Scene 6: Looking for Apple

Listen or download Scene 6 of our pantomime by clicking on the links below. As you listen, try to answer these comprehension questions:

1. Who does Dick meet?
2. Which spelling is correct - dwarves or dwarfs?
3. What website answers questions about the English language?

The answers are at the bottom of this page.

Vocabulary

politically correct – ‘I’m not sure that’s still a politically correct term’
if language is politically correct, it isn’t offensive to minority groups and is seen as a reasonable way of talking about something or someone. Recently in the UK, the phrase has taken on a slightly negative meaning, e.g.:

He won’t tell you the truth – just a load of politically correct nonsense

a shambles – ‘this is all a complete shambles’
informal - something which is very badly organised, or very messy. Note that the word is singular, and is often used with complete and total. Look at these two other uses of the word:

The narrator made a shambles of his lines
You can tell I’ve been away – the house is (in) a complete shambles

niggling – ‘… which deals with all those niggling questions about the English language…’
if something niggles, it annoys you slightly over a long period of time, so niggling doubts are worries that don’t go away, and niggling questions are questions you can’t find an answer to. Note that to niggle also means to ask too many questions or have too many doubts, e.g.:

It’s really good news – stop niggling!

specifically – ‘… aimed specifically at English language learners’
especially

to come over – ‘I’m not sure what came over me then…’
A way of describing unexpected changes of mood, feeling or behaviour, e.g.:

She suddenly came over very dizzy and had to sit down.
I don’t know what’s come over her recently – she’s been acting really weird…

Answers

1. Snow White
2. Both spellings are correct
3. bbclearningenglish.com!