Qiu Xiaping (Mudu Senior School)

If you have a chance to make an appointment with someone you love, what characteristics do you think he or she must have?

Brief understanding

When? → When would they meet?Where? → Where would they meet?Who? → How many people did Blandford

meet in the story? Who are they?

What? → What did Blandford and Meynell hold to identify each other?

Why? → Why did Blandford feel being split when he saw Meynell?

Which? → Which one did Blandford choose at last?

At six o’clock.New York’s Grand Central Station.Balndford met a beautiful young girl and an ordinary-looking middle-aged woman.Blandford held a book while Meynell wore a red rose.He was attracted by the young girl’s beauty, but he also wanted to meet Meynell whose spirit was with him.Meynell, the ordinary-looking middle-aged woman.

about 30 words to summarize the story

A version written by a student from class 12:

Blandford made an appointment with his pen pal. When he found his dream girl was not the one he was waiting for, though he felt in a dilemma, he finally chose the middle-aged woman whose spirit is with him.

Summarizing

Analyzing & appreciating According to his final decision, what kind of person do you think Blandford is? Blandford is ________________________.

Why do you think he chose the ordinary-looking middle-aged woman rather than the charming young lady?

Communication of spirit is more important than appearance.

Analyzing & appreciating

Can you find some sentences in the story to show how Meynell encouraged him and went into his heart?

Analyzing & appreciating Blandford thought Meynell could see into a man’s heart so _________, so ______________. During the tough time, when Blandford felt fear, Meynell was always with him, helping him walk through the valley of the _______ of death. She was always ________ replying his letters, even though sometimes his letters didn’t arrive. Blandford felt she had _______ a special place in his life as she had ________ him unfailingly.

tenderly understandingly

shadow faithfully

filled sustained

Story completing & further thinking

The story hasn’t finished!The last leaf

Hearts and hands

The gift of Maggie

surprising but reasonable endings

Make up an ending for this story. (About 50 words)

Story completing & further thinking

The ending of the story: The woman smiled. “I don't know what this is all about, son,” she answered. “That young lady in the green suit begged me to wear this rose on my coat. And she said that if you asked me to go out with you, I should tell you she's waiting for you in that big restaurant across the street. She said it was some kind of a test.” 

Story completing & further thinking

After reading the ending, what kind of person do you think Meynell is?

Meynell is _________________________.

Story completing & further thinking

What have you learnt from this story? * Communication of spirit is more important than appearance. * Making a right decision will lead to a satisfying result. * The true nature of a heart is seen in its response to the unattractive. ( 心灵的本质是从其对不美的事物的态度中反映出来的。 ) * Tell me whom you love, and I’ll tell you who you are. —— Houssaye

Expanding Will Blandford accept the test?

Form groups to write a short play, then act it out.

• If you think Blandford will accept Meynell’s test, design a dialogue between the young couple.• If you think Blandford will refuse Meynell’s test, write down the psychology of Blandford and design some details to show his mental activities.

After class, please1. go through the whole passage again and deal with problems left.2. read more similar novels and think deeply about the connotation of the stories.

Homework

Form groups to write a short play and prepare for the performance.Homewor

k

• If you think Blandford will accept Meynell’s test, design a dialogue between the young couple.• If you think Blandford will refuse Meynell’s test, write down the psychology of Blandford and design some details to show his mental activities.

who would you choose?