Skills learned: Application of grammar rules in actual stories
STORY
Summary of “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen.
Pride and Prejudice is a famous novel by Jane Austen, first published in 1813. It tells the story of Elizabeth Bennet, an intelligent and independent young woman, and her complicated relationship with the wealthy Mr. Darcy.
The story takes place in rural England. Elizabeth is one of five daughters in the Bennet family. Because women could not easily inherit property at that time, Mrs. Bennet is eager to find good husbands for her daughters.
When a rich young man named Mr. Bingley moves into the neighborhood, he quickly becomes interested in Elizabeth’s older sister, Jane. Mr. Bingley is friendly and kind, and Jane returns his feelings. However, Mr. Bingley’s friend, Mr. Darcy, appears proud and unfriendly. At a local dance, he refuses to dance with Elizabeth and makes a rude comment about her. As a result, Elizabeth develops a strong dislike for him.
As the story continues, Elizabeth hears negative stories about Mr. Darcy from a charming army officer named George Wickham. She believes Wickham and becomes even more convinced that Darcy is arrogant and selfish. Meanwhile, Darcy secretly falls in love with Elizabeth because of her intelligence and strong character.
Eventually, Darcy asks Elizabeth to marry him. Although he admits that he loves her, he also speaks disrespectfully about her family’s lower social status. Elizabeth is offended and rejects his proposal. She accuses him of separating Jane and Bingley and of treating Wickham unfairly.
Afterward, Darcy writes Elizabeth a letter explaining his actions. He reveals that Wickham is dishonest and that he tried to protect Bingley from what he believed was an uncertain relationship with Jane. Elizabeth gradually realizes that her judgments may have been wrong.
Later, Darcy proves his kindness by helping solve a family scandal when Elizabeth’s younger sister Lydia runs away with Wickham. He does this without expecting any reward or recognition.
Through these events, both Elizabeth and Darcy change. Elizabeth learns not to judge people too quickly, while Darcy becomes more humble and considerate. In the end, Bingley marries Jane, and Elizabeth accepts Darcy’s second proposal. The novel ends with both couples happily married.
Main Themes
The danger of judging people too quickly
Pride and humility
Love and marriage
Social class and wealth
Personal growth and self-awareness
NEW WORDS
TBD
GRAMMAR FEATURES
Simple Present (for plot summaries)
When we summarize books, movies, and stories, we usually use the simple present, even though the events happened in the past.
Examples:
- It tells the story of Elizabeth Bennet.
- The story takes place in rural England.
- Mr. Bingley moves into the neighborhood.
- Darcy proves his kindness.
Why?
- Literary summaries are traditionally written in the present tense.
Past Simple (for background information)
The past simple is used for facts about the author’s life or publication history.
Examples:
- The novel was first published in 1813.
- Women could not easily inherit property at that time.
Why?
- These are historical facts that happened before the story summary.
Very common in formal writing and literature summaries.
Examples:
- The novel was first published in 1813.
- Elizabeth is offended and rejects his proposal.
- He is believed to be arrogant.
Relative Clauses
Used to add information about a noun.
Examples:
- Elizabeth Bennet, an intelligent and independent young woman, …
- A rich young man named Mr. Bingley moves into the neighborhood.
- An army officer named George Wickham…
Other possible forms:
- Darcy, who is wealthy, falls in love with Elizabeth.
- The letter that Darcy writes changes Elizabeth’s opinion.
Why?
- They make writing more detailed and sophisticated.
Infinitives of Purpose
Very common in narrative and academic writing.
Examples:
- Mrs. Bennet is eager to find good husbands.
- Darcy tries to protect Bingley.
- Elizabeth learns not to judge people too quickly.
Reported Information
Examples:
- Elizabeth hears negative stories about Darcy.
- He reveals that Wickham is dishonest.
- Elizabeth realizes that her judgments may have been wrong.
Modal Verbs
Used to express possibility, ability, obligation, etc.
Examples:
- Women could not inherit property.
- Her judgments may have been wrong.
Cause and Effect Connectors
These help the story flow logically.
Examples:
- Because women could not inherit property…
- As a result, Elizabeth develops a strong dislike for him.
- Meanwhile, Darcy secretly falls in love with Elizabeth.
- Afterward, Darcy writes Elizabeth a letter.
- Later, Darcy proves his kindness.
These connectors help readers understand:
Complex Sentences
Example:
Although he admits that he loves her, he also speaks disrespectfully about her family’s lower social status.
Grammar inside this sentence:
- subordinating conjunction (although)
- reporting verb (admits)
- noun clause (that he loves her)
Gerunds (-ing forms)
Examples:
- finding good husbands (implied)
- judging people too quickly
- separating Jane and Bingley
Gerunds often function as nouns:
- Judging people too quickly can be a mistake.
- Finding a good husband was important at that time.
FILL IN THE BLANKS USING ONE OF THE WORDS OR GROUPS OF WORDS ON THE RIGHT, IN THE CORRECT TENSE
The Lost Painting
The story takes place in a small town near the sea. It follows Emma, a young artist who dreams of becoming famous one day.
One morning, Emma learns that a valuable painting has disappeared from the local museum. The painting, which was created more than two hundred years ago, is loved by many people in the town.
When the museum director speaks to the police, he explains that nobody knows what happened. Emma becomes interested in the mystery because she hopes to help solve it. Although she has no experience as a detective, she believes she can find an important clue.
After visiting the museum, Emma notices a small notebook that was left near an open window. Inside, she finds sketches of boats and a map of the harbor. She immediately realizes that the thief may have escaped by sea.
Later, Emma meets an old fisherman who works near the docks. He reveals that he saw a stranger carrying a large package the night before. Because of this information, the police search a nearby warehouse.
The painting is discovered the next day. The thief is arrested, and the artwork is returned to the museum. In the end, Emma receives a special award because of her courage and determination. The director says that the town will always remember her contribution.
GRAMMAR CLUES
The Lost Painting
The story [Simple Present] in a small town near the sea. It [Simple Present] Emma, a young artist [Relative Pronoun] dreams of becoming famous one day.
One morning, Emma learns that a valuable painting [Present Perfect] from the local museum. The painting, [Relative Pronoun] was created more than two hundred years ago, [Passive Voice] by many people in the town.
When the museum director speaks to the police, he [Reporting Verb] that nobody knows what happened. Emma becomes interested in the mystery because she hopes [Infinitive Marker] solve it. Although she has no experience as a detective, she believes she [Modal Verb] find an important clue.
After visiting the museum, Emma notices a small notebook [Relative Pronoun] was left near an open window. Inside, she finds sketches of boats and a map of the harbor. She immediately realizes that the thief [Modal Perfect] escaped by sea.
Later, Emma meets an old fisherman [Relative Pronoun] works near the docks. He [Reporting Verb] that he saw a stranger carrying a large package the night before. Because of this information, the police search a nearby warehouse.
The painting [Passive Voice] the next day. The thief is arrested, and the artwork [Passive Voice] to the museum. In the end, Emma receives a special award because of her courage and determination. The director says that the town [Future with Will] remember her contribution.
WORD BANK
discover
who
may have
take place
return
reveal
which
follow
can
explain
that
to help
love
always remember
who
disappear
EXTERNAL VIDEO
END OF LESSON