 This post contains a reading of about 200 words aimed at intermediate to upper-intermediate students with activities such as reading comprehension, expressing the main ideas, lexicon and phonetics. |
Fawlty Towers is one of the finest situation comedies British television has ever seen. The concept for Fawlty Towers was born in the Gleneagles Hotel in 1971. John Cleese was staying at this hotel, while filming a programme. The hotelier at that time was a man of infinite rudeness called Donald Sinclair. There was a case of mistaken identity with a customer’s bag. Eric Idle left his bag by the front door of the hotel. When he returned later that day, he could not find it. Idle asked Sinclair if he had seen the missing bag and Sinclair responded that it was not his business.
Fascinated by Sinclair and his furious dislike of guests, John Cleese decided to stay on at the Gleneagles and even invited his wife, the actress Connie Booth, to stay with him. The pair of them observed Sinclair’s unusual behaviour. Three years later, John and Connie decided to draw upon their experience at the Gleneagles, and Fawlty Towers was created for the BBC channel.
Although Fawlty Towers is now considered one of the greatest sitcoms of all time, the initial reactions received from the press and public were mediocre. However, by the time the last episode had been broadcast the show had become immensely popular.
1. READING COMPREHENSION. Add TRUE or FALSE and copy the evidence from the text to support your answer.
a. Fawlty Towers is the most popular quiz show on English Television.
b. The person who managed the Gleneagles Hotel was rude to his guests.
c. Eric Idle left his luggage in the garden of the hotel as there was no room in the hall.
d. John Cleese was married to Connie Booth.
2. EXPRESSING THE MAIN IDEAS. Answer the following questions according to the information given in the text. Where possible, use your own words.
a. From where did the creator of this English series take the idea?
b. Did the critics love the series at the beginning?
3. LEXICON. Find words or phrases in the text that mean the same as these given.
(a) Lack of respect for other people.
(b) Very interested.
(c) People who are staying in a hotel.
(d) Not very good, of only average standard.
4. PHONETICS.
(a) Write two words from the text that include the same vowel sound as "corn" /ɔ:/.
(b) Write two words from the text that include the same sound as "responded" /Id/.
Fascinated by Sinclair and his furious dislike of guests, John Cleese decided to stay on at the Gleneagles and even invited his wife, the actress Connie Booth, to stay with him. The pair of them observed Sinclair’s unusual behaviour. Three years later, John and Connie decided to draw upon their experience at the Gleneagles, and Fawlty Towers was created for the BBC channel.
Although Fawlty Towers is now considered one of the greatest sitcoms of all time, the initial reactions received from the press and public were mediocre. However, by the time the last episode had been broadcast the show had become immensely popular.
Adapted from FAWLTY TOWERS DVD. BBC 2
QUESTIONS
1. READING COMPREHENSION. Add TRUE or FALSE and copy the evidence from the text to support your answer.
a. Fawlty Towers is the most popular quiz show on English Television.
b. The person who managed the Gleneagles Hotel was rude to his guests.
c. Eric Idle left his luggage in the garden of the hotel as there was no room in the hall.
d. John Cleese was married to Connie Booth.
2. EXPRESSING THE MAIN IDEAS. Answer the following questions according to the information given in the text. Where possible, use your own words.
a. From where did the creator of this English series take the idea?
b. Did the critics love the series at the beginning?
3. LEXICON. Find words or phrases in the text that mean the same as these given.
(a) Lack of respect for other people.
(b) Very interested.
(c) People who are staying in a hotel.
(d) Not very good, of only average standard.
4. PHONETICS.
(a) Write two words from the text that include the same vowel sound as "corn" /ɔ:/.
(b) Write two words from the text that include the same sound as "responded" /Id/.
- Download the printable worksheet with reading and activities.
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