Sci-Fi Story Stage 3 Comp Chapter 2 PDF

STAGE 3 Unit focus: Science Fiction Text focus: Narrative Chapter 2 - Wrong Time Lights faded, the world stopped spinning, and Burroughs threw up. “Sorry, sir,” he moaned. “At...

STAGE 3 Unit focus: Science Fiction Text focus: Narrative Chapter 2 - Wrong Time Lights faded, the world stopped spinning, and Burroughs threw up. “Sorry, sir,” he moaned. “At least I got it in the bucket.” “Not to worry, old chap! None of us travel well the first time. When I travelled to India as a young lad, I threw up in every inch of the ocean. Does you good to get it up.” Edgar slapped his young apprentice on the back and began to fiddle with the dials. Burroughs relaxed. The machine seemed to have worked. That was a bonus. He’d been a bit concerned about some of the wiring, but it had all held together. He was also a bit concerned that his master was pushing bu ons without knowing what they did, so he flicked the switch to open the brass lid of the machine. Together, they stood up and surveyed the scene in front of them. Technically, they shouldn’t have travelled through space, only time. Burroughs knew that they should still be in their warehouse, only twelve months earlier. Instead, they were in the middle of an open street covered in thick snow. Men in polished suits of armour were clamouring for a closer look at the machine. Around them, hundreds of people seemed to be rushing towards Westminster Abbey in the distance. That, at least, hadn’t changed. “Sir?” Burroughs said quietly. “What date did you put into the machine?” “Christmas Day, of course. The 25th of December.” “And what year?” “Year? What are you on about, Burroughs? I didn’t bother with a year. Surely a machine this clever knows I wanted last year?” Burroughs sighed. It was always the same with Edgar. He’d have half an idea and expect Burroughs to make it work. Then, he’d never bother to learn how to use it properly. It had been the same with the automatic teapot. They’d been scraping tea leaves out of the woodwork for weeks a er that. “Sir,” he began patiently, “if you don’t put in a year, it just uses the default se ng. The first year I thought to add to the dial.” all resources ©2022 Literacy Shed http://www.literacyshedplus.com “What year was that, boy?” “1066.” Edgar didn’t say anything for a moment. “What happened on Christmas Day in 1066?” “William the Conquerer was crowned King of England. That’s probably where everyone is going.” Suddenly, one of the knights in the polished armour started talking to them urgently. “You’re wrong, Burroughs!” Edgar shouted excitedly. “Listen to the man! He’s speaking in a strange, alien language. We’re on a distant planet!” Burroughs sighed again. “He’s speaking French, sir. He’ll be one of William’s knights. They are from France, you see.” Edgar looked crestfallen, but not for long. “Well, tell him we’re not interested. He can go about his business, and we’ll just figure out what to do.” Weapons of a very pointy nature were suddenly being produced by the group of knights that surrounded them. “I don’t think that’s a viewpoint that he’s likely to agree with,” Burroughs said out of the corner of his mouth. “I think he’s very keen for us to go with him.” RETRIEVAL FOCUS 1. Where did Edgar travel when he was younger? 2. How far back had they hoped to travel? 3. Why hadn’t it worked? 4. Which invention had gone wrong in the past? 5. What date had they travelled to? VIPERS QUESTIONS I Why was Burroughs feeling relieved when they arrived? V Find and copy a word that means “looked at”. S Who were the first people that Burroughs saw when he opened the lid? I Why might Burroughs have been embarrassed by Edgar when they started talking to the men? V Find and copy a phrase that describes the men’s weapons as sharp. all resources ©2022 Literacy Shed http://www.literacyshedplus.com