THE LINE ON THE GROUND

 

Colonel Travis called his 187 men.

He said sadly, “General Santa Anna is coming to attack us. He has about 4,000 soldiers and lots of ammunition. We have only 187 men and little ammunition. We have little food and water. Remember, there are women and children in the fort.”

Then he marked a line on the ground with his sword.

“Those who want to fight for the independence of Texas, cross this line! The others can leave the fort and go home.”

There was a very long silence.

Davy thought about his wife and his five children.

Then he thought about the independence of Texas and the American settlers.

He thought about a new American state: Texas!

 

FILL IN THE BLANKS

Colonel Travis __________________ called his 187 men.
He said __________________ sadly, “General Santa Anna is coming __________________ to attack us.
He has about 4,000 soldiers and _____________ lots of ammunition. We have only 187 men and _____________ little ammunition. We have _____________ little food and water. Remember, there are _____________ women and children in the fort.”
Then he _____________ marked a line on the ground with his _____________ sword.

“Those who want _____________ to fight for the independence of Texas, _____________ cross this line!

The _____________others can_____________leave  the fort and_____________go home.

There was a very long _____________ silence. Davy _____________ thought about his wife and his five children. Then he _____________ thought about a new American state: Texas!

 

ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS:

(1) How many men did Travis call? __________________ Travis called 187 men.

(2) Did he speak sadly? __________________ Yes, he did, he spoke sadly.

(3) Did Santa Anna have lots of ammunition? __________________Yes, he did. He had lots of ammunition.

(4) How many soldiers did Santa Anna have? _______________________ Santa Anna had about 4,000 soldiers.

(5) How many men were there at fort? _____________________There were 187 men at the fort.

(6) Did they have much or little ammunition at the fort? _____________________ They had little ammunition at the fort.

(7) Did they have much or little food and water at the fort? _____________________ They had little food and water at the fort.

(8) Were there women and children in the fort? __________________Yes, there were. There were women and children in the fort.

(9) What did he mark on the ground? __________________ He marked a line on the ground.

(10) What did he mark the line with? __________________ He marked the line with his sword.
(11) Did he ask everybody to cross the line? __________________ No, he did not. He did not ask everybody to cross the line.
(12) Was there a long silence? __________________ Yes, there was. There was a long silence.
(13) Did Davy think about his wife and children? __________________ Yes, he did. He thought about his wife and children.
(14) Did he think about a new American state: Texas? __________________ Yes, he did. He thought about a new American state: Texas.

 

VOCABULARY

about [ə’baut] примерно: He has about 4,000 soldiers. У него примерно 4 000 солдат.
ammunition [ˌæmjə’nɪʃ(ə)n] боеприпасы, снаряды, патроны
call [kɔːl] v. позвать, созывать; кричать
cross [krɔs]v. пересекать, переходить за
line [laɪn] линия, черта
lots [lɔts] lots of / a lot of много, большое количество
other [‘ʌðə] другой
others [‘ʌðəz] остальные
sadly [‘sædlɪ] грустно, печально
sword [sɔːd] шпага, рапира, меч
think [θɪŋk] (thought – thought [θɔːt]) v. думать, размышлять