Second Best: Part 1

This advanced-level story, by D H Lawrence, is set in the British countryside in the early 1900s. It is about a young woman who is looking for love after a disappointing affair. It is told in two parts; each part contains audio and an accompanying lesson plan written by Daniel Barber, which includes teacher’s notes, student worksheets and a full transcript and glossary. Part 1 is free to all onestopenglish users.

Part 1 of this story introduces us to Frances, who is lazing in the summer heat chatting to her sister about matters of the heart when they catch sight of a small, helpless creature. In this lesson, the students will: talk about sibling personalities and birth order; categorize adjectives of personality; listen for gist and detail; listen for strong forms of auxiliary verbs in elided sentences; discuss the protagonist’s problem.