it suggested to do?
It is suggested to let us look at the other side of the picture and say something about their shortcomings.
The best way of hearing what these are is to take note of the unkind things which have been
said about Englishmen by others.
What is to take note of the unkind things which have been said about Englishmen by others.
The best way of hearing what these are is to take note of the unkind things which have been
said about Englishmen by others.
The list is quite a long one :
What is it ?
It is quite a long one.
First, they have a very high opinion of themselves ; . . .
What do they have ?
First, they have a very high opinion of themselves.
. . . second, they are uninteresting and are bad at putting their thoughts into words ; . . .
How are they ?
Second, they are uninteresting.
What are they bad at doing ?
They are bad at putting their thoughts into words.
. . . third, they are cold ; . . .
How are they ?
Third, they are cold.
. . . fourth, they have no polish ; . . .
What do they have ?
Fourth, they have no polish.
. . . fifth, they have shockingly bad taste ; . . .
What taste do they have ?
Fifth, they have shockingly bad taste.
. . . sixth, they don't keep up with new developments but go on doing things in the way their
fathers did them ; . . .
What don't they keep up with but how do they go on doing things ?
Sixth, they don't keep up with new developments but go on doing things in the way their fathers did them.
. . . seventh--but if the list becomes any longer, it will put you off coming to England at all.
How does the list become ?
It becomes any longer.
What will it put us off doing ?
It will put us off coming to England at all.
In what condition will it put us off coming to England at all ?
Seventh but if the list becomes any longer, it will put us off coming to England at all.
You will have the chance to see for yourself which, if any, of these statements are true and
to make your private additions to the list.
What will I have the chance to do ?
You will have the chance to see for yourself which, if any, of those statements are true
and to make your private additions to the list.
It is a good thing to keep in mind that, though there is only a narrow bit of water separating Britain
from the rest of Europe, we are to some degree cut off from European society and our ways are different.
What is there ?
There is only a narrow bit of water.
What water is there ?
There is only a narrow bit of water separating Britain from the rest of Europe.
What are they cut off from ?
They are cut off from European society.
How are they cut off from European society ?
They are to some degree cut off from European society,
How are their ways ?
They are different.
In spite of what condition are they to some degree cut off from European society and their ways
are different.?
Though there is only a narrow bit of water separating Britain from the rest of Europe,
they are to some degree cut off from European society and their ways are different.
What is it a good thing to keep in mind ?
It is a good thing to keep in mind that, though there is only a narrow bit of water
separating Britain from the rest of Europe, they are to some degree cut off from
European society and their ways are different.
There is less handshaking and kissing in Britain than in other countries, . . .
What is there less handshaking and kissing in Britain than ?
There is less handshaking and kissing in Britain than in other countries.
. . . our feelings are kept more under control, . . .
How are their feelings ?
They are kept more under control.
. . . and we have a strange taste for understatement.
What do they have ?
They have a strange taste for understatement.
One last word.
What do the words say ?
It says, "One last word."
When you are in England, there is no need to keep your mouth shut for fear of talking English
badly and seeming foolish.
Where am I ?
You are in England.
What is there no need to do ?
There is no need to keep your mouth shut.
What is there no need to keep my mouth shut for fear of doing ?
There is no need to keep your mouth shut for fear of talking English badly and seeming foolish.
The English themselves are not very good at languages, . . .
What are they themselves not good at ?
They themselves are not good at languages.
. . . and so they are not surprised when someone from another country makes slips in their
mother-tongue.
Who makes slips in their mother-tongue ?
Someone from another country makes slips in their mother-tongue.
How are they not ?
They are not surprised.
When are they not surprised ?
They are not surprised when someone from another country makes slips in their mother-tongue.
Moreover, being in the position of a teacher gives one a good opinion of oneself.
What gives one a good opinion of oneself ?
Being in the position of a teacher gives one a good opinion of oneself.
If you make errors, you may be certain that the person to whom you are talking will take pleasure in putting you right.
Who will take pleasure ?
The person to whom you are talking will take pleasure.
What will the person whom I am talking to take pleasure in doing ?
The person to whom you are talking will take pleasure in putting you right.
What may I be certain ?
You may be certain that the person to whom you are talking will take pleasure in putting
you right.
In what condition may I be certain that person to whom I am talking will take pleasure in
putting me right. ?
If you make errors, you may be certain that the person to whom you are talking will take
pleasure in putting you right.
Saburo Terada
Saitama Prefecture
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