Vocabulary

 
 
 
  

The Passport Club

It was another Friday afternoon. After getting off from work, Jennifer headed to the Passport Club. There she found her friends sitting on lounge chairs, drinking tea and coffee, munching on nuts and dried fruit, and swapping travel stories.

Jennifer joined them.
 

The Party

During their conversations, a friend asked Jennifer if she would be coming to the party that Saturday. “This time we’ll be having Sri Lankan cuisine,” said her friend.

“I’d love to . . . but maybe next time,” said Jennifer. “I’m totally pooped — I’ve had to finish reports all week. I just want to spend the entire weekend at home and rest and relax.”

Jennifer finished her cappuccino, then got up to leave.
 

Leif

“Oh, and I almost forgot to mention,” said her friend. “Leif Henningsen is in town — and we’ve invited him to come by tomorrow.”

“Leif Henningsen!” exclaimed Jennifer. “The world traveler! I’ve read all his articles and books, and seen all his travel documentaries.”
“Yeah, and I’ve also heard he’s one of the most interesting persons to talk to,” said the friend.
“Then I’m definitely coming tomorrow!”

Saturday

And so the following day, Jennifer and the other members got together at the Club.

They dined on rice, curried chicken, fish, vegetables and coconut custard pudding. They listened to music. They chatted.

Then the guest of honor, Leif Henningsen, arrived. He gave a talk, mainly about his most recent travels through Tajikistan.

Following that, the party resumed, and Leif began autographing his latest book.

At this point, the club president brought Jennifer over and introduced her to Leif.
 

The Introduction

“Oh, Mr. Leif. I’ve heard so much about your travels,” said Jennifer.
“Yes, it’s been quite an experience,” said Leif. “And what about you? Have you done much traveling yourself?”
“Well, I’ve been to South America,” replied Jennifer. “You see, after university, I did volunteer work on an organic farm in Paraguay. I then taught English in Peru for two years. And then I traveled to Colombia, Brazil and Chile . . . . . .”
 

South America

Several minutes later, Jennifer and Leif went and sat down together on a sofa.

“Where did you stay in the Amazon?” asked Leif. “Did you get a chance to visit the Nazca Lines? . . . How was the food in Rio? . . . What did you do on the farm in Ecuador?”

This went on for an hour-and-a-half.

Through it all, Jennifer spoke about 98% of the time, largely in response to Leif’s questions.

Monday Afternoon

The following Monday, Jennifer met up with her friends at the Passport Club.

“So how did you like the party?” asked her friend.
“You know, you were absolutely right about Leif,” said Jennifer. “I had the most FASCINATING conversation in my whole life!”

Questions

Eiffel Tower. Having finished work, Jennifer went straight home. Is this correct or wrong?

Statue of Liberty. What is the Passport Club? Were the members planning their next trip that Friday afternoon?

Great Wall of China. Did Jennifer’s friend remind her about paying membership dues?

Taj Mahal. At first, Jennifer was looking forward to coming to the party. True or false? Why wasn’t she looking forward to coming?

Machu Picchu. Did Jennifer change her mind? Why did she change her mind?

Colosseum. What happened at the party?

Christ the Redeemer. The following Monday, Jennifer met up with her friends at a shopping mall. Yes or no? If yes, did she say anything?

The Pyramids of Giza. Do you think Jennifer’s friends and family were interested in her travels in South America?

 

Angkor Wat. Is there a moral or lesson to the story? The moral or lesson of the story is . . . . . . .

Elaborate on the following sayings. You have two ears and one mouth. You can make twice as many friends in two month by being interested in others than you can in two years trying to make other people interested in you.

Disneyland. What do some or many people think, regarding conversations?

Grand Canyon. I know some people who like to talk . . . and talk . . . and talk. Yes or no? What do they talk about?

Venice. I know people who are good listeners. Yes or no? Do you know anyone who is a good talker?

E. How could this apply to the following?
Chichen Itza. A patient and a psychiatrist.
Amsterdam Canals. A journalist and an interviewee.
The Louvre. A salesperson and a prospect or client.
The Acropolis. A teacher and students.
Great Barrier Reef. A politician and his or her constituents.
Times Square. A couple on a date.