AFTER-READING ACTIVITIES. Answer the following questions

Answer the following questions.

1. What kind of life did Mrs. Whitaker lead?

2. Can we call her observant and attentive? Why?

3. What was the Grail for Mrs. Whitaker — a beautiful house ornament or a precious artifact?

4. What was the old lady`s first reaction to the knight`s appearance?

5. Why didn`t Mrs. Whitaker share her unusual experience with anybody?

6. How did the relations between the old lady and her strange guest develop?

7. What was the reason for Mrs Whitaker`s turning down the gift that could have changed her life?

8. Why did she cry after Sir Galaad left?

9. Why did Mrs Whitaker finally decide against buying the old silver lamp?

Find all the words with the help of which the author describes all the pastimes and hobbies that make up traditional English lifestyle. Which episode seems the most convincing to you? Explain your choice.

Let us describe the characters of the story with the help of their remarks. Find out whom this remark belongs to and make a brief description of their character.

1. “It’d look nice on the mantelpiece.”

2. “Well, now you’re here, you might as well make yourself useful.”

3. “Aye, still do I seek the Sangrail.”

4. “He was really dreamy. Really, really dreamy, I could have gone for him.”

5. “My lady, this is for you, and you give me the Sangrail.”

6. “And two for one’s fair, or I don’t know what is.”

7. “You shouldn’t offer things like that to old ladies. It isn’t proper.”

Study the way the author describes the extraordinary visitor Mrs. Whitaker had. In what way was he different from her contemporary acquaintances? Notice the actions and the moods and comment on the ways they are depicted.

Let us focus on style. Read a piece from the conversation between the old lady and Sir Galaad again. Point out some specific details that differ his speech from the rest of the story. Pay attention to the grammar and word choice.

“Aye, still do I seek the Sangrail,” he said. He picked up the leather package from the floor, put it down on her tablecloth and unwrapped it. “For it, I offer you this.” It was a sword, its blade almost four feet long. There were words and symbols traced elegantly along the length of the blade. The hilt was worked in silver and gold, and a large jewel was set in the pommel.

“It’s very nice,” said Mrs. Whitaker, doubtfully.

“This,” said Galaad, “is the sword Balmung, forged by Wayland Smith in the dawn times. Its twin is Flamberge. Who wears it is unconquerable in war, and invincible in battle. Who wears it is incapable of a cowardly act or an ignoble one. Set in its pommel is the sardonynx Bircone, which protects its possessor from poison slipped into wine or ale, and from the treachery of friends.”

Mrs. Whitaker peered at the sword. “It must be very sharp,” she said, after a while.

“It can slice a falling hair in twain. Nay, it could slice a sun­beam,” said Galaad proudly.

Imagine that Mrs. Whitaker did buy that lamp. Think who her next visitor might have been and write down his description.

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