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Summary: Little Women

Posted by: Jaksyn Peacock
A classic novel from the mid-19th century.

Pre-listening vocabulary

  • publish: to release and sell a book to the public
  • volume: a book that is part of a series
  • accomplish: to achieve; to complete
  • expectations: beliefs about what certain people should and should not do
  • oppose: to be against a certain idea
  • independent: not controlled or told what to do, free to make one’s own decisions
  • adaptation: a film or book that is based on another original work

Listening activity

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Gapfill exercise

Little Women is a classic by author Louisa May Alcott. It was originally published in two volumes – the first in 1868, and the second in 1869. The story the lives of four sisters growing up in a poor house during the time of the American Civil War. The main is Jo, the second-oldest sister. She wants to become a writer, which is difficult for her to accomplish because of the expectations for women at the time. She spends most of the story opposed to the idea of love, as she wants to be independent and put her own first. The character of Jo is based on Louisa May Alcott herself. This book is still loved by many today, and a recent movie adaptation won several for the script, acting, costumes, and music.

Comprehension questions

1. The first volume of Little Women was published in

Correct! Wrong!

The first volume of Little Women was published in 1868.

2. Out of the four sisters, Jo is the

Correct! Wrong!

Out of the four sisters, Jo is the second-oldest.

3. Jo spends most of the story opposed to the idea of

Correct! Wrong!

Jo spends most of the story opposed to the idea of love.

Discussion/essay questions

  1. Books like Little Women are considered “classics” because they were published a long time ago, but the themes are still interesting and relevant today. Have you read any books that are considered “classics”? What did you think of them?

Transcript

Little Women is a classic novel by author Louisa May Alcott. It was originally published in two volumes – the first in 1868, and the second in 1869. The story follows the lives of four sisters growing up in a poor house during the time of the American Civil War. The main character is Jo, the second-oldest sister. She wants to become a writer, which is difficult for her to accomplish because of the expectations for women at the time. She spends most of the story opposed to the idea of love, as she wants to be independent and put her own career first. The character of Jo is based on Louisa May Alcott herself. This book is still loved by many today, and a recent movie adaptation won several awards for the script, acting, costumes, and music.

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Written and recorded by Jaksyn Peacock for EnglishClub
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