Sci-Fi Story Stage 3 Comp Chapter 1 PDF

STAGE 3 Unit focus: Science Fiction Text focus: Narrative Chapter 1 - The Machine “Listen up, Burroughs, we need the copper wiring to reach the far wall. If it doesn’t, we’ll never g...

STAGE 3 Unit focus: Science Fiction Text focus: Narrative Chapter 1 - The Machine “Listen up, Burroughs, we need the copper wiring to reach the far wall. If it doesn’t, we’ll never get it connected to the lightning rod. You know what that means.” Burroughs looked up at the gangling man wobbling on the ladder high above him. He knew Edgar meant well, but he never really thought things through. For an inventor, that was a big problem. Burroughs knew that it was his job to take his master’s ideas and make them work. After all, that’s why he was paid a shilling a day. “There’s a problem with that, sir,” Burroughs shouted. “We’re running out of wire. If you want to connect the spinning crystal nest to the main engine, we’ll need most of it.” Edgar scurried down the ladder three steps at a time. He towered over the young Burroughs, but he was never menacing. Burroughs had heard about some of the other masters out there in London, so he considered himself lucky. “Burroughs, Queen Victoria herself has asked us to build this machine. If we don’t get it working, it’ll be the Tower for us. Do you understand?” Burroughs nodded. “What about if we used the water pipes? They’re steel, so they’ll conduct the lightning. We could attach the rod to the pipes up on the roof and then the machine to a pipe further down.” Burroughs was scurrying around, grabbing short lengths of wire while he blurted out his idea. “We’ll use a lot less copper that way. There should be plenty left over for the machine.” “Excellent!” Edgar clapped his hands together and bustled over to the teapot that was slowly bubbling on a gas stove. “Sometimes I worry that I’d never have these amazing ideas if you weren’t around to egg me on, Burroughs. We really are a superb team!” Burroughs rolled his eyes and smiled to himself. He didn’t mind the fact that Edgar took all of the credit. It was just the way things were done. For the next few hours, he busied himself attaching the wires where they needed to be and making sure that his master didn’t accidentally undo all of his work by tinkering where he shouldn’t. By teatime, the machine was ready. Outside, the gas lamps were being lit. Only dirty, all resources ©2022 Literacy Shed http://www.literacyshedplus.com second-hand light made it through the soot-covered windows. The machine, built entirely of polished brass, gleamed like a fish in the depths of a murky river. “I’ve brought us a snack,” Edgar said, sitting down in the pilot’s chair. They’d managed to reuse the plush leather armchairs from the study. Burroughs was grateful for that as his bottom sank into the thick cushions. “When are we travelling back to?” “Queen Victoria misplaced her bracelet somewhere around Christmas Day. We’re to go back to that date and keep an eye on her to see where she put it.” “You’re the pilot,” Burroughs said with a smile. “Put the date in, and off we go.” Edgar fumbled with the dials and buttons for a few seconds before ceremoniously pushing the big red button marked “Travel”. Lights flashed, bells rang and then, suddenly, it was silent. VOCABULARY FOCUS 1. What impression do you get of Edgar from the word “gangling”? 2. Which word tells you that Burroughs is trying to get his idea out quickly? 3. Find and copy a word that describes somebody as moving busily or quickly. 4. Find an example of a simile in the text. 5. What does “tinkering” mean in this context? VIPERS QUESTIONS R What does Edgar want to use to conduct the electricity? R What do they end up using? I How does the reader know that Edgar came down the ladder quickly? I What evidence is there that Burroughs is patient with Edgar? S What did Edgar do immediately after they had their idea? all resources ©2022 Literacy Shed http://www.literacyshedplus.com