Week 7 Churchill and the Taxi Driver Source

Week 7 Churchill and the Taxi Driver (Source: Hill, L. A. Introductory Stories for Reproduction. OUP: 1978)

Great Britain and the Second World War 2

Churchill and the Taxi Driver A) Churchill was so pleased when he heard this answer that he gave the man a pound, which was worth quite a lot in those days. B) During the Second World War, Winston Churchill was the British Prime Minister. One day he had to go to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) to make an important speech to the nation. C) ‘All right, get in, ’ said the driver happily, opening the door of the taxi. ‘I’ll take you, and to hell with Churchill and his speech!’ D) An hour before the time of his speech, he stopped a taxi in the street and asked the driver to take him to the BBC; but the taxi-driver, who did not recognise him, said he could not take him anywhere just then, because he wanted to go back to his home at the other end of London to hear Churchill make a 3 speech on the radio.

Churchill and the Taxi Driver During the Second World War, Winston Churchill was the British Prime Minister. One day he had to go to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) to make an important speech to the nation. An hour before the time of his speech, he stopped a taxi in the street and asked the driver to take him to the BBC; but the taxidriver, who did not recognise him, said he could not take him anywhere just then, because he wanted to go back to his home at the other end of London to hear Churchill make a speech on the radio. Churchill was so pleased when he heard this answer that he gave the man a pound, which was worth quite a lot in those days. ‘All right, get in, ’ said the driver happily, opening the door of the taxi. ‘I’ll take you, and to hell with Churchill and his speech!’ 4

Churchill and the Taxi Driver • Why did the taxi-driver stop taking passengers a whole hour before Churchill’s speech? A) Because he lived at the other end of London. B) Because he didn’t recognise Churchill. 5

Churchill and the Taxi Driver 1. Why did the taxi-driver stop taking passengers a whole hour before Churchill’s speech? A) Because he lived at the other end of London. 6

Churchill and the Taxi Driver 2. Why did Churchill give the taxi-driver a pound? A) Because the driver was willing to take him to the BBC. B) Because he wanted to listen to Churchill on the radio. 7

Churchill and the Taxi Driver 2. Why did Churchill give the taxi-driver a pound? B) Because he wanted to listen to Churchill on the radio. 8

Churchill and the Taxi Driver 3. Why did the taxi-driver change his mind about taking Churchill to the BBC? A) Because ha hadn’t really want to hear his speech. B) Because Churchill had given him a pound. 9

Churchill and the Taxi Driver 3. Why did the taxi-driver change his mind about taking Churchill to the BBC? B) Because Churchill had given him a pound. 10

Vocabulary • Churchill is making a speech. 11

Vocabulary • Prime Minister 12

Vocabulary • Radio broadcast 13

Vocabulary • He is pleased. 14

Vocabulary • They are worth the same. 15