The Lady or the Tiger abridged

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What does the story seem to be about?

nce upon a time, in a far-off country there lived a semi-barbaric king who was very cruel. He had great power, and he liked to laugh. Also, he liked to play barbaric jokes with the law. When a man broke a law, the king did not always send him to prison. Sometimes he ordered the man to come to the king's arena and then invited all the people to come and watch. After the people were in their seats, the king would sit down on his high throne, and the prisoner would step into the centre of the arena. Opposite him were two doors exactly alike. Behind one door was a hungry tiger. Behind the other door was a beautiful lady. The prisoner could open either door. The choice was his. But he had to open a door. If the tiger came out, it ate the man. Then the people were sad because the man was guilty. If the beautiful lady came out, a priest married the two immediately. Then the people were glad because the man was innocent. Either way, the king was pleased with himself. A day came when the king was not pleased. He princess, had been in love with the wrong man for and brave, but he was not the son of a king. His position did not send the young man to prison. He ordered him

discovered that his beautiful daughter, the many months. The young man was handsome in life was low. The king was very angry. But he to come to the arena.

The princess loved the young man with all her heart. With the help of gold, she discovered the secret of the two doors. Then she raced a dreadful question. Which did she want for her lover — the lady or the tiger? The lady was beautiful, and she had smiled at the lover more than once. The princess hated her. And yet the tiger! The blood! The princess was semi-barbaric like her father. Did she want him to die? Or did she want him to live and have another beautiful woman for his wife? After many days and nights, she made up her mind. On the dreadful day, all the people gathered in the arena. The king sat down on his high throne. His daughter, white and silent, sat beside him. The young man walked to the centre of the arena and looked up at the princess. His eyes asked: "Which door?" She lifted her hand and made a slight, quick movement to the right. No one, but her lover saw it. He turned and walked with a firm and rapid step across the empty space. He went to the door on the right and opened it. (After R.Stockton)

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1 True or False? Correct the wrong information. 1. The king possessed a sense of humour. 2.The king asked the young man to come to the arena.

Complete the sentences! 1.

The king had great power and liked …

2. Behind the second door was …

3.

With the help of gold, she discovered…

3. The princess was barbaric like her father. 4.His daughter had been in love with the prince.

4. He went to the door on the …

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Answer the questions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

When does the story take place? What jokes did the king like to play? What did the king sometimes do to a man who broke a law? Who was placed behind each door? Whose choice was it which door to open? Why was the king very angry one day? How did the princess discover the secret of the doors? How long did it take the princess to make up her mind? Did the young man know who was behind the door he was going to open?

The king______ ____________ ____________ _______ The Princess ___ ____________ ____________ _______

Who ? • •

• • • • • • • • •

suffered internal conflict was charged with the crime of falling in love with the princess was of a lower was to be tried by the barbaric judicial system. Looked much like father Was semi-barbaric Lower socioeconomic class than the princess. Was ruthless and bloodthirsty fell in love with wrong man. liked to laugh was handsome and brave

The Princess’ Lover _____ ____________ ____________ _______

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What happened to the young man in your opinion?

Door #1: The Lady • If one chooses the other door, a woman would be made your wife instantaneously. • She was chosen for being the most beautiful maiden of the defendant’s social class and age group.

Door #2: The Tiger • Behind one of the doors was concealed a tiger. • This vicious beast was chosen for being the fiercest and hungriest in the kingdom. • If one chose this door, he would be killed; and hired mourners would grieve over the death of the criminal.