Question

Here is an extract adapted from a one-act play. In this extract, angry neighbours who think Joe the Inventor’s new spinning machine will make them lose their jobs come to destroy Joe’s model of the machine.

You’ve just seen how contracted forms can make a written text sound like actual speech. Try to make this extract sound more like a real conversation by changing some of the verbs back into contracted forms. Then speak out the lines.

MOB:	Now where is your husband, mistress?
MARY:	In his bed. He is sick, and weary. You would not harm him!
HOB:	We are going to smash his evil work to pieces. Where is the machine?
SECOND MAN:	On the table yonder.
HOB:	Then here is the end of it! [HOB smashes the model. MARY screams.]
HOB:	And now for your husband!
MARY:	Neighbours, he is a sick man and almost a cripple. You would not hurt him!
HOB:	He is planning to take away our daily bread… We will show him what we think of him and his ways!
MARY:	You have broken his machine... You have done enough...

Answer 1

MOB:	Now where’s your husband, mistress?
MARY:	He’s in his bed. He’s sick and weary. You wouldn’t harm him!
HOB:	We’re going to smash his evil work to pieces. Where’s the machine?
SECOND MAN:	On the table yonder.
HOB:	Then here’s the end of it! [HOB smashes the model. MARY screams.]
HOB:	And now for your husband!
MARY:	Neighbours, he’s a sick man and almost a cripple. You wouldn’t hurt him!
HOB:	He’s planning to take away our daily bread... We’ll show him what we think of him and his ways!
MARY:	You’ve broken his machine... You’ve done enough...