The Apple Tree
Vocabulary
| rather | right in | chop down |
| haul | yard (2) | plant (3) |
| gather | remove | fall/fell/fallen |
| log (3) | shatter | get rid of |
| stump | chain (2) | chainsaw |
| dig | why not | might as well |
| pear | thorough | spend/spent |
| roots | give in | topple over |
| wow | rest (2) | around (2) |
| pit | fill-filled | give me a hand |
| at last | right (3) |
The Apple Tree
It had been there for as long as I can remember. When we first moved into our house, thirty years ago, the first thing we saw was the apple tree, right in the front yard.
It stood nearly ten meters high. Every summer it was full of red apples.
I loved picking and eating the fresh, juicy apples!
Never
“Sheryl, we ought to chop the apple tree down and haul it away,” said my husband, Carl one day.
“Are you kidding?!? Never!” I shot back. “I like this tree, and if anything, we need to plant even more.”
“I agree with you completely. But it’s rather old, and if there were a storm, it might topple over and crash onto our house.
Mrs. Kimberly
Remember Mrs. Kimberly? Her oak tree fell onto her kitchen window, shattering it. And she had been standing in front of the window and got hurt.
She ended up in the hospital!
It’s better to get rid of the apple tree now before it falls over. Anyway we can always plant another one.”
After arguing for some time, I finally gave in. And so we called some tree specialists.
Thursday Morning
The following morning, two men arrived in a truck, and began cutting away the apple tree with their chainsaw. They gathered the fallen branches, logs, and leaves, and put them in their truck. Since the tree was so big, it took them several trips to haul everything away.
And then they dug out and removed the stump, which was even harder and took more time.
At last by late afternoon they had removed everything and left.
A Big Hole
“Wow, look at the size of that hole! This sure was a big tree.” said Carl. He then climbed into the hole and looked around. ”
“Hey, I think I see something down here,” he said, and began digging with his hands on the bottom of the pit. “It looks like a wooden chest!”
I jumped into the hole. It was indeed a chest. We opened the lid. It was filled with gold jewellery and silver utensils: rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, plates, spoons, knives and forks.
Questions
Apple. Who were Sheryl and Carl? Did they live in an apartment building? Where did they live?
Orange, Tangerine. A cactus was in their front yard. Yes or no? Was it young and small?
Banana. One day, Carl and Sheryl were telling stories and jokes. Is this right or wrong? Why did they have an argument?
Pear. What did they decide to do? Did they cut the tree down themselves?
Cherry. Cutting down the tree and removing it was quick and easy. True or false?
Berry. When the workmen had finished in the late afternoon, they planted roses where the apple tree had been. Is this correct or incorrect?
Watermelon, Melon. What happened in the end? How did they feel?
Pineapple. What could be an explanation?
Strawberry. Do you think the writer is materialistic or an environmentalist?
Kiwi. There are a lot of hidden or lost treasures and artifacts in my country. Yes or no? Have people discovered buried “treasures” in your country? What happened?
Grapes. What would you do if you discovered buried or lost treasures or artifacts? If I found buried or lost treasures, I would . . .
Mango. Do you have a garden? If yes, what’s in it?
Peach, Apricot. Should people cut down or plant more trees?
Plum. Is money and wealth the most important thing in the world?
