Can You Order Events in a Story?

河南郑州市惠济区实验小学 焦 瑞

To list the events in a story in order is not only a language skill of a language learner,but also the language competence of him/her.Doing such exercises will be quite helpful to improve your ability of English reading comprehension.

But how can you order the events in a story correctly? When you read a story,pay attention to the order of the events.What happened first? And what happened after that? If you can figure out the events,you will be able to understand the story better.

Example 1:

Brown wants to teach his old dog Zac some tricks.To start,Brown teaches Zac to shake.Brown holds a treat in his hand,and Zac gives his paw to Brown.Zac can shake.Next,Brown teaches Zac to spin.Zac can do that,too.The last trick Brown teaches Zac is to roll over.Zac learns that quickly as well.You see you really can teach an old dog some new tricks.

Now can you put the events in this story in order? Time-order words and phrases can help.In this story,the time-order on word “Next” and time-order phrases “To start” and “The last trick” can surely help you.So you can order the events in this story as the below:

(1) Zac learns to shake.

(2) Zac learns to spin.

(3) Zac learns to roll over.

Now read another story and try to order the events in this story correctly.

Example 2:

On Saturday,I helped my uncle plant a garden.We turned over the soil first—that way it was nice and loose.Then,we added some water to the soil.After that,we planted lots of seeds in little rows.Finally,we patted the soil down and watered the soil again.

This time,you can order the events according to the timeorder words and phrases “First” “Then” “After that” and “Finally” in this story correctly,I believe.

(1) We turned over the soil.

(2) We added some water to the soil.

(3) We planted lots of seeds in little rows.

(4) We patted the soil down and watered the soil again.

As long as you practice more,your English reading comprehension will be greatly improved.

Now,try to order the events in each of the stories below.

I

The Abram kids were planning a surprise birthday party for their mom.They began by calling and inviting their family and friends to the party.They then ordered pizza and a big cake.

On the day of the party,Mr.Abram took Mrs.Abram shopping.While they were out,the kids decorated the house.At6：00p.m.,Mom and Dad walked into the house.Every shouted,“Happy birthday!”

a.The kids decorated the house.

b.The kids ordered food.

c.The kids called their family and friends.

d.Everyone greeted.

II

The phone rang at6：00a.m.Peter rolled out of the bed and answered the call,“Yippee.” Peter shouted.

Peter rushed down to the kitchen and dragged his mom and dad to the window.He then pointed to the snow-covered ground and said,“Mom,Dad! There’s no school today.Can I go out and play?”

“It’s easy,Peter,” answered Mom,“But don’t you eat some breakfast now? We’ll look for your snow-clothes after that.”

a.Peter wanted to play.

b.Peter pointed to the snow-covered ground.

c.Peter yelled “Yippee”.

d.Peter’s parents are going to look for snow-clothes.

e.Peter brought his parents to the window.

III

Grandfather and Grandmother are visiting from Japan.At first,when we pick them up at the airport,Grandmother looks sad.Grandfather tells us that the airline loses Grandmother’s suitcase.

Grandfather thinks that a family dinner will make Grandmother very happy,so we go out to eat.But Grandmother is still sad.

Later that night,someone brings Grandmother’s suitcase.Finally,Grandmother smiles as she pulls Japanese candy and other gifts from the suitcase.We all simile,too.

a.We go out to eat.

b.We all smile.

c.We pick up Grandfather and Grandmother at the airport.

d.Someone brings Grandmother’s suitcase.

e.Grandmother smiles.

f.Grandfather and Grandmother come from Japan.

g.Grandmother looks sad.

(参考答案见本期第73 页)