The Help

I can understand an extract from a novel

Revision: Student Book pages 102-103

1 Complete the sentences with the phrasal verbs below.

(Hoàn thành câu với các cụm động từ dưới đây.)

1 Sam ______ by working hard and showing enthusiasm.

2 The doctor said he could ______ me ______ for  a quick appointment at 11.45.

3 Andy has ______ as the head of the charity and he is going to work in politics instead.

4 My mum ______ the company ten years ago and it now employs over a hundred people.

5 Sara's always ______ crazy new ideas for vlogs that never work!

6 Harry ______ at the homeless centre by cooking in the kitchen two evenings a week.

2 You are going to read an extract from the novel The Help. The author writes dialogues using the language conventions of the southern states of the USA. Rewrite the sentences below in standard British English.

(Bạn sắp đọc một đoạn trích từ cuốn tiểu thuyết The Help. Tác giả viết các đoạn hội thoại sử dụng quy ước ngôn ngữ của các bang miền Nam nước Mỹ. Viết lại các câu dưới đây bằng tiếng Anh chuẩn.)

1 This what she been trying to ask me the past two weeks.

_____________________________________

2 "You think Miss Leefolt gone agree to that?"

_____________________________________

3 "... do that not sound kind a dangerous to you?"

_____________________________________

Reading Strategy

Read all the text once and then read the questions. Match any questions that are immediately obvious, and identify and note the parts of the text that contain the evidence for your answer. Then carefully read each section of the text again and look for the answers to the remaining questions.

(Chiến lược đọc

Đọc toàn bộ văn bản một lần và sau đó đọc câu hỏi. Ghép bất kỳ câu hỏi nào dễ thấy ngay, đồng thời xác định và ghi chú các phần của văn bản chứa bằng chứng cho câu trả lời của bạn. Sau đó đọc kỹ từng phần của văn bản một lần nữa và tìm câu trả lời cho các câu hỏi còn lại.)

3 Read the Reading Strategy. Match sections (A-C) in the extract with questions (1-5) below. Each section may be matched with more than one question.

(Đọc Chiến lược đọc. Nối các phần (A-C) trong đoạn trích với các câu hỏi (1-5) bên dưới. Mỗi phần có thể được kết hợp với nhiều hơn một câu hỏi.)

Which section...

1 gives examples of violent racism? ¨

2 talks about the number of interviews that Miss Skeeter wants to do? ¨

3 mentions Miss Skeeter realising that the situation is more difficult than she imagined? ¨

4 talks about not telling anyone about the plan? ¨

5 suggests that Miss Skeeter's behaviour is rude? ¨

The Help

Kathryn Stockett's novel The Help is set in the 1960s, a time when the Civil Rights movement is campaigning all across the USA for equal rights for African Americans. Skeeter Phelan, a white woman, wants to write a book to protest against the unfair treatment of African Americans-a book about the experiences of African American maids who work for white families. In this extract, Skeeter asks Aibileen, a black maid, if she can interview her.

A

"What can I do for you?"

"I have an idea. Something I want to write about. But I need your help."

I let all my breath out. I like Miss Skeeter, but come on. Sure, a phone call would a been nice. She never would a just shown up on some white lady's step without calling. But no, she done plopped herself down like she got ever right to barge in on me at home.

"I want to interview you. About what it's like to work as a maid." (...)

"Like the Miss Myrna column?" I say, flat as a pan. "Bout cleaning?"

"Not like Miss Myrna. I'm talking about a book," she say and her eyes is big. She excited. "Stories about what it's like to work for a white family. What it's like to work for, say ... Elizabeth."

B

I turn and look at her. This what she been trying to ask me the past two weeks in Miss Leefolt kitchen. "You think Miss Leefolt gone agree to that? Me telling stories about her?"

Miss Skeeter's eyes drop down some. "Well, no. I was thinking we wouldn't tell her. I'll have to make sure the other maids will agree to keep it secret, too."

I scrunch up my forehead, just starting to get what she's asking. "Other maids?"

"I was hoping to get four or five. To really show what it's like to be a maid in Jackson." (...)

C

She looks excited, like this is some kind of game. For a second, I think I might be more mad than I am tired.

"Miss Skeeter," I whisper, "do that not sound kind a dangerous to you?"

"Not if we're careful-"

"Shhh, please. Do you know what would happen to me if Miss Leefolt find out I talked behind her back?"

"We won't tell her, or anyone." She lowers her voice some, but not enough. "These will be private interviews."

I just stare at her. Is she crazy? "Did you hear about the colored boy this morning? One they beat with a tire iron for accidentally using the white bathroom?"

She just look at me, blink a little. "I know things are unstable but this is-"