David Copperfield : chapters XV & XVI

· Vocabulary tip: a safe (p. 188): un coffre-fort

· Culture tip: Canterbury Cathedral (p. 192) is important in that the Archbishop of Canterbury is the spiritual head of the Church of England (the Primate of All England). It was a major pilgrimage site in the Middle Ages, after the murder of Thomas Becket.

Miss Betsey proposes that David, whom she has nicknamed “______,” be sent to __________ at _____________. They go there and visit Mr. Wickfield, a friend of Miss Betsey’s. Mr. Wickfield recommends a school for David but warns that the dorms are full and that David will have to stay elsewhere. The adults agree that David can go to the school and stay with _________________ until they find a more suitable arrangement.

At first, David’s school level is very ____________ but he progresses quite _________.

New characters

· Mr Wickfield is a __________. He is a widower and lives with his ________ Agnes, to whom he is extremely attached. He drinks too much __________. He seems to be worried.

· Uriah Heep: works for ________________, who paid for his articles.

Age: about __________.

His hair is ______ and cropped very ________. He has neither ___________ nor _________.

His eyes are _______________.

His face is “____________”, his hands are “___________”, “__________”, “____________”.

He studies ____________ but he denies having any professional ambition. He generally insists that he is very “____________”.

Tic: _________________.

• Dr Strong: the __________________ of David’s school.
• Annie: Dr Strong’s young ___________.
• Mrs Markleham: Annie’s _______. Nicknamed “____________” by the schoolboys.

· Jack Maldon: Annie’s ________.

At Dr Strong’s request, ____________ finds a job abroad for _______________.

After reading chapters 15 and 16, can you imagine the reasons for Dr Strong’s request?

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