A RACE AGAINST TIME
FULL STEAM AHEAD (AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS)
Jules Verne
Word Meaning
1. Precisely - exactly, accurately
2. Vigorous - strong, active
3. Considerably - to an extent or degree
4. Peninsula - land surrounded by water all three sides
5. Whirled - rotated rapidly
6. Tranquil - calm, peaceful
7. Hull - main body or frame of a ship
8. Coast - land near a sea or ocean
9. Ceased - stopped, discontinued
10. Anxiety – uneasy feeling, worry, or fear
11. Slacken - become less active, slow down
12. Interrupt – stop, hinder
13. Indifference - lack of interest or sympathy
14. Eccentric – strange and not following a common pattern
15. Persistent – consistent
16. Pitch - the degree of high and low voice
17. Enthusiastic – eager, interested
18. Absorbing - fully engaging
19. Scenes – spot, place where fiction occurs
20. Consoled - comforted
21. Whim - a sudden desire or change of mind
22. Amiable - friendly, pleasant
23. Minarets - tall towers
24. Curiosity - desire to know
25. Pretended – false, fake
26. Conceal - to keep from sight; to hide
27. Errand - a short trip taken to perform a specific task
28. Dismantled – separated piece by piece
29. Immense - extremely large or great
30. Obliged - willing to do a favor
31. Delay – postpone, late
32. Inhabitants – dwellers in a particular place
33. Distinctly – clearly
34. Concluded - ended; finished
35. Campaign - series of activities
A.2 Work in pairs.
a. Time
passed quickly on the Mongolia. Why was that so?
The time passed quite quickly
in Mongolia. Most of the travelling time in Mongolia was consumed by mouth-watering
breakfast, lunch, dinner and supper. That was spread on the cabin tables. The passengers
also spent much of their time singing, dancing and playing games.
b. But,
even if he was indeed worried, he did not show any such signs. Why did Fogg
not show any such signs? What does this tell you about him?
The red sea was often very
rough especially when the winds blew from the African and Asian coasts. Naturally,
the passengers on boat were worried. However, Phileas Fogg even though worried
and anxious, did not show any outward signs. He did not want to interrupt his journey.
He was known to be uncaring and indifferent. He was not interested in the sight
of the historic towns and villages, neither was he afraid of the dangers of the
Arabic Gulf.
A.3 From the text.
a. Why did
the singing and dancing cease suddenly?
The singing and dancing
ceased suddenly as the seas had become very rough and the Mongolia, with her
long hull, rolled fearfully. This happened when the wind came from the African
or Asian coast.
b. Do you
agree with Monsieur Fix that India is very curious place? Why/Why not?
Yes, I agree with Monsieur
Fix that India is very curious place. The story is set in the late 19th
century. At that point, there were many beliefs and thing that did not match
with those of people from the Western world. India was a country where religion,
such as Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism existed together; therefore, one got to
see temples, mosques, minarets and even pagodas. This was very different from
the place where Monsieur Fix come from.
c. What does Fix mean
by perhaps a diplomatic mission?
A diplomatic mission is a
representative office of a national government located in another nation's
territory. Fix thinks most likely Mr. Passepartout was on a secret mission oh behalf
of Frech Government. Hence, he uses this term.
A.10 Answer the following questions
a. The Mongolia
was an efficient ship. Cite evidence from the text to support of argue
against the statement.
The statement that Mongolia
was an efficient ship was correct. Although the sea was turbulent at times, it ploughed
straight on, not deterred by wind or wave. Her efficiency and speed was seen as
it was able to arrive the destination Bombay on the 20th, that was
two days before due time.
b. ”Do
you know, Mr. Passepartout, that this pretended tour in eighty days may conceal
some secret errand – perhaps a diplomatic mission?” What do you think
Monsieur Fix is referring to using the words a diplomatic mission?
Monsieur Fix, when referring
to the diplomatic mission, meant that maybe Phileas Fogg was on a secret
mission which he had hidden from Passepartout.
c. “I
see that it is by no means useless to travel, if a man wants to something new.”
Do you agree with this statement? Why/Why not?
I agree with the above
statement. Travelling is a learning process as there is no harm to gain
knowledge about new places.
Learning and experience become
part of oneself when gained by travelling. It is a good way to learn and make
oneself aware of different cultures.
d. How did
Philias Fogg Pass his time when he was aboard the Mongolia?
Phileas Fogg passed his time
in Mongolia quite nicely. He enjoyed all his four hearty meals every day, in
spite of the rolling and hurling of the steamer. He played whist the whole day
with some of his co-passengers.
A.11 Answer the following questions in details.
b. Write an
account describing a journey on board the Mongolia from Suez to Aden.
I boarded Mongolia from Suez to Bombay via Aden on the 8th of October. On the 13th of October, Mongolia sailed passed Mocha. It was surrounded by ruined walls, with date trees growing around them and dismantled fort. I could see vast coffee fields in the mountains. On the 13th night, it passed through the Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb. On the 14th evening, Mongolia reached Aden before time. On the same night I went ashore and observed the mixed population of Aden. On 18th October, it continued its voyage on the Indian Ocean. At this point the sea was calm and the sails were helping the engine as the wind was blowing from the north-west. Dancing and singing resumed on the deck. Finally, on the 20th of October, I saw the Indian coast. A range of hills lay against the sky in the horizon. The rows of palm trees that decorated Bombay became visible. At half-past four, Mongolia hauled up at the quays of Bombay.
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